Page 214 of Choosing You

Garret and I spend the day with Lilly. It’s fun to see her so excited about Santa coming. I never believed in Santa or the Easter bunny or the tooth fairy or any of those holiday-related characters.

Lilly tells us she’s being on her “best behavior” so Santa won’t skip her house. She’s hoping for a dollhouse this year.

That night, we sit around the giant Christmas tree while Mr. Kensington readsTwas the Night Before Christmas. Garret said it’s one of their family traditions.

After what I saw, I find this whole scene completely bizarre. A man was killed in their house just a few days ago. And not just any man. A man who could’ve been president of the United States! Yet they continue on like they’re just this normal family.

It’s so weird hanging out with them like this. I feel like I’m intruding on their holiday. But surprisingly, none of them are making me feel like I shouldn’t be there. Even Katherine is playing along. Garret’s dad must have had a talk with her.

Christmas morning everyone is expected to show up at breakfast all dressed up for the day. I always thought people just got up and opened presents in their pajamas, but Garret’s family doesn’t do it that way.

Garret arrives at breakfast in dress pants, a shirt, and a tie. I’m wearing a dress that Katherine left in my room. It’s a nice dress but it’s red, a color I normally wouldn’t wear. Lilly shows up in a pink dress, of course.

Garret’s grandparents are there, too. I hadn’t met them before today. They’re very formal. After meeting them, I understand why we had to dress up for breakfast.

After we eat, everyone heads over to the living room to open gifts. The tree is overflowing with presents. More than anyone would ever need.

As people are opening them, Garret leans over to me, placing his hand on my leg. “Merry Christmas, Jade. You look gorgeous, by the way.”

“Thanks.” I feel like everyone’s watching us, but they’re not. They’re all focused on Lilly.

“I miss you,” he says quietly by my ear.

“I’ve been here with you all week,” I say quietly back.

“That’s not what I mean. I missbeingwith you. And seeing you in this dress is driving me crazy.”

He squeezes my leg and I take his hand off it and hold it mine. “We can’t do anything with your injury.”

He smiles. “There’s ways. My room. Tonight.”

“With your parents just down the hall?” I whisper.

He sits back again. “Midnight. And I’ll give you your Christmas gift.”

“Jade, you’re next,” Mr. Kensington says.

Everyone watches as Lilly comes over to me holding a present.

She hands it to me, then stands there anxiously waiting. “I hope it’s a doll with really long hair. Then we can do our dolls’ hair together.”

I hear Garret laughing next to me.

I open the box to find a pair of bright blue and orange running shoes. They’re really lightweight. Way lighter than my current running shoes.

Lilly looks disappointed that I didn’t get a doll. She runs off.

“These are great. I’ve never seen ones like this.”

“They’re not out yet,” Garret says. “Katherine has a friend who’s a designer at a shoe company. You got one of the first pairs. They’re supposed to make you run really fast. Not like you need that. I can’t even keep up with you.”

“Thank you,” I say to his parents. “I can’t wait to try them out.”

They really are cool shoes. And a great gift. Obviously Garret’s suggestion.

The present opening continues and I end up getting several more gifts; a couple cashmere sweaters, a long sleeve athletic shirt, and a sports watch that measures race time, pace, distance, and other running stats.

“I told you no presents,” I whisper to Garret.

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