“That’s how many veterinarians are practicing in Boston.”
“Did you look that up?” I wondered.
“I had no choice,” she said, then bulldozed ahead. “Because I’m tired of hearing theI’m too busyfor Christmas line I’ve been hearing for years now. There are plenty of other veterinarians in that city for you to come home for one Christmas.”
“But the animal hospital?—”
“Will be fine without you for two weeks. You’ve been filling in for all of them for years. It’s time they filled in for you.”
Before I could even come up with an excuse, she spoke again.
“Please, Toby. If you won’t do it for youronlymother…”
I rolled my eyes.
“Then do it for your father. He’s tired and needs help at the clinic. Boston has five hundred veterinarians, but Winterbury only has one.”
“Is he sick?” I worried.
“No. Nothing like that. I’d just like for him to slow down a little, is all. And I want to see my son.”
Digging my toe into the carpet, I looked up at the ceiling. “Let me see if I can get the time off.”
Her voice brightened instantly “Really?”
“Yes, I’ll talk to everyone at work tomorrow and see what I can do.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m so excited! I’ll need to make a list,” she said in frenzy. Then, “George! I’ll need you to get down all the decorations from the attic!”
“Mom.” I interrupted her planning. “I can’t promise I’ll get the time off.”
“Oh, posh,” she said, the words like the wind and blowing mine away. “I know you will. You haven’t been home for Christmas in so long.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” I murmured, knowing that was a lie.
“Oh?” She challenged. “When was the last time?”
“I come home,” I said, avoiding the answer.
“Yes.” She agreed. “But never at Christmas.”
That’s because Christmas in Winterbury wasn’t just about family. It was about the entire town.
And frankly, I’d rather slip in dog pee every day for a year than spend Christmas with some of the people there. Well, okay. Person. It was just one person.
But that was enough.
“Okay, honey, I’ve got to go,” she said, the energy palpable in her voice. “I have to make a list. And, oh! I need to order the pajamas.”
I groaned out loud. “No. No pajamas.”
“But why, Toby? It’s tradition.”
“I’m a grown man. I’m not wearing matching pajamas with my parents, for crying out loud.”
“Do it for Teacup,” she implored.
“Your chihuahua doesn’t want to wear matching pajamas either.”
