Johnny Angel by Saranna DeWylde Read Free Book Online Page B

hide her nakedness.
                  “No, you don’t understand.” She looked at the strange man who’d appeared on a throne in her living room. “He doesn’t understand. Please!”
                  “What doesn’t he understand?” Christmas Present asked her kindly.
                  “That I don’t want Life Number One. I just want him.”
                  “Oh really?” The spirit asked her.
                  “Sofia!” Johnny sounded scandalized, as if scolding an errant child. “Of course you do. You said so.”
                  “It’s nothing without you. I don’t care about the house, the kitchen, or any of it. I just want a life with you.” She tried to wrap her arms around him, but he caught her wrists.              “I was waiting for you. Don’t you get it? I was a virgin because my whole life I waited for The One. You.”
                  “Sofia, Christ, you’re killing me. Do you think I want to leave you? It just has to happen. I’m dead. You’re very much alive and this life, it’s for the living.” He turned to look at the Christmas specter. “I’m ready. Now.”
                  “Well, you know. It seems I just can’t find your ticket to that particular bus.”
                  “This isn’t funny. Let’s just be done with it.” Johnny growled. It was hard enough to say goodbye without his fiddle-fucking around.
                  “You’re still not paying attention. It’s Christmas Day, Johnny Angel.”
                  “I don’t understand.”
                  “I’ll try again and use small words. I’m Christmas Present. So don’t ever say I didn’t give you anything. Get it? I’m Christmas Present. ” He nodded slowly.
                  “No.” Johnny growled.
                  “This, today. It’s your gift. Christmas is a time of rebirth. No downtown, no hell. No Life Number One. Just the here and now and however much time Fate gives you. Got it now?”
                  “Yes,” Sofia cried. “Yes. Thank you.” She flung herself into his arms as Christmas Present disappeared.
                  Johnny wasted no time showing her the joy of multiple Christmas miracles.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Epilogue
     
                  As the years passed, they forgot the details of the Christmas magic that brought them together, of past lives and afterlives.
                  Yet still, the spirit of Christmas Present stayed alive and jolly in their hearts the whole year—and their whole lives through.
              Although Johnny still despises Burl Ives and Sofia has a seemingly irrational phobia of gingerbread men.