On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts Page B

was doing something important, like playing football, who wanted to be out in the cold?
    As he walked up the front walk he could see the Christmas tree sitting by the living room bay window, glowing in silent testimony to his first task successfully completed. And he’d celebrated his success by reaching for a bottle of Excedrin.
    Thank God there was nothing on for tonight. He’d kick back and pull out a DVD, some good guy flick with lots of things blowing up.
    He barely had the door open before Amy was bouncing up and down in front of him, eagerly asking, “Did you get it, Daddy?”
    He swung her up in his arms and carried her into the living room. “Get what, baby girl?” Now Tyler was running toward him, Laura following behind. Glen rumpled Tyler’s hair and leaned over to kiss his wife.
    â€œThe Advent calendar,” Amy said.
    Advent calendar, Christmas to-do list. A sinking uh-oh feeling slugged Glen in the gut.
    Laura must have caught a flash of panic in his eyes because now she was smirking.
    Never let ’em see you sweat. He put on a jovial smile and stalled for time. “Hi, babe.”
    â€œHow was your day?” she asked.
    Here was his excuse. “Insane. Crazy.”
    â€œGuess we both had one of those days,” Laura said. “It was a zoo at the Chamber.”
    Now Amy was tugging on his pant leg. “Where is it, Daddy? This is December first. We get to open the first window.”
    December first. What a smart kid. How did she know that?
    Take a wild guess . He looked at his wife. Still smirking.
    Shit. Shit. Shit.
    This was like the domestic version of a football game—the Christmas Bowl—and while he may have just lost some yardage, he would not lose the ball. He thought fast, adjusting his game plan on the fly.
    Inspiration came like a gift from the Magi. “You know what?” he said to his daughter.
    Amy was jumping up and down again. “What?”
    â€œWe’re going to go out and get it tonight, right after dinner.” Back out into the cold.
    â€œYay,” Amy whooped, and began to skip in a circle around him.
    â€œYay,” echoed Tyler, following her.
    Where the hell was he going to find an Advent calendar? Time for a quarterback sneak. “Hey, hon. Want to come with us?”
    â€œIn your dreams,” she said as she turned back toward the kitchen. “I just started a great book. I’m going to curl up on the couch and read.”
    Curl up on the couch. Glen thought longingly about his movie plans for the night. Things blowing up. Yeah, right. The only thing that would be blowing up tonight was the relaxing evening at home. But how long could it take to run out and buy an Advent calendar? He should be able to get that done and still get home in time to kick back with a movie.
    Not wanting to waste any time in getting his mission completed, they were barely done with dinner when he said, “Okay, team. Let’s go get ourselves a calendar. Get your coats.” The kids dashed off with squeals of excitement and he turned to Laura. “So where do I get one of these things?”
    â€œYou should be able to find one at the book store, if they haven’t run out. I always get mine before the first.”
    â€œOh, thanks. Way to set a guy up for failure. You know, it would have been nice if you told me when you gave me that stadium-size honey-do list.”
    She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “I guess I just thought a smart guy like you would have no trouble figuring that out.”
    What the hell was that supposed to mean? “Are you being a smart-ass?”
    â€œMoi?” She put a hand to her heart in a Miss Piggy gesture.
    Glen pointed a finger at her. “Hey, I can do this.”
    â€œPiece of cake,” she mocked, turning him toward the door and giving him a little shove. “Now, get going. I had a rough day at work today, too, and I want to relax.”
    â€œOkay,