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

“Oh. No reason, I guess. Thirteen years of school and…this.”


“Oh. I thought maybe because of the year you had to repeat.”


I cringed, and then chuckled. “Nah.”


I only wanted to remember half of that visit. “It does relate to that. Kinda sort of. Troy made it for me.”


“Troy Holiday…fetus b-ball phenom?”


“The very same.” I took out the big red box. “We should stop in and see him tomorrow or the next day. He’s a dad.”


“No kidding. I’ve been away a long time.”


“Too long.” I wondered if all Holiday Brothers’ cakes were so thoroughly wrapped, or were the layers of plastic and tape just for the dirty ones. “Okay. Keep in mind I might not be as mature as you think,” I said, pulling off the last pieces of sticky cellophane. “In fact, Troy tried to talk me into scaling back some, maybe going with something more romantic and sweet rather than…than this.” I flung open the lid and closed my eyes, waiting for a reaction.


Chapter 40