Page 14 of The Christmas Letters
“Wait, what? What did you lie about?”
I pause. “Um, remember the story I told you earlier about the paramedic at Vera’s?”
“He already called you?”
“Not yet. But it’s possible I told my mom we met a few weeks ago and have been dating ever since.”
“Meh. What’s a few weeks?” Chloe says. “Because he’s absolutely going to call you. Did you tell her he’s a paramedic?”
“Oh, I totally did,” I say, “though I’m guessing she’ll leave that part out when she tells Daddy. Wouldn’t want him to have a heart attack in the middle of the yacht club.”
“But you told your mom, and that feels huge.”
“Unless he doesn’t call. Then I’ll have to find some other paramedic to take home for family dinner.”
“Nowthatwould give your father a heart attack,” Chloe says.
I pull a pillow onto my lap and grin. “Okay. Enough about me. How are you? How are you feeling?”
“Wait.Onemore thing about you. I actually called to give you some good news.”
I perk up. “Did you hear back from your yoga friend?”
“I did,” Chloe says, her voice bright. I can practically hear her smiling through the phone. “She checked with her boss and, as luck would have it, their office manager is moving after the first of the year and they’ll be looking to hire her replacement. No promises, of course, but she’s willing to meet with you.”
I gasp and sit up straighter, gripping a pillow to my lap. “Do they know it would have to be part time? I’ve got my classes—”
“It’s only a part-time position. Twenty hours a week.”
“Oh my word, that’s perfect.”
“Right? I thought so too.”
I breathe out a grateful sigh. The business experience will be great, but every penny I earn on my own is a penny I don’t have to take from my parents. And the sooner I cut the purse strings, the better. “Thanks, Chlo. I appreciate you asking for me.”
“Of course! You know I’m in your corner.” She yawns audibly into the phone. “Okay, can we talk about me now?”
“Definitely. How are you?”
“Starving,” Chloe says. “And enormous. And irritated all the time. Are you busy right now? Want to come over? Want to bring me a cheeseburger?”
I barely stifle a laugh. Chloe’s tone tells me she’s serious about all these feelings and does not need me to laugh at her. “That good, huh? How was your appointment today?”
She sighs. “Fine. The baby is measuring a little big. They think I might go early.”
“Hey, well done. Fewer weeks to be pregnant can’t be a bad thing.”
“Just as long as she’s fully cooked before she decides to come. What are you up to? I was serious about you coming over.”
“Why, because I can get you a burger on my way?”
“I was joking about the cheeseburger, but if you’re offering to stop for food, I would rather have some of Francie’s chicken salad.”
“You want me to drive all the way out to Sullivan’s?”
“Oh, come on. It’s not that far. And how often is your best friend pregnant?”
“What’s Deacon up to tonight? He can’t get you chicken salad?”
