Chapter 15
I sat on the couch, read the headlines, and blew into the coffee to cool it, while Chel grappled with wrapping paper, scissors, and tape for Elena’s Christmas present.
“Dad, can you hold this?”
“Sure.” I took the tape she cut. She wanted to wrap it herself. Her small hands smoothed over the paper to flatten it.
“Do you think Mommy will like her present?” She stopped and folded a corner, then brushed her hair covering her eyes. She faced me, then took the piece of tape I had on my finger.
“Of course. You picked a really nice sweater for her.”
She scanned around the apartment living room. “Is Uncle Noah helping you with the Christmas tree this year?”
Oh boy.
I smiled. “I was thinking you and I could put it up together.”
“Okay,” she said, twisting her mouth.
“Everything a
