Chapter 76
“You gonna help Daddy Jake and Daddy Jimmy carry the tree back to the truck?”
Rex picked up his branch again.
“Guess not.”
* * * *
Barry just shook his head when Jake pulled a large cardboard box of Christmas tree decorations from the attic and opened the lid.
“What?” Jake asked.
“Only you two would have blue and red decorations.”
“There’s some silver, too,” Jimmy said, pulling out a strand of tinsel.
“Which has blue and red strands in it as well,” Barry said. He realized he was coming across as a grump. But he was tired, cold and had only eaten a sandwich. His men—Jake in particular—had insisted they get straight on with decorating the tree. Barry guessed that was another tradition. “I’m sorry, guys. It’s just, Christmas back in England wasn’t as…big as this.”
Jake looked crestfallen.
“Please don’t misunderstand, I love Christmas. And I’m sure it’ll be totally magical spending it with the two men I love most in the world. It’s just…I’m a bit overwhelmed.” And it was almost a month before the actual holiday.
“You go take a seat while Jimmy and I decorate the tree,” Jake said, guiding Barry over to the couch.
Barry received a double kiss when he insisted that now he was a part of them, he’d also take part in their tree decorating.
But fifteen minutes later, Barry wished he’d sat and watched. Jake had very definite ideas about where each particular bauble and trinket should be placed and didn’t like it if anyone deviated from his suggestions. Barry was surprised it was Jake rather than Jimmy who was being so anal. Normally his red-clothed cowboy was more laid back about things. Barry determined to ask Jimmy about it the next time they were alone.
“The final two,” Jimmy said, looking into the bottom of the box at a couple of newspaper-wrapped packages.
“Final three, remember?” Jake told him, standing up and leaving the room.
Getting his chance sooner than he thought, Barry asked, “Why is Jake so…manic about all of this?”
Jimmy smiled. “Christmas was always a big thing on the Pierce ranch. Grandpa Pierce would dress up and play Santa, giving out the gifts and all that. He died at Christmas when we were in middle school. Jake’s dad tried to take over, but it was never the same.”
“I see.”
“I know Jake’s mom and dad would have liked some brothers and sisters for Jake. The Pierce’s have always been big on family. This place, it’s…Well, you’ve seen for yourself. Everyone’s welcome. It’s like a big family. And it’s always been like that for as long as I can remember.”
Barry was about to ask another question but Jake came back into the room, carrying a small bag, which he gave to Barry.
“What’s this?” Barry asked. The bag felt light.
“Open it,” Jake said.
Barry did and smiled at its contents. “A purple cherub. This for on the tree?”
Both Jimmy and Jake nodded. Barry wasn’t sure where Jake wanted him to put the ornament, but knew it was important he get it right.
Barry examined the tree for a minute or so before spotting a sparsely-decorated area. Hanging the cherub on the end of a branch he stepped back to see the effect.
“Great choice,” Jake said.
Jimmy and Jake then sat cross-legged on the floor and unwrapped the final two ornaments.
They leaned toward each other and kissed.
“Love you, Jakey,” Jimmy said.
“Love you, too,” Jake replied. “So much.”
Barry looked at them, then down at the newly unwrapped decorations. Jake held a red felt Santa, and Jimmy a blue angel. They were obviously home-made. Santa’s coat bulged in odd places and the angel’s wings were of unequal size. But Barry could tell the two items held great sentimental value.
Jake looked up at Barry. “Back in grade school the teacher had us make a tree ornament. I made the angel.”
“And I made the Santa,” Jimmy added. “We took ’em home to our moms, who put them on our trees.”
“They came out each year, even when we became teenagers and could make better. But our moms said they were special because they were the first things we’d made.”
“Before the first Christmas I spent here, after Dad kicked me out, I asked Mom if I could have the Santa. She agreed.”
“And when we decorated the tree Jimmy gave it to me, and I gave him my angel.”
The two cowboys hugged each other and kissed once again. Barry was touched by their story.
“Each year we buy each other a new ornament,” Jake said. “But this year we got one for you instead.”
Barry swallowed. “Thank you.” He got down on his knees and pulled his men into a hug.
After the last two ornaments had been hung on either side of the purple cherub, the men sat on the sofa and watched the twinkling tree lights.
Barry asked, “I know the reason why you guys wear different colors. But why red and blue? Was it those ornaments?”
“Red’s always been my favorite color, and Jake’s always been my favorite man. Until now that is,” Jimmy said, smiling at Barry. “Now I have two favorite men.”
“So do I,” Barry said, returning the smile.
Jimmy’s favorite color being red was a surprise. But Barry knew, yet again, he’d overthought the whole blue and red thing, looking for deeper meanings where none existed. That should teach him.