pretty small island and we do like to go all out for Christmas. There's actually an old-fashioned Christmas parade on the 23rd.”
“Really?”
“Do you want to come with me? I'm got a car and a couch.”
“If you mean it,” he said.
“Yeah, why not?”
“Thank you. If I really won't be imposing…”
“Not at all!”
2. Cody
I was so disappointed by the sudden cancellation of my trip I had thrown everything into, that I wasn't really thinking about anything but gratitude and a place to stay. I climbed right into the car with Ryker. His eyes were narrowed in concentration as he navigated the parking lot, with what I could tell was a rental car, so I stayed quiet and let him concentrate. But as we cleared the confusing maze of roads that lead to arrivals and departures, and highways, it occurred to me that I was sitting in a car with a complete stranger, who I didn't know anything about, except that he lived on an island I had never heard of.
Ryker – if that even was his name – on the other hand, knew that I didn't have any close family or friends and that my flight had just been canceled, leaving me in complete limbo. I was suddenly painfully aware that he could easily kill me and leave me in a ditch somewhere, if he really wanted to, and no one would have any idea that my careless ass even got in the car with him.
“So…” I said, trying not to sound too nervous. “How far is Half Moon Island?”
“About an hour or so.” Ryker frowned up at the sky and flicked the windshield wipers, swooshing off some of the falling snow. “A little longer if the snow gets heavier.”
I nodded and noticed he was smiling. Before I could ask, he went on.
“I haven’t seen snow in over a year.”
“It doesn’t snow here much” I asked, wondering if this dusting was all I’d get for my paintings. I could certainly add some in, but would have preferred to paint the real thing.
“Oh, we get plenty of snow here; I've been away for a year.”
I looked at him in surprise. Ryker had mentioned that he had been gone for some time, but I didn't realize it was an entire year.
“What were you doing?” I asked.
“A uh, sabbatical of sorts.”
I tried to decide whether or not to categorize that answer as kind guy letting me stay with him or sketchy guy who might be an axe murderer.
“Honestly,” Ryker continued, unaware I was wondering how likely I’d be to survive a tuck-and-roll if he got creepy. “I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to come home for in time for the holidays, but just thinking about being back on the island in time for the parade, I'm starting to feel like I made the right choice.”
“You weren't sure?” I echoed.
“Well…” he said. “A lot of people I knew have uh… moved or gotten married and stuff. And coming back was sort of last minute, so I was worried that it would be sort of lonely this year, but I didn’t really get a chance to make too many friends while I was away, so I wouldn’t have anyone to spend Christmas with if I didn’t come back early anyway. Figured I might as well be home for it.”
I nodded and we fell into a somewhat comfortable silence. I wasn’t sure why, but I was starting to feel very comfortable with him; almost like I already trusted him. Of course, I had certainly trusted him enough to get into the car with him in the first place.
He drove along for a bit and then over a bridge that crossed a large river. I looked out at the lights on some of the boats in the falling snow and a series of lit decorations along the banks.
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly.
“I'm sure it's no Frostbourg.”
“I wouldn't know,” I said with a weak laugh. “I've never been there.”
“I'm sorry,” he said. “I could tell you were really looking forward to it.”
“It happens. But thanks.”
“Well, if the snow clears up enough that the flights start going again, I’m happy to drive you back to the airport any time.”
“Thank you, really.”
I gazed out the window at the falling snow and the dark landscape, finding myself fighting the urge to nod off. I checked the clock a couple of times and then the next time I looked at it a good half hour had elapsed.