Page 39 of A Curvy Carol

“It’s your Christmas gift, dear. From that young man.” She handed it to me, and just like that, there were tears in my eyes again. “Do you like it?” she asked with a smile.

I nodded quickly, trying not to break down at what I saw, at her kindness. “It’s beautiful.”

And it was.

There was Whit, and there was me. Little miniature versions of us, standing in front of the snowman we’d built for the annual Garland snowman competition.

I couldn’t help it. A tear rolled down my cheek.

Whit and I’d had so much fun together. Now it was all over.

Worst of all, I’d really let myself believe that he liked me as more than a friend. That part hurt the most.

“Honey, are you okay?” Mrs. Curran. “Did something upset you?”

I wiped away the fresh wave of tears, and before I could lie and say I was okay, someone else walked into the bookstore.

“Carolynn, there you are.” It was my dad. “I was hoping I’d find you here.”

Quickly wiping my eyes, I got up, the snow globe in my hands. “Thanks, Mrs. Curran. I love it.”

She patted my shoulder, and I walked over to my dad. “Hey, Dad,” I managed.

“Hey, pumpkin. Look, can we talk?” he said, tilting his head toward the door.

I nodded and followed him out of the shop. I was ready to be done crying in public.

As we walked home, Dad made his case.

“Listen, I’m sorry for what happened, Carolynn. I understand now why you’re so upset about me paying Whit and all. I should’ve thought it through better or at least told you.”

I didn’t say anything, just kept walking.

“I guess I just felt guilty that you couldn’t have the Christmas you really deserved, you know?”

We saw a family walk past us. In one swift move, the dad tossed his young daughter up onto his shoulders and she laughed with glee.

We kept walking, and I tore my gaze away from them.

“I remember when you were that little,” Dad said with a wry smile. “Good times, huh?”

I blinked back tears. They had been the best times. But now they were over.

“I know how hard it must be around the holidays, with all the happy, whole families in Garland. I’m sorry,” he said. “I just wanted you to have a fun Christmas this year.” His voice broke a little, and I felt bad.

Without saying a word, I hung on to his arm and we kept walking. Scrooge was right—he loved me and was just doing his best. “It’s okay,” I finally said. “Let’s just forget about it.”

“Maybe you would’ve done the same thing in my position,” Dad went on. “If you saw how miserable your kid was and you didn’t know what else to do.”

“Maybe,” I replied. “I can’t pretend to understand how a parent brain works,” I quipped.

That got a chuckle out of him. “And you know, your payment was getting out of Christmas, so really, each of you got paid if you think about it.”

“That’s true,” I said. I had kind of forgotten about that part. “I forgive you, Dad. I just don’t know if I can forgive Whit. So much has happened...”

We continued walking, still several minutes away from home.

Dad sighed. “Relationships aren’t just happily ever after like in the movies, you know.”

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