Advent Calendar - Day 3 Fiction by Byron Beach
Our friends have been extraordinarily generous with their time and talent this year. We have a delightful abundance of codas to share. We're going to kick off with Byron Beach and a lovely coda about Rob and Adam from Winter Kill.
Findingthe perfect tree
Thesnow fell lightly, covering the mountain forest in a serene, white blanket asAdam Darling sat at the kitchen table. A cup of steaming black coffee warmedhis hands, which were half-frozen since he’d forgotten his gloves on the longwalk down the drive for the Saturday mail. Among the letters and advertisementswas a cream-colored envelope thick and elegant, with a Washington state returnaddress. He opened it, revealing the announcement of Tucker Lance's upcomingwedding to Elliott Mills. Adam felt a twinge of nostalgia; he had cared aboutTucker, thought he might be ‘The One’ but deep down, he always knew theyweren’t right for each other. Their similarities were too similar and misalignments,were not the kind that offset each other. It was different with Rob. From themoment they met, he felt that he knew Rob. His heart knew Rob was his Rob. His brain took a few months to get overthe belief that it would never work out for him. But if a crazy, hard-ass, driven guy likeTucker could find his forever, well the world was full of surprises.
AsAdam read the invitation, Rob Haskell entered the kitchen, wearing a redflannel shirt, gray fleece sweats and his usual jovial smile. "What'sthat?" Rob asked with a slight hint of nervousness, nodding toward theenvelope.
"Weddinginvitation," Adam replied, passing it to him. "Tucker and Elliott aregetting married."
Robstudied the invitation, his eyebrows flattened, and his voice soundedcontrolled, "In Seattle? I bet it'll be a big, fancy city wedding. Yousaid Tucker's always been about his career and doing things up right."
Adamcaught the note of what, not worry, but uncertainty? in Rob's voice. He set hiscoffee down and reached for Rob's hand. "Rob, you know Tucker and Iweren’t a good fit. I love you, I love our life here, the peace, the dogs...everything."
Robsmiled, "Of course you do, with all of this...” he smiled as he gesturedto their dogs and the forest, “how could the excitement of the city compete”but despite casual laughing tone, Adam could hear something underneath.
Adamshook his head. "Yep, the big city, I miss the traffic and the smog, andthe jerks who cut you off and the $23 cocktails, if only I could go back."He murmured as he drew Rob down for a kiss
“Imean, if you want to go we could make a trip of it to Seattle and you could getyour city fix and be all networky with all those Feebs” Rob suggested.
Adamrolled his eyes. “If you are so into it you go, I’ll stay here with the dogsand catch up on my sleep and explore the sights of Southern Oregon I have yetto experience. You go be ‘networky’ – is that even a word? And sit though theagony or a big wedding”
Thetension eased from Rob's shoulders. "What, don’t you like big weddings?”before Adam could start an answer Rob continued “Speaking of what we have herein majestic Southern Oregon, today is Christmas tree day. I declare it an official Darling/Haskellholiday. The snow's perfect, and Guinness and Ms. Lopez could use a goodrun."
Adamgrinned. "Now that, sounds perfect. Let me grab my coat"
“Ohgood, get out that fancy North Face sub-zero artic special one of yours. It’s about time it got a little roughed upand some sap on it” called back Rob. “I’ll get my trusty, workman’s ColumbiaPuffer.”
“Ihad no idea that I was entering this cult of Colombia sportswear when I moved uphere, and there is nothing wrong with my North Face jacket”
Robpeaking his head around the corner chirped in, “Nothing wrong at all assumingyou like to pay three times more for Big City fashion”
Adamthrew a glove which would have hit perfectly if Rob hadn’t quickly shut thedoor to the garage and started singing, I Love LA.
Outthe back door, they called the dogs. Guinness bounded ahead, his tail waggingfuriously, while Ms. Lopez trotted behind, her ears perked with curiosity assnowflakes drifted lazily down from the sky. The four of them set off into thewoods, the crisp air biting at their cheeks, filled with the fresh scent of firand the quiet crunch of snow beneath their boots.
Robhad gotten Guinness for Adam the previous Christmas, though it was clear fromthe start that Guinness was always going to be Rob’s dog. When they went topick him up, a small sister of his wiggled her way between Adam's legs andturned on the charm, leaving them both helpless to resist. On the drive home,they decided to name her Harp—a perfect half and half match for Guinness. Butover the year, while Guinness remained steadfastly himself, Harp’s name evolvedas her mischievous personality emerged.
