I’m terrified.
Beyondterrified. Living Nativity? At a middle school?
“The date is supposed to be with someone my age, Nonna! If she set me up with a middle schooler, that’s an automatic forfeit for her.”
Nonna is wiping down the counter on the other side of the kitchen. “Oh, I’m sure he’s old enough, Soph. Patrice understands the rules.”
Olivia disappeared inside the laundry room as soon as she finished reading Aunt Patrice’s note, and her squeals of laughter make me want to run and hide. Finally, she comes back to the kitchen carrying what looks like a wadded-up piece of fabric.
“Are you ready for this?” she asks.
“No.”
She holds the hanger up high, letting the fabric unfurl.
“What in the world is that?” Nonna asks as she moves closer to it.
“It’s a robe. I think Sophie is going to be a part of the Living Nativity,” she says, pointing to the note pinned to the top that says:Mary, mother of Jesus. “And it looks like she’s got a starring role!”
The sun is barely upwhen Olivia and I get to the shop. With only four more shopping days until Christmas, today is going to be a nightmare.
Since Olivia has worked here for a while, she handles helping customers looking for a last-minute gift while I’m stuck at the register. Nonna has put together quite a few gift baskets that include small potted flowers, plants or herbs, books on gardening, small tools like shears and spades, and other cute gardening things. She can’t make them fast enough.
During my midmorning break, I hide in the kitchen just to get away from all of the people. I kick back on the small couch that is older than me and text Margot.
ME:I’ve only got 10 mins before Nonna chains me back to the register at the shop so if you’re going to send me any gross pictures, do it now.
Margot sends me a close-up of her face. I haven’t seen her in a while and I’m surprised by how different she looks.
MARGOT:My face is swollen. Especially my nose. My nose is huge. Like, it’s the biggest nose I’ve ever seen
ME:You’re better than birth control. If there was even a chance I was going to be having sex anytime soon you’ve completely scared me off.
MARGOT:Good! Mom keeps saying I’ll forget how bad this part is but I’m telling you—I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS NOSE
ME:So what does your doctor say? Is this normal?
I’ve been trying to keep things light with Margot ever since she got put on bed rest, but I can’t stop the lick of fear that blindsides me every time she sends me a picture.
MARGOT:It’s not abnormal. And they’re watching me closely. I have another appointment this afternoon. Don’t worry about me. Worry about who Aunt Patrice is going to set you up with.
ME:Did you hear what I have to wear?????
MARGOT:Haha. Yes. Mom talked to Nonna this morning. I definitely need a picture of that. And the date. Instead of Mary they may have to call you Mrs. Robinson.
ME:Who’s Mrs. Robinson?
MARGOT:Ugh. Now I feel old. Google it.
ME:Ok whatever gotta get back to work. Text me after the doctor’s appt.
Charlie and Wes come into the kitchen carrying snacks and drinks to refill the old refrigerator. Nonna has them doing odd jobs—or as she likes to put it, “doing all the crap no one else wants to do.” Next on their agenda is changing lightbulbs and air filters, so I really can’t complain about being stuck behind the register.
“Are you researching hairstyles of the early Bethlehem period?” Charlie asks. I throw a magazine at him.
“You’re hilarious,” I say, and snag a Coke Zero from the box.
Wes tosses me a package of Nutter Butters, which happen to be my favorite cookie. “You know we’re going to have to be there when you get picked up for your hot date. There’s no way we’re missing this.”
