Chapter Sixteen

Molly

Molly and Nicholas browsed the aisles of a small, mom-and-pop electronics store.

Molly focused on a section filled with airplane sleeping aids, including bright orange earplugs.

Nicholas stood beside her, holding a giant tablet in his hand. “Do you have one of these? A tablet?”

“I have one, but I mostly use it for school stuff,” Molly answered, with her gaze still on the section in front of her.

“How old is it?” Nicholas asked.

“I dunno. Maybe a few years old? Why?” Molly reached for a pair of earplugs before reading the back of their packaging.

“Would you like a newer one for Christmas?”

Molly stopped reading and looked up at him.

“I think you and I both know the only Christmas gift I want from you.”

“A tablet?” he asked, holding up the box.

“No. To keep the store,” Molly replied. She shook her head at him and handed him a box of earplugs. “Here. Do you think these will work for tonight?”

Nicholas took the earplugs into his free hand. “I think so...”

“Molly Carmichael, you bett