The Saddest Song

Chapter 22

Rainey

“Merry Christmas!!” two sets of parents shouted as Max and I opened matching red and green envelopes.

“Disneyland Passes?” We said in unison. We looked at each other and laughed. We were at Max’s house for Christmas Eve dinner and our parents said they had an early gift for us.

“We thought we would all go tomorrow for Christmas!” Max’s mom said, and I looked at my mom smiling beside her.

“This is a tough Christmas for all of us, so we thought we would start a new tradition!” My dad said, standing next to Max’s dad. We couldn’t help but act happy, and we were, I guess. Disneyland was awesome and I hadn’t been in quite a while but I couldn’t believe they all wanted to go on Christmas day.

“We bought you the year round passes so you could go with your friends anytime you like. I heard Rylee saying that they all go quite a bit,” Mom said. This was true, they went a lot. Max and I had planned to join them eventually. It was a great gift. It touched me that they all were so excited to give them to us, and to spend their holiday there. Especially my mom and dad, they had been wonderful helping all of us through the holidays. It was like we were all one big family. Losing Garrett had brought everyone closer together.

“I wish Grandma hadn’t gone to Aunt Alison’s, she is always saying she wants to go to Disneyland,” I said to Max.

“We can take her when she gets back if you want. We can go anytime now,” he smiled and walked over to pick up the guitar he had left on the couch. He began to play Santa Claus is coming to town and soon everyone was singing along. Luckily, everyone except me could keep a tune.

We had a really nice evening and everyone was sorry to see it end. We needed to get to bed early if we were going to get an early start in the morning. Max helped me on with my jacket and innocently pointed at something above my head. Looking up at the Mistletoe hanging there, Max kissed me quickly but firmly, taking me by surprise. It was a simple peck, so I felt funny when my heart sped up and I felt myself blush. It didn’t help that he just stood there enjoying my discomfort.

“Ready?”

“Huh?” I asked.

“To go home? Your mom and dad are waiting,” he said, grinning at me and pointing to the driveway.

“OH! Yeah, of course. See you in the morning,” I said, hurrying out the door.

Max followed, opening the car door for me. Leaning in he whispered, “Merry Christmas, Rainey.” The door closed before I could say it back.

The happiest place on earth proved to be a pretty popular place to spend Christmas Day. Everything was decorated super cute and both Max’s mom and mine went crazy for every detail. My dad had received a new camera and made quick work of documenting every moment, while Max’s dad made sure we sampled food from every stand in every land. Max and I took control of the rides and we made sure we all rode every single one.

After lunch, Max and I split up from the parents and went off to re-ride a few rides before we met back up with them for the parade.

“I don’t know about you but I could use a couple hours alone. My dad and his camera were starting to get on my nerves,” I said.

“Yeah, I’m afraid that he’s going to be bummed when he sees all of the pictures that you ruined with your scowls.”

“Max! I don’t scowl!” I said, scowling.

Max laughed.

“I don’t!” I insisted, hoping that I hadn’t. My cheeks hurt from smiling every time he said, “say Mickey!” Wasn’t that proof that he had gotten some good shots?

“Come on Grumpy, let’s go ride Splash Mountain.” He took my hand and pulled me past the Haunted Mansion.

“Very funny,” I said, making a face at him. “I think this was a good idea, don’t you?”

“Splash Mountain is always a good idea,” he smiled at me.

“No, being at Disneyland today. I think it was good for all of us.”

“Mom and dad needed this even more than we did. It has helped keep their minds off of Garrett.”

I liked how Max and I could talk about Garrett and it felt natural. Neither of us flinched in pain any longer at the mention of his name.

We ended the day tired and happy, listening to our parents talk about how much fun they’d had. I leaned my head on Max’s shoulder and fell asleep on the long drive home.





Max

Rainey and I skipped the after Christmas sales and spent the day bathing dogs at Kara’s rescue. I think we were both kind of surprised by how much we enjoyed helping out at the rescue. My parents were already in love with Maggie and whatever horrible abuse she had suffered in the past would hopefully be forgotten in her new life as a pitbull princess. She had dozens of toys, a comfy bed in every room of the house and a run with dad every morning. Kara was busy with eight puppies that had been born on Christmas Eve. She thanked us repeatedly for our help and we offered to come in as many days as she needed us up until we had to leave on New Year’s Eve.

“So, you two are spending New Years Eve up in the mountains, huh?” She asked

casually, as she returned the puppies to their mom. Kara never asked anything, casually.

Rainey had taken two Chihuahuas out for a short walk.

“We are,” I said, waiting.

“You making any resolutions for the new year?”

“I don’t know, should I be?”

“Well, I think everyone should begin a new year with positivity, patience and a faith that what is meant to be will find a way to be. That old saying, “good things are worth the wait” is priceless.”

“Hmm;” I mumbled, as I put the lid back on the dog shampoo and wiped down the sink. I knew she was trying to tell me something but I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. Not then, anyway. All I felt was a happy anticipation for the trip back up to the mountain.