I had a stupid grin on my face when I rang the doorbell at the Dietzes’ house.
“Hey!” I picked up Macallan in a tight grip when I saw her.
“Hey back!” She laughed as I put her down. “How was the culture shock?”
I walked into the foyer and started taking off my many layers. “It was more the shock of getting off the plane just now and being hit with the cold air. I was wearing flip-flops on New Year’s Eve.”
Macallan winced slightly.
“Everything okay?”
She shook her head a little too vigorously. “Um, yeah. Ah, it’s only that, um, it’s strange to think of celebrating the holidays in the heat. Mom used to get so mad if there wasn’t snow on the ground at Christmas.”
Macallan’s odd behavior was now making sense. I knew how much her mom loved the holidays, so this time of year must’ve been particularly hard on her. Which probably also explained the mess in the kitchen. There were pots and pans everywhere. Macallan cooked a lot when she was trying to clear her mind. Or trying to distract herself from something. And with us being on winter break, she didn’t have homework to fill that void.
I rubbed her arm, thinking it would be the best way to comfort her. Ever since we’d gone to the cemetery, I knew it was okay for me to bring up her mom. I was so honored when she took me. It cemented how important our relationship was. But I also knew that if she wanted to talk about it with me, she would. It was getting to the point that I could read Macallan pretty well. I knew when she needed to be prodded into saying something and when she needed to be left alone. And the look on her face screamed, Leave it alone.
“Well, I’m used to the good weather year-round,” I reminded her. “And I’m sorry I asked you to lie to Emily about when I was coming back.”
“Yeah …” She started cleaning up the counter. “Do you want something to eat?”
I’d never passed an opportunity to eat anything she made. Macallan put together a plate of fudge brownies, Rice Krispies treats, and a slice of pecan pie.
I reached into my bag and pulled out her present. “Merry Christmas, a week late.”
She hesitated before she opened it. “It’s not a Bears hat, is it?”
I laughed. She’d given me a Green Bay Packers knit hat to help me “fit in.” Everybody had gotten a big kick out of that, especially Adam. But after all the ribbing, she’d also given me a coupon for a homemade meal of my choice. It was my favorite gift that year.
She started unwrapping the box. She began laughing the second she saw one of the pictures on the DVD case. “I can’t believe you got me —” She stopped herself as she saw the inscription on the front. “How did you … ?” Her mouth was practically on the floor. This made me extremely happy.
“My buddy’s dad knew the producer on the show. I called in a favor.”
She stared down and then read the inscription on the Buggy and Floyd DVD from the actor who played Buggy: Blimey if I don’t fancy me a glass of Macallan.
“I couldn’t figure out if it was genius or dirty,” I confessed.
“Genius!” Macallan started laughing. I loved it when she laughed. She had two kinds of laughter: One was a normal chuckle, while the other was this boisterous, head-flailing-back laughter. If I had only one goal in life, it would be to make her laugh loudly every day. And that day, my mission had been accomplished.
“This is the greatest, thank you!” She flung her arms around me. “You can have as many meals as you want, whenever!”
“I’d like that in writing, please.”
Her head fell back again as she laughed and, I kid you not, my heart actually soared.
“So.” I started playing with her hair, which changed color depending on the season, like a tree. It was currently dark brown with a red overtone. “Tell me everything. How was New Year’s?”
The smile quickly vanished from her face. I should’ve known better to keep bringing up something that reminded her of her mom. “It was good,” she said. “Um, when are you seeing Emily?”
I checked the clock. “I told her my flight got in right about now, so I should call her soon.”
“Yeah, you should call her. I know she really wants to see you.”
This was why Macallan was the greatest friend in the world. I hadn’t seen her in ten days, yet she wanted to be sure I saw my girlfriend.
“Do you want to come with me to see her?” I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to Macallan just yet.
She shook her head. “No, you guys should have some alone time.”
“Come here.” I gave her a huge hug. “You’re the best. You know that, right?”
She gave me a meek smile. I didn’t want to leave, because there was clearly something wrong. But maybe what she needed was some time alone. She was trying to get me out of the room fast enough.
“So are you.” Her eyes were so sad.
While I walked the seven blocks to Emily’s house, I couldn’t get Macallan out of my mind.
My best friend needed me and I was going to figure out what to do to help her.
But first I had to see my awesome girlfriend.
“LEVI!” Emily screamed before I even had a chance to get to the door.
She ran out in the cold and kissed me, which helped warm me considerably.
“You didn’t call me when you landed; I was getting worried!” She held my hand and led me inside.
I’d been so preoccupied with Macallan that I’d forgotten to even warn Emily that I was coming. “I had to drop something off at Macallan’s first,” I said. I didn’t want to lie to Emily anymore.
“Oh, you saw Macallan?” She smiled widely. “What did you guys talk about?”
I shrugged. “Just the usual. Plus, I still needed to give her the Christmas present.”
“Oh, right, that DVD thing?” She led me to the couch and asked me all about my time in California. She hardly let me ask her anything about what she’d done over break. It wasn’t like we hadn’t texted while I’d been away, but she kept wanting to know every detail about my trip.
“Hey, how was the New Year’s Eve party at Macallan’s?” I finally managed to ask.
“Why?” she fired back quickly.
“Ah, only curious. Macallan didn’t say much.”
“Oh.” Emily looked relieved. “It was great, a really good time.” She bit her lip. “Um, there’s something I should probably tell you. It’s totally not a big deal. You know Troy was there and whatever. I was giving him the tour of the house and we were in Macallan’s room. I guess the door was closed …”
I felt a tightness start to form in my chest.
“Anyway, we were talking and it was getting late and we were lying on the bed talking and Macallan walked in. It obviously startled us, but Macallan thought we were doing something, but it was all innocent. I swear. I just missed you so much.”
I didn’t know what to say. Mostly because I couldn’t believe Macallan hadn’t tipped me off. Even if it was nothing.
“But it’s a new year, a new start.” Emily leaned in and was only inches away from me. “I shouldn’t have talked to Troy or given him a tour, but, like, I don’t know. I wasn’t even going to tell you, but I didn’t want to keep anything from you.” She started rubbing my leg. “Forgive me?”
She started to kiss me. At first I hesitated. Not because Emily was a bad kisser, but there was so much information to process. But I gave in. If it were a big deal, Macallan would’ve said something. There was no way she would’ve seen Emily cheating and not tell me.
I thought I could trust Emily, but I knew for certain I could trust Macallan.
Ahem.
You know you don’t need to say a single thing to make me feel bad about that.