Biting the Christmas Biscuit Read Free

know.
    “Sean, you’re swaying, dear,” Beverly said to her husband. “Perhaps you’d better find a seat.” She turned to Alec. “Let me show you where you two will be sleeping,” she said as she took him by the arm and hustled him out of the kitchen and down the hallway. He glanced back nervously at Eli who simply grinned and nodded. “What is it you do, my boy?” she asked as they vanished around the corner.
    “I have to give this little one his bath before the wife shows up,” Arthur said. “Sis, you want me to take care of Leah?”
    “I’d love you forever,” she said.
    “Consider it done. Where is she?”
    “I’m sure you’ll find her under the tree rattling packages.”
    Arthur carried Ian out of the room. The baby smiled at Eli before he lost sight of them.
    “Let’s sit, shall we?” Carmondy asked. She and Eli moved toward the kitchen table as Mr. Tucker grabbed another beer from the fridge and wandered back into the great room where he was greeted with cheers from the crowd.
    “They’ll be singing soon,” Eli said with a smile.
    “Good thing they all live in the neighborhood… no driving,” she said.
    He toyed with his drink, slowly turning the glass on the table as he stared at the ice cubes. Carmondy watched him, trying to read him. “How are you really?” she asked.
    He looked at her and sighed. “I’m fine.” His gaze traveled around the kitchen. “I mean, I’m glad to be here, glad to see you and everyone….” His voice trailed away.
    “But?” she asked. He simply shook his head and finished his drink. “Alec seems nice,” she said.
    “Oh, he’s brilliant!” Eli said with a smile, his eyes lighting up, but just as quickly, the light went out in them. They laughed uncomfortably.
    “Not sure what to say to me, huh?”
    “I loved Bennett,” he whispered. He looked at her, “You loved him.”
    “Still do, buddy, and for what it’s worth, I believe you always will, but he’s your past and Alec’s your future.”
    Eli didn’t say anything, but he felt like he was tearing in half. “Maybe it was too soon to come here with Alec,” Eli said with a sigh.
    Carmondy reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m sure being here brings up a lot of feelings that are easier to avoid in London, but Eli, you can miss Bennett and love Alec. The two are not mutually exclusive.” He smiled gratefully at her.
     
    *  *  *
    At 1:39 Christmas morning, Alec lay beside Eli, unable to sleep. He mulled over the previous few hours with the Tuckers and what had turned out to be several neighboring families. They were quickly embraced and hustled in out of the cold. The two of them were stripped of their bags, coats, and hats. A hot toddy was shoved into Alec’s hands, and he was ushered into the great room and deposited by the fire.
    After that it was all a bit of a blur. There were so many smiling faces coming at him that he didn’t know where to look first or who to talk to next. He was somewhat overwhelmed and Eli had vanished. Then Alec spotted him over the heads of his cheerful, little, intoxicated group. He was in the kitchen talking intently with Mrs. Tucker and Carmondy, who would periodically glance his way.
    Mrs. Tucker kept talking to and smiling and touching and hugging Eli. Alec watched her run her fingers through his hair with a good-natured look of disapproval. Then she rubbed the faint whiskers on his face and smiled at him. Then she was crying and embracing him again. Carmondy was happy, as well, but she was more subdued, especially when she glanced Alec’s way. He was soon dragged into the kitchen by a very drunk Mr. Tucker, who shockingly picked up Eli, but quickly put him down again at Mrs. Tucker’s urging.
    Alec glanced at his sleeping lover as he stifled an impending chuckle at the memory. There had been a few awkward introductions before he was hastily ushered away by Mrs. Tucker. All in all, it had been an interesting encounter.
    Tired of staring at