Christmas Day

Eb looked at his hands, and they were red. Belle’s hands tore at a small red bootie. The small boot was unspooling unto the floor.

Eb tried reaching out to Belle’s hand to stop her work. She twisted away and he pulled back. They both looked at the small box together but separate.

“Would you like to say something, Eb?” the priest asked.

“No,” said Eb with watering eyes.

The child looked at the old man as the candle started to burn out, “What about you, Screwed?”

The old man said nothing as they both disappeared.