Page 47 of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
“Oh yeah?”
“It’s this great resort on St. Thomas. All sorts of eighties music references. And the food…I’ve probably gained ten pounds in the two days I’ve been here.”
Twodays. I swallow painfully at the reminder. It stings, even though it has nothing to do with my situation.
“So you’re there for Christmas?”
“And New Year’s. Who knows, I may stay down here a while. I’m tired of cold weather.”
“But what about your digs? Your friends? Your students?”
“My house isn’t for sale yet, lilac tree. I’m only thinking about it. Have to wait for the snow to melt for my next dig anyway. Not like all of this is happening tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“You can visit me here, same as you could in Montana. Maybe more often since the weather is nicer.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Something the matter?”
“No.”
“Are you hiding from your parents’ latest choice of suitor?”
I shudder at the image of yet another corporate yuppie they probably had lined up to introduce me to at their holiday party.
“I didn’t go. Mom called when I didn’t show up at the appointed time. She wants to know why I can’t be more like Lara and Leighton.”
“Because you’re not a Stepford clone.”
I giggle. “Neither are you.”
“No, neither of us is interested in pearls and peonies.”
“How did we end up so different?”
“I’d like to say I know, lilac tree. But the truth is, I’ve been asking myself that question since your mom and I were kids.”
“Figured out any answers?”
“Not really. But I’ve realized that just because they’re family doesn’t mean they understand us. Friends though. Friends are the family we choose.”
The guys are my family. Milo. Finn. Chris.
Evan.
The lump in my throat is back. The one I’ve refused to acknowledge before now.
“Doing something with the guys for the holiday?” she asks.
“Nah. Just watching Hollie Berry movies.”
“Hollie Berry, huh? She’s been all over the gossip magazines recently, hasn’t she? Something about claiming her coal?”
“Yeah. Being independent. Her own woman. Not taking shit from anyone.”
“Sounds like my kind of girl. Reminds me of you.”
