Melissa felt her heart twist to see her best friend hurting because of her. There really wasn’t anyone that she cared for more than Russell, there p...obably never would be. I could learn to love Russell like he loves me, she persuaded herself. I know I could… ‘Russell…’ she called out lightly. Stopping in the doorway, Russell turned his head back to her. Jumping off her desk, Melissa ran down the aisle and into Russell’s arms. He caught her slight frame, crushing her to him. Brushing his hair. They were just getting coffee when we arrived. Mom was in her robe and Mike was in his pajamas. As soon as everyone had his or her favorite beverage, we adjourned to the den where the presents were located.Dad had Christmas Carols on the stereo and I thought how I wished Karen and Mike could enjoy that part of the holiday. There was something about the music that gave you a feeling of closeness with loved ones. Their large tree was in the corner of the den and at its base was a pile of brightly. I walked to the back of the houseboat to look at the river it was flowing a bit faster than the day before and a few branches were being carried down stream that had probably blown off tree last night. As usual I was first up about half an hour later Tim surfaced followed another half hour later by Tony, Anne surfaced long enough to ask for breakfast in bed which the guys quickly set about organizing, for my part I started the engines and held the houseboat against the bank with a bit of power. Nothing fancy, just middle-class Americana, to be honest. So I didn't have a huge private yard or woods in which to roam around naked. On the other hand, our backyard was spacious. Mom loved to work on it and she had several lovely flowerbeds which she tended diligently. There was a fragrant gravel path that stretched in serpentine fashion from one cluster of flowers to another. In the far corner of the yard, a massive oak tree provided plenty of shade in the summer. Underneath it, a wrought.