you.”
She dropped a plate filled with eggs, bacon and potatoes in front of me. “Don’t be silly. You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“It’s just that we don’t always do presents.” In the past the most I could hope for was a few stocking stuffers and a twenty dollar bill.
She clamped a hand down on my shoulder. “I said it was fine, Kenzie. Eat up.”
Who was this woman and what had she done with my mom?
“I told you I would make things up to you, Kenzie. So let me do that.” She sat in the chair across from me with her own plate of food.
My heart stirred. I lifted my fork and took a bite. It was actually edible. For some reason that alone gave me hope.
After breakfast I opened the gifts from Mom which consisted of some earrings, a lip gloss and a gift card to Target so I could pick out my own clothes. The last gift was a new Bible with my name engraved on it. I knew I would cherish that one the most. Not just because it was something of value but because I knew it was a symbol. A token from Mom to tell me things would be different from now on.
In the afternoon, as I sprawled on the couch and watched Elf, my cell trilled. I stumbled from the couch and retrieved it out of my purse. When I read the caller ID, my pulse quickened.
With sweaty, shaking fingers, I pressed the talk button.
“Merry Christmas.” His voice was crisp and smooth and melted my heart.
“Merry Christmas to you too, Isaac.” I rolled his name around in my mouth. It tasted sweet and good.
“I was…um…just thinking about you. So, I decided to call.”
Happiness shot through me. He was thinking about me! I forced my voice to sound calm. “I’m glad you did.”
“How is your day going? I know holidays aren’t always that festive at your house.”
I knew then that he called out of concern and pity. But still, it was something. “Actually, it’s been surprisingly good. Mom went to church with me last night.”
“Really? Kenz, that’s awesome.”
I loved the way he called me Kenz. No one else did that.
“I know. I could hardly believe it myself. What about you? I bet Christmases are amazing with your family.” Once upon a time I thought that I would be a part of the Giovanni clan one day, but now that seemed out of reach.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” There was something underneath his words. Something he wasn’t saying. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your mom. I just wanted to say hi.”
I had to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from begging him to stay on the phone. I would have given anything to keep talking, to plead for him to take me back. But I knew it was too soon. I still hadn’t done what he’d asked. My feelings remained conflicted. So, I said goodbye and hung up.
A couple of hours later Grandma called. She told me all about her day with her sister and we made promises to spend next Christmas together. Haley sent me a text in the evening with a list of all the fabulous presents from her parents. They always went overboard. It was a regular spending spree at her house.
Carol stopped by with scented lotions for Mom and me. She also brought dinner for us. It was Indian take-out since that was all that was open, but I loved Indian food so it was great.
As I slipped into bed late that I night, I realized my day would have been perfect, except for one thing.
Tanner had never called.
I always hated going back to school after Christmas break. Kids were always bragging about the fun time they’d had over vacation and all the presents they got on Christmas Day. As a child I would make things up. Like I would tell them I went to the snow with Mom and we sledded and built snowmen. The reality was that I’d never done that, but I’d watched enough movies to make it sound believable. I would also lie about the presents I received. Even the years that I got nothing, I would make up a list a mile long and always out-do other students’ gifts.
The only person that ever knew I was lying
She dropped a plate filled with eggs, bacon and potatoes in front of me. “Don’t be silly. You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“It’s just that we don’t always do presents.” In the past the most I could hope for was a few stocking stuffers and a twenty dollar bill.
She clamped a hand down on my shoulder. “I said it was fine, Kenzie. Eat up.”
Who was this woman and what had she done with my mom?
“I told you I would make things up to you, Kenzie. So let me do that.” She sat in the chair across from me with her own plate of food.
My heart stirred. I lifted my fork and took a bite. It was actually edible. For some reason that alone gave me hope.
After breakfast I opened the gifts from Mom which consisted of some earrings, a lip gloss and a gift card to Target so I could pick out my own clothes. The last gift was a new Bible with my name engraved on it. I knew I would cherish that one the most. Not just because it was something of value but because I knew it was a symbol. A token from Mom to tell me things would be different from now on.
In the afternoon, as I sprawled on the couch and watched Elf, my cell trilled. I stumbled from the couch and retrieved it out of my purse. When I read the caller ID, my pulse quickened.
With sweaty, shaking fingers, I pressed the talk button.
“Merry Christmas.” His voice was crisp and smooth and melted my heart.
“Merry Christmas to you too, Isaac.” I rolled his name around in my mouth. It tasted sweet and good.
“I was…um…just thinking about you. So, I decided to call.”
Happiness shot through me. He was thinking about me! I forced my voice to sound calm. “I’m glad you did.”
“How is your day going? I know holidays aren’t always that festive at your house.”
I knew then that he called out of concern and pity. But still, it was something. “Actually, it’s been surprisingly good. Mom went to church with me last night.”
“Really? Kenz, that’s awesome.”
I loved the way he called me Kenz. No one else did that.
“I know. I could hardly believe it myself. What about you? I bet Christmases are amazing with your family.” Once upon a time I thought that I would be a part of the Giovanni clan one day, but now that seemed out of reach.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” There was something underneath his words. Something he wasn’t saying. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your mom. I just wanted to say hi.”
I had to bite down on my tongue to keep myself from begging him to stay on the phone. I would have given anything to keep talking, to plead for him to take me back. But I knew it was too soon. I still hadn’t done what he’d asked. My feelings remained conflicted. So, I said goodbye and hung up.
A couple of hours later Grandma called. She told me all about her day with her sister and we made promises to spend next Christmas together. Haley sent me a text in the evening with a list of all the fabulous presents from her parents. They always went overboard. It was a regular spending spree at her house.
Carol stopped by with scented lotions for Mom and me. She also brought dinner for us. It was Indian take-out since that was all that was open, but I loved Indian food so it was great.
As I slipped into bed late that I night, I realized my day would have been perfect, except for one thing.
Tanner had never called.
I always hated going back to school after Christmas break. Kids were always bragging about the fun time they’d had over vacation and all the presents they got on Christmas Day. As a child I would make things up. Like I would tell them I went to the snow with Mom and we sledded and built snowmen. The reality was that I’d never done that, but I’d watched enough movies to make it sound believable. I would also lie about the presents I received. Even the years that I got nothing, I would make up a list a mile long and always out-do other students’ gifts.
The only person that ever knew I was lying
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