Page 77 of Home for the Holidays

“Wow.” Iris huffed. “Wow.”

“I hope you understand.”

She stood abruptly. “Yep. I got it.”

“She didn’t ask me to talk to you,” he said after she stood. He was quickly next to her, his hand on her arm. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“And I’m going to hurt her. I got it.” She looked at him.Glaredat him, more like. “You’re right.” She turned and left him standing there, clutching his coffee mug for moral support.

Unfortunately, as she burst into the hallway, she was first on the scene to see the horror unfolding before her eyes.

Sandy was kissing Heidi.

Heidi’s hands in the air.

Nora’s tiny voice was asking questions.

All of it.

It was all a dream. It had to be. She backed herself against the wall in repulsion as the rest of the family ambled single-file into the cramped hallway.

Oscar scooped Nora up into his arms. “Nora, honey, what have we said about this? You shouldn’t say things that didn’t happen.” He looked at Heidi, then at Sandy, then at Iris, for whatever reason.

“What are you looking at me for?” Iris asked, her hands in the air. “I was with Stanley. And we clearly weren’t kissing.”

“What is happening?” Stanley asked, appearing behind her.

“Well, Nora here said she saw Sandy kissing Gramma.” Karen looked quizzically at Oscar. “We need to get her a bell or something, Oscar.” She sighed, her face softening when she looked at Heidi. “Heidi, is what Nora is saying true?”

“Yes, but it’s not what you think—”

“Sandy, that’s great news,” Stanley said, his voice covered with what seemed like fake elation. “Wow, how momentous!”

Iris couldn’t help herself as she rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me?” she asked under her breath.

Zac, who was standing next to her, nudged her. “Shh,” he whispered.

“Wait, you all have the wrong idea.” Heidi pushed past Sandy into the hallway. “This is not what is happening. I am not in love with Sandy.”

“Wait,” Adrien said, his hand in the air to silence everyone. “Mom, areyoua lesbian?”

“Yes, but that’s not thepoint.”

“What?” Zac’s voice cracked. “Are you joking, Ma? It quite literallyisthe point,” he said with a huff. “What the hell is going on?” His arms were folded across his chest now. Iris could smell it, the weird scent he gave off when he was uncomfortable. “Dad? Do you know what’s going on? Because this is fucked-up.”

“Yes, son, this is your mother’s attempt to make Christmas memorable.” Stanley chuckled, but no one else did. Least of all Iris.

“Stanley, stop,” Heidi said softly. “I did not want to do it like this. Especially not today. I did not want to steal Zac’s thunder.”

“What the hell?” Adrien’s head snapped toward Zac. “You came out? When the hell did this happen?”

“Oh my god,” Zac breathed out as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, everyone. I’m a homosexual. There. Are you all happy?” He spread his arms wide and motioned to Evan. “And I’m going to Italy with Evan.”

“You’re going to go to Italy?” Iris’s shock was all over her voice. “What are you talking about?”

“Not now,” Zac whispered. “Please, let’s discuss this later.”

Iris shook her head as she tried to find her bearings. “What the hell is happening?”

---