Page 18

Chapter Six

Gwen

––––––––

Standing in the darkness, I heard the faint rumble of an engine. Glancing over my shoulder, I watched a car as it made a sharp turn in the road and headed away from us.

The taillights flickered like a fireflie on a hot summer night, dancing against the horizon until they finally disappeared.

“Gwen?”

“Hm?” I said, turning to look at my brother.

“What are you looking at?” he asked, searching the darkness behind us.

“Oh, uh, nothing. It was just a car, probably one of the neighbors or something.” I wasn't sure why, but even as I said it, I didn't believe that it was just a neighbor.

There was a feeling sitting in my chest, like that car had been watching us. Looking back over my shoulder, I stared into the empty street, expecting to find more than just silence.

“Okay, well you coming?” Tyler asked, starting for the door. Rubbing his hands together, he blew hot air into closed fists. “It's cold as hell out here.”

“Yeah, I'm coming.” Stepping into the house, the smell of gingerbread filled the air. Taking in a deep breath, I followed it into the kitchen. “Gingerbread, now it really feels like Christmas.”

“You can't have Christmas without Gingerbread,” my mother said, slipping her hands into the potholders, and opening the oven.

Leaning against the door frame, I tucked my hands into my pockets. “I'm sorry it took me so long to come home, Mom.”

Resting the cookie sheet on the stove, she looked at me over her shoulder. “It doesn't matter, you're here now. You found your way back to us, that's all that counts.” Smiling, she waved her hand over the silver tray. “So, how about some cookies?”

* * * *

My father stood atthe stereo, turning up the music as my mother walked through the living room, carrying a tray of appetizers over to the table.

People were starting to filter into the house for the party, causing the room to explode with laughs, smiles, and stories from the past. My uncle Jeff started with his tall tales of the days he spent traveling around Europe. . .

My mother's brother was a compulsive liar, he had never left the country, but no one ever called him out on it. We all smiled and nodded, letting him talk himself into a slurry of nonsense.