Page 10 of A Curvy Wonderland

Holly’s lips stretched into an overjoyed smile. “Like baubles on Christmas trees?”

My lips barely twitched. “Yes.”

She smiled even bigger than I thought possible. “The biggest Grinch in Garland has a dog named Bauble. Hmph.”

“I didn't name him,” I defended.

Holly shook her head. “Sure you didn't.” She leaned in, holding her hand over her mouth and whispering loudly. “It'll be our little secret.”

Tatum and Lucy giggled from where they were still petting Bob.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the table full of ornaments sorted by type.

One pile was requests for toys and other gifts, which I’d already ordered to wrap and deliver later on. Another pile was for people who were lonely this Christmas and needed someone to spend time with. It seemed strange to me, since I enjoyed my time alone so much. But judging by Mrs. Banerjee’s joy yesterday, not everyone felt that way.

I’d thought about that, along with Holly’s comments, on my walk back to Emerald Acres yesterday. With that in mind, I went over to Tatum and Lucy, holding the ornaments with visitor requests out like I was showing a stack of cards for a magic trick and said, “Pick a card, any card.”

Lucy reached one first, then gave it to her sister to read. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she focused on the words “Clifford in the Garland Retirement Community could use a friendly visitor because his family is away on vacation and will not be able to visit this holiday.”

Holly muttered, “Friendly? Do they know who you are, Eldan?”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Let's go.”

Lucy pouted her bottom lip out, kneeling by my dog and hugging his neck. “Can we bring Bauble?”

The dog popped his tongue out, panting happily.

Holly shook her head and began saying, “Sorry, I don't think dogs are allowed there.”

But I said, “He actually is a certified comfort animal. We’ve volunteered there before. I'll get his vest from the house.”

I left the girls in the café while I walked across the grounds to the house. My mom was inside at the kitchen table editing photos on her computer. She always took pictures of families Christmas tree shopping and posted them online so that they would have the memories captured beautifully. At the sound of me coming inside, she pushed back her computer and looked up at me. “How's it going, sweetie?”

“We're going to bring Bob to the nursing home.”

She smiled. “That sounds fun. Are you having a good time with the girls?”

“Define good,” I muttered, going to the cupboard off the entryway and looking for his vest and leash.

Mom chuckled. “Hollyisquite jolly.”

I cringed. “Mom.”

She smiled. “You could use some more of that in your life.”

“Debatable,” I returned. Then I gave her a quick hug and walked back outside.

When I came into the café, Tatum and Lucy were standing at opposite ends calling Bob to them, trying to see which one he would go to. He ended up jogging over to Holly and she laughed, petting his ears.

My chest felt lighter just at the sound of her laugh. It was strange to me. I’d never reacted that way to a girl’s laughter before.

Or anyone’s, really.

“Bob, heel,” I said.

He pranced away from Holly, dutifully coming to sit at my side. As I buckled his vest on, Holly came closer and watched. After a moment, she said, “So is his name spelled Bob, B-O-B, or Baub, B-A-U-B?”

“I never thought about it, I admitted. “I think just regular Bob.” I stood up, holding his leash.

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