From my room in the basement, we could smell dinner as it cooked. The turkey smelled amazing, and Olivia and I decided to go upstairs before anyone came looking for us.
She led the way up the stairs, her hand clasped lightly in mine.
We reached the top of the stairs and went into the kitchen. Olivia immediately offered to help my mom, who was peering into the open oven and basting the turkey again.
I snacked on a few pieces of celery that were sitting on the kitchen table, watching Olivia carefully.
She was so at ease and sweet with my family. It made me even crazier about her.
I watched as she peered into the pots on the stove. By the light coming in the kitchen window, she looked like an angel. She was perfect.
I swallowed thickly, realizing at that exact moment, that I loved her. I loved her more than anything else in the world. I loved her more than life itself. She meant more to me than absolutely anything else I had.
“Isaac?” She said sweetly, drawing my attention back to her.
I had been so completely gapped out that I hadn’t realized that she and my mother had been talking the entire time.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“What do you think?” She asked, standing at the stove, holding the lid open.
“Think about what?” I replied.
Olivia smiled. “Should we put parsley in the carrots or leave them plain?”
I crossed the kitchen and lightly placed my hand on her lower back. “Parsley is the little green stuff, right?”
Olivia laughed softly. “Yes, it is.”
“I vote for the green stuff.” I supplied.
Olivia laughed sweetly. “Green stuff it is, then.”
My mom sighed suddenly behind us. “I’m out of flour for the gravy. I hope I’ve got some in the basement.” She fretted, quickly leaving the kitchen.
Olivia turned to me, “Hey, are you okay?” She asked worriedly.
I nodded. “Yeah, fine.” I shrugged.
“You just seem kind of distracted.” She mused.
“Liv, I’m fine. I was just thinking there. Don’t worry, okay?” I leaned down and lightly kissed her hair. I closed my eyes and let my lips linger there long enough to inhale the sweet scent of her shampoo.
Olivia smiled up at me, placing a soft kiss against the underside of my jaw and wrapping her arms around my body snuggly.
She released me slowly.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Do you want a drink or anything, Liv?” I asked.
“Umm… water?” She asked.
“Sure.” I answered. I grabbed a glass down from the cupboard and turned on the tap, waiting for the water to run cold. I filled the glass with water and placed it neatly in her hands. “Do you want ice or anything?” I offered.
“I’m okay with just the water.” She smiled.
I opened the fridge and removed a can of coke, popping the tab.
“So what do you want to do tomorrow?” I asked suddenly, leaning against the kitchen island.
“I’m not sure. My dad usually gives me cash for Christmas, so usually on Boxing Day I spend that. But I’m not really sure if it’s wise to be anywhere near a mall tomorrow.”
I shrugged. “Well, I’m game if you are.”
Olivia raised her eyebrows. “Really? You’d be okay with that? I mean, boxing day is a little crazy…”
“That’s okay. As long as I get to spend time with you.” I smiled.
“Aww…” She laughed softly.
My mom bustled into the kitchen. “Good news. We have flour.” My mom announced.
Olivia smiled. “Great. Do you want me to start setting the table or mashing the potatoes or anything?”
“I wasn’t planning on setting the table. I usually just set out piles of silverware and plates, and let everyone eat where they want.” Mom shrugged.
“Okay, well I’m sure there’s something I could do.” She offered.
“Oh!” My mom said suddenly. “The girls made cupcakes for dessert tonight. You could help them frost and decorate them.”
“That sounds fun.” She smiled.
“I’ll go and find the girls.” Mom offered. On her way out, she turned to me.
“Isaac, honey. The boys are watching a movie in the living room, why don’t you go and join them?” Mom offered.
I nodded. “I think I might.”
Olivia smiled at me warmly. “Will you be okay?” I asked her.
“Of course. I’ll be fine.” She replied.
“Alright.” I crossed the room and lightly kissed her before leaving the kitchen.
I plopped down in the arm chair and reached for the bowl of chips on the coffee table.
I took a drink from my can of coke, and turned my attention to the television. I could barely concentrate on movie. All I could think about was Olivia.
I wasn’t sure I could trust my emotions, with all the drugs I’d done in the past two years, I thought for sure that the emotional part of my brain was severely damaged. There was something clearly defective in my brain.
But when I looked at Olivia, there were feelings there that seemed to be stronger than anything else I’d ever experienced.
There was a part of me that just knew absolutely that I loved her. I was crazy about her. I wanted to be with her forever. That thought scared me, but when I thought about how strongly I felt for her, it was a high that no drug could ever touch.
I glanced up as Olivia came into the living room, she smiled at me and even though the other arm chair was empty, she slid into my lap, sitting sideways with her legs beween my knees. She moved her arm around my shoulders and I wrapped my arm around her waist, lightly rubbing her hip.
“You aren’t helping the girls?” I asked her.
She smiled. “Well, I think the girls don’t really need me. They’re doing okay on their own. It’s kind of more special if they do it themselves, don’t you think?”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
I lightly tickled her side, and she laughed softly, shaking her head at me. She took my hand and held it in her lap.
I suddenly felt very peaceful with Olivia in my arms like this. It was comfortable and natural.
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