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“How do you feel looking at it noing that ht never be you?”

Max stared at his ood, actually I think she’d tell hed, and it really did feel good But when he looked back to Jeremy beside him, his smile vanished

Rigid, Jeremy stared at his phone “My dad texted,” he croaked Hands tree

Please be decent hued the Rourkes in his head Please see how incredible your son is Please don’t have waited until Christmas Eve to crush him even more

Jeremy cleared his throat and read aloud, “Hello, son Honolulu was too crowded for our tastes We have really enjoyed Maui Sean sends his love We all do Max looks like a nice younghim some time Merry Christmas”

Exhaling the breath he’d been holding, Max asked, “How do you feel?”

Jeremy blinked back tears “Good, I think? Better, at least”

“C’htly, and Jeremy pressed his face into Max’s chest, his sob muffled

The stairs creaked, and Valerie called, “Are you two still up? Santa will—” Wearingpajamas decorated with reindeer, she skidded to a halt in the living roo sound Her ponytail swayed “My goodness Is everything all right?”

Jere out of Max’s arms “Uh-huh! It is Sorry”

Valerie gave him a kind smile “Don’t be, hon”

“I’ to—” Jeremy motioned to the stairs “I’ll be back”

“Take your ti him smile

Valerie watched hi ‘civil’ Oh, I’d really like a ith them sometime”

“Get in line But I think they’re co around I hope so”

“Glad to hear it Now, I’ht, so you’ll just have to pretend you don’t seethe presents fro roo from the bottom of a rustic sideboard

Max clutched his chest “Childhood Illusions Shattered”