Clearly nothing was going to change here. Moving on. “Christmas is coming up. I’m assuming nothing has changed for our plans. Dinner at the club on Christmas Eve, your place Christmas Day?”
Dad cleared his throat. “Actually, your mother and I wanted to talk about the holiday.”
My heart skipped a beat. Every year I’ve asked them to come to us for Christmas. That way Addie could wake up at home and see that Santa came. But they’d insisted our yearly visit be at their house on Christmas, so I’d relented. Maybe this was the year we’d finally be at my place.
“Your mother and I have decided to take a trip to France for the holidays this year. Steve and Diane from the club are going with us. We’re leaving at the start of December and will get back after the New Year. We’ll catch up with you and Addie sometime this spring or summer,” he said, sounding like he was bored and needed to get on to the next part of his evening.
“Oh? So we won’t see you for the holidays?” While part of me wanted to dance at the idea of staying at home for Christmas, part of me was heartbroken that they cared so little if they saw Addie or me.
“No, dear. Your father just said we’d see you sometime this spring or summer.” Mom sounded impatient.
Okay.I had no idea what to say to them. Then I caught on the names of the couple they were going with. “Steve and Diane. Noah’s parents?”
My mom sounded almost bored with our conversation as she let out a huge sigh. “Yes, of course, the Lawsons.”
“Sorry, Mom. Just wanted to be sure.”
Dad joined in the conversation. “Well, Steve is thrilled that Noah is finally leaving that godforsaken country and coming back to the states even though he still refuses a job at his father’s firm. Always has been an ungrateful kid…”
Dad continued on his rant, sure in his own misguided sense of what was right while I was fixated on one bit of information.
“Um, excuse me. Noah is coming back? For good?”
“That’s what Diane says, not that he gave them much notice.” My mom’s voice was ice-queen worthy. “Now, because you were late, our schedule is off. We need to get going. We’ll send you some money to buy a gift for Addie for Christmas. Something of quality, of course.”
“Of course.” I mused.
“Love to you all,” she said, hanging up before I got a chance to reply.
I looked at my phone for a moment before dropping my head to look up at my ceiling. Parents of the year, they were. Jeez. “Into the Mystic” was flowing out of my speakers now. I closed my eyes and let the music roll over me as I sank back into my couch.
Noah was coming back. I wondered where he planned to settle. And why hadn’t he let me know? I hoped everything had gone well with the program. I knew he was proud of what they were accomplishing.
Vibrations from my phone pulled me from my thoughts. For a moment I wondered if my parents were calling back. Looking down, I saw that I had a text from Jake.
Jake:How you doing, babe?
Me:Funny, I was rocking my gypsy soul.
Jake:Just like way back in the days of old?
Me:Just like.
Jake:So you and Van Morrison. You good? And who will tell him about the ethnic slur he has committed on Moondance?
Dang, this guy. At least he was learning. Right? I debated what to tell him about my night, but I went with the idea that no matter what, he was becoming an important friend. And whatever else was going on, I needed friends.
Me:Been better. Just talked to my parents. Let’s just say your parents would not have approved of the conversation.
Jake:You’re referring to Nana and Pop-Pop of course.
Groan. It had been a day.
Me:Of course. Have I apologized enough yet for my daughter claiming your parents in her own way?
Jake:Already told you, Ivy. My parents are in love with her. They might disown me to adopt her. You should be on the lookout.
Me:Well, then at least Addie would have family that would want to spend time with her for Christmas, so she will come out ahead in that deal.
