Page 16 of Holiday Unscripted
She shrugs. “I have a jacket at home, unless they decided to lend it to the person who is staying in my bedroom.”
I snort as I turn to look at Whiskey, who is sitting there in the hallway. “I’m leaving, buddy. I’ll be back soon.”
“That’s so sad.” She looks at me. “He’s going to be all alone.”
“He’s got the cats,” I joke. “Plus he’s in a warm two-bedroom home with two big beds and endless spots for him to lie down, without having to worry about paying the mortgage. I think he’ll be okay.” I open the door, and she looks at me and then back at Whiskey.
“Bye, Whiskey.” She waves her hand at him. “Chew on all his things,” she whispers to him, but it’s loud enough for me to hear.
She’s about to bend to grab her bag when I beat her to it. “Get in the truck,” I hiss at her and then look at Whiskey. “Don’t you dare chew anything.” He tilts his head to the side as if he’s going to think about it.
We walk out and she rushes to the truck, opening the door and getting in. “It’s freezing.”
She rubs her hands together, while I start the truck and put her bag in the back before making our way over to her house.
When we pull up, there are even more cars in the driveway than last night, if that is even possible. “Is the wedding today?” she mumbles as she looks at all the cars. “Like, are we late?”
I can’t help but laugh at her. “Maybe it’s a big family breakfast,” I tell her. Her family has come to have these big family dinners on Sunday where they basically invite just about anyone over. When summer months come around and most of the family comes to town to train or just relax, the dinners are even bigger.
She gets out of the truck. “Don’t forget my bag,” she reminds me.
“How about this,” I start, walking to meet her in front of my truck, “if by chance the hotel got the pipe fixed and then all the carpets are now dry and there is no damage…” Her eyes get smaller and smaller as I talk, the glare more vicious. “…making it so you get your room back, I will gladly come back out and get it for you.”
“Have I mentioned that you’re the worst?” She tilts her head to the side, not waiting for me to answer her before she walks up her driveway and to her front door.
“More times than I care to remember,” I mumble, following her up to the front door where she pushes it open. The sound of people talking echoes all through the house. Kids are running up the stairs that lead to the basement and then toward the kitchen. A couple run past us and quickly say hi.
As we get closer to the kitchen, the sound of plates clinking together becomes louder. “Oh, she’s here.” I stop behind Elizabeth as Denise comes toward her. “We were worried about you. We kept trying to call you and it went straight to voicemail. You didn’t charge your phone.”
“I forgot,” she admits, “and you obviously weren’t that worried about me, you didn’t even blow up his phone.” She points over her shoulder at me.
“I tried to take good care of her, Denise,” I say, walking past her. “Don’t ask me how I did it, it was hard.” I kiss her cheek. “Smells good.”
“The caterers just got here,” she states, and I look at the massive island they have in their kitchen that is now filled with serving plates.
“Just got here?” Elizabeth questions. “People are eating.”
“Well, they were hungry.” She throws up her hands. “Anyway, the older generation is in that room.” She points over her shoulder to the formal living room they only use on holidays, such as Christmas or birthdays. “The wedding party”—she smiles at us–“is through there. Grab a plate and get on in there.”
“Mom,” Elizabeth says, “how’s the hotel doing?”
“Oh, good news,” she starts, “they were able to have a whole floor dried out overnight, so it can have some guests check in.”
“So, I can have my room back?” Her voice is hopeful, but the look on Denise’s face shows she is, in fact, not getting her room back.
“This is incredible,” she mumbles as she walks away from her.
“She’ll be okay,” I assure Denise. “Just don’t expect her to come back and visit for a few years. Closer to five, but not more than ten.”
“Great,” she says as she looks at Elizabeth, who is now scowling at her father who has taken her in his arms. Her arms are to the side like they are limp. “Just great.”
I shake my head and start toward the food, grabbing a plate and filling it with scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage. Leaving room for pancakes on the side, I walk into the room where the bridal party is assembling and see Joshua sitting at the head of the table with Macy beside him. Two chairs are empty on his right side, so I walk up and pull out the chair. “Hey.”
“The best man has arrived,” he announces, slapping my shoulder and then squeezing it. “He lives.” I look over at him and he smirks.
“With the way Elizabeth was, it was a toss-up if she was going to slaughter you in your sleep or not.”
I chuckle at him. “I did sleep with one eye open, just in case. But she made me bring her bag on the off chance her room was free.” I grab the fork and cut the pancake.
