Ruby opened a text in her friend chat group—called Shayne Freaking Loves Olives, for some reason.
Ruby:Nadim—is your friend Jasmine’s office near the Distillery District? Because there is apparently a doctor with an office here going through a messy breakup and maybe having an affair with a younger man.
Nadim:Yeah, that’s her. She’s a dermatologist. She’s having an affair? Seriously?
Ruby:I think it’s with the hot tree guy. He’s doing construction in the area.
Shayne:Oh my goodness, why didn’t you tell me she’s a dermatologist! I’ve been trying to get in to see one for a fucking year. I have this thing I need looked at.
Marley:Ew. Shayne we’re not supposed to talk about medical stuff on this group chat. This is a safe space with no health-related discussions.
Shayne:Ruby started it. She mentioned a doctor.
Anderson:I’m with Marley. Ruby mentioned a person… that’s vastly different than mentioning the weird growth on your
Ruby had no idea why Anderson didn’t finish that sentence, but she was glad for it.
Nik:What dermatologist? What hot tree guy? Who’s Jasmine? I have FOMO!!!
Ruby laughed. Marley’s boyfriend Nik, who was currently in LA to shoot a movie, was always complaining in the group chat that he had no idea what they were all talking about.
Nadim:I am not introducing any of you to Jasmine if you are going to show her your random skin growths or accuse her of cheating with the guy that Ruby threw her tree at. She’s going through a crisis. She doesn’t need drama from you weirdos.
Ruby exhaled. If this woman was going through a hard time, then maybe it would be a good idea not to harass her. But Rubyhadto meet her.
Ruby:Maybe tell her that you have a friend who works in the Distillery and ask if she’s looking for a local friend? I don’t have any rashes, and I won’t tell her about the gossip I heard.
Reena:Better idea: let’s invite her and her kids to join us for the Santa Claus Parade on Sunday.
Ruby:That’s brilliant! I can get us a reservation for dinner after, too.
Despite their baby being an infant who won’t remember any of it, Reena and Nadim were taking Aleem to the TorontoSanta Claus Parade, which was the city’s official kickoff to the holiday season. When they asked in the chat group who wanted to join them, everyone except Ruby made polite (or not so polite) excuses. But Ruby was determined to squeeze in all the holiday joy she could before she left the country.
Nadim:Okay, I’ll ask her and let you know.
Ruby grinned. There. She was going to meet Jasmine Hakim. It suddenly occurred to her that the Christmas Grinch might have had that skin care rant because he’s dating, or having an affair with, this cougar dermatologist. But despite Jasmine’s questionable taste in affair partners, Ruby was determined to make this woman her friend.
On the day of the parade, Ruby took extra care in putting together the perfect outfit, since she would not only be joining the whole city in officially kicking off the holiday season, but she also needed to impress Jasmine Hakim so Jasmine would introduce Ruby to her family in the UK. Ruby decided on her red Max Mara coat and her cream vegan fur hat. Usually, this hat and coat combination was a little too on the nose (she looked like Santa), but this was the Santa Claus Parade, so it was fine. She added a black leather bag, and instead of gloves, she dug out her white vintage fur muff. Underneath she wore dark jeans, her black leather boots, and a slim red sweater. And of course, her signature red lipstick and adorable enamel Christmas tree earrings.
The weather was perfect—not too cold and clear skies, and it seemed the whole city came out for the parade. One of the things that Ruby loved about this season was that wherever she was, she could be surrounded by simultaneous joy. She could never feel alone during the holiday season because there were always so many people celebrating the same thing as her.
Ruby stopped to get a gingerbread latte before finding Nadim and Reena sitting at the corner where they’d agreed to meet. They’d brought five chairs—borrowed from Reena’s parents, which were set up in a straight line with Reena and Nadim sitting together in the middle of them. Aleem was in a snowsuit strapped to Reena’s chest. Ruby peeked at the baby before saying hello.
“He’s out cold. Drunk on breast milk,” Reena said.
“I hope he doesn’t sleep through his first parade,” Ruby said.
“Better than screaming through it. We’re just here for the pictures—there’s no way he’s going to remember this.”
Nadim shook his head, smiling. “No, we’re here because I’ve never been to a Santa Claus parade and now that I have a kid, I have an excuse.”
“You don’t need to have kids for a holiday parade,” Ruby said. “I came alone last year. And the year before I went alone to the parade in Montreal. Where’s Jasmine? She’s still coming, right?”
Nadim nodded. “She’s on her way.” He looked at his wife. “She’s… um… You tell her, Ree.”
Ruby frowned as she sat in the chair next to Reena. “Tell me what?”
Reena smiled a smile that told Ruby she probably wouldn’tlike what Reena was about to say. “Okay, so, remember there was that doctor I wanted to set you up with, but you said you didn’t want to date a doctor?”
