The Christmas Tree Guy by Railyn Stone

was seeing Quinn, could they?
    “You could have met someone. That would explain the happiness.”
    “Um, Leanne, I uh,” Sydnee stammered. She was caught off guard by Leanne’s comments and was only saved by the sound of the twins coming down the hall. “You two ready to go?” Diverting her attention to the boys, Sydnee busied herself with straightening Travis’s collar, as Leanne and Charles traded knowing glances at her obvious deflection of Leanne’s guesses concerning what had changed Sydnee’s demeanor lately.
    “Oh, Sydnee, Charles and I are going downtown on Saturday for the holiday events and we wanted to know if it would be okay to take the boys?”
    “Mommy, can we, can we,” Travis asked, jumping up and down. “Please,” Charlie added. He had recovered from the earlier breakdown and now he joined Travis in their pursuit to go with their grandparents to see the Christmas lights.
    “Leanne, are you sure? I mean, you two have been doing a lot with them and I don’t want to wear out our welcome.”
    “Sydnee, please. These are our grand babies and you, nor they, could ever wear out your welcome.” Leanne added, pinching Travis’s chubby cheeks.
    “Please, Mommy,” both said in unison as they looked at her with the biggest brown eyes she had ever seen. She was a sucker for those eyes that reminded her so much of her ex-husband. She didn’t want to ask too much of her in-laws since they already did so much for her, however, it would solve her need for a babysitter on Saturday to go to Mina’s party.
    “Oh, all right, you can go but you better be good and you better listen to everything your grandparents say.”
    “Okay, we promise.” She chuckled watching them make up some new celebratory dance, broad smiles plastered on their adorable faces.
    “In the meantime, let’s get going,” she laughed, opening the door. “Thanks again for letting them stay with you today. Just let me know what time I need to drop them off on Saturday.”
    “I’ll call you. See you later sweethearts,” Leanne hugged and kissed both boys before they hugged their grandfather and ran out the door.
    “Thanks again. Good night.” Hugging them both, Sydnee headed out the door to the car.
    “You really think she’s met someone?” Charles asked Leanne as she closed the door behind them.
    “Honestly, I don’t know, but if she has, then good for her. I sometimes think she’s purposely trying to avoid meeting anyone new.”
    “Why would she do that?”
    “I think she thinks we may not be happy about it since Matt is our son and that we may not approve. Sometimes I think she’s afraid of falling in love with someone else. Matt really destroyed her trust in people.” Leanne sighed, taking a seat on the sofa.
    “Well, I have no problems with her dating again, or even finding someone to marry possibly. I still can’t get over that son of ours, leaving her and the boys. It would be good for her and the boys so she doesn’t have to keep doing this on her own, and the boys would have a father figure. I’m getting old and I’d feel better knowing there’s someone there for them in the event we aren’t around anymore; especially since her family lives so far away.”
    “Well, then, let’s hope I’m right. Maybe someone has come along.”
     
    ###
     
    Once the boys were in bed, Sydnee put on her pajamas, slid into bed and answered her nightly call from Quinn. They talked for over an hour just like they had every night since their second date. It was funny, but she felt like a love struck teenager anticipating each call. Even with all of the time she was spending with him, she still made sure not to have Quinn around the boys. It was something she felt pretty strongly about since they were just getting to know one another, and it didn’t seem logical to have her kids around just anyone she went out with. It could be confusing for them, however, she had an overwhelming urge for the boys to spend time with Quinn.