Page 37 of Scrooged for the Holidays
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Avery,” Past Me says. “You know what I meant. This job may not be important to you, but it is to me. I’m trying to help with the Garland portfolio. You know how important that ski town is to Mr. Cross and the board.”
“How can you say that? My job is important to me.”
Past Me presses her lips together. “It’s not, or you would be working, too. It’s okay if you’re not as dedicated. You don’t have to be, and I get it—”
“Greer,” Mrs. Jones interrupts. “Avery may come from privilege, but she likes the work, and she works hard at it. She tells me how you keep her there after hours. How can you say she’s not dedicated?”
“Mom,” Avery says. “Please don’t.”
“No, you’ve been a better friend to her than she’s been to you.”
“With all due respect, Mrs. Jones, this isn’t about friendship, it’s work. Avery is my assistant, and if she doesn’t want to work overtime, then she can quit or find a different job.”
“Greer!” my mom nearly gasps. “Why are you being so cold?”
“I’m not being cold; I’m speaking the truth. Avery understands. Don’t you?”
Avery grips the fork in her hand until her knuckles are white.
“You don’t have to answer,” my mom interjects. “I apologize for my daughter’s behavior. I raised her better than this.”
“You raised me to be exactly this way.”
“I raised you to be kind and work hard, not to be an Ice Queen.”
“Your mother is right,” Dad echoes. “What’s gotten into you?”
The silence around the table returns. My skin prickles the way I remember it prickling back then, and my stomach flips over.
“Let’s change the subject,” Avery interjects.
Past Me ignores my friend and stares at my mom. I remember looking back on this moment and wishing I would have let Avery change the subject because my mom and subsequently my dad had hurt my feelings. And not just with the “Ice Queen” part but prior to this as well, when my mom and I spoke about the Christmas tree ornaments.
“That’s rich. You realize that, right?” Past Me narrows her eyes. “You didn’t just teach me to work hard. You made me into what you so nicely called an ‘Ice Queen.’”
“If you mean a driven woman, yes—but not a person who hurts people,” Mom says. “Especially their friends and someone who has been as good to you as Avery has.”
“Seriously, Mom?”
“This isn’t the time or place to discuss this. It’s Christmas Eve,” Dad says. “We can speak later.”
“No, I think now is the perfect time. We’re all together. Why don’t you tell Avery that she’s the daughter you wanted instead of me. Or that you wish you lived in this house and had the Jones’ life?”
“Greer!” Mom cries.
“That’s enough, young lady,” Dad scolds.
“Greer—” Avery tries.
I stand up, hands on my hips. “No, it’s not enough. Because I’ve never been enough for either of you. Nothing I do, say, or accomplish ever will be, will it?”
“Greer!” Mom says, eyes tearing up. “You’re overreacting.”
“No, now I know how you both truly feel about me. I’m done.”
“What do you mean?” Mom asks.
“I’m done trying to please you both. Clearly, I never will. Come on, James, we’re leaving.”
