Home for the Holidays by Steven R. Schirripa Read Free Book Online Page A

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    A wooden fence and a tiny stream, frozen in the snow and crossed by a short wooden footbridge, separated Nicky's house from Amy's. The three friends, bundled up and feeling good, set out across Nicky's backyard. Beyond the swimming pool at the bottom of the yard, Amy's house glimmered through the trees like a tower of light as they went through the gate into her backyard.
    “It looks enchanted,” Donna said. “How come you don't lock the gate?”
    “Like anyone would come in and steal anything?” Tommy asked. “Everyone who lives around here already owns everything they need.”
    “You can joke,” Nicky said. “But last year there was a string of burglaries. All the families got these electronic alarms. My dad said the real thief was the guy selling the security systems.”
    “Maybe he was the guy breaking into the houses, too,” Tommy said. “Good way to drum up business.”
    “You're so cynical,” Donna said.
    “I am not,” Tommy said. “What's ‘cynical’?”
    “It means— Look out,” Nicky said. “Here come the Dobies.”
    A pair of sleek black and brown Dobermans dashed toward the three friends, moving fast and growling low. Tommy went pale and stood as still as a statue.
    “It's okay,” Nicky said. “They're nice.”
    Tommy was paralyzed. The dogs went to him first. He began to shake with fear.
    “C'mere, Duke,” Nicky said. “Atta boy. See? They're nice doggies.”
    Tommy was sweating. “Get 'em away from me.”
    “They're sweet,” Donna said.
    “Get 'em away!” Tommy said. “I'm telling you, I can't stand dogs.”
    The Dobermans lost interest and trotted off. Nicky said, “I'm sorry. I didn't know you were afraid of dogs.”
    “I'm not afraid of them,” Tommy said, wiping his face with his sleeve, his voice shaky with fear. “I just don't like them, is all.”
    “Okay,” Nicky said. “I'll keep them away from you.”
    They were greeted at Amy's front door by a pair of maids in black dresses and white aprons who took the children's jackets and mittens. The hallway rang with Christmas music.
    The house was full of kids, all of whom Nicky knew well. Passing from the foyer, into the library, into the living room, into the den and taking a glass of eggnog and a piece of fruitcake, Nicky introduced Donna and Tommy to everyone they saw. They met his friends Jordan and Noah, who were sitting in the den playing a Game-Cube. They bumped into Chad, who was getting a glass of punch.
    “This is Chad,” Nicky said. “Chad, this is my friend Tommy, from Brooklyn.”
    “Oh, yeah? Howya doon?” Chad said, and put up his fists. “You wanna piece of me?”
    Tommy stepped back. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I said, do you want a piece of me?”
    “Chad—what are you doing?” Nicky said.
    Chad put his hands down and said, “I don't know. I was just doing a Brooklyn thing, you know. Like in the movies.”
    “O-kay,” Nicky said. “We're going to get some punch.”
    Moving away, Tommy said, “What's that kid's problem?”
    “Who knows?” Nicky said. “He's watching too much TV.”
    A crowd of girls was gathered by the punch bowl. Nicky introduced Tommy to his classmates Caroline, Christian, Kyra, Kendra, Keisha and Dakota.
    “Okay, that's funny,” Tommy said as they walked away. “In my neighborhood, it would be ‘I'd like you to meet Pete. I'd like you to meet Mary.’ That's it. No fancy names. Maybe one guy named Anthony, and one girl named Angela. What's with Kyra or Keisha, anyway? They sound like Japanese cars. ‘Introducing the new Kendra—from Toyota!’”
    “Louder, Tommy,” Nicky said. “I don't think Kendra heard you. There's Amy.”
    She wasn't wearing her parka anymore but had changed into a pair of sleek black slacks and a gray cashmere sweater. She was the most elegant person Tommy had ever seen.
    “Nicholas—and Tommy, right?” she said, and then smiled at Donna. “I'm Amy. Are you another of Nicholas' friends from Brooklyn?”
    “This is Donna,”