Noah and Angel were childhood sweethearts and teenage lovers. With youth comes unrealistic ideas sometimes, and also bad choices. But just about the time they reach manhood, Noah’s demons pull them apart.<br><br>Seven years later, he gets a second chance when Angel returns to town. Hoping everything can be different, Noah sets out to remind him how wonderful their past was by secretly sending him thirteen gifts commemorating their happiest times, one on each day beginning December 11.<br><br>By Christmas Eve, Noah hasn’t heard a word back, and wonders if Angel even recognized the meaning of the offerings. When Angel does get in touch, he only remembers the bad things that drove them apart. Can Noah remind him how good they had it, too?

The Presents and the Past

“I could call the hotel,” I said, “or I could just wait and see if he shows up later.”


“I always liked him.” My mother smiled again before putting more Brussel sprouts onto my plate.


“You did? And I didn’t ask for those, by the way, so I don’t have to eat them.”


She gave me three more. “Angel was a good influence on you—when you weren’t being a bad one on him.” The smile offered with that declaration seemed both nostalgic and real. In fact, it was the most relaxed and happy I’d seen Mom in a while, way more so than even a few days prior. Christmas melodies in the background—just piano, very soothing—the good china, more decorations added to what I had put up, including some really pretty shimmery garland in silver and gold around the light fixture over the dining room table—Mom really had the Christmas spirit this year.


Chapter 37