Page 11 of Christmas in July

CHAPTER 6

LEILANI

“That crazy bi… woman is really your mother?” I ask him as we barrel down the highway in the Lamborghini Huracán. “You call your mother Henrietta?”

“Yes,” he responds as he changes the radio station to play music for us. “It’s a long story, but she basically abandoned me when I was born to focus on her company, and we were never close. I grew up with my father. She sent cash in birthday cards, and on Christmas. Anyway, isn’t it nice how the color of this car matches your dress?”

“Mmmm,” I say appreciatively, as I look around at the impressive vehicle. I doubt I’ve ever been in such an expensive car. I was kind of joking when I suggested that he take the Lamborghini, but when I found out that his boss is his mother, and that she not only owns the travel magazine that he works for, but also theairlinethat distributes the travel magazine, I figured she wouldn’t be that eager to fire him over a few extra thousand dollars. And the more I learn about her, the happier I am to spend her money.

“That was really kind of you,” he says softly. “No one ever sticks up for me like that. Or talks to Henrietta like that.”

“Well, I do think she had some good points,” I inform him. “About writing an article that would appeal to families and couples—but I just didn’t like the way she screamed at you.”

Teddy is quiet for a few minutes. “I’ve just always traveled alone. I guess I never considered what couples or families would enjoy.”

“Well, maybe we can pretend a little bit,” I tell him. “For the sake of your career.”

“I would appreciate that,” he answers.

I realize that I am not doing a very good job of executing my plan to walk away and never see Teddy again. I just couldn’t stand there and listen to him get yelled at by that bi… woman.

I suppose, since we’re stuck together, at least for this car ride, I might as well get to know him a bit more. “Why do you travel alone?” I ask him.

He is silent for a little while again. "Because girls bring too many suitcases,” he finally says with a grin. “And they check their bags. It takes forever going through airports when you check your bags. Why do girls have to pack everything but the kitchen sink? And then they don't even carry their own bags, or load them into the car, so all of that would be on me. It's torture! All the extra waiting, and extra heavy lifting, lugging around extra heavy luggage with blow dryers, curling irons, hair straighteners, ten pairs of shoes..."

"I only brought a small carry on," I inform him, reminding him of my little pink suitcase. “And a backpack.”

"Exactly. That's why I decided you must be somewhat tolerable."

“I checked it because I didn’t want to wrestle with the overhead bins,” I add.

“Fair point. Well, it’s lucky you didn’t bring anything more, or it wouldn’t fit in the trunk of this car. You might a decent travel buddy, as long as I teach you to make car reservations ahead of time.” He nods sagely.

“It was a spontaneous trip,” I say with a sigh. “You can’t plan everything if you’re being spontaneous! Haven’t you ever tried that?”

“Can’t say that I have,” he responds.

When my phone pings, I reach into my pocket and see the texts from my sister. She’s shocked and offended and worried that I got on a plane randomly and left Hawaii without telling her. Usually, we tell each other everything. But since she started dating Sam, she has been all wrapped up in him, and I didn’t think she would notice or care.

I probably sound jealous, but I love my sister and want the best for her.

I guess I never really attempted to travel before, because I couldn’t leave her. Sam’s story about his mother makes me think of my own parents. I guess I’ve always felt a need to be there for Kailani, like her second mother, and this is the first time I’ve been able to have the freedom to travel by myself. And really worry only about myself and my needs.

The fact that she has Sam to take care of her now has really given me a sort of freedom that I didn’t know I was even missing.

Snowflake Creek? You could go anywhere in the world, and you go there?she texts me.

Well, Sam and Stella were going on and on about how great it was. I figured, why not?

You’re weird, Lei-Lei. But since you’re there, can you do a huge favor for me and Sam?

Sure,I write.

Can you visit his sister’s bakery, and speak to his mom? She doesn’t know he’s alive.

Yes, I can do that once I’m settled in. We are currently driving to Snowflake Creek in Lamborghini… don’t ask why.

We? Who is “we” dear sister?

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