Page 96 of Santa Has a Six-Pack
This kiss is different from the one we shared during our ridiculous encounter in Santa’s Village.
This kiss feels intimate.
It feels real and true and–
“Well, this must be the boyfriend.”
My mother’s voice snaps me out of the beautiful spell I was under.
“Mom, hi.” I pull back from Matt and turn to face her.
Matt places a warm hand on the small of my back, like he knows I need the support.
“I never pegged you for a public display of affection kind of girl,” she says haughtily.
Matt chuckles. “In our defense, the Missile Ho made us do it.”
“I beg your pardon?” She looks Matt up and down.
He points at the decoration hanging above us. “The Missile Ho! It’s a creative pronunciation of a holiday classic brought to us by your adorable granddaughter.” He crouches down and lifts his hand to Maya for a high five. “It’s nice to meet you, Maya. I’m Matt. Whoa!” He reacts when my niece smacks his hand. “You are strong! Just like your Aunt Penny, huh?”
Maya’s eyes twinkle with delight at being compared to me.
I give her a wink and think again of how happy I am that I’ll be spending more time with her soon.
Matt rises and gives his full attention to my mother. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Eileen. Thank you for having me. Your home is beautiful.”
She’s smiling, but as usual, her smile doesn’t look happy. More like she’s biting down on something sour. “Well, we’re so glad you both could make it.”
Is she?
It’s hard to tell.
“Hello, Tinkerbell.” My dad sidles up beside my mother.
My dad started calling me Tinkerbell when I was three years old, and somehow it stuck.
All these years later, it hits me how it’s such a sweet name coming from this otherwise cold man.
Neither of my parents approaches me for a hug. I don’t expect them to, but when Matt’s gaze darts between us, no doubt waiting to witness some exchange of affection—we are a family after all—I see the whole situation through his eyes and realize how sad and strange it all is.
On the surface, my family seems fine. The parties, the smiles, the nicknames… But that’s just it. Everything stays on the surface. It doesn’t go any deeper than that. And when it does? It’s not exactly pleasant.
Matt is such a naturally kind and openly affectionate person. Having him here with me, observing my family’s dysfunction in real time, makes it all seem sadder somehow.
But maybe there’s still hope we can turn it around.
“Hi, Dad,” I say, my eyes unexpectedly filling with tears.
I take a risk and dive into his arms, hugging him for the first time in years.
“Oof,” my dad says, like I hurt him. He accepts the hug—sort of—but his arms wrap around me stiffly, and he pats my back way too hard.
“Penny,” my mother admonishes as she looks around. “Have some decorum, will you?”
When my dad places his hands on my shoulders and gently pushes me away from him, I regret attempting the hug in the first place.
I see the compassion in Matt’s eyes and have to look away.
