HollyHolly woke a full hour before her alarm went off. She lay in bed with the covers up to her chin. Her cheeks were cold, but she didn’t want to turn the heat up. The old apartment building leaked warm air like a sieve and her heating costs were already too high this year. Better just to wear an extra sweater. Or stay in bed.She heard her coffee-pot click on, the machine on automatic. Soon the scent of coffee filled the air and she found the siren’s song of endless energy irresistible. She slid out from under the covers, wrapped a robe around her and shuffled into the kitchen.The sun was still barely cresting the horizon, and the kitchen was full of shadows. Holly went on autopilot, reaching for a mug, the creamer, and finally the coffee. She sighed with contentment at the first sip.And then she thought of Nathan.He liked his coffee with sugar, no cream.She shook her head. It didn’t matter how he liked his coffee. He was probably back in San Francisco by now. She wondered if h

HollyHolly stepped out onto the street and watched as her breath frosted and drifted away. There was a boy in her class who claimed he was part dragon because he exhaled “smoke” whenever it was cold. She smiled, blowing out an extra long breath into the dark night.Christmas was everywhere downtown. Holly wrapped her jacket around her and wandered the brightly lit streets. Window were filled with toys and goodies. Restaurants were filled with happy diners. Christmas lights sparkled everywhere.Holly meandered down the street, pausing to look at the holiday themed windows of the stores. She made her way to the city center where the mayor made speeches and the holiday parade started and began. This year, the tree stood in the center of the courtyard. It was decorated in silver and purple with lights strung from top to bottom.Carolers walked the streets wearing old fashioned clothes and singing in perfect harmony. Holly recognized several members of the group as the high school choir.

Nathan“You want to come to school with me today?”Nathan lay naked in bed, his body exhausted but mind serene. Holly stood in the light of the bathroom brushing her hair. She wore the same pants as the night before, but she’d pulled out a clean sweater from the backseat of her car. It was good enough that it made it look like she’d gone home and changed.He loved watching her. She moved with careful grace as she checked her face in the mirror.“Did you hear me?” she asked again, coming to the bed with a smile on her face. “Do you want to come to school with me today?”He reached out and traced a finger along her cheek. “I have meetings this morning. What about lunch?”She thought about it for a moment and then leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I’ll save you a seat at the cool kids’ table.”He chuckled, watching as she picked up her bag and slid into her boots. She gave him one last smile before disappearing out the door and into the early morning.The room felt empty without her.

NathanNathan hadn’t had a workout like that in months. When the whistle finally blew signifying the end of their time outside, he was drenched in sweat and his legs were shaking.The kids seemed unfazed.“How do they have so much energy?” Nathan asked Holly as they followed the classroom back inside.“They weren’t picking each other up and swinging them in circles,” Holly reminded him. She smiled when she said it, her voice warm and soft.“Okay, friends. Put your coats away and we’ll head to art class.” The kids continued shouting and talking, but they did as she asked, hanging up their coats on the pegs along the far side of the classroom.Once the coats were put away, they formed a rough semblance of a line.“I’m just going to take them to art class,” Holly told him. “It’ll only take a minute.”“I’ll wait here. I don’t have to be back just yet.”A smile filled her face and then she darted around, making sure that the kids were ready. As soon as the door opened, the kids became quie

Holly“Ms. Jones! Ms. Jones!” Preston ran yelling from the back of the room. Holly immediately made a mental note of where the first aid kit was and which route was the fastest to the office. Preston sounded legitimately concerned.“What is it, Preston?” Holly asked, going down to one knee.“Laurie is violating my religious rights,” he told her. He wiped at his cheek.“Your religious rights?” Holly asked, no longer worrying about the first aid kit.“Yeah. She says Santa isn’t real.”Oh boy. Holly thought to herself. She still had to stifle a laugh, though.“How about we just don’t talk to Laurie for the rest of the day?” Holly suggested. She made one mental note to email Preston’s parents and another mental note on an already very long list to talk to Laurie about telling the other kids about Santa.Winter break was all of ten minutes away and Holly could hardly stand the wait. The kids were antsy as well. They were ready to run outside. The big Holiday Parade was tomorrow, and everyo