Page 3 of Priority

What the fuck is a paddlepuss?

Is that an insult?

It strikes me as an insult.

Do I really have to learn to speak surfer?

Was learning to talk Trekky for truly everyone else not enough?

“You asked me what I wanted for Christmas,” quietly begins the oldest Wilcox child, glare gliding back to me, “andthat’swhat I want.” Our eyes tightly lock. “Iwantto be in Doctenn for Christmas. Iwantto give Kendall her gift. Iwantto make sure that kook in his overpriced designer boardies that’s been coastin’ her waves all semmy gets the mess that she’s not his Betty.She’s mine.”

All of sudden, unexpected memories begin flashing through my mind.

Snow falling.

Fire crackling.

Jazzy Christmas tunes lingering somewhere in the distance.

Wy’s crystal stare shifts into my mismatched one.

His custom Trekky beach club hoodie transforms into a designer sweater.

The energy drink in front of him becomes traditional Wilcox Christmas punch – complete with our yearly limited-edition whiskey.

They didn’t care that I drank.

Hell, I’m pretty sure it wasexpected.

Wilcoxes drank.

It’s our name.

In our history.

Our roots.

Drinking underage wasn’t something to lift an eyebrow about – especially not when it was supporting our business – however me yelling was.

I rarely yelled.

I rarely had reason to.

But going home to be with her wasn’t awant.

It was aneed.

A need that cost me the two people who loved me most in the world for someone who I’m not certain ever did.

Similar to the Penny situation, I’m not taking an unnecessary risk.

In spite of the desperation he’s feeling at this very moment, he’s fine.

He’llbefine.

And us not traveling to another country, in unknown weather, is how I guarantee that.

His safety…our family’s safety…is the most important thing to me.

---