“Next year, you’ll be spending it with the shirtless almond grower,” he says a little wistfully.
“I don’t think so, Dad. I really messed things up.”
***
The Nightmare Before Christmas Birthday Party goesoff without a hitch. My contribution—Liam’s pumpkin muffins—is a huge hit. I wear black lipstick and dye my hair green. I sent a pic to Liam, and he takes three hours to respond. I wonder if his mom and sister have arrived. Maybe they have bad reception at Tahoe.
Lettie
Are you at Tahoe yet?
Liam
Nope, not yet.
While I’m trying not to get scared by one of Gretta’s horror flicks. I send Liam a picture of the haunted gingerbread house my mom made at the party.
Liam
Sweet!
Will the gingerbread house get packed up with all the Halloween decor?
Lettie
We plan to scrape all the Halloween off tomorrow
Liam
So tomorrow’s the day you decorate for Christmas?
Lettie
You remembered
Liam
Of course!
Lettie
Yep, tomorrow we get the tree and decorate the house and play Christmas music all day??
And it looks like it might snow.
Liam
So it will be the perfect Christmas
Lettie
Not quite
Liam
Why not?
Lettie
