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“I’m awake,” I say, still battling my inner Scrooge. “But not that awake.”
The car is almost packed, and I can tell Hideo is itching to get on the road. He’s in full organizer mode, making sure we’re on schedule, but I need to make a call first.
“Hi, Dad. Happy holidays!”
“Orion! It’s so good to hear your voice. Happy holidays! Hold on a second, and I’ll put you on speaker. Honey, Orion is on the phone!”
My mom says, “Happy holidays, dear. Are you ready for your big trip?”
“We’re leaving in a few minutes.”
Hideo bustles over and asks, “Hey love, where is Jake’s bag?”
“Already in the car,” I say, “and his presents.”
“Thanks,” he says, completely distracted but taking a moment to shout to the phone, “Happy holidays, Carol and Ted!”
“Send him our love,” my mom insists.
“Will do, but he’s already back to packing now. I’ll tell him when we’re in the car.”
“I bet you guys are excited to get to the mountains!” My dad has a wistful tinge in his voice. They don’t get much snow in Texas. “It will be fun to have a white Christmas.”
“That’s what we’re hoping, if the weather forecast is right.” Hideo is simply beside himself, excited about a holiday in the snow. I am too, since it will be the first time I’ve ever been in snow. It’s Jake’s first time too, but that’s a hurdle to jump when we get to it.
Hideo flashes me his we-need-to-get-moving look, so I coax the conversation on. Bertie will want details. “Has sis arrived?”
My mom answers, “Yesterday, with the whole crew, and I’ve already started cooking for our big dinner. By the way, tell Bertie thanks for that pie recipe. I made one yesterday and it looks delicious.”
“I’ll let him know…or maybe you can. Here he comes.”
Bertie gestures his hand at me, asking for the phone.
“Hi Carol, Ted. How are the holidays treating you? Ha, I can only imagine. All those mouths to feed. Orion is making your pork roast too—we all can’t wait. Did you try the scones in the new Bon Appétit? You added maple…and what? You didn’t! You’re so daring. Sounds delicious…and now that you mention it, I’ll have to make some for your son…that’s something he would love. You don’t say? I didn’t know that about him. Ha! No way! That’s hilarious. He still does that, you know.”
“Give me that phone!” I demand.
“Gotta run,” he continues as I try to snatch the phone away. “This car isn’t going to pack itself. Wishing you a joyous celebration. And send me your recipe for those scones!”
“What have you been telling him?” I ask once I have my phone back.
“Never you mind,” my mom says, laughing. “Everyone is asking when we’re going to meet these mysterious partners of yours.”
We’ve been talking about this quite a lot. Hideo and Bertie are keen to have a family get-together, or rather, get-togethers, since we have three families to consider now. “Glad you asked. We were thinking about coming out for Dad’s birthday.”
“Wonderful! You know you and your friends are always welcome, and Jake too, if he’s up for the trip.”
I give them the bad news. “Yeah. Jake is an issue with the trip, and it would only be for a day or two, since we all have work.”
“You know, dear, your father and I have been wanting to take a trip to the west coast. Maybe we could come out there.”
I try to picture this—picking them up at the airport, bringing them home, making dinner together, visiting the beach—and for the first time in my life, it feels right.
“That sounds great, Mom. I’ll mention it to Bertie and Hideo, and we can start the ball rolling.”
Hideo stalks over and says, “It’s time to go. We don’t want to be late. Have we forgotten anything?”
My mom hears this and says, “Sounds like I need to let you go, dearest. We love you and wish you all a happy celebration. Safe travels!”
