“So you plan to lie to her until she is too attached to let you go?”
“I’m not lying to her. I’m withholding information.”
“Information that will impact her and your relationship. If you ask me, omission is still lying.”
“When you say it like that you make me sound like an asshole.”
“Well, if the shoe fits.”
Celeste came padding into the living room. “It’s Christmas morning and everyone’s asleep.”
Celeste was my lifeline, rescuing me from an increasingly awkward conversation with a mother who wasn’t afraid to tell her kids they weren’t shit when it was warranted. Rising from the couch with a big stretch, I said, “These lazy bums. I’ll start knocking on doors and waking them up.”
“While Kris acts as a human alarm, why don’t we make some pancakes?” my mother suggested.
“Can we add chocolate chips? Belen always adds chocolate chips.”
I turned to my mother for confirmation. “Yes, that sounds delightful,” she agreed.
“Merry Christmas, by the way. I noticed Santa left a lot of gifts with your name on it under the tree,” I added.
“Santa isn’t real, Kris.”
“Shh, not too loud, my mother is still a firm believer.” I winked at Celeste.
Belen
Each of Kris’s family members gifted Celeste with something from Disney because she was a huge fan. Anything associated with the mouse, and she was all in. I didn’t expect gifts, so the fact that they went out of their way to ensure there were gifts under the tree for us meant a lot.Did I want to cry? Yes. But I managed to check my emotions.
“I think there’s one more gift behind the tree for Belen.” Kris gestured to Matt to retrieve it.
“You and your family have already gifted me more than enough.”
“Well this gift is special.”
Matt placed the box in front of me.
Kris pointed to the top of the wrapped box. “There’s a card?”
“I noticed that. I wonder who it’s from.” I nudged him with my elbow before removing the envelope from the front of the box, reading it aloud.
“For Belen, My apologies for the delay. Better late than never, Santa.”
I eyed Kris suspiciously. “I thought I heard reindeer hooves on the roof in the middle of the night.” A smile eased over my face.
“Open it. Social media has stunted my attention span,” Rayna said.
I ripped into the wrapping paper. When the contents were revealed, I sat in a stupor frozen with shock. “It’s a BarbieDreamhouse,” I whispered in disbelief. Regaining my senses, I grabbed handfuls of discarded wrapping paper and chucked it in Kris’s direction. “Kris.” My voice was thick with emotion.
“Are you going to cry again?” Matt asked.
“No,” But tears were already falling down my cheeks. “How did you remember this?”
“Like the card said, it’s from Santa.”
I could hear Kris’s dad whisper, “What the fuck is she going to do with a dollhouse at her big age?”
I’d mentioned this dream house one time. One time. Before this man even knew my name and he’d bought it for me. I wiped at the rapidly falling tears. I don’t think I’m capable of processing this level of love and intention.
