Page 19 of Ten Christmases Without You
“Packers and the Bears.”
The men settled at the kitchen table, focused on the pre-game show. They fell into deep conversation about team matchups, player stats, and coaching strategies while the women buzzed back and forth between the kitchen and dining room.
“I haven’t eaten since lunch, except for the brownie, and I’m starving,” Madison said when Emmy returned to her original spot at the edge of the kitchen island to pick up the stack of her mother’s plates. Aunt Charlotte had gotten out the ones with printed Christmas trees around the edge.
Emmy peered over at the clock. “Well, it is almost dinner time.”
She’d been chatting with her family for over an hour, and while conversation hadn’t been perfect, she wasn’t emotionally exhausted. Perhaps there was something to her mother always looking so polished. Emmy had put in extra effort today, and not only did she feel more cheerful, her family seemed less annoying.
“Want to grab the silverware, and we can start setting the table?” Emmy asked.
Madison opened the drawer, scooped up a handful of cutlery, and followed Emmy into the dining room.
The dining table was dressed in a red tablecloth with a beaded runner down the center. Emmy set the plates on the edge and began putting them at the places, one at a time.
The walls were still lined with portraits of Emmy, Madison, and their parents, but her mom’s portrait was the largest,painted in oil with Anne looking regal. Her extended family had pitched in to have it painted for the funeral, and her dad hung it there afterward. It was a stunning rendering, but its original purpose cast a cloud over the piece for Emmy.
“Do we need to set a place for Charlie? What time is he coming over?” Madison asked, her attention on the array of plastic-wrap-covered platters displayed along the sideboard—everything from lasagna squares to cheesecake truffles.
“I’m not sure. I didn’t ask specifics.”
Her sister grabbed two dessert plates and handed one to Emmy. “Taste-test?” She nodded toward the food.
“We shouldn’t.”
“Why? We live here.” Madison added a few sausage-and-cream-cheese pinwheels to her plate.
“On our last work call before we broke for the holiday,” she continued, “we made small talk about coffee drinkers. I swear, he told everyone he was arriving early because he mentioned getting his mom’s favorite coffee on the way into town to surprise her for breakfast.”
“I doubt he’ll want to eat with us. I’m sure he’s involved with his own family,” Emmy said.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. Let’s sneak away and pour ourselves a couple of those Christmas Sparklers that Aunt Charlotte made. Then we can text him and find out.” Her eyebrows bounced as she popped a pinwheel in her mouth.
“Madison Marie.” Aunt Charlotte wagged a finger at her from the doorway. “Can you not wait fifteen minutes? The timer just went off for the turkey.
“I’m sooo hungry,” Madison protested.
Charlotte paced over to the sideboard and rearranged the pinwheels to cover up the empty spots. “Don’t let Aunt Elsie see you. She’ll send you to your room like a child.” She winked at Madison, making Emmy chuckle.
“You too!” Charlotte pointed at Emmy playfully. “Go on. I’ll take over setting the table.”
“Are you sure?” Emmy asked.
“There’s not much left to do.” Her aunt picked up the plates and finished setting them around the table. “Go on. Enjoy yourselves.”
Madison led the way into the kitchen and then poured them each a glass of Christmas Sparkler. Emmy took a sip of the cranberry and vanilla-flavored champagne.
“Let’s see what Charlie’s up to.” Her sister beckoned her into the living room.
“Why are you so worried about him?”
“The two of you got along really well. He made you smile a few times. It was good to see.” She waved a hand at her. “And you’re definitely spruced up this year. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
Emmy tutted. But she hoped the heat in her cheeks didn’t show on the outside. She plopped down on the sofa next to Madison and pulled out her phone. “I’ll just let him know I’m here.”
She fired off a text and set her phone on the coffee table.
“Did you talk to him at all after last Christmas?” Madison asked.
