“You didn’t buy your girlfriend a gift?” my father asked. “Even your brothers got her gifts!”
Vivianne took my hand in hers. “We made a pact not to get each other gifts, and the things I got him were just small things. My gift from Ladd was getting to spend the holidays with his family.”
My father rolled his eyes. “The boy should have gotten you a gift.”
“Now, Gus,” Mom started as Jason stood.
“I think I’ll go see if there’s any more apple pie,” he said, retreating hastily.
“I’ll join you,” Mike said, followed by David.
“Ladd. Tell me you’re joking,” my father pleaded.
I had to give it to my father; he certainly could put on a show. I had an odd thought. Did he ever act in any plays before? He was damn good at it. My mother, on the other hand, was on the verge of laughing. She had to turn away.
Luckily, my grandmother stepped in. “Gus, why are you making such a big deal about this? They agreed not to get each other gifts.”
Which, in all honesty, we had.
“She gothimgifts, Mother. Did you not see him open them?”
Vivianne pressed her lips together and tugged on my arm, whispering, “Do something, Ladd.”
“Dad, Idohave a gift.”
All eyes turned to me. All of them but Vivianne looking horrified. This wasn’t part of the plan.
“I left it back at school, though.”
My mother, father, and grandmother all breathed a sigh of relief.
“Honestly, it’s okay,” Vivianne started to say. “It’s more about family and spending time together at the holidays.”
My father nodded. “That’s true. I…I lost my head there for a moment.”
My mouth fell open. “You lost your head?” I asked slowly.
Mike rushed into the room. “Apple pie was perfect, Mom. It’s good to go! I mean, it was good. We’re all good. It’s all, um…oh!” he said, as he snapped his fingers. “The kitchen is clean! I repeat,the kitchen…is clean.” Then he looked at me and gave me a thumbs-up.
Closing my eyes, I let out a low groan.
When I opened them, my mother was ushering Mike out of the room while my grandmother held up the camcorder. “Well,” she said. “I think I got some good footage. Would anyone like to go into your father’s office and watch it with me?”
“I would!” Dad exclaimed, his acting skills suddenly tanking.
Vivianne cleared her throat and whispered, “What is happening?”
“I’m not sure. But I think I need to step outside and get some fresh air. Do you want to come? We’ll only be a second, so you don’t need your coat.”
My mother and father both moved at once and ran into each other. I grabbed Vivianne’s hand and pulled her out of the room and toward the back porch.
“The kitchen is clean!” Jason shouted.
“We heard! Thank you!” I called out.
“Didn’t we clean it before we opened gifts?” Vivianne asked as she looked behind her at what I could only imagine was my crazy family, running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
“Ignore my entire family, Viv. They’ve all lost their damn minds.”
