Page 87 of Heart

“Listen to the child—” said Demarco, “—singing my hair-color secrets... on the streets of Baltimore, no less!”

Everyone was laughing as May, Rachel, and Jack caught up.

“What a coincidence,” said Jack. “It’s so cool running into you here. Big city, small world.”

“I’ll say. We just saw someone else we know,” said George. “So you’re up for the lights? Miracle on 34th?”

Demarco nodded. “Yeah. We took Ma and the kids to the National Tree last year. Thought we’d change it up a bit.”

“But we’re going to go back to National Tree too,” Tommy whispered in Mikey’s ear. “They promised me.”

“I’m gonna get George to take me there too,” Mikey whispered back.

“So, does everyone have big plans for the holiday?” Rachel asked, handing Mikey and George their drinks.

“We have friends coming in,” Demarco said. “And Ma usually does Christmas Eve. Jack and I, Christmas Day. Pretty much the same with a couple of additions. Oh, and we may have another little surprise. But I’m not allowed to talk about it. Rachel knows.”

“No fair,” May said, a little too enthusiastically. Rachel smiled, reaching for her hand. George suspected May was probably in on this secret, but not the kids and maybe Abigail.

“Well, we’re up here in Little Italy for Christmas Day. We promised my Ma,” said Mikey. “I don’t know what we’re doing on Christmas Eve. What are we doing Christmas Eve, George?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. We’re closing after lunch that day and not reopening until the 26th. I guess we’ll—” George began, but his mind trailed off in thought. “Hold up. I have an idea. What if we all got together on Christmas Eve... at the restaurant? You know, kind of like the soft opening—but only for us. I could put some stuff together that morning. We won’t be that busy. That evening we could all get together... eat, drink, celebrate. What do you guys think?”

“I think if you’re making that lamb and eggplant casserole, I’m in,” said Abigail. “Especially if I don’t have to cook!”

“One moussaka, coming up,” said George. “Easy-peasy. What about you ladies?”

“I’m in,” said May. “I’ll close early too, and I’m right next door. Rachel?”

“I’m with you, so I’m definitely in.” She thumbed Jack. “And I haven’t spent Christmas with this guy in a while, so I’d love to.”

“That settles it then, Christmas Eve at David’s on Dupont. We look forward to hosting.”

“Wait a minute,” said Demarco. “I forgot. We have company coming in... friends from Montana.”

“Bring ‘em,” said George. “The more the merrier. We’ll have wine and music... set up a little stage... maybe Mikey will sing for us.”

“You know I will,” said Mikey.

“Do you like to sing?” Tommy whispered in Mikey’s ear.

“I do. You want to sing with me?”

Tommy shook his head, grinning bashfully.

“You want some hot chocolate then?”

The boy nodded, and Mikey set him back down on the sidewalk, handing him the cup. “Finish that for me, will you?”

“OK. I like your beard.”

“I like his beard too,” said George, nuzzling his rosy nose into its thickness.

“Well, we should probably be moving along,” Jack said. “It’s cold, and we didn’t mean to hijack your night.”

“Nonsense,” said George. “There’s a reason we keep crossing paths. I’m sure of it. Fate? Destiny?”

“Jack put it best,” May said. “Big city, small world.”