She had come home early. Nothing holding her back, no question to answer about anything. Quiet, and left to sit in the dark that she chose to create. Winter hours left everything a dimmer, the cold chill that had brought upon weather issues and warnings. It didn't slow down time or push it forward, but she didn't know what to think. Her mind following its own strange versions of chords. It was coming to the point of Christmas. Under two weeks away. It wasn't a slow realization, only one that she had been pushing back or joking about it. She didn't want to think about it or the holidays. It felt more like an impending doom. Things to answer for or explain and she didn't have any that she ever felt were taken the way they should have been.

Years ago, when she was younger, there would have been a tree put up, placed out last minute. Pressure set up as home was forgotten by family, in light of what happened and time spent at work. How there was a decorated tree with lights full and pretty to flicker in front of her. A display she would never forget and always had that hand in. The same one she helped set up at work. A place for those to see for the sake of the holidays. Nothing to push too much religion, but also nothing that wouldn't allow for welcoming and warmth to come in.

The one at home was different. Another display, one that was meant to be more personal and always short handed. Things were missing or added. And even now, as she sat here, it wasn't the same and there was no distaste for that. Different was good, it was the memories that haunted her. The way she could close her eyes and smell that hint of cinnamon from the pine cones or the scent of the tree itself. Apple cider that was being passed around. That lackluster shine on the bulbs and bows that had to be placed on each one. How her fingers would hurt or the popcorn that was popped from the microwave and strung around the house. A touch of mistletoe where her father would hid it.

Wiping her eyes, as she heard the door, forcing her to stir out of these thoughts. Moving onto others, wanting to do something more here. Not because they hadn't, but because he deserved better.