The implications of the message seep into my skin and saturate my heart. The smile that blooms on my face is lined with giddy excitement, hungry for the possibility of what we could be. I play the message again.
A knock at the door startles me out of my reverie. Jhene, one of the baby cousins, pokes her head through the door and smiles her toothy smile at me. “Aunty Krys?” She says.
“Yes, Jhene?” I respond, offering her an equally warm smile.
“Grandma said get your butt downstairs,” she says, snickering.
“I saidass,tell her to get herassdownstairs!” Grandma yells from the top of the stairs. Jhene squeals, running in the direction she came.
Evergreen tradition is to eat breakfast, then open presents. It’s funny how this family of nightowls transforms into early birds every Christmas morning. “I’m coming!” I yell, rushing to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
My phone burns a hole in my pocket as we make it through our meal. It can’t hurt to make him wait…he deserves to after what he did. I linger after eating to help clean up, and I take my time with my family. After years of this holiday —myholiday without me, they deserve my undivided attention.
I gossip with the older cousins. I hug my parents, tight. I let my mom cry about how she’s so happy to have me back. I tell them about being ready to leave New York and show everyone pictures of Crescent Bay.
When the food comas start to kick in, and the children are preoccupied with their gifts. I finally pull my phone out and call Nick.
The line trills…once…twice…a third time…I fiddle with the pendant on my necklace.
“Hello?” He answers. If I’m not mistaken, he sounds out of breath.
“Happy Birthday, Santa,” I say.
He chuckles. “Merry Christmas, Snowflake.”
Silence stretches between us for a while. Then, he asks, “Did you…Did you get my voicemail?”
“I wouldn’t have called if I didn’t,” I muse.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice soft.
I close my eyes, let it simmer before responding.
“I know,” I say. “Make it up to me.”
“Krystal,” he breathes.
“I’m in North Carolina,” I say before he can say anything else, before I lose my nerve. “I can…stop in D.C. on my way back to New York. We can…figure this out?”
More silence.
“What day?” He asks, a smile hanging on his voice.
I block mine with the back of my hand, feeling a little ridiculous for the butterflies that erupt inside me. “I’m supposed to fly back on the 28th,” I say.
“Done. I’ll be there to pick you up.”
An incredulous laugh tumbles past my lips. “You don’t even know what time I’ll land.”
“I’ll be there, Snowflake.”
I tuck my bottom lip under my teeth, will my heartbeat to slow down. The sounds of children in the background urge me to let him enjoy this time with his family. “I’ll see you soon, then. I’ll text you,” I say.
“Okay, talk soon.”
I can still hear the smile in his voice. I can imagine the way he absently fidgets while he waits for me to end the call.
“Oh..and Nick,” I say.
