The Christmas Phoenix by Patricia Kiyono Read Free Book Online Page A

school. Monday's page listed all his assignments in his precise handwriting.
    So like his father's.
    She sat on his desk chair and waited for the familiar pain to hit her, the pain that always came when she thought of her husband. He had been her first love. But the pain didn't come. It was more like a dull ache, the discomfort that came from missing someone dear. Not the crushing, crippling pain of helplessness she'd felt before.
    It was a good hurt, if there could be such a thing. The sort that came from shared memories. Doug would always be a part of her. She had this home they had worked so hard to build. But he was gone. She was still here. She had his son, who looked, acted, and sounded more like his father every day. Rory would grow up to lead his own life, and doing everything for him was not going to help him. Everyone was right. Her son was able to take on more. He'd proved it. She couldn't remember the last time she'd needed to take him to school. He'd even started to pack his own lunch. And now, he'd cleaned his own room. Her baby boy was growing up and coddling him would not protect him from the world.
    They were like a phoenix, rising from the ashes.
    She rose, gathered his clothes hamper, and took it to the laundry room.
    For the rest of the morning, she sailed through her chores, humming. She dusted, vacuumed, and straightened up her own room. For the first time in months, she turned on the television and exercised along with a fitness show, and then, inspired by the show's message of good health, ate a light salad for lunch. Knowing Rory would be home for dinner, she hauled out her slow cooker and assembled the fixings for a beef stew, knowing it was one of her son's favorite meals.
    Once in a while she would break out in song. "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la."
    The stew cast a homey aroma through the house. It smelled like family, like home.
    She pictured Jake sitting at the table with them, the three of them sharing the events of their day. Could that possibly happen?
    There was one way to find out. She still had the business card he had left with her the first time he had come, telling her about Rory and his friends shooting firecrackers. Would he think she was silly? Would he be annoyed with her? Before she could talk herself out of it, she picked up her phone. Her hands shook as she punched in the numbers. Her heart raced as she waited for him to pick up.
    â€œHello?”
    He sounded a little irritated. Maybe she had interrupted his work.
    â€œJake, this is Jess. I’ve got beef stew cooking, and there’s a lot more than Rory and I can eat. We’d love it if you could join us. If you want.”
    There was silence. Was he figuring out how to turn her down?
    â€œStew is one of my favorites. What time is dinner?”
    â€œWe usually eat around six.”
    â€œI have a really big order for next week, so if I get a lot done today, I’ll come. Thanks.”
    She disconnected, wondering at the giddy feeling in the pit of her stomach. He was just a neighbor coming for dinner.
    A handsome, male neighbor. And she looked a mess after her workout.
    Her shower was quick, but then came the daunting task of deciding what to wear. She had a clean pair of jeans. Did they still fit? Did they look too out of date? She didn't want to dress up and look like she was flirting. But she didn't want to look like a slob.
    She had already vacuumed and straightened out the house, and Rory had helped her with the Christmas decorations. They had put up and decorated the tree the night before. What would she do for the next few hours?
    The tree needed some wrapped gifts under it. She hauled everything out and was soon surrounded by mounds of cheerful packages. She'd forgotten how much she enjoyed giving gifts and watching as her loved ones unwrapped them. This would be a merry Christmas. She'd make sure of that.
    ****
    Jake disconnected his cell phone and put it back in his