Chapter 75

"So, how was the game?" his mother asked, handing him a cup of coffee, fixed just the way he liked it: Black with two sugars.
He let out a deep breath as a crease formed between his eyes. "Good."
"So, you like Kiki?" Evelyn asked, stirring her coffee as she studied her son's face.
"Good. Thanks," he replied, not paying attention as he took a sip of his coffee.
"So, the capital of North Dakota is Bismarck?" his mother teased.
"Uh huh." He stared into the fire, lost in thought.
A sly smile spread across her face. "So, Rudolf and Dasher came over and had coffee with me today while Santa delivered the late presents."
"What?" Taren asked, finally snapping out of it.
Evelyn gave him a knowing look. "Son, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He stirred his coffee as he looked into it.
Evelyn sighed. "Why don't you invite Kiki over tomorrow and I'll make a Christmas dinner?"
"What do you mean?" Taren sighed. "We already celebrated Christmas."
Evelyn cocked her head to the side. "But we didn't get to spend Christmas Eve together." She shrugged. "I just thought that we could have a little holiday cheer, since we're both off. It'll be fun for Abby, too. And since Kiki didn't have much of a holiday-."
Taren took another sip of his coffee and swallowed. "You thought we could share a little holiday with her."
His mother cocked her head to the side. "Sure! Why not? I like Kiki and I hate that she was in the hospital on Christmas. And it would be a great way for us to get to know one another--"
"Mom, stop." Taren turned his attention back to the fire.
Evelyn studied him for a moment and then replied, "Son, don't close yourself off to love."
His head snapped up. "Who said anything about love? Mom, please don't a big deal out of this." But he couldn't bring himself to say that they were just friends. Somehow, she was already so much more.
She tilted her head to the side, taking him in. "But you like Kiki, don't you?"
He nodded. "Yes, but I went through so much with Scarlett--and so did Abby." He let out a deep breath. "I just can't put my daughter through that again."
His mother laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"Who said that Kiki's going to be like Scarlett?" Evelyn took a sip of her coffee and swallowed. "Here, you haven't even gone out on a real date with her yet and you're worried that she's going to leave you. In fact, the girl's not even out of the hospital yet, and you're worried that she'll breaking your heart. I know Kiki and she's a good person. She would never lead you on, or hurt you or Abby intentionally."
"I know." Taren sighed as he leaned back against the couch. "We have so much fun together. Always have. But I just can't chance Abby getting hurt."
"Or you." Evelyn took a calming breath. "Honey, you can't go through life being afraid to love. Besides, you're not considering marrying her. Just date and let things happen naturally. If you go out with her and decide not to go out with her again, then there's no harm done." She reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "There's nothing wrong with going out and having a little fun- as friends, if not anything else."
Taren shook his head. "Well, it's no longer just me anymore, now is it? I can't just go out with someone without considering all of the possibilities."
Evelyn sighed. "Yes, you're right."
Taren looked at her, narrowing his eyes. "What are you saying?"
"Well, you might go out with her, fall in love, get married, and then she'll leave you--just like Scarlett did--and Abby will grow up and move away, and then you'll die alone." A slow smile spread across her face.
Taren stood, holding his coffee. "Yeah, it sounds ridiculous, but you don't have a small child to raise alone. Dad was with you--"
"Yes, your father was with me and I wasn't alone," she cut him off, rising to her feet, too. "And neither are you." She took one last swig of her coffee and walked toward the kitchen. "I'm going to bed. Have a good night."
"Mom, I didn't mean it like that!" he called after her and followed her into the kitchen. His mother's coffee cup was already setting in the sink. She must have already gone to bed. He sighed, making a mental note to apologize to her in the morning.
Taren quickly slugged down the last of his coffee and headed down the hallway toward his bedroom, but stopped in front of Abby's bedroom door. Unable to resist, he opened it and peered inside. She was curled up on her side with a teddy bear, but had kicked off the blankets. So, he crept inside and covered her up, but stood beside her bed, taking a moment to watch her sleep.
One good thing was that Scarlett had left their daughter behind. Scarlett had broken his heart, but she would have shattered it if she would have taken Abby with her. He let out a deep breath, glad that he went to court right away to file for full custody. After she signed the divorce and custody papers, he never saw her again. He just hoped it stayed that way. One thing he didn't need was trouble for Abby.
Taren sighed and then walked out, leaving his daughter's door open a crack. As he walked down the hallway toward his bedroom, he knew he would die for his daughter. He smiled, knowing how melodramatic it sounded, but it was true. And he wasn't going to let anyone or anything come between him and his daughter. Not Scarlett- and not Kiki.
But he knew that Kiki was different. She wasn't self-centered and caught up in material things like Scarlett had been. If Scarlett would have been in a fire, it would have been devastating for her. But for Kiki, it was problematic, but not the end of the world. He just wished he would have gone out with Kiki in high school instead of Scarlett. They always had fun together. He chuckled, remembering the pranks they pulled on Mrs. Li in their study hall when they were bored. But then again, things happened for a reason. If he hadn't married Scarlett, then he wouldn't have Abby now.
As he took off his shirt, preparing for bed, he thought about what his mother had said. It was funny that she knew Kiki, and he knew her from high school, but didn't know that his mother knew her so well. He never thought he'd ever say this, but he was glad that he had to work on Christmas Eve this year. Hard telling what could have happened if he hadn't been working. Yes, the fire was tragic, but it had brought her back into his life. Maybe this time, it would be different.
As he dressed for bed, he was glad for that night. He thought of carrying Kiki's limp body from the fire and then the relief he felt when she asked about her cat. He turned over on his bed, but try as he might, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He sat up on the edge of the bed and scrubbed his hands across his face, trying to rid his mind of the memory. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw Kiki in the fire. At that moment, he decided to invite Kiki over to celebrate a little Christmas together. He just hoped it wasn't a mistake.