Who Gets the Friends? by Tim Smith Page A

but which shift?”
    “First. I’ll get off around three. Why?”
    “Just wondering. Any plans after you get off work?”
    “Not really. At some point over the holidays I need to go to Cincinnati to visit my folks. What did you have in mind?”
    He was silent for a moment. “I thought you might like to come over to my place that evening so we could spend part of the holiday together.”
    She turned to look into his eyes. “I’d love to. I might even bring my own mistletoe.”
    Tom pulled her close. “Who needs it?”
    They locked in a lingering kiss, oblivious to the people milling about.
    Jessica caressed his cheek. “Have I told you how well you do that?”
    “Not lately.”
    They walked around the square, looking at the decorations and vendors. Tom guided them to a booth where a photographer was taking pictures of kids and families against a seasonal backdrop.
    “It’s a bit cheesy, but it’ll do,” Tom remarked.
    They took their place behind a fake sleigh against a background of snow and fir trees. Tom hugged Jessica and they smiled. He paid the photographer, then gave Jessica the picture.
    “A little keepsake.”
    She smiled at the picture. “Very nice, but I think you could’ve done better.”
    “I think so, too.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Jessica hurried to answer her ringing phone with an anticipatory smile. “Hello?” she happily answered.
    “Jessica? This is Brenda Slater.”
    Jessica’s face fell at hearing the voice of her late boyfriend’s mother. Shit! I should’ve checked the caller ID . “Uh—hi, Brenda. How are you?”
    “All right. I wondered how you were getting along and I really wanted to hear your voice. How are you holding up this holiday season?”
    I was doing fine until you called . “I’m okay. How are you and Jack doing?”
    Brenda sighed. “Not very well. We miss Bradley terribly.”
    “Yes, I know.” She paused. “So do I. Thank you for the Christmas card.”
    “You’re welcome. We always thought of you as part of the family.”
    Jessica cradled the phone while pacing. “That’s very nice to hear. I was always fond of both of you, too.”
    “I know you’re busy, but this will be our first Christmas without Bradley and we wanted to invite you to spend the holiday with us. Everyone will be here, his brothers, sisters and nieces. They’d all love to see you.”
    “I appreciate that, but I’m working the holiday for one of the other nurses who wanted the day off.”
    “Oh, I see. What about after work?”
    Jessica paused. “I’m sorry, Brenda, but I’ve already made plans.”
    “Of course, you’ll probably be going to see your family.”
    Jessica glanced at the photo she and Tom had taken when they saw the Christmas display downtown. “Actually, I’m spending the evening with a friend.”
    There was a pause. “A male friend?”
    Jessica’s face blossomed into a smile. “Yeah. He’s a pretty neat guy.”
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    Tom dodged the seemingly endless stream of shoppers, mostly kids, that clogged the Fairfield Commons Mall. Damn, man, it’s Wednesday. A school night. What are all these kids doing here?
    He had selected another Christmas card for Jessica, one that was humorous without being too mushy. I’m not sure we’re ready for sincerity yet, but I think she’ll like it. Now the real question—what do I get her? We didn’t say anything about exchanging gifts but I’d really like to get her something.
    He paused in front of a store that sold a variety of fragrances but stopped himself from going in. Not cologne. Too early in the relationship for something so personal and I don’t know her favorite fragrance . He continued window-shopping but stopped at the display window at Frederick’s of Hollywood. His eyes scanned the mannequins decked out on sexy lingerie. Definitely too soon for anything like that, although the black lace teddy is cute. I wonder how Jessica would look in that?
    Tom found himself wandering into a seasonal