Page 15 of The Twelve Months of Christmas
“What if you could do Christmas all year?” Arianna mused. She turned to Molly. “I know how people treat you at the post office during the holidays. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy that holiday cheer without the stress of the Christmas rush?”
Actually, it would. But she didn’t need twelve months of it, did she?
“Christmas all year long—my step-kids would love it!” Sunny exclaimed. “What if we did something different around the twenty-fifth of every month to celebrate Christmas?”
It sounded like work to Molly.
“I’m so in,” Arianna said. “This last year has been miserable and I’ve had enough of that. I want to make my life worth living again.”
“A new one is waiting,” said Sunny, who was obviously an optimist, “and I’m determined to spread the love to my in-laws.”
“I could stand to rediscover my joy,” Molly admitted. “But all year long?”
“Why not? It would give us something to look forward to every month,” said Sunny.
“A new year of new beginnings,” Arianna added with a smile.
“I’m all about that,” Sunny said. “No matter what life throws at us we can keep our stockings hung and fill our lives with good stuff.”
“Keep up our trees and our spirits,” chimed in Arianna. She looked expectantly at Molly.
It all sounded great but Molly still hesitated. “Umm.”
“No grumpy postal patrons involved. Good times with your granddaughter,” Arianna said. Then she added the kicker. “You can make up for falling asleep during her winter program.”
“Okay, I’m in,” Molly relented. Maybe, if she had a whole year, she could even find time to make those bonbons with Paisley.
“All right! Here’s to twelve months of Christmas,” Sunny said, raising her glass of beer.
Arianna raised her glass also. “Twelve months of Christmas. Better attitudes, better times, cookies, presents...”
“And a partridge in a pear tree,” Molly finished and raised her glass of Pepsi as well. She had to be out of her mind to let these two talk her into this.
But maybe she needed something fun to look forward to every month. Maybe she could rediscover the enthusiasm she’d once felt for the holidays. For life. She’d fallen in a rut. It was way past time to crawl out. She only hoped she’d have the energy.
After Arianna dropped her off, she texted Mia.
Molly: You will not believe what your daughter has just suckered me into.
Mia: Neighborhood block party?
Molly: Worse! Christmas all year long.
Mia: Sounds charming. Ho, ho, ho.
Molly: I ho, ho, hope I survive it!
This was going to be an interesting year.
Arianna returned home feeling like a new woman. The past was gone, the New Year lay ahead. Christmas lights were on sale. She’d pick up some and string them along her mom’s porch—better late than never—then maybe she’d take Sophie shopping, buy her something fun. She’d buy herself something fun, too. Jewelry was always on sale in January. She’d get herself a new ring to replace the wedding set she’d stuffed in her jewelry box. Maybe a garnet. Or a small ruby. Something Christmassy. No diamonds, that was for sure. Diamonds were not forever.
Mia was ensconced in front of the TV, crocheting and watching a family holiday movie on the GAC channel, Sophie curled up by her side.
“How was dinner?” she asked.
“Great!” Arianna plopped on the couch and pulled her daughter over to her, giving her a little tickle and making Sophie giggle.
“It looks like it,” Mia observed, cocking an eyebrow.
