I’m not good with holiday stuff. But I did try while writing Tooth and Claw. Here’s another deleted scene of Lynn’s attempt at Holiday magic. Enjoy!
“The human is humming again,” Evan growled, looking through the window at our barmaid, “What’s she wearing on her head?”
“That, my dear friend,” I said, patting his back, “Is a headband with reindeer ears on it. It’s cute. And festive.”
“Festive,” he growled again. He flipped the burgers and pressed the flat of the spatula against the meat simmering out all the juices.
I bit my lip and made my way out of the kitchen.
“Santa Baby and hurrrryyyy dooownnn the chimney toonniiighhhht” Sarah sang off key and my wolf whined under my skin. The barmaid pulled drafts for the table of college kids celebrating the end of finals.
I never quite understood the human fascination with the holiday. Wolves celebrated solstice much the same way as Sarah celebrated Christmas just a few days earlier. But we didn’t sing.
Wolves and singing did not mix. From Evan’s reaction, bears and singing didn’t much either.
“Youuuu better watch out,” Sarah sang to me with a bright smile, “You better not cry.”
She looked at me expectantly, but I didn’t know the words.
“I swear that cult you grew up in ruins all the fun of holidays.”
The human brushed passed me, continuing her strange song about lists and visits to town. She set the drinks down in front of the young men who joined her in song.
“Are we the weird ones?” I asked Evan through the window, “Should we...sing?”
If looks could turn a person to stone, Evan shot me that look, “Earl might have made us decorate but you cannot make me sing.”
“Could be fun,” I watched Sarah and the college kids laugh and start singing another song about bells but the lyrics didn’t make any sense, “What does batman and rotten eggs have to do with Christmas?”
“About as much as the rest of it.” Evan slid the burgers into the window, “Just ignore them like we do every year. Tomorrow we’ll deep clean the pub and--”
“What if we didn’t do the Christmas deep clean?” I asked, “What if we did the human thing. Take a day off, drink some hot cocoa--”
“-- Chocolate makes you sick.”
“Watch some movies, open presents.”
“I didn’t get you anything and I’m not shopping.”
“We can make something! Better yet, we can learn a new skill and make each other things!”
Evan grumbled, “I might have made you something already...”
Now I was confused, “You made me something?”
“When Earl was in and out of the hospital... it’s not a big deal.”
“AND JOKER RAN AWAAAYYYY” the table burst into laughter.
“I’ll get these burgers out to the table.”
This year had been rough for Evan. It was easy for me to forget in my own pain. Earl had been my mentor and surrogate family. But he was Evan’s family.
I dropped the plates on the table and went to my office.
There had to be something I could do in a few hours as a gift to Evan.
There was paperwork, cleaning supplies, a broken chair. All this was stuff we owned together. It wouldn't do to give him that.
“What are you doing back here? Did your arm run out of juice?” Sarah asked.
“Evan got me something for sol-Christmas and I didn’t get him anything and now--”
“Oh, OH,” Sarah’s eyes widened along with her grin, “Are you two finally...?”
“Stop it, no, you know we’re just friends.” My cheeks heated despite my protestations. We were just friends. But Evan wanted to be more.
My wolf just wouldn’t allow it.
“Well, Evan is a grumpy goose,” Sarah said, “What does he like to do in his spare time?”
“Work? Work out?” I said, “Evan doesn’t really do spare time.”
“What about something sentimental? An inside joke for just the two of you? It doesn’t have to be big, just a small trinket that’ll remind him of that moment?”
I thought back to my friendship with Evan. Our ups and downs. Our moments of triumph and loss.
It all was this pub. Earl. But there was more, it was us.
“Thanks Sarah, I’ll think on that.”
“Better hurry, we’re closing soon,” she started something about being home for the holidays and sashayed out of the office, leaving a cloud of lavender perfume behind her.
I knew what to make for him.
After closing, Sarah finished her cleaning and departed, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....er morning.” Her laughter could be heard until she started her car door. Another song blared through her speakers.
“I’ll see you upstairs, I have to grab something.”
I knew what I was going to get him. He might not like it, but it was the best I could do on short notice.
I dug in the pantry and liquor cupboard until I found it. A bottle of Jack Daniels. I’d have to add an extra to our order next week, but this was worth it. I snagged an onion and made my way upstairs.
“I don’t know anything about wrapping so here,” I said, thrusting the strange pairing into his hands.
“I’m pretty sure I’d remember if humans gifted each other onions for Christmas,” he said sniffing it, “Unless you poisoned it.”
“You know I’m not good with chemicals. It’s just a regular old onion. Sarah said gifts could be from the heart. To tug at memories. You remember the time you stole my car and filled it with onions?”
Evan smirked, “I’m sure I didn’t steal it. If memory serves, I was running errands for Earl. And you refused to come with or unload.”
“You called me a one-armed bitch.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” his apology dripped with sincerity. He reached behind him and pulled out a neatly wrapped box, “Here.”
I opened it while Evan pulled out two glasses.
“What is it?”
I pulled out what looked like a pile of yarn loosely knotted together.
“It’s a scarf,” he said, “I learned how to knit while Earl was in the hospital. It’s my first project.”
“It’s lovely,” I lied.
Evan started laughing, “Here’s the real one.”
The scarf he handed me was still missing stitches, but it resembled a scarf. Deep emerald green with purple stripes.
“Matches your eyes....and your arm,” he said, “Your two most distinct features after your sass.”
“Merry Christmas, Evan.”
“Merry Christmas, Lee.”
2020 has been a rough year for just about everyone. I’ve been incredibly lucky to write my books and have readers who enjoy them. I hope that 2021 will be bright and filled with wonderful stories.
Stay safe this holiday season. Wear your mask. Don’t drink and drive. Keep an eye on Grandma around reindeer.