The Brick Wall

Chapter 27

Collins POV

  I spend Christmas Eve morning finalizing the little bit of shopping I had left.  There wasn't much, but since I lost a couple of days by being locked out of my apartment, I had to take advantage of the last few hours the stores would be open.  

  I nearly squealed in excitement when Curtis opened his apartment door that afternoon, the gift boxes I had for the two of them held tightly in my hand. "Merry Christmas!"

  Mr. Grumpy Gills arches a brow at me. "It's not Christmas. That's tomorrow."

  "I now," I shrug, pushing my way into his apartment. "But, you two won't be here tomorrow, so I thought I'd come by a little early and give you your gifts now."  I bypass the small Christmas tree I'd helped him put up two days ago, and immediately pass off his gift to him.  "Lenny Lou!" I call out, playfully sticking my head around the corner where I can hear her giggles. 

  She looks up at me, her blue eyes brightening. "CaCa!"  

  "We really need to think of a new name for her to call you," Curtis offers up, walking into the room to join us.

  "Nonsense, dumpling," my hand reaches out to slap against his hard bicep as he passes me. "She can call me whatever she wants."  As soon as she's crawled over to my feet I'm hoisting her up and into the air, kissing all over her face, reveling in her smile and giggles. "You're looking refreshed Miss Everett. That steroid finally wearing off? Her last dose was, what? Yesterday?"

  "Last night," Curtis sighs, flopping back onto the couch.  "Finally fell asleep at two this morning."

  "Better than three," I remind him, giving her a knowing wink. 

  "You seem different."

  His statement catches me off guard, confusing me. "What do you mean?"

  "You don't seem all over the place, or witty with your comebacks."

  "Daddy misses crazy Collins. Is that what he's trying to say, Lenny? Daddy prefers it when I'm all over the place and not making much sense?"

  He scoots to the edge of the couch. "That's not what I meant."

  "I'm teasing," I laugh, setting Lennox back in the center of the room.  She's already crawling over to where Curtis had set down his present. "Oh! Nope, that's daddy's.  This one is for you," I tell her, presenting a gift before her. 

  She does exactly what I expect her to, her hands beat down on the box.  "Rip it, Lenny," Curtis instructs her as he slides down to the floor, his back resting against the couch.  

  "Ooh, maybe I should get you a drum set for your first birthday!" I offer up, clapping my hands in excitement before I notice the death glare coming my way from her father. "Fine. How about a guitar?" He shakes his head no. "Maracas?"  Another no.  "Tambourine? Cymbals? Piano? Oh! A karaoke microphone!"

  I hear him mutter something to the effect of "There she is," under his breath.  It's not quite his usual agitation, maybe a hint of relief? Weird.

  "Just keeping you on your toes," I respond with a smile, letting him know I heard exactly what he said. 

  Sometimes I can be like watching a tennis match or probably even more correctly a ping pong game. Bouncing all over the place with little direction until there's a more definitive flick of the wrist when the player wants to really throw off the competitor. 

  It's a gift, really.

  Curtis leans in closer to Lennox's present, using his finger to help pull along the side of the paper that's held loosely by a piece of tape. He starts a small tear and taps against it, showing Lennox he's gotten it started for her.