Read Online Celebration by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page A

don’t want to hear it.”
    Tears blurred her vision as Kristine made her way to the second floor. She was losing control, if she ever had any control to lose. It was all getting away from her, and there was nothing she could do about it.
    She sat down on the bed and cried.
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    â€œMom, it’s nine o’clock. If we don’t eat now, everything is going to be dried out,” Cala said. She struggled for a light tone. “The table looks so ... festive, but the candles are at the halfway mark. I think we should eat now. I wish I knew why we’re having lasagna for Christmas Eve. We always have turkey, ham, and plum pudding.”
    â€œI ... I know. Your father requested lasagna and a chocolate cake. He said he wanted it to be waiting when he walked through the door. I thought ... you’re right, we should eat. There’s some extra sauce in case it dried out too much. Is the salad wilted?”
    â€œIt’s okay, Mom. Who says grace?”
    As Tyler said grace, Kristine stared at the four-layer chocolate cake she’d made from scratch. It looked like a giant evil eye sitting in the center of the table. She wished she had the guts to throw it at the kitchen wall. Where did one get guts like that?
    Logan wasn’t coming home. Not tonight, not tomorrow, or the day after. She knew that now. Hot tears pricked her lids as she glanced around at the pitying looks on her children’s faces. “Listen. I was never overly fond of lasagna. I say we toss it and throw out that cake for the birds. We have some hot dogs in the freezer, and I can make up some french fries in a few minutes. I made a Jell-O mold yesterday we didn’t eat. Everyone in favor say aye. ”
    â€œAye,” the three Kelly children said in unison.
    â€œThen let’s do it!”
    If it wasn’t the happiest Christmas Eve dinner ever, it was the next happiest. At least that’s what her children said over and over.
    Kristine was on her fourth glass of wine when they ushered her into the living room. “We’ll clean up out here, Mom. I’ll bring in the eggnog when we’re done. We’ll sing some carols and make our wish on the North Star. And then we’ll open our presents. You guys are just gonna love what I got you.”
    Kristine nodded as she reached for the half gallon wine bottle to take with her into the living room. She smiled. They’d tried so hard for her sake. They’d gotten dressed in their best. Cala had spent hours on her makeup and Mike and Tyler had moussed their unruly curls. It was their jackets and ties that made her realize how hard they were trying.
    She herself had spent hours on her makeup, hoping to cover the circles under her eyes. Her hair was lusterless and looked dry and stiff. Frustrated with her looks, she’d pulled it back into a tight bun. Until this evening she really hadn’t paid much attention to her weight loss. When she saw how her burgundy-velvet dress just hung on her lanky frame, she’d tied a sash around the A-line dress. Logan would not approve of her looks.
    She knew they were standing in the doorway. She could hear them whispering.
    â€œShe looks tired,” Tyler said.
    â€œWrong word, little brother. She looks haggard. ”
    â€œI think we all know he isn’t coming back now or ever,” Mike hissed. “Why in the hell are we pretending and tiptoeing around it?”
    â€œTo make it easier for her. He was her world. That world is falling down around her. Look at her, for God’s sake,” Cala said. “Do you have any idea how much pleasure I got throwing out that damn chocolate cake into the snow? Well, do you?”
    â€œAbout as much pleasure as I got tossing the lasagna,” Mike said.
    â€œWhat should we do?” Tyler asked fretfully.
    â€œI have no clue. What do other people do when their families fall apart?” Cala asked.
    â€œI can hear you,” Kristine said.