Page 98 of UnLucky Christmas
I sigh. “I’ve been so worried about him. How was he yesterday?”
“We kept him busy, but I know it was hard for him to not be with his family on Christmas Eve,” Aunt Marcella says.
Hearing this makes me so sad, and angry at my mother.
“I think that was more because of you and Ben. Not your mother,” she adds. “Your parents split was inevitable.”
Ben already said this, but it’s still hard for me to believe. I’m starting to think I was the only person who didn’t know their marriage was on the brink of ending.
“At least we’re together today, and maybe he’ll hit it off with your friend, Pam.”
“Oh, he will,” Aunt Marcella insists. “They’re very compatible.”
She pulls a big dish of lasagna out of the oven.
We bring everything to the table and call the guys to join us.
Grant comes up the stairs chatting with my brother and cousins like they’ve been lifelong friends. It’s so refreshing seeing him enjoy himself. He told me most of his friends from college don’t live nearby and he works so much he rarely goes out. And he’s made it more than obvious he’s not a fan of Austin and Macy’s friends.
He smiles as soon as he sees me, and I wrap my arms around him. He and Ben attempt to help my dad to the table, but he protests. He really hates feeling helpless.
Our meal is delicious, and the conversation is even better. And the best part of dinner is no one is giving a detailed description of how to make the menu items or fishing for compliments.
After dinner Aunt Nita makes her homemade hot cocoa. Everyone jumps when the doorbell rings. That must be Pam, unless someone else is joining us that I don’t know about. I glance at my father who sits up and adjusts his position. I slide next to him and fix his collar. Then I reach up and smooth down his hair in the back.
“You look very handsome, Dad.”
He sighs. “Thanks, kiddo.”
A few seconds later, a pretty brunette follows my aunts into the living room. My father rises to his feet without any assistance and holds out his hand to shake hers. Pam has a warm smile and a soothing voice. “Pam brought some pies,” Aunt Nita says. “Let’s all head to the dining room for dessert.”
Grant and I wait until the others have left the room.
“Finally, all eyes won’t be on me,” he says.
“You know you love the attention.”
“Only from you,” he replies.
I grab his hand and pull him into the dining room.
* * *
Pam seemslike such a nice lady. She’s very friendly and seems genuinely interested in meeting everyone. It’s fascinating to watch my father around another woman who’s not my mother. He’s telling jokes and being silly just like he used to be. I’m finally recognizing how different he has been over the last few years. Maybe that’s what everyone has been saying.
Grant rests his arm on the back of my chair. The focus has shifted to Pam, so Grant isn’t in the hot seat anymore. Of course, my aunts have made a few comments about using Grant’s height to reach some things before he leaves. I think they just want to look at his butt from behind— and I totally get it.
After dessert we play some card games and Grant’s competitive side comes out. He likes to win, and so do I.
“I think you’ve met your match, kiddo,” my dad says after I lose to Grant.
Grant folds his arms and gives me a smug look.
I watch as Pam and my dad quietly chat with their heads together.
“Are you okay?” Grant asks.
“About you beating me at cards? No.”
