to ask, “So, can I come along?”
 
 He looks at me like I’m insane.
 
 No way. Sorry, Kristina, but
 
 that isn’t a good idea.
 
 “I don’t get it. You say you
 
 love me, but you won’t take
 
 me to Christmas dinner? Are
 
 you ashamed of me, or what?”
 
 Ashamed of his tweaker girlfriend?
 
 You don’t know our family.
 
 The only way I could bring a girl
 
 is if we were getting married.
 
 We’re not getting married.
 
 But I still don’t get it.
 
 “You’d be wel…” Okay, he
 
 wouldn’t be welcome at my
 
 home. But that’s different.
 
 See? He comes over, puts
 
 his arms around me. We
 
 won’t be gone that long.
 
 I push him away. “Don’t
 
 you understand? I gave
 
 up spending Christmas
 
 with my own family so
 
 I could be with you.”
 
 Uncertainty flashes in his
 
 eyes, but only for a second.
 
 I never asked you to.
 
 Twelve Thirty-Five
 
 And he leaves me