“No.” Rachel leans forward. “Around your neck.”
Abby’s hand covers the locket. “It was a gift.”
“From my grandmother.” The words bring the expected reaction from Rachel. I never knew a lower lip could stick out that much. “It’s a family heirloom.”
“Let me see,” Rachel demands.
Abby hasn’t let her hand drop. It’s as if she’s protecting the locket. “It’s late. I need to get Powerfluff so we can head home.”
I follow her, eager to escape the living room and avoid more of Rachel’s thinly veiled comments about the locket being some cheap trinket—a pity gift rather than an heirloom. Even Mrs. Sinclair joins in, and they’re loud enough that Abby can hear them.
The photos along the staircase wall stand out to me. They didn’t before, but now I can’t miss how, in each one, Rachel stands front and center, smiling broadly, while Abby is off to the side, her expression more subdued. It’s exactly how our time here has played out—Rachel, the shining star, and Abby, the shadow.
I hate it.
I hate them.
I need to protect Abby from them.
No, I need to get her away from them.
In Abby’s bedroom, or rather what used to be hers, Abby kneels to peer under the bed. “Come on out, Powerfluff. It’s time to go home, my sweet girl.”
A disgruntled meow sounds, and Powerfluff emerges, her green eyes flashing with irritation.
I laugh at the cat’s expression. “She does seem to share your feelings about this place.”
“Yep.” Abby scoops the cat up, holding her close, her fingers disappearing into the fluff of fur. “Let’s get out of here.”
We gather Abby’s things, which she packed up earlier. Each second here feels too long. As we head downstairs, Rachel intercepts us, a gaudy, rhinestone-encrusted photo frame in hand. The picture inside shows her and Jake, all smiles.
“Look what Jake gave me after you left.” Rachel shoves her gift in our faces. “Isn’t it perfect? I still can’t believe I’m engaged.”
I wrap my arm around Abby’s waist, leaning in just enough to add warmth to my voice. “It’s…sparkly. Congratulations again.”
Rachel beams, clearly pleased with the attention. “Oh, Abby, if you don’t want to be my maid of honor, you can be one of my bridesmaids. I mean, you’re my sister, so I kind of have to ask, and you need to say yes.”
Abby tenses under my arm. The backhanded nature of the invitation makes my blood boil, but Abby just forces a smile. “We can talk about it after the holidays.”
“Great,” Rachel chirps, not reading the room at all. That seems typical of her. “I’m not sure what kind of dresses the bridal party will wear, but nothing too amazing. We wouldn’t want you to outshine the bride.” She laughs like it’s a joke, but I see Abby’s jaw tighten.
I’m about to say something—something that would probably make this awkward situation ten times worse—but Abby’s mother bustles in with a platter of cookies. “You can’t leave yet. I just put out snacks.”
The pies and cakes last night were homemade, but these cookies are store-bought, their edges too uniform and nothing like the homemade warmth we had at my grandparents’ house. “We’re still stuffed from dinner, but thank you.”
Abby’s mother shakes her head and shoves a plastic container into my hands. The contents slosh inside. “Take some leftovers, then. Rachel made the most wonderful casserole. John, you simply must try it!”
I force a smile when all I want to do is grimace. “Thanks, Mrs. Sinclair. That’s generous of you.”
Eddy is still asleep in his recliner, his Santa hat now covering half of his face. Abby takes the lead, and I follow, thankful when we reach the front door. The only one who seems genuinely sad to see us go is Abby’s mother, and even that feels more like obligation than true affection.
If I have my way, this will be the last Christmas Abby spends here unless something changes with her family.
* * *
The car ride back to Abby’s apartment is quiet. She’s fallen asleep, and I don’t want to bother her. I want to shushPowerfluff’s occasional meows from the back seat, but Abby sleeps through them. I keep glancing at her, worried that the past two days might’ve been too much for her. All I want to do is love and protect her.
We pull up to her building, and I see that the electricity is on. Good thing, or she’d be spending tonight at my place.
