“Yes,” Roger said.
They’d spoken over each other.Then they both frowned at each other, as though they were confused about the disagreement.
Then Billie Jean turned to her.“Your father likes to forget that in the early years, we worked our way across the South until we settled in California.Once we made it there, we stayed.”
“I hear it’s nice,” Holly said.
“It is,” Billie Jean said.“You know what I heard at the B&B this morning?”She didn’t wait for a response before she carried on.“There’s a Christmas party tonight.It seems like it’s the talk of the town.”
Holly nodded.“The Kringles are having their annual Christmas party.”
“Are you going?”Billie Jean looked eager for the answer.
“I…I don’t know.”She honestly didn’t know.But without her grandmother there to prod her into going with her, she didn’t see herself going alone.“Probably not.”
“You should go.”Billie Jean elbowed Roger.
“Uh, yes,” Roger said.“It sounds like a good time.”
“And don’t worry,” Billie Jean said.“You don’t have to go alone.We’ll be your guests.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Roger said.
“Then it’s settled.”Billie Jean smiled like she was pleased she’d solved a problem that had never existed in the first place.
Holly sat there quietly while her parents worked out what time they would head to the party.All the while, Holly wondered how all of the sudden, she was taking her parents to a party where she would have to introduce them to who’s who of Kringle Falls.Her stomach took a nauseous lurch.This was moving faster than she was prepared for.
When the meal was finished, Billie Jean excused herself to visit the ladies’ room.That left Holly alone with Roger.She felt less comfortable with him.And she didn’t know quite why.
He pulled out his phone and started scrolling on it.She tried to think of something to say to ease the awkwardness, but the harder she tried to think of an interesting bit of trivia, the more her mind went blank.It appeared Roger had run out of things to talk about.
He glanced up from his phone.“I better see what’s taking Billie Jean so long.”
No sooner had he walked away than the server showed up with their check.They said they’d be right back for it.Holly’s gaze kept moving in the direction her parents had gone.She didn’t see them.
As the time passed and neither Roger nor Billie Jean returned, Holly glanced at the check.Her eyes widened at the amount.They certainly didn’t live modestly.
As one minute turned into two and two into five, the server returned for the check.Holly inwardly groaned when she looked around for her parents, but they were nowhere in sight.
The server looked expectantly at her.Heat rushed to Holly’s cheeks.She didn’t have the money to pay this three-figure bill.But what choice did she have?With great reluctance, she reached into her wallet and pulled out her business credit card.She placed it in the check holder.
Had her parents left her?The thought sat heavy on her shoulders.After all, this wouldn’t be the first time they’d abandoned her.She supposed she should be used to it.
Thankfully, the server was prompt, and Holly was finally able to leave.She headed for the exit.But before she reached the outer door, she found her parents.They were looking at the display of brochures of all the places of interest in Kringle Falls.Billie Jean had a few in her hand, and Roger was reaching on the top row for her.
A pent-up breath expelled from Holly’s lungs.They hadn’t left her.They just got distracted.And then she felt guilty for thinking that they’d abandoned her again.
When they turned around, Billie Jean smiled.“Sorry.I saw these and had to get some.There are a lot of new things in town.”
Holly forced a smile to her lips but didn’t say anything.She felt like a twisted pretzel on the inside.Being with these two made her feel like she was auditioning or something.The whole thing made her feel exhausted.
“I need to get back to the shop.”She checked the time on her phone.Ugh!She’d been gone much longer than she’d intended.
“We’ll see you this evening,” Billie Jean said.“I can’t wait.”
“Uh-huh.”Holly rushed out the door.
She walked as fast as she dared on the salted sidewalks.The cold air felt good on her overheated face.Since she’d ridden to the restaurant in her parents’ car, she had to walk back to the soap company.She honestly didn’t mind.
