Page 103 of UnLucky Christmas
I laugh. “We’ll see. Now let’s start planning. I need something fun to focus on since I have to take my beautiful tree down in a few days.
We spend the rest of the evening looking at pictures of gowns and venues. My favorite holiday may be over, but the celebrating is just beginning.
* * *
My phone starts ringingas soon as I walk through my door. When I see that it’s my mother, I get a strange feeling in my stomach. I haven’t spoken to her since I was at her house other than a few texts on Christmas Day. Everything felt so awkward when we left, and I think I needed some time to process the changes.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Whitney, you answered.” she replies, sounding surprised.
“I just got home. What’s up?”
She immediately launches into telling me she spent Christmas Day with Bill and his best friends up in the mountains. Of course, she doesn’t leave out that he made tapas for dinner. Then she gives me a detailed description of what tapas is and its origins. I guess Bill is rubbing off on her because I seriously doubt she knew anything about them before.
“Sounds fun,” I say, even though I already zoned out.
“Anyway, I’m calling because Bill has offered to make us a wonderful meal on New Year’s Eve. Be here at seven for appetizers.”
Hmm…kicking off a new year with Bill’s play-by-play on food, not likely.
“Sorry, Mom, I already have plans.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds. “Well, I see how this is going to be. I suppose your father already got you to commit to spending the holiday with him.”
And so it begins. It was only a matter of time before the battle over my time began.
“No, that’s not how it is,” I say, my tone elevating. “We’ve been invited to Grant’s sister’s home. She’s been away, and we haven’t seen her since before Christmas.”
“Oh.”
I bite my lip to keep from revealing how I’m really feeling. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to stop it from bubbling to the surface.
“Mom, you wanted this,” I explode. “You asked Dad for a divorce, and that was your choice. I understand you may not have been happy, and I respect that you deserve to be. However, you don’t have the right to give me a guilt trip about spending time with Dad.”
“I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty,” she retorts. “Bill said there might be some schedule conflicts due to all the changes, so I just figured you’d be with your father.”
Why is Bill a part of this?It’s so annoying.
“Bill doesn’t need to make assumptions.”
“Whitney, he did not assume anything,” she snaps. “He just mentioned it.”
“Okay, Mom. Listen, I just got home, so I’m going to get changed and relax.”
“What about New Year’s Day?” she asks. “I’m sure Bill won’t mind switching the menu around.”
I groan. “I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, I’ll check with him right now.”
There’s no point in arguing with her, so I don’t say anything else.
I’m on edge for the remainder of the night until Grant calls at ten o’clock.
“Hey. How was your day?”
“Long,” he says. “I’m just now on my way home.”
