Can You Hear the Ocean?

Chapter 44

In New York, she'd had a fake 3 foot tree she would oftentimes place on her desk. There had been no space in her apartment to accommodate a real tree, not to mention it would take an eternity to get all the pine needles out of the rug.

"That sounds like a great idea! Let's do that!" Leila agreed.

As they ate, Mia felt like Leila was avoiding something. Mia herself had been hesitant to bring up the topic, but as she thought more of decorating the apartment together and getting a tree, she was reminded once more that this may be her last month living with Leila.

"Did you hear back at all?" Mia wondered.

Leila was quiet as she cut into her chicken. "Um yes. I heard back today actually," Leila said. "They want me to fly to Connecticut for an interview."

"Leila, that's great!" Mia exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me as soon as you got home?"

Leila shrugged. "I don't know. I'm still working out my availability, but I would probably fly out next week. Would you mind taking care of Fuji while I'm gone?"

Mia shook her head. "I don't mind. As long as he behaves himself," she said, making direct eye contact with Fuji who suddenly had climbed up on the counter.

"Hey, get down from there!" Leila shouted at the cat.

Fuji quickly leapt down and returned to his normal dozing spot on the couch.

"When would the job start?" Mia asked.

"Shortly into the new year," Leila said. "But I'll definitely be here the whole Christmas season. Speaking of which...what are you doing for Christmas?"

"Oh. Nothing, I don't think. I normally went home to visit my dad and his family, but..." Mia wasn't sure why, but she felt herself getting choked up all of the sudden. It seemed the reality had finally hit her that her father was gone, that even that small tradition they had shared of seeing each other over the holidays had faded as well.

"Oh. This is your first Christmas without him," Leila suddenly realized. She reached forward and squeezed Mia's hand with her own. "My parents would love to have you over, you know."

Mia wiped away a few spare tears. For months she had rarely cried over her father. She wondered why she was suddenly growing emotional over him this evening.

"Are you sure?" Mia asked. "I don't want to intrude. I already barged into your Thanksgiving."

"I don't want you being alone," Leila said.

"Okay then," Mia said.

They were relatively quiet with each other as Leila helped Mia with the dishes. Mia stole glances at Leila as they did so. She was lost in thought, thinking of the possibility that their time together may be ending soon. It pained Mia's heart to think it, but she didn't have the courage to share these thoughts with Leila.

"Something wrong?" Leila asked, noticing her stare.

Mia shook her head and returned to cleaning the dishes.

"Hey, I know it's cold out, but I've been craving icecream from the parlor down by the beach," Leila said. "Maybe we could get some and look at the lights?"

"Sure," Mia agreed.

Even if we'll be distant soon, I want to savor as much time as I can with her now, Mia thought.

After a short drive down to the beachfront, they were sitting indoors in the icecream parlor, looking out the window at passerbys. Leila was trying out the newest Christmas flavor – gingerbread -- while Mia had stuck with a simple caramel icecream.