Page 3 of Oh Christmas Tree
When my phone rings again, I am just putting the last batch of cookies in the oven.
“Hi, Aunt Gemma! I hope you’re hungry, because I made cookies for days!”
“Chloe, my darling, I have some bad news.”
My shoulders sag. “Oh no, what’s wrong?”
“They have canceled our flight. We don’t know why yet, and we will try to get a new one, but everything is booked, and the entire airport is in chaos. I will get back to you in an hour or so. We know how much you looked forward to hosting us, so we are giving it our all, okay?”
“Okay.” I hate how small my voice sounds; my aunt picks up on it.
“Hush, honey, we love you, and it will all work out.”
“Yeah, I hope so. Daisy and Luke already had to cancel because the boys are both sick. And mom and dad are delayed as well.”
“It will all work out, honey. Just wait and see. And don’t go eating all those Christmas cookies by yourself, you hear me?”
I smile; her New York accent is pouring through. “Okay, Aunt Gemma. I love you!”
Absent-mindedly, I move the cookies to the cooler and open the fridge. I planned an entire Christmas feast, but if I miss my brother and his family, possibly even more—should I make everything? Indecision has me calling my mom, whostill doesn’t answer. That has to be a good thing, right? That must mean they’re on their way.
That sets my mind at ease, and I decide to forgo the pigs in blankets but make everything else.
I snack on Christmas cookies while working in the kitchen like a professional chef. Only this chef is wearing a corny Christmas apron over her favorite Christmas sweater while singing along to Christmas songs.
It’s 2 PM when my phone buzzes, and I smile when it’s my mom.
“Hi, Mommy, did you guys land?”
“Oh, honey…” she starts.
I wail. ”Nooooooooooooo.”
“They are canceling our flight. Apparently, there’s some big storm brewing in the North East and they are canceling all flights to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.”
I can’t hold back my tears now. “So, you’re not coming?”
“We’re gonna try to get a car, honey.”
My phone pings with another incoming call: Aunt Gemma. “Hang on for a sec.., Mom, Aunt Gemma is calling.”
Quickly switching calls, I greet my aunt with a sober “Hi.”
“Oh, Chloe, darling, we’re so sorry. They have canceled all the flights.”
“I know, I have mom on the other line.”
“We are going home. If there’s a storm coming, Dean wants to get home before it hits. Again, I’m so sorry, but I hope you understand.”
“I do, Aunt Gemma, I do.” I look at the chicken that’s roasting in the oven.
“It will all work out.”
“It always does, sweetheart,” she says before she hangs up.
“Mommy?” I sound meek and defeated, but until now, Uncle Ron is the only person who hasn’t canceled yet, and I can’t imagine him making the trip if the weather is this bad.
“We’re coming by car, darling,” she says.
