Stocking Stuffers: Fruitcakes Read online

  “What?” Bran flipped on his side in his own bed and propped up on an elbow. “Tell me.”

  “Use your illusion.”

  Bran sighed. “I told you. It doesn’t work on more than one or two people at a time. My personal glamour works without any effort, but to create an illusion large enough for a crowd is beyond my capabilities.”

  “That’s just it though. There are only maybe five people working the floor at night.”

  “I saw near twenty when they brought me in, boy.”

  “You were brought in at the end of shift, which meant people from both shifts were here for the changeover. The evening workers left at ten-thirty.”

  “Still, even five…”

  “Trust me. I’ve been here for several days. I know the routine.” Donner could see the possibility excite Bran’s face. “One will be doing a med pass, one will be at the station, the other three are just aides, and they’ll be in and out of rooms for bed checks. You can leave with the nurse after she finishes with our pills, and just use your…” he waved his hands, “…illusion until someone unlocks the door to the floor.”

  Bran jumped out of bed and raced to Donner, capturing him in a kiss that made the young man wish he’d never mentioned the escape plan. “You are bloody brilliant, Donner Thomas. Just brilliant!”

  “Okay.” Donner smiled, but even to him it felt sad.

  The Elf traced his jaw line with soft warm fingertips. “You never told me what you wanted for Christmas.”

  “I don’t do wants and wishes any more. Easier to not be disappointed that way.”

  Bran nodded and kissed him again before padding softly back to his bed.

  Donner closed his eyes and spoke quietly. “I don’t want to be alone for Christmas.”

  The door handle jiggled and the nurse came in and flipped on the overhead light. “Time for your happy pill, Mr. Thomas and Mr. O’Byrne. What an unusual name. Okay, gentlemen, sit up now.”

  Donner sat up and held out his hand, Bran copied him. She placed a white pill into both their hands and gave them small cups of ice water. “This is just something to help you sleep.”

  The Elf palmed the pill and pretended to put it in his mouth, while Donner didn’t hesitate to take his. He wanted to sleep. It would be the only way he’d make it through the night. He watched as Bran waved his hand, setting the illusion that he was lying down and getting under the covers, but Donner could see the reality as the Elf drew close to the nurse and began to follow her out of the room. He turned back once and gestured to Donner. “You’re healed now.”

  And when his back was to Donner, the Elf’s skin turned pale and his hair black before he faded from Donner’s sight. A few moments later the illusion in the room faded as well.

  Chapter Five

  Whether Bran O’Byrne had been a real Elf or not was the question that constantly plagued Donner, but after the brief, albeit tumultuous, encounter, Donner had stopped seeing “others” and subsequently had been released from the hospital.

  He’d inherited his parents’ house after their deaths, and hadn’t been back since the funeral, but after his release, it was the first place he went. Determined that the house should feel like Christmas, even without anyone to appreciate it other than him, he set about placing decorations around, put up a tree, even put up their stockings. Mom, Dad, Donner… and he’d added a special one, just for Bran.

  Christmas morning, he woke without the usual excitement of previous years. He showered, brushed his teeth, and bundled in a warm red robe, padded softly down the stairs. The house was quiet, lonely. He made coffee, poured himself some cereal, and went to the living room to start a fire. On the mantle, all the stockings lay flat against the brick, untouched, but he hadn’t expected any different.

  Once the flames were strong and hot on the logs, he sat down on his couch, sipping from his mug. Without looking, he reached across the end table for a coaster and knocked a tiny blue box wrapped in green ribbon onto the floor.

  His heart nearly seized. “What the…”

  He picked it up, blood pounding in his ears, and unwrapped the small gift. Inside was a note written on yellowed parchment paper. It read:

  You are never alone.

  Santa.

  The doorbell rang. Donner raced for the door, holding his breath, hoping, praying. “I’m coming!”

  He undid the locks and slung it open as the breath whooshed from his body. An old man in a brown suit stood outside holding a clipboard. “Uh, is this the Berry residence? I have a fruitcake delivery.”

  “You have the wrong house. Sorry.” He closed the door behind him, feeling empty as he walked back to the living room.

  “Hello, Donner Thomas,” a familiar voice called from behind him.

  “Bran.” He turned to find… the underwear model? “Who?” Then it dawned on him -- the pale skin, the black hair. “I don’t believe it.”

  “I came in with the delivery guy. Lucky he went to the wrong house, eh?” With the knowing grin and the sparkle in those blue eyes framed by dark lashes, Donner knew why the old man had gotten the wrong address.

  “You came.”

  “Yes. I came.” Bran wrapped his arms around Donner, pressing his lips into a deep kiss. “And I plan to come and come again.”

  “How did it go with…”

  Bran smirked. “Who do you think I caught a ride with? Though I wish he’d get the heater fixed on that damn sleigh. Brrr. I don’t have all that extra padding. Or the big red suit.” His eyes softened as they met Donner’s. “Wow. I’m very happy to see you.”

  “I can’t believe you’re here. Really here. In front of me.” He took Bran’s hand in his. “Can I see you?”

  “You mean…”

  “Yes, the real you.” And after his stint in the mental hospital he never thought he’d utter his next words. “I miss the blue.”

  “But I thought you wanted to be normal.”

  “Being with you, who you really are. That’s normal enough for me.”

  Bran rose on his tiptoes and kissed Donner’s eyes. His vision blurred for a moment and when it cleared the Elf was once again his blue self. “I think I’d like to stay for a while, Donner Thomas. If you’ll put up with me?”

  “Yes.” Donner smiled, genuinely happy. “It’s exactly what I wanted.”

  Reneé George

  Reneé George was born and raised in California. She has lived in Hawaii and Texas, before settling in the Midwest. Happily married for 16 years, Reneé lives a hectic, but fulfilling, life with her husband and her sweet baby boy (okay, so he’s twelve now, but he is still her baby!). As a self-proclaimed voyeur, she thinks that there is something distinctly voyeuristic in most people. Watching the lives, loves, and self-discovery of unique characters unfold in the written word can be extremely satisfying. It’s like knowing a great secret. Fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction have always been a big part of her life, allowing her to escape the mundane. She became hooked on alternative worlds and realities after reading J. R. R. Tolkein’s books when she was nine years old. She enjoys writing strong characters with even stronger desires. Her website is at www.romance-the-night.com.