Nervous laughter spilled from my throat. “She didn’t mean that.”
“Yes I did. It’s not nice to stare at people because it can make them uncomfortable.”
“Celeste is right. Staring is rude. Who raised you?” A woman’s voice trilled as the crowd made room for her. “Oh that’s right, it was me.” She laughed at her own joke. “Hello dear, I’m Irene, Kristoff’s mother.”
“Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand but she ignored it, pulling me into a hug that ended with a hearty pat on the back before moving to Celeste to perform the same action.
Mrs. Kringle was nothing like I’d imagined. Kris didn’t have any family photos at his place, so when he talked about his mom, I’d created an image based on his stories. In my mind, I’d envisioned a Black woman with a trendy short hairstyle, classic fashion sense and glasses. Except for the glasses, I was off, way off. His mother had long locs with hints of gray, her style was bohemian chic with chunky bangles and a statement necklace.Her mahogany skin had subtle lines which grew slightly more pronounced when she smiled.
When she caught sight of Kris, her face lit up. “I’m so happy you’re home.” She fell into his arms and was enveloped by his embrace.
“Hi Mom,” he said, kissing the top of her head in the sweetest way.
“So we’re just bringing dates to Christmas now?” A man I could only assume was Kris’s brother, Matthew asked.
“I know you’re not talking,” Kris said, releasing his mother. “How many times have you brought a mystery woman home claiming she was the love of your life, only to break up with her weeks later?”
“And sometimes not even weeks. Remember Mallory, they broke up on Christmas Eve,” Rayna added.
“That sounds awkward.” I’d intended to make that commentary in my head but my mouth had a mind of its own.
“It was, because even though they broke up she just hung out with us for like three more days,” Kris said.
“And so that is why I think we can all agree bringing dates to family events is a bad idea.” Matthew looked at me and pointed. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
“Belen, how’d you manage to get out of spending Christmas with your family? Our mother would disown us if we were a no show for Christmas,” Rayna said.
I suspected we’d land on this topic eventually, but I’d hoped to be out of my coat and have a drink in me before we did. “Both my parents are dead so…”
The room fell silent. Talk about dead parents will often do that.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, dear,” Kris’s mother placed her hand on my shoulder.
“They’ve been gone for a while now so it’s fine.”
Rayna clapped her hands. “So tell us everything. What do you do? How did you two meet? Why did you lower your standards when you could clearly do better?”
“Okay, can we take off our coats first before we start interrogating my girlfriend?”
“Wow.” Matthew shook his head in disbelief. “And there it is, a declaration of ownership.Hisgirlfriend.”
“You know we’re gonna get the full story one way or the other,” Rayna said. I loved how each sibling took turns teaming up on the other.
Kris brushed their words aside. “Belen, you are fully within your rights to plead the fifth to any and all nosy questions.”
“Yeah, but if you don’t answer we’re just going to talk about you behind your back and draw our own conclusions,” Matthew teased.
“Enough of that. You are not going to hold our guests hostage in the entryway. Allow Belen and Celeste a chance to properly catch their breaths. Give it a rest you two.” A tall man who looked like Kris, just in a different font, lighter skin, gray hair and a cane, said.
“Yeah, what Dad said.” Kris playfully punched his brother in the chest and mushed his sister in the head.
Christmas Eve dinner was a Nordic soul food fusion. With pork, cabbage, and beets alongside mac and cheese and the best gumbo I’ve ever consumed, courtesy of Uncle Rus. Kris’s dad, Gerrit was from the Netherlands hence the name Kringle. I guess over time the Norse recipes passed down from his father were transformed into a homage of both Gerrit and Irene’s roots.
The conversation was just as satisfying as the meal. I got to hear Kris’s family recount funny and oftentimes embarrassing stories from his childhood. Kris took it all in stride as his siblings tried their best to one up each other in the who can make Kristofflook the lamest department. Siblings were reliable for one thing without fail, humbling the shit out of you in front of anyone who would listen.
Looking over at Celeste, she seemed just as amused as everyone else. If we were back home, we would be watchingIt’s a Wonderful Life. A movie she loved and I tolerated because I loved her. I couldn’t remember the last time I was at a family gathering like this. There were faint memories from before my mother died and one Christmas when we flew to Arizona and I couldn’t understand why there was no snow.
