Word Limit: 275-300 (check)
Key Words: frostbite (check)Forbidden Words: red, bare (check)
“Ahhh, hello dear, I see you are wearing the coat I bought you.”
Grandpa gave me a big hug until grandma nudged him out of the way.
“It’s good to see you deary,” Grandma always smelled like
cinnamon lilacs, and I loved it.
I hugged her back, “It’s good to see you two above-ground for
one more Christmas.”
“At least one more year,” Grandma said, “and then I’m off!” She made a swooping, but shaky, arm motion,
and the sound of an airplane taking off like she did every time she joked about
dying.
We sat in the hotel lobby and waited. Grandpa ordered some hot chocolate, and grandma
asked me if I wanted to take off my coat.
“No way,” I replied, feeling the silk lining against the
hard nipples of my naked breasts, “we’re so close to the doors I’m going to get
frostbite as it is.
“We can move,” they said in unison.
“No, we’re fine,” I stalled, “Besides Uncle Porter will be
here any minute and we’ll walk to see the tree.”
They nodded and sipped their cocoa and gazed upward the
hotel lobby ceiling.
I felt Uncle Porter’s arms wrap around me from behind, “Merry
Christmas!” he bellowed in my ear, laughing as I jumped. Grandma and Grandpa heard his voice and trundled
over to get in on the group hug. In the middle of it, I felt my Uncle’s strong
hands come to my chest, over the thick wool coat, and my heart raced.
After the hugs were over, we stepped outside.
“Did you get me a gift”? He asked while Grandma and Grandpa
stared at the 100-foot tree.
“I sure did.” The frigid air bathed my skin as I revealed my gift, and he knew it would be a Christmas
to remember.
_________________________
Check out Eris & Psycho and Max and their takes on the prompt
