Second Chances

The End of the Road.

After dinner, Maddy shooed her parents out of the kitchen. "You two get outta here." 

"We got this," said Nathan, collecting dishes.

"Maddy, let me help," said Carol.

"Mom, really. Sit down and relax. Would you like another glass of wine?"

"No, thanks. I'm still a lightweight."

Christmas music played in the living room. Nathan sang along to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" as he rinsed dishes at the sink.

Maddy scraped dinner scraps into the trash bin. Satisfied that her parents were out of earshot, she said, "Hey, listen. The tree was super sweet. And our time together last night. That was really special."

"Yeah, it definitely was."

"But I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

Nathan's smile faded. "This is my least favorite kind of conversation."

"I mean, I just lost my job, and things sort of fell apart with..."

"With that guy you were 'kind of seeing."

"And there you were when I was at my most vulnerable."

"Don't just blow this off as an emotional Christmas reconnection," he said, his voice raspy with desperation. "I felt something and you did, too, Maddy. I know you did."

"I'm not saying I didn't feel something. It's just–"

Reggie poked his head into the kitchen. "What's a guy gotta do to get a beer around here?"

"Sorry, Dad." Maddy went to the fridge and grabbed another beer.

Reggie cracked the top. "So, Maddy. What did you do to get yourself fired?"

"Reggie!" Carol huffed.

"I screwed up their biggest account."

"Oh, dear," said Carol. "So she fired you at Christmas?

"If I ever need a transplant I want my boss' heart. It's never been used."

"Zing," said Nathan.

"Ex-boss." Maddy corrected herself. "Could we talk about something else?"

"If you guys don't need any help with the dishes," said Carol with a yawn. "I think maybe we're going to turn in. It's been a long day."

Nathan flashed the thumbs-up sign. "We got this."

"Don't you two stay up too late," said Reggie. "Santa's on his way."

"We won't." Maddy offered a polite smile. She watched her parents cross through the living room on their way to the bedroom.

"You're throwing a lot of really confusing signals at me," said Nathan.

"I'm trying to work through a mix of all kinds of different feelings, okay?"

"Don't overthink it."

"Like I said, I was super vulnerable. And then you ambush me with this amazing Christmas tree--"

"Ambush?"

"Okay. That's not the right word. But it kinda felt like... like manipulation."

He dried his hands with a towel. "Sure, that's one way you could look at it. Or maybe I was there when you needed me the most even though you won't let yourself admit it."

"Nathan, I don't exist just for you."

He gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "I think I do for you."