I wonder how Bubble is coping on his own in the cabin. He comes across as a social person, which is why I think he bakes for everyone. It’s a good excuse to talk to people.
Does he feel bored on his own? Is he warm?
He said he’s waiting for his friend to arrive. Is that tomorrow? Christmas is in just two days.
Now I feel guilty for being so wrapped up in my own world that I never checked on his. He came to me to offer food twice. He came when he thought my life was in danger, and I didn’t even check if he knew how to keep a fire going.
No clue as to who wins the prize for asshole of the year.
I put all my work aside to focus on my apology gift for Bubble. It takes me the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, but I finish it.
12
BUBBLE
“Okay,world. It’s a new day. Let’s make sure we don’t upset anyone. Let’s not look at the news. And Juju is coming later, so yay!”
I push the bed covers down and get up.
“And, Grandma, I’m not talking to you today. Well, apart from this part where I’m telling you I’m not talking to you. And if you must know why, it’s because after you gave me almost-naked Coach, he shouted at me. Not to mention the news about he-who-shall-not-be-named.”
Along with my new positive outlook, I should also change the bedsheets. Tonight, I shall sleep in fresh linen and have nice dreams.
But first, clothes and then breakfast.
I pick the pink skinny jeans that make my ass look amazing and always make me feel like I can take on the world, and then I line up my Christmas sweaters.
“Which one shall I wear today?”
The red one with the pink hearts is perfect, but I’m not sure I’m feeling the love today. The green one is…too green. I open my suitcase again and find exactly what I want to wear. The sweater I knitted with my grandmother.
It’s not the prettiest or perfect, but it’s bubblegum pink, has Christmas trees, and something tells me this one is the one I’ll need today. I put it on over my cotton T-shirt with the pink rainbows and leave the room to face the day.
As soon as I get to the living room, I notice a heavier layer of snow on the back deck. It’s a shame it’s cold because I’d love to sit outside. But definitely not now. I shiver just at the thought, even though it’s warm inside.
I’ve been waiting for Juju to arrive so we could turn on the Christmas tree lights together. It’s so tempting to turn them on for a little bit, but I won’t do it because the big reveal won’t be as special.
Still, the tree is such a wonderful sight that I eat my pancakes while sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of it like I used to do when I was a kid.
Our tree wasn’t like this one. It was much smaller, and all the ornaments were handmade and passed down through the generations. They’re all in my car. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to mix them with all these pretty store-bought ones.
But it’s okay, I’ll use mine again next year.
I clear my breakfast plate and quickly change my bedsheets, putting the dirty ones in the washer before I forget.
“That’s one job ticked off the list. Well done, today-Bubble.”
I remember Juju’s favorite chocolate-chip cookies just in time. They need to cool in the fridge before baking, so I should prepare the dough now.
No need for recipes with this one. I watched my grandma make these cookies so often that even if she hadn’t given me the recipe, I’d still know how to make them just from my heart. As easy as breathing.
I’m putting the batter to chill in the fridge when there’s a knock on the door.
“Holy cake batter. Grandma, what have you done?”
There can be only one person on the other side of the door. My hands shake as I walk to answer it. I really don’t like it when people are upset with me, and yesterday, Coach really was upset with me.
“Deep breaths, Bubble. Maybe he just needs to borrow a cup of sugar… or maybe he had a lobotomy and forgot how you’ve basically been throwing yourself at him for months in a not-very-subtle way. Yeah, he probably just needs sugar…”
