“God, you’re dramatic, Bubble.” I pull the key from my pocket and put it in the keyhole. When it turns, and the door opens, I let out a little squeal.
I shake off most of the snow from my boots before going inside.
What I see when I open the door all the way is the magical wonderland of my dreams. I only remember to close the door behind me because it’s still freaking freezing, but otherwise, I’m mesmerized by what I’m walking into.
“Grandma,” I whisper. “Did you do this?”
I wait for a reply from heaven, but there are no noises.
The front door leads into a large open space with the biggest, comfiest-looking couch I’ve ever seen. It’s facing a fireplace, which I’ll need to figure out if I don’t want to freeze to death.
But ignore all that. All houses have kitchens, couches, bedrooms, ceilings, whatever. This cabin though…is like my Christmas winter wonderland come true.
I take my phone out and video call Juju.
“Hey, Bubbs, what’s up?” she asks, not even looking at the camera. “I’m packing right now. I’m so freaking excited. Do you think three pairs of heels is too much?”
“Juju, honey, look at me,” I say.
She grabs the phone, and my view goes from the ceiling of her bedroom to her gorgeous face. She’s wearing the off-shoulder slouchy top I gave her two years ago for her birthday. Oh, how I miss hot weather.
Anyway.
“Take those heels out of your suitcase. You don’t need them unless you want to risk breaking your neck.”
“But you said you’re taking me to a place near the cabin. What if I find myself a sexy lumberjack?”
I laugh. “First of all, I doubt that lumberjacks are into heels. You wear those jeans, you know, the ones that make your ass pop out like it needs its own TV show? You’ll get your attention. And second, it’s just a diner. Please tell me you bought warm clothes.”
She puffs. “Of course.”
“Anyway, Juju, you are not going to believe this…” I flip the camera so she can see what I see.
“Fuck me sideways and make me into a Christmas garland. Is that a Christmas tree? It’s fucking huge!” She says.
“I know. It has to be at least seven feet, and it’s fully decorated. It even has presents underneath. They’re probably fake, of course, but it looks so beautiful.” I’m getting all emotional just talking about it. “I can’t believe Mr. and Mrs. Crawford would go to all this trouble just for us.”
“I always say you have good karma, sugarpie. This is the universe giving something back to you.”
“And look at all the decorations on the walls and the ceiling.” I move my phone around until Juju complains she’s getting dizzy.
I take her on a tour of the rest of the house, the main room—where I’ll be sleeping—and the second bedroom, which will be Juju’s. It’s clear Mr. and Mrs. C’s grandchildren usually sleep in there because it’s full of toys.
“Okay, I need to unload the car now and figure out how to get this place warm. I’ll see you in a few days,” I say, blowing her a kiss.
“Love you, babe.”
I leave my phone on the kitchen counter and brace myself to go back out in the cold.
Thankfully, the temperatures kept all the food safe outside, so I bring all that in first, filling the fridge until it’s stocked to the brim. I wonder for a moment if I have too much food, but then I just laugh. Never.
I go back to the car and take two smaller bags, but the suitcase is much heavier, so I leave it for later. I’m dying for a warm cup of coffee.
“Okay, Mr. and Mrs. C, how do you get this place warm?” I ask the absent couple.
I noticed the main bedroom has a fireplace but no wood, so I guess it’s probably electric and works on a switch. But how about the one in the living room?
Oh lord, do I need to make fire?
