Last-Minute Christmas

Snow spills past the window in thick wet clumps. Kenna watches them fall while Tiffany whines about the cold, the two of them still wearing yesterday’s oversized sweaters and messy buns. Holiday plans have turned to slush. They drop onto the bed at the same time, knees pulled to their chests, exchanging empty sighs. Kenna props herself on an elbow. “Sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves won’t get us anywhere,” she says. Tiffany sits up so fast the mattress jounces. “You’re right. Let’s make our own miracle.” They start flipping the apartment into their private winterland. One click and the flat-screen throws up a looping log, crackling away in some other life. Lighters snap open; marshmallows puff and brown above tiny blue flames. Lights snake around the headboard. Ornaments chime as the girls hook them onto door frames. Later they sit cross-legged on the floor, microwave trays balanced on their knees. Kenna moves mashed potatoes around her plate with a fork. “Almost perfect,” she murmurs. At her place they always kept a sprig of mistletoe pinned above the kitchen arch; family members stole kisses every time they passed beneath. Here, nothing. Tiffany’s eyes narrow, thoughtful. She disappears, returns brandishing a stalk of broccoli upside-down. “Improvisation,” she announces, holding it high so the crown dangles over both of them like a ridiculous halo. Kenna laughs low in her throat, then leans in. Their mouths meet; the kiss deepens, warm and slick, tasting faintly of sugar. Tongues slide, cautious at first, then greedy. Broccoli drifts somewhere to the carpet. Hands are next, pushing sweaters up, cupping bare breasts, thumbs flicking already-hard nipples. They trade places on the bed, each pressed between parted thighs, mouths replacing fingers. Kenna’s tongue traces slow circles over Tiffany’s slick folds, then fastens on her clit until Tiffany’s hips jerk. The favor returned, then again, the rhythm building, sharp breaths misting the air. When they finally spill over the edge, tangled and flushed, the snow is still blowing and Christmas still feels very far away. Neither of them notices.