“You too!”
I wanted to spend the morning prepping for the event, getting my gear ready, doing my hair, and enjoying the atmosphere. In the days before Christmas, the joy was infectious. Music was everywhere, people smiled even more. My dad hummed “Frosty the Snowman” as easily as he breathed, and I swore the air smelled different. As if so many residents baked cookies at the same time that the atmosphere changed.
Ignoring the twist in my gut, I tried eating a few snacks and… nope. Wouldn’t stay down. Tried a soda. That wouldn’t either.
After a quick scan online, I learned that morning sickness was totally normal. I would keep going and try eating later, as a website had suggested.
Morning shifted to afternoon, then to the evening, and it was showtime.
“Laney, Laney, can you cover the Christmas movie night in the park?”
I waved and nodded to Becky, the event organizer. The wind had let up for the event, and kids’ laughter, music, and cheers echoed across our town center. There was a live nativity scene near the church, carriage rides near the bank, and then a holiday movie projected on a screen at the baseball field.A Charlie Brown Christmaswas playing. It truly was an incredible night filled with joy.
I captured the way the streets were lined with lights andornaments, the way wreaths hung on every door, and if there was space, a tree was put up. The green and red lights lit up the night sky.
“Hi, Laney!”
“Hi, Laney-girl!”
I smiled as neighbors greeted me. Travis and Tessa had volunteered to bartend at the end of the road, and they yelled my name as I approached. The baseball park was to the right of them, where pallets held fuzzy blankets that could be rented.
“Hey, you two.”
“Look at you with that camera.” Travis winked. “Want a drink to go?”
“No, I’m alright.” I held up the device, hiding my wince as another bout of vertigo hit me. It could be stress. Connor met with his dad an hour ago, and the board meeting had started. I hadn’t heard from him since.
I didn’t expect to. Well, maybe a text update or something, but my damn stomach was a mess. Between the nerves and the baby, I wanted to curl up in warm pajamas and sleep.
“This place is still the same.” Tessa’s voice was filled with pride. “We’ve grown as a town, but the stores still go all out. The owners’ association has less drama now that Kelly moved out of town.”
I snorted at their banter and snapped a few photos of them. The tilting of a glass, the light reflecting off Tessa’s eyes as she smiled. Travis standing with pride, a towel hanging on his shoulder as he stared at our town. Grinning, I showed them the shot.
“This is a good one.”
“I look hot.” Travis winked, and I rolled my eyes.
“You are also still the same,” I teased. I left them at the bar and was immediately hugged by my mom’s best friends. They smelled like vanilla and vodka, still, which was why I called them the ViVs. They thought it was hilarious.
A deep longing rooted in my chest as I talked to everyone and took pictures of them. I loved knowing the town’s history and people. I loved how they knew me, and despite not being here for ten years, they embraced me like I had never left. Sneaking out my phone, I sent a picture to Sophia, and then Connor.
“You look happy.”
Matt leaned against the fence, his cheeks pink and his smile wide. He wore a ridiculous hat shaped like the Grinch. I joined him, snapping a few shots of the kids cuddling before the movie started. There was a family in matching jammies that were adorable.
“I could say the same about you.”
“I’m always happy.” He rolled his eyes. “You know this. It was my hippie mom and lunatic father. Every day we choose to be happy. Some might say it’s a curse.”
“They are wrong. Never change.” I reached out for a streetlight as another wave of vertigo hit me. I wish I could’ve taken some meds, but that meant keeping liquids down, and I couldn’t. I swayed a little but righted myself before anyone noticed.
“This place is still amazing.”
“It really is. My niece is out there right now. She’s the five-year-old going on thirteen.” He leaned closer to me and pointed.
“How cute,” I said, not caring that half my body pressed against his.
“Whoa, Laney, are you alright?”
