“God Daddy, do you think the mall just gets all decked out by elves?” Rayna asked.
“Christmas is over so what are you going to do to keep yourself busy until this time next year?”
“Dad.” Kris’s tone marked annoyance.
“No, it’s fine. The next big event is Valentine’s Day. I’ll be going over the final plans for that. Ordering items, confirming vendors.”
“It all sounds made up to me.”
“Dad, there are tons of jobs that are more creative, less analytical. Look at me.”
“I’m looking at you. A man who left his job to go gallivanting around the world. I will never understand you young folks,” Gerrit said.
Irene placed her hand over her husband’s. “Boy you sure are in a crappy mood today.”
“Maybe he didn’t like his Christmas presents. Maybe he wanted a whatchamacallit and got a doohickey instead,” Celeste chimed in.
“Eat your pancakes,” I whispered.
Kris pushed out a gust of air. “I wasn’t siting on my ass the entire year. There is so much more to life than reporting to an office pressing buttons and drinking crap coffee.”
“A man should put in a hard day’s work each day.”
My eyes ping ponged from Kris to his father. I didn’t realize Kris’s micro retirement was a source of friction between the two.
“Sorry I just don’t buy into that live to work mentality.”
“To be fair Daddy, if I had millions in the bank, I probably wouldn’t work either,” Rayna said.
“Kris you have a girlfriend now. Women are expensive. They always want to go out to eat.” Gerrit nudged his wife.
“Baby, you know your father just needs to get his two cents in. This is a moot point seeing how Kris is returning to work next month,” Irene said.
“I’m with Kris on this one Dad,” Matthew said. “Not everyone gets to do what they love. Kris does and even he needed a break. I sure know I could use a vacation.”
“You’re always on a vacation mentally,” Rayna teased.
Matt shrugged off Rayna’s words, still focused on Kris. “Hey do you think I could visit you in California? I’ve heard the women are top tier.”
I chuckled nervously. My idea of a romantic getaway to Los Angeles did not include Kris’s baby brother Matthew.
Kris shot me a glance. His mouth a straight line. “Maybe, we’ll see.” Turning to his mother, he said, “How are the ladies at the library?”
“Maybe? Come on bro, you know you’re going to be bored all alone in Cali. Are you leasing a place or just renting month to month?”
Kris’s hand froze on my thigh.
“What?” I turned to him, trying to grab hold of the conversation.
“Hmm.” Kris looked just as confused as I was.
“Why would you need a month-to-month lease for an extended weekend in California?”
“Wait, does Belen not know you’re moving to California?” Kris’s father billowed despite a mouthful of eggs.
“Moving?” My eyes grew wide; it was like I was back in the middle of the snowball fight, the wind knocked right out of me.
“Not moving, temporary relocating.”
