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DECEMBER 18, 2007
From Tory Temple
“Christmas. You’re working on Christmas?”
“Not by choice.” Chris sighed and nodded toward the shift calendar that hung on the kitchen wall. “You know that’s just how the schedule goes. I’m off Christmas Eve, though. We can do gifts and stuff then.”
“I suppose.” Morgan made no effort to hide his annoyance, which in turn made Chris annoyed also. Well, that was par for the course, with them.
“There isn’t anyone who’s going to work for me, Morgan. And I’m not going to be a dick and call in sick so some poor asshole gets forced to work. Those guys all have families and shit.” Chris hit the button on the coffee grinder.
Morgan waited for the crunching and grinding of the beans to stop before he spoke. “They all have families.”
“That’s what I said.”
“What the fuck do you think we are?”
There was a momentary pause. Chris blinked at the countertop before turning to look at Morgan, but the kitchen was empty, only Morgan’s coffee cup left on the table.
***
Christmas Day at the station was usually a quiet one. People tended to save their accidents, medical emergencies, and kitchen fires for later in the evening, after all the presents were opened and food had been eaten.
His shift was preparing a ham with all the trimmings. It smelled like heaven. The station’s Christmas tree twinkled merrily in the corner of the common room and Chris could hear football on the television. His captain, Rich, lounged in one of the recliners and snacked on one of the several boxes of baked goods that well-meaning neighbors had dropped off.
Chris just wanted to go home.
He and Morgan had exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve, as they had planned, but it had been quiet and strained. Morgan had smiled at the new leather briefcase, though, and Chris thought of the new camera that Morgan had given him. He should have brought it to work so he could play with it.
Chris wandered listlessly down the hall to the common room and flung himself into the recliner next to Rich. “Gimme one of those.”
Rich handed over a cranberry-orange cookie. “These are good. I’ve had three.”
Chris snorted and took a bite. “My mom’s are better.”
“Moms always make better cookies.”
The timer for the ham went off and Chris could hear it being taken out of the oven. “Chow!” Jim announced cheerfully, and just as Chris was getting to his feet, the side door from the garage opened.
“Morgan,” Rich greeted, slapping him on the back. “Perfect timing, man.” He moved to the kitchen and began to serve himself a plate.
Chris stayed where he was in the common room, looking at Morgan silently and taking in the man’s fresh shave and new sweater. “You came for dinner.
“It’s Christmas.” Morgan looked at Chris, his gray eyes serious.
“It’s Christmas,” Chris echoed. “And we’re family.”
Morgan nodded.
Chris’ mom’s cranberry-orange cookies:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chopped cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.
Tory Temple's Still Water is on sale at 15% off until 12-21-07.
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