Sequel to How to Make a Carrot Cake
Billy Lawson hates Christmas. The carols, the gaudy decorations, and the crowds seem to be more horrible than ever this year. To make matters worse, it looks like Billy's father Jimmy will be stuck in the hospital over the holiday season due to his illness.
Billy thinks he's fine, but when Nate wants to go to yet another holiday party, Billy ditches the cookies he's making and the party. Just when Billy thinks he'll be alone on Christmas, Nate reminds him there are certain rules boyfriends must abide by.
“Those are colorful declarations,” Nate says, coming up behind Billy. “What seems to have put you out of the Christmas spirit?”
Billy wants to say he was never into the holidays, but rolls his eyes. “Just a woman. What makes it okay to tell thin people to gain weight? I hate it. It’s just as stupid and pointless as telling fat people to lose weight.”
“Except that most people want to be thin. In this culture, anyway. It’s fucked up but ...”
“Everything’s kind of fucked up. I get it.” Billy’s mood sours. It’s not the first time this odd kind of exchange has happened to him, though most of his experience was limited to high school and worried teachers. Sometimes waitresses will insist that he needs to be a “real man” and finish all that’s on his plate, but he’s gotten good at ignoring perfect stranger’s opinions. Until tonight, anyway, where even the strange looks from the other shoppers seem to be getting under his skin.
“Just let it go,” Nate insists. He puts a hand on Billy’s arm, calming and secure. “People are all kinds of ridiculous over the holidays.”
“Fine.” Billy spots someone in a blue smock and quickly grabs his attention. “Hey. Is there any more vegan margarine at the back?”
When the man furrows his brow, Billy clarifies. “It’s in a green container?”
“Oh. That. Uh, yeah, man. I think there’s some at the back.”
“Great!” Billy says. “Can you get it for me?”
The worker nods and disappears.
“Okay, while he continues the Odyssey, have a look at what I found,” Nate says, his smile splitting his face in two. He has several different kinds of pre-made Christmas goodies in his basket, including a box of Oreos as if he remembered they’re the only thing Billy can eat. When Billy spots the candy canes, he sighs.
“Not vegan,” Billy adds, “but cute. Enjoy.”
“What is vegan? What can I buy you? Other than Oreos, you know.”
“Nothing. Don’t even worry about it. I’m good.”
“Come on,” Nate says. He pulls out the box of candy canes and reads the back for the ingredients. “They seem okay.”
Billy knows they are. But this is less a matter of restriction, and more about not wanting to be too exposed to Christmas treats. “Uh, the sugar. Remember what I told you about the bone char?”
“Oh. Right. Well ... How do you know that this company makes sugar the same way, though? I think there’s a phone number on one side, maybe we could ...”
“I just don’t want any, okay?” Billy cuts in before Nate goes into full-on super boyfriend mode. “I know you’re being nice, but I’m not feeling it.”
“Oh ... Really? Are you --”
“Here you are, sir,” the worker from the back interrupts. He places several new containers in the empty space on the shelf, then hands one to Billy. “This is good, yeah?”
“Yes. Thank you. You’re great.”
“No worries, Merry Christmas.”
And with the salutation, Billy’s face falls again.
“Everything okay?” Nate asks when the guy is gone. “Is that the wrong --”
“No, this is fine. I just remembered I need a few other things.” Billy veers down another aisle, and Nate follows behind like a puppy.
It’s going to be a long, long night.
