So it was after one in the morning when Bill got to his in-laws’ house. The house was dark on the first floor and completely dark from the front as Bill drove up. Because it was late and dark and cold and quiet, Bill did his best not to make any noise.
First thing that happened when he opened the door and entered the house was the German Sheppard barked. He met Bill at the front door and because he knew Bill by his smell, his touch and his voice, he stopped barking instantly. Bill tapped himself on the chest and the big boy stood up and put two legs on Bill. Bill petted his head and kissed him on the snoot.
“Good boy,” Bill said.
The dog went back to all fours and Bill patted him on the side. “Good boy,” he said again. “It’s only me. You can go back to sleep.”
The dog wagged its tail. He didn’t go off to sleep. He followed Bill as he went to the family room where he put his coat on the sofa and then went up the stairs of the split level house.
Bill’s wife was up and waiting for him. A soft bedside light was on. She lay in bed reading. She was under the covers with her legs up and the book on her lap. She had a wine bottle and two glasses on her night table.
“Hey baby,” she said.
“Hey,” Bill said. He walked to the bed and sat beside her, leaned in and kissed her.
“How was your night?”
“Slow and tedious. Tomorrow will be busy, they say. We’re open at one.”
“Not much time to rest.”
“It’s okay.” He leaned in and kissed her again. This time his lips clung to hers, felt and tasted the lipstick she had put on. She was made up. He’d seen this immediately and wondered what she had in mind.
“Pour us some wine,” she said.
“I need to take a shower.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Bill poured them each a glass of wine and handed hers to her. “Merry Christmas,” he said.
“It is Christmas already, isn’t it?”
“Sure is.”
From next to her in the bed she pulled a piece of mistletoe. “Gonna kiss me under it?” she asked.
“Where you gonna put it?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“I can guess.”
“I’m sure you can.”
Bill’s wife, being cute, put the mistletoe over her head. She held it there with one hand, held her wine glass with the other.
Bill leaned in and kissed her. This time he kissed slowly, deeply, carefully, allowed his tongue and made sure it did, to meet with and play with hers.
They kissed a long time. This was nothing new for them, nothing unusual. While they kissed Bill took her wine glass from her and set both her glass and his on the night table. Then, both of them with a free hand, they hugged and kissed even more.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you too.”
“We had a nice time at my aunt’s. Maybe next year you’ll be able to be there. You were missed.”
“Remember when we were broke? Dead broke? Better I work if I can.”
“At least you eat well.”
“Ham and turkey tomorrow,” Bill said. “Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing. Bet the ham won’t be as good as your mother’s.”
“It’s just another Christmas here. We’ll open presents, eat, everyone will do what they do. Me, I’ll help my mother.”
“I’ll be gone all day.”
“What time you have to leave?”
“Nine. Thereabouts.”
“Better go take your shower so you can come to bed.”
Bill took the mistletoe from her hand and held it over them again. He leaned in and they started kissing again, kissed the same way, a long time.”
“Come on and shower with me,” he said when they finished kissing.
His wife lifted the covers a little. “I don’t think so,” she said.
Bill saw that she was all dressed up for him.