Shehad a habit of singing before eating, her head thrown back as if performing foran invisible audience, which led them to start calling her Lyre. Soon after,Lyre became Liar, thanks to her penchant for stealing socks and hiding them allover the house like a furry bandit. From there, Liar morphed into Liar/Flyer,then simply Flyer. But it didn’t stop there. One day, after another sock wentmissing, Rob laughed and declared, "You’re the greatest fly girl ever. Youmust be Jennifer Lopez!" JLo felt too informal and was, after all, alreadytaken, so Ms. Lopez it was—and the name stuck, much to her
satisfaction.
Asthey hiked deeper into the woods, Rob became increasingly particular aboutfinding the right tree. "It has to be tall but with character," heexplained, his voice carrying an edge of determination. "Pretty but nottoo perfect. We want it to be tall but not too wide."
Adamchuckled. "Are you sure you're talking about a tree and not your idealpartner?"
Roblaughed, but it was softer than usual, almost forced. His gaze swept over thetrees, his eyes narrowing as he examined each one with a thoughtful, almostanxious expression. He was quiet in contrast to his typically easygoingdemeanor.
Ms.Lopez darted from one tree to another, her excitement palpable, but each timeRob considered a tree, he would shake his head. Even the ever-calm Guinness seemedto pick up on Rob’s mood, sticking closer to his side than usual.
Adamfrowned slightly, studying Rob. He considered and discarded a few wittycomments, realizing that this was important to Rob, though he couldn’t quiteunderstand why he was being so intent about a tree. "Haskell, I didn’trealize Christmas Tree Day was a holiday to celebrate indecision," heteased lightly, though concern leaked out in his tone
Robglanced over, "Christmas Tree Day is a sacred quest, Adam. There’s norushing perfection, just ask King Arthur.
"Didn’tArthur’s best friend sleep with his wife, and they all die in the end?"Adam countered, trying to draw out more of Rob’s usual humor, but also probing,hoping to understand what was really going on.
Rob'sresponse was quick, but firm, almost defensive. "You read too much, Adam.In this quest, Arthur and Lancelot only cross swords in harmony—and they dothat a lot."
Adamstudied Rob for a moment longer, feeling the unease. Something was definitelyoff. This was supposed to be Rob’s favorite day, but he was far from his usualrelaxed self. Was it the mention of Tucker? Or maybe the subject of a wedding?Adam was certain that he and Rob would make it official one day, but a bigceremony had never seemed important to either of them. So why was Rob so onedge today?
Steppingcloser, Adam wrapped his arms around Rob from behind, pressing a kiss to theback of his neck. "Let’s expand Christmas Tree Day into tomorrow. We cango home now and do some extended research into sword crossing…"
Rob’sbody stiffened for a brief moment before he relaxed slightly. "Sacredquests, my knight," he murmured, his voice softer, tinged with somethingAdam couldn’t quite place. "Sacred quests." Then, with reneweddetermination, Rob pulled away gently and continued forging ahead.
Adamconsidered and discarded a few witty comments, he realized that this wasimportant to Rob, but he couldn’t understand why he was being so intent about atree.
Aftera while, they came upon a stand of trees, and Rob came to a sudden stop. Adamnoticed the way Rob’s shoulders squared, a hint of relief softening his face,and a slight grin easing the tension that had been lingering there all day.Following his gaze, Adam saw Rob pointing to a Douglas Fir that stood a littleapart from the others. It was around eleven feet tall, just the right width,with branches that were sturdy and symmetrical yet had just enough quirks togive it character.
AsMs. Lopez circled the tree with increasing excitement, Rob nodded approvingly."This is the one."
Adammoved closer to examine the tree, noticing a small red box with a ribbonhanging from one of the branches. His heart skipped a beat as he turned to Rob,who stood watching him, his eyes full of hope.
Realizingwhat was happening, Adam took the box, his fingers trembling slightly. Heopened it to find two rings nestled together inside. Overwhelmed with emotion,he looked at Rob,
Rob’seyes filled with tears, "Forever," he whispered.
Thedogs barked excitedly, circling around them as if they understood thatChristmas Tree day was now and for all time the greatest holiday of the year.
