She chuckles under her breath. “I’m sure it’s fine. Right?” She begins to doubt.
“Tyler,” my aunt sing-songs my name.
I grumble to myself and indicate with my head for Lainey to follow me. When we reach the living room, it seems that Enzo has already introduced himself because this kid has confidence and is always fearless, which he could have only gotten from his mom.
“What a little gentleman you have,” my mom compliments Lainey.
“Good to see you both again. Merry Christmas,” Lainey gives a little wave to my dad, “and Happy Hanukkah,” she greets my aunt and uncle.
“I’m Harper, and this is Max,” my aunt introduces herself.
“We ate ham for brunch, but my mom said I wasn’tsupposed to say that,” Enzo almost proudly says before running to the table where he must spot the sufganiyot donuts that my mom brought from a special bakery in Chicago.
Lines of awkwardness form on Lainey’s face. “Sorry about that.”
My dad waves her off. “It’s fine. I snuck a piece of bacon this morning that Tyler forgot to pack in your bag. Besides, it’s also Christmas and not your dietary requirements.”
“I’m vegetarian. One with the animals, you know. Tyler tells me that you are a teacher. So am I.” My aunt is already scooting down the couch and patting the spot next to her, indicating that Lainey has no choice but to join her for a chat.
Lainey happily joins her.
Maybe this will all be alright. Everyone returns to their conversations, and I walk to Enzo who is indeed eyeing the donuts. “See something you like?”
“Yes. Are these the ones with jam in the middle?” he asks as if he is an expert.
“Yep. My weakness, I could eat about five,” I admit. When the dough is fluffy enough and the jam proportion is generous and the powdered sugar soft, I’m a goner. Thank goodness for cheat days.
My mother touches my shoulder as she joins me and looks down at Enzo. “Grab a plate for him.” She gives Enzo a big smile.
“Don’t worry. That was already in the plan.”
She rubs my back. “You know, your mood changed the moment they arrived.”
“Enlighten me how.”
“I’ve never seen you this way. That’s a good thing.”
Andshe’s right.
Lainey enduredmy aunt babbling her ear off for a solid half-hour. Enzo stuffed his face with latkes and donuts, and I’m positive he will have a stomach ache later. He seemed fascinated when my aunt lit the fourth candle. With the excitement of Lainey’s arrival and the traditions out of the way, we are all enjoying a drink in my living room.
I love Matchbox IPAs, and I was lucky that my uncle Max brought me a case of their new blend. Sitting on the arm of the sofa, Lainey is next to me and sipping on her wine.
“In all honesty, your son was my worst nightmare as a neighbor,” Lainey explains when my dad asks a question about first impressions.
My dad takes a sip of his scotch. “I couldn’t stand Layla when I first met her, either. Plus, her brother was going to kill me anyhow.”
“I’m sure Seb won’t kill Tyler.” She eases his worries with a smile.
My mother lifts her nose as though she just connected a dot. “Why would Seb want to kill my son?” She’s onto us.
Lainey’s mouth opens and a scratched sound leaves her throat. “Oh, I mean, on the ice, of course. They don’t play on the same team anymore.”
“Yeah, those hockey guys are a completely different species when they are on the ice,” my dad comments, oblivious.
“To be honest, I was kind of surprised by the sparkle on the front door. I didn’t take my nephew for a guy who enjoys garland,” my uncle adds his thoughts.
Lainey stifles a laugh. “That’s because I did it to annoy him.”
