Three Christmas Wishes - Krista Wolf Page 0,62

left everything there at the house,” Brandon answered, “and I took an Uber. I’m at Crystal Bay. I’m checking myself in, and I feel good about it.”

The expression on Kade’s face changed to one of relief, even admiration. He looked to Danielle, who was smiling through her tears.

“I’ve never checked myself in before,” Brandon went on, “so it feels weird.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “You’ve always sort of dragged me here. But this time around, it also feels different. I’m happy to do this, finally. It feels like I’m ready.”

“You’re also past the worst of it,” Kade pointed out. “Which is big.”

“That part’s true too,” said Brandon. “And the counselors here are excited about that. I’m already off the drugs, and I don’t want anything but their advice and guidance. I’m checking in for thirty days. If I need sixty, I’ll do that too. But for now—”

“Baby I love you,” Danielle sobbed.

“I love you too,” Brandon said, his voice choked up. “And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye. But I wanted to do this before I changed my mind, before anything else happened. I need to get well for you. For us. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she cried, still smiling. The tears were falling now, and they were making me cry too. “Of course I understand.”

“We all understand,” said Brock. “You know that right?”

“Yes,” Brandon answered. “I do.”

“Knock em’ dead kid,” said Valerio. “We’re proud of you. A month, two months — it’ll be over in a snap.”

“I know.”

“And when we get you back,” Valerio continued, “you’ll be better than ever.”

I felt a surge of happiness as I saw Kade’s eyes go glassy. I could tell he was never more proud of his brother than he was right now.

“Okay, they’re almost done checking me in,” said Brandon. “A couple of the good people here want to talk to you first, but before that could you give Danielle and I a minute?”

“Sure thing man,” Kade said, clearing his throat. “Be good. Stay safe.”

“You too man,” Brandon answered. “And sorry to fuck up the New Year for everyone.”

Kade picked up the phone and slowly handed it over to Danielle. Before he did, he leaned into the phone’s mic.

“You didn’t fuck it up, bro,” he whispered thickly. “You made it.”

Forty-Six

SLOANE

“You can come in now, Sloane. We’re ready for you.”

It was only three days into the new year before I finally got the call from the foundry. I’d been suspended for weeks. Probably fired. Especially since they were asking me to come in, to meet with both owners.

That sucks.

It sucked for sure, but in a way it was also a relief. At least I’d have closure. I could start the new year by looking ahead to a new job. A fresh new beginning to a crazy year’s end.

Mr. Drumm’s office was exactly as it always was, only all his Christmas decorations had been taken down. It looked stark and utilitarian now. Very business-like. Except for all his grinning grandchildren, who were still staring down at me from every available wall.

“Thanks for coming,” he said, indicating a chair. “Please. Sit.”

I had only one choice to a seat this time, and that’s because Mr. Burgen had taken the other chair. The same Mr. Burgen who’d insisted I be fired.

Ah, crap.

The last of my hope for keeping my job slipped away. I let it go, because it felt better to embrace the bad news than to cling to the hope of a miracle.

“We need to talk about what happened a few weeks ago,” said Mr. Drumm. “On the night you used the foundry for your own personal use.”

I slid into the chair and sat up straight. “On the night you told me I could use the foundry for my own personal use,” I corrected Mr. Drumm sharply. “But yes. That night.”

Mr. Drumm seemed completely unfazed by my amendment of his comment. Rather than fight me on it, he acknowledged the correction with a curt nod.

“Anyway, I would’ve liked to have seen you with a partner,” he said. “I’d told you that. It was a stipulation.”

“It was,” I agreed. I sighed, folding my fingers across my lap. “And I take responsibility.”

“Good,” said Mr. Drumm. “That’s good to hear.”

His last words trailed off, and I let him sit in silence. Whatever he was going to say, I just wanted to hear it.

“Partner or not, you had an accident,” Mr. Drumm went on slowly. “But the accident however, wasn’t your fault.”

I had to go