“Can we order in and watch cheesy Christmas movies?” The way she didn’t hesitate before answering makes me think she’s been cooking up this plan and was waiting for the opportunity to suggest it.
“That sounds perfect.”
We spend the next few hours eating—first pizza, then some of the snacks from Spencer’s gift basket, then popcorn—and watching movies. The living room is dark except for the lights from the Christmas tree and the strings of white lights around the room. It’s cozy and homey, and it fills me with a bittersweet feeling I try to ignore.
At the end of the second movie, Jordy flops back on the couch with a gusty sigh.
“What’s up?” I ask.
She keeps her eyes on the TV screen, where she’s scrolling through movie selections. “I was just thinking…I’m so glad I get to spend the holidays with my brother. It’ll be our first Christmas together in years. He told me not to expect too much because his bosses will be away for a few days, but he promised to find a way to make it special for the two of us.”
“I’m sure just being together will make whatever you do feel special.”
“Yeah, that’s what I told him.”
I wait, sensing there’s more she wants to say.
“I feel super guilty for saying this, but I’m disappointed I won’t get to spend Christmas here with you. When you told me about the dinner Evie’s mom has, I pictured being invited and getting to have my first ever big Christmas, you know? The kind they have in these movies, with a houseful of people, a ton of food, and Christmas decorations everywhere.”
Sadness washes over me. I understand the battle between guilt and gratitude; the mix of sensations became familiar when I was her age. I had planned to ask Evie’s parents if Jordy could come to dinner, knowing they wouldn’t hesitate to welcome her with open arms. I don’t want to tell her I’m disappointed too because she’s already ‘in her feels’ as Stella would say, and I can’t add to that. But…
“Do you think I’m a terrible person?” she asks. “That I should just be grateful for what I have and stop complaining?”
“No!” I shift to face her, taking her free hand in mine. “No, never. I actually just experienced one of those lightbulb moments and was trying to figure out if what I’m thinking could work on such short notice.”
“What were you thinking?” Her tone is wary, but her eyes are bright with curiosity.
“What if we have a big Christmas dinner here before you go? I could invite my friends and we could cook a feast.”
Jordy shrinks into the couch. That’s definitely not the reaction I was expecting or hoping for. “You don’t have to do that,” she mumbles. “We’d have to do it tomorrow and that’s way too soon.”
“I think we could pull it off, but only if you want to. It’s completely up to you.Butif you’re worried about it being too soon or too much work, it would be dual wish fulfillment: you getting the big Christmas you’ve always dreamed of and me getting to host a holiday dinner here. I’ve never had the confidence to do it all on my own.”
Jordy stares straight ahead at the TV. I follow her gaze to see the screen frozen on a promo still for another holiday movie. An eclectic group of paper-crown-wearing people sit around a table laden with food. Some of them are laughing, others are sharing an intimate moment, while a few of them look frazzled.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt to make a few calls,” she says slowly, her eyes still glued to the television. “See if your friends are even available on such short notice, especially on a weekday. And we’d have to go shopping really early tomorrow morning to get everything we’d need…”
I suddenly realize I’ve been holding my breath in anticipation while she speaks. I let it out on a breathless laugh. “I’ll call Louisa and recruit her help with calling the others.” At Jordy’s nod, I hop up from the couch and grab my phone.
Over the next hour, Jordy watches me pace around the living room, making calls and sending texts. When I finally collapse on the couch beside her, her wariness has been replaced by excitement.
“It’s a go?” she asks.
“It’s a go. Evie is going to pick up a turkey, Stella offered to get desserts from Cravings, Louisa’s going to make her grandmother’s traditional Christmas pudding, and the guys are going to bring drinks and snacks, while we handle the rest.”
Jordy claps her hands and bounces in place, rocking me until I tumble against her. We share an awkward, giggly hug. Her reaction is worth all the work tomorrow is going to be.
“Unless I missed something in your flurry of calls and texts, it seems like you didn’t invite Spencer,” Jordy says.
“Right, Spencer…” I’ve barely spoken to him this week. He finally replied to my text on Saturday and said he was glad I liked the British treats. He didn’t acknowledge the second part of my text where I asked if we could see each other before he leaves for London. “He’s got a lot going on right now and he’s leaving soon too.”
Jordy makes a non-committal sound. “Couldn’t hurt to invite him, could it?” When I only tilt my head back and forth, she turns to face me fully. “Hollie. You’ve been such a great friend to me and you’ve helped me in countless ways, so I’m going to do the same for you now.”
“Why do I feel like you’re able to impart some wisdom that’s beyond your years?”
“Because that’s exactly what’s about to happen. Buckle up.”
Swallowing a laugh, I shift to mirror her position so we’re face to face. I make a show of shaking out my arms and stretching my neck, which makes her roll her eyes and scoff playfully. “I’m ready.”
