Sometimes you don’t realize how great you have it with your parents until you recognize it in the small moments, the little things. Like a chocolate mint brownie.
“Might want to wait for those to cool down. And, now that I think of it, might not pair well with sangria.”
“I’m willing to take that risk,” I say, breaking off the corner of one. Realizing that they are indeed hot, I bounce the pieceback and forth between my hands before popping it into my mouth. Tastes like Christmas.
“I actually have chatted with Niall quite a bit. I wanted to get to know the man that my son was spending all his time with while in Dublin. I’d often check-in with him if I hadn’t heard from you for a bit, just to make sure you were doing okay. Call it a mother’s guilt. But he also let me know when you were coming home.”
It dawns on me now that Mom knew I was going to be home for Christmas, but never told her what time or even what day. And she somehow was waiting on my front stoop when I got home.
Mom puts her hand on mine. “He didn’t go into any details of what went on between the two of you. Just sent me a text letting me know your flight details and I was able to piece together the rest.”
“Just to be clear, I’m not bothered by you and him becoming close. I actually like it, given how much I know you weren’t the biggest fan of Alex—”
“Twatwaffle,” Mom says, getting up from the couch.
“Yes, he’s indeed a twatwaffle. Just not thrilled about the possibility of meeting another Alex, now that I’ll be back in the dating pool.” Honestly, the thought of it is exhausting.
“I wouldn’t give up on Niall just yet. He might need time.”
“And, what then? He’s over in Dublin and my life is here. I’ve got the one-year program at Trinity and then I’ll be back at CCSU. He owns a book pub and now’s parenting a ten-year-old. It’s not like he’s going to uproot his and Hughie’s entire life and move here. Honestly, who would want to? Dublin is amazing.”
Really though, what was I thinking getting involved with Niall? I was supposed to have a quick fling or two while in Dublin, putting Alex in the rear view, and then look for something more meaningful when I returned back to life here inWethersfield. Why did I have to fuck that up so royally by falling head over heels in love with the one friend I had in Ireland?
Shit. That’s what it is, isn’t it? And that’s what the real problem is. I love Niall, never had the opportunity to say it and that it’s likely too late to now.
“Just give it time, and you’ll figure it out.” Mom gets up, grabbing her moose mug. “If it’s meant to be you’ll figure things out. Now, while I did have some heads up about your arrival, I’m in no way ready to host Christmas Eve dinner here tomorrow. So, I need to head out to the store before the real crazies realize they’re out of shopping time.”
“And who are you inviting to said Christmas Eve dinner at my condo?”
She smiles, grabbing her purse from the side table. “I stopped in to see Sydney earlier this week and she told me her plans included a ham grinder from D&D and some cheese and crackers. So obviously she’s now coming here. And, if it’s alright, I also invited Charlie. He was going to be alone and it’s our first Christmas together.”
“I think that sounds nice.” And it does. I think having Sydney and Charlie here will be a nice distraction.
“But I’m off. I need to hit up Aldi and D&D, and possibly swing by Walmart. Think about what you want to order for dinner, and also what movies we’ll be watching for our Christmas movie marathon.”
And, with that, Mom is out the door and I am left alone in the condo.
Mom’s Christmas Brownies
Author: Felicia Pierce
Servings: 12 Brownies
The ultimate Christmas brownie.
Ingredients
½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
