Page 5 of Reindeer and Restraints
“I bet you could still do it.” I grab my phone, ready to see if we can get her in.
Penny moves her hands to her lap. “I said it would be simple, not easy. I get anxious just thinking about stepping on stage, presenting myself to the bidders.”
Her breathing heightens, and Bellamie rubs her shoulder. “It’s okay, Penny. No one will force you.”
I smile warmly as Bellamie says, “She’s right, Penny, there’s no pressure for you to participate in the auction if you don’t want to. But–”
A buzz from my phone draws my attention. I tap the screen to dismiss my brother Jeremy’s message and continue playfully. “But, I think it’s time we force Bellamie to tell us why she couldn’t finish these stockings last night.”
Bellamie sets her sewing down and steeples her fingers in front of her mouth. “I took your advice and went out with Krampus.”
“You did?!” My surprise bubbles out.
She gives us enough details that it’s clear we’ve unleashed a beast. She thinks they’re soulmates or something and isn’t sure she’ll do the auction.
“Excellent backup plan. Not that you'll need one.” I’m sure we’ll all be fine at the auction, but if not, she has Krampus, and I have a poop scooper.
This auction really needs to work.
Another text message alert draws my attention. My heart stops. My phone instantly rings. “I need to take this.”
I rush outside, needing space to absorb the message that my cousin passed away.
I answer Jeremy’s call when I can breathe in the cool air, relieving the feeling of suffocation. “Is this some sick—”
“It’s not. And there’s no easy way to put this. She named you as guardian of Jane.”
“What?” My chest tightens and I’m not sure if the word makes it out of my mouth or not.
“You’re now the mother of a two-year-old.”
“Why me?” Why not Jeremy? Why not any other relative? Can I say no? I’m sweating despite the cold air.
“I don’t know. Trust me, I’m shocked too.”
Jeremy’s comment isn’t even offensive. Everyone knows I’m not mom material. We wrap up the call and I breathe deeply, sucking in gulps of air a few more times, waiting to wake up. I don’t.
Returning to my friends, I say, “I have to leave.”
“What's wrong?” Bellamie asks.
They all get up from the table and help me get my things.
“Am I cursed?” I ask, feeling selfish that I can even think about myself right now.
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t do the auction.”
“Why?”
“I've just been named guardian of my cousin’s two-year-old daughter."
Silence fills the room before I share the tragic details of my cousin’s car wreck. She was a single mom and had the foresight to name a guardian—me.
Starla turns to Penny. “I’m betting you don’t want to take Jolene’s place either?”
Did somebody ask Penny to take their place in the auction? Is Bellamie that serious about Krampus?
