“Our Christmas tree farmer, Tyrone Nicholas. He didn’t grow up with us, but you probably know him through Jeff—”
Did I? Tyrone had known who I was.
“Anyway, he’s basically perfect. Tom and Melinda have relied on him almost one hundred percent, and he does school tours at the farm for free.”
That sounded about right. How many men would stop and help a girl reload a coffin into her hearse, no questions asked?
Outside, Jessica jangled her keys and clicked a remote at an SUV. The other women followed suit.
“We only have a couple of hours to set up. The ball isn’t for a while, but tonight was the only night I could get everyone together. Holiday schedules, you know.” She shook her head as if I too had in-laws and a bevy of community events to attend. “You parked out front, too? You can follow me.”
I gestured toward the hearse with a smile.
“Whoa, that’s your car?” Stephanie asked, eyes wide.
“Yep,” I said, pulling open the door. “If you need me to haul anything, say the word.”
We entered the gym through some sort of loading dock entrance. With a heavy click, the lights came on all at once, illuminating the space. Our shoes squeaked on the gym floor as we filed in. Well, not mine. No one else had worn heels for holiday decorating.
Wide-eyed, I took in the high school Americana. A cartoon heart reminiscent of the Kool-Aid man was the school mascot.Go, hearts! Love conquers all! was painted across the side of the gym in italics, punctuated by a picture of the mascot wielding a sword.
“You remember our old cheers?” Jessica asked. Without waiting for an answer, she launched into some sort of high-energy chanting.
“Hearts, hearts, you can’t defeat!” Jessica cheered.
“OMG, yes!” Stephanie joined in. “Ready steady, we got the beat!”
Then all together, they chanted, “Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom. GOOOOOO, HEARTS!”
“Gooooo, Hearts,” I echoed a beat too late with a weak fist pump.
Claire flipped her hair and shot me a look. “Tiffany,” she said, “how could you forget that?”
I went full deer in the headlights, waiting for the truth to broadside me.
“Tiffany, are you okay?”
As they staredMean Girlsstyle at me, my cheer echoed off the cavernous walls.
Maybe I would sign up for that making-friends tutorial with Dr. Rosetti after all.
“So, decorating,” I said. “I can’t stay all night. I’ve got a lot of holiday baking to do, so many sugar cookies to take to the nursing home and all of that.”
“Aww, that’s so nice of you.”
“Well, you know me,” I said. “I still love feeding old people.” Was I laying it on too thick? Maybe.
“Oh, Tiff, you are such a cutup.” Claire laughed, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. I’d never been to high school, but maybe I hadn’t missed out.Mean Girlswas feeling more and more like a real-life documentary.
Jessica checked a clipboard she produced from her tote. “Okay, tonight I want us to focus on decorating all the trees.”
Soon, we were busy bringing nonspecific holiday cheer to the gym. I dragged out several tubs of décor and got to work. While I strung lights and arranged pumpkins, I popped in an AirPod and hitPlayon Heaven’s TikTok sermon of the day. She had been by herself since I’d gone out, her first night alone as a vampire.
“Greatest of grand risings to my peoples.” Heaven’s voice chirped in my ear. “Today, and every day, I want to wish all of you and myself a happy birthday.”
Was it Heaven’s birthday?
As if she’d heard me, she said, “Every day is a birthday. Each morning, we get to wake up and decide who we want to be. It’s not your boss’s choice, your mama’s choice, or your weird neighbor’s choice.”
