Page 12 of Christmas Wishes

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and Arlo’s picture filled the screen.

“What did I ever do to you?”

I laughed at his greeting. “Hello to you too. Are you saying that in reference to you sentencing me to a week of snowpocalypse?”

“Serves you right for sending me into dollmageddon.”

My gut squeezed. “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t realize there was a theme to the B&B. It was the only place in town I could find, and I didn’t do much poking around beyond that.” Yet another trip-planning fail in my column.

“It’s got ‘doll’ in the name.” He chuckled. At least he wasn’t too mad about it.

I laughed too. “Okay, yeah, I get your point.” I let out a weary sigh. “We really put each other in it, didn’t we?”

“Yeah, we did. Not ideal circumstances, but here we are.” Arlo didn’t sound defeated, which was good.

I risked asking a question I’d been dying to know all day. “Have you made a game plan for how you’re going to meet your family?” I figured he would’ve been working on that while flying. Arlo always had a plan and multiple backup plans.

“Not yet.”

Ah. Still in the processing phase. He’d get there. “You’ll be okay, Arlo. I’m confident they’ll be thrilled to meet you.”

We spoke for several more minutes as I tried to talk Arlo off the edge. It was easier to focus on supporting him through meeting family who was sure to adore him than worrying about my own shit.

Once we got off the phone, I realized I needed something to do. I looked over at the walk-in closet that was more than twice as big as my closet at home and decided to unpack.

Usually, when I traveled, I was happy to live out of my suitcase. Another way my bestie and I differed. But not this week. I was determined to make this week different. Maybe I would channel a bit of Arlo’s travel style and settle in, especially since there was more than enough space for it.

After unpacking, I sent Arlo a photo of the spiral staircase and my clothes tucked away in the closet and dresser. He replied a few minutes later.

Arlo: You unpacked! Whoa. Isn’t that staircase cool? That’s one of the reasons I booked the place. I thought it was charming.

Keaton: Super cool to drag my luggage up, for sure. Nearly lost my makeup bag over the side of it. [eyeroll emoji].

Arlo: Uh-oh. You don’t pack light either.

Keaton: Sure don’t.

Arlo: That other staircase doesn’t connect to your suite? It looked like it did from the photos.

Keaton: Other staircase?

Arlo: [face palm emoji]

Arlo: This is exactly why we don’t travel well together. You didn’t look around the place first to get oriented? How are we so different?

The spiral staircase led to a short hallway that connected to the bathroom, which connected to the bedroom. I hadn’t gone out the French doors on the other side of the bedroom. I pushed those open to find a wide landing with a cozy seating area and, yup, another—normal—staircase.

Keaton: Oops. Found it. [grimace emoji]

Arlo: Well, at least you don’t have to use the spiral one all week. Is it a decent place, at least?

Keaton: Yup! You did good, A. There’s even a little seating area where I can do my makeup.

Arlo: [heart-eye emoji]

I didn’t have the heart to tell him there was no natural light around, so it wouldn’t actually work for that. Arlo had done well, especially given the circumstances. Frankly, I was impressed he’d booked anything without analysis paralysis due to our time crunch.

I might as well explore a bit more while I had the place to myself. Maybe I could find that cat.

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