Repose

[Earmarked for the forests and other public green spaces, a large donation is made by 'the Wainright family' the day after Christmas. Town Hall talks of naming a park 'Wainright,' but for reasons never made public, this never comes to pass.]

[A little more than halfway to the Capital, at a boutique hotel, a room is reserved under the name Carmen Sandiego. As promised, the male escort—who's your typical nice-looking, square-jawed, white-toothed, dark-haired, dark-eyed hunk—arrives early. He's been vetted hard, and he ends up being kind, genial, a little goofy, and as gentle (or not) as Connie requests. He's booked to leave as soon as it's over, if it's what Connie wants. (If she wants to snuggle, he'll do that too.) Room service is paid for, as is the room for the next day and night.

Delivered to her hot dog stand is a hot chocolate dispenser, a can of whipped cream, and some mitten warmers.]

[A single bar of 24K gold. A small tub of fresh cream. A 2006 bottle of Tignanello Antinori. A jar of Amfissa olives. A jar of grape leaves. This is what she receives. There is no goat and no virgin blood.]

[The day after Christmas.]

[Secret Santa]

Thanks, bb. He was wonderful.

[Gunsters]

ty to all of you for such a nice christmas. i love you guys. when you're feeling up to it, i have more serious news.

[Pat G.]
[He's on the Gunster lock, but she adds an additional note just for him:]

did you get enough christmas hugs and punches from your big sister or do you need more???

[Tim D.]

did you survive?

[Public]

where do i send funds to the guys who do illegal fireworks for new years over the lake???

[Literally everything from his list is delivered to the music store. Included, off-list, are an extra book, a few pairs of socks. (Oh, and the cat gets some too.)]