Page 23 of Trip

Looking down at his phone, he saw Meri had texted him.

MERI: Gifts with red wrap are your Christmas Eve presents. Enjoy. We’ll be seeing you tomorrow. Merry Christmas. Give my love to JJ and don’t be a dick.

Smooches.

The smile was unbidden, but he couldn’t help it. It felt right to have JJ here and soon Meri and the kids. He loved his family, even if he needed a push to appreciate them.

He hated he had nothing for JJ. He’d brought gifts for the kids and Meri. Well, cash. It’s what he always gave the kids, and he gave Meri a massage, nail, and hair certificate for having to take them to spend that cash. It was the same gift he sent every single year. Why should in person be any different? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

TRIP: Thanks, Mer. I’m always on my best behavior.

And thank you, by the way.

No sooner had he hit send and the bouncing dots started.

MERI: You’re welcome. And if that thank-you means what I think it does, the box in the back, wrapped in Santa biker paper with no tag, is from you to JJ.

Trip just stared at the screen. His sister really was the best.

TRIP: Thx… love ya.

No dots danced after that. He had a gift for JJ and he had a pretty good idea what it was. It seemed so inadequate now, but it was perfect symbolism.

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