Page 8 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

“Hi, Gran,” Evelyn says, passing our overzealous mother and hugging Gran.

Jocelyn follows.

My younger sister slips her arm around my back. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” No need to mention my issues with B4. I have assured Gran I’m taking care of it. “Parker’s here, eh? Momlikes him so much she changed the Christmas card rule? I thought it was family only.”

Jocelyn sighs, her hand reaching for mine, and as I squeeze hers, I feel something round and solid?—

“Is that a ring?”

“No!” Mom spouts. “You will not ruin this for me, Elliot James.” She huffs while I try to catch a glimpse of my sister’s left hand. “I have been waiting to see your expression for—” She grunts, not bothering to finish her sentence. “Just no.”

Jocelyn folds her arms over her red dress, hiding that left hand, and lifts her brows, letting Mom have her way while I stay in the dark.

“But—”

“No buts, Elliot. Now go stand over there.” Mom waves me to the right. “Okay, let’s set this up. Evelyn and Jackson, you’ll be here.” She moves my sister and her husband off to the left. “Jocelyn and Parker, you’re here.” She lines my other sister up next to her boyfriend, a couple feet away from Evelyn. “Elliot, you stay there, and Dad and I will be here.” She points just past me to where my father already stands. We’re all in a line,in couples… everyone but me.

I’m still trying to look at Jocelyn’s hand when Mom picks up a stack of white poster boards. The grin on her face is ridiculously joyful. The back side is blank, and I am still at a loss.

“Mom,” my mother says to Gran, “can you see everyone?”

“Yes, Marlene, I can see them all. You’ve lined up your family like prison inmates. Now what?”

“Not inmates.” Mom groans. “And you’re going to love the finishing touch!” She huffs out abreath and flips through the stack of poster boards. “We’ll do Jocelyn and Parker first since Elliot ruined that surprise.”

“I—” I protest. But no one is listening to me.

My sisters do not look surprised in the least. They are in on this year’s Christmas card scheme. I’m not exactly shocked. Mom often informs my sisters for their opinion and help while I’m told what to wear and where to stand at the last possible second. It’s how I’ve gotten roped into more than one unfortunate event. If I know too soon, I attempt to talk my mother out of herbigideas.

Mom hands Jocelyn and Parker a card to hold—it’s long, covering both their torsos—and they each hold a corner with one hand. It’s decorated with Christmas trees and gifts, and it reads in big, bold letters:

Engaged

“Wait,” I say, my eyes on Jocelyn. “For real?” I wondered with the rock I felt on Jocelyn’s hand, but I couldn’t be sure.

My little sister nods. “Last week. I wanted to call you, but Mom wouldn’t let me. She wanted to surprise you.”

Mom claps, her smile wide.

I take two steps over to my sister, arms out?—

Mom’s cheering stops. “Not yet, Elliot. Back in your spot,” Mom says to me.

Parker gives me an apologetic smile, and to his credit, he doesn’t go running. He knows that Marlene Eaton and her big ideas are going to be a part of his life from this point on, and he’s still in. I knew I liked that guy.

I don’t exactly love being kept out of the loop, but I’m happy for Jocelyn. And it’s well known that Marlene Eaton loves surprises.

“Congrats,” I say, but I stay in my spot as if my feet were glued to the ground.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Gran says, blowing Jocelyn a kiss. “Wonderful news.”

“Thanks, Gran,” Jocelyn says, holding out her hand and showing off that new engagement ring.

I wouldn’t mind being allowed to congratulate my sister, but I can wait for Mom to finish her spiel.

“Now, Evelyn.” Mom’s cheeks are pink and her grin is semi-delirious. She hands Evelyn and Jackson their decked-out poster board, and I read:

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