“Because it’s Christmas.”I grabbed his arm and started singing the first Christmas carol that came to mind, then switched songs when I ran out of lyrics I knew. I rocked back and forth, pulling him along with the performance.
“You’re so tone deaf. Please stop singing.”Ari clamped both hands over her ears.“You’re seriously hurting my ears. Also, stop being so ahead. At least wait until tomorrow for Christmas songs. It’s still Thanksgiving.”
“No. It’s Christmas. What?”I turned to Dennis, who’d just said something.
“Me?”he asked. I nodded.“I didn’t say anything.”
“Huh.” I decided it didn’t matter and turned back to the parade. We watched for the next hour, me taking each commercial break to sing while Ari told me not to. Eventually Santa and Mrs. Claus came out. Ari and I both sat up straight, cheering while we watched them be jolly and wave at the kids andcamera.“Santa’s here! Now can I say it’s Christmas?”
“Santa’s here, so it is officially Christmas time,” she said. “I guess you can start today.”
“And now it’s game time.” I set my empty mug down and stood.
“Yes!”She hopped up excitedly. “Stay here,” she told the guys.
We went upstairs to her large bookshelf. The bottom row was entirely board games.We chose three of our favorites and headed back downstairs, placing them on the table right as Uncle Tom emerged from his room.
“Morning, girls.”He yawned as he joined us.“Morning.” He nodded at Dennis and Sean.
“We’re about to start games,”I said, retaking my seat beside Dennis.
“Wait a minute, let me get Helen.”Hedid an about-face and went upstairs to the guest room.
“We’re playing games?”Dennis took the first box from the table.
“It’sour othertradition,” Ari said. “We play games every year while the turkey roasts. Speaking of, I forgot to put the turkey in. I’ll be right back.”She hurried off to the kitchen.
“You guys,”I motioned for Dennis and Sean to come closer because I was whispering,“when we play games, do not get scared.”
“Why would we get scared?”Sean asked.
“Ari. She has a problem.”
“What kind of—”
“Kay, the turkey is in.”Ari’s voice preceded her as she came around the corner.“Is my dad back yet?”
“Right here.”Uncle Tom wasdescending the stairs, followed bya cheerfulAunt Helen.
“Good morning everyone.”Shesmiledaround the room.“Did Emy warn you yet?”
“Warn us about what?”Sean asked.
“Ari.”Uncle Tom laughed as Ari gave him a confused look.“She gets pretty competitive.”
“Pretty?”Aunt Helen raised her eyebrows as she sat in an armchair.“She gets completely out of control. It’s terrifying. Just wait. You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, binding her.”
“I’m not that bad.”Ari scoffed and crossed her arms.
Aunt Helen, Uncle Tom, and I all shot her the same droll look.
“This should be interesting.”Dennis smiled as we started setting up the first game.
“I’m really not that bad,”Ari lied, pushing her glasses up.“I’m just a little—”
“Evil?”
“Mean?”
