The Fling

70

After a morning of exchanging gifts, my family sat down to brunch around ten on Christmas. Later in the day, we were headed out for a family gathering, but for now it was just the four of us wearing the festive Christmas pajamas my mum handed out the evening before. There was a huge spread of delicious food that satisfied everyone's dietary needs. Aaliyah was vegan, I was gluten-free, and my dad wanted everything unhealthy on the holidays since my mum put him on a pretty rigid diet after he turned fifty a few years back.

"How early do little kids get up on Christmas?" I asked as I helped myself to more eggs.

"You two sometimes woke us at five," my dad said with a chuckle, "but usually it was around seven."

"Correction," Aaliyah held up a finger. "Shawn used to shake me awake at dawn and then we'd go down to look at the presents from Santa before sneaking back up to get you."

"Really? We had no idea you did that," my mum's voice was thick was sarcasm.

"You both sounded like elephants going up and down the stairs," my father added. "Why'd you ask?"

"I'm trying to figure out when Abigail will call. I can see Hannah and Bertie waking up really early. Lizzie will want to sleep in, but she's outnumbered."

My mum quirked an eyebrow. "You're talking?"

"I drunk texted her the other night and we made plans to chat today."

"Progress, hm?"

"I hope so," I replied.

After brunch, I took a quick shower and got dressed. My family curled up on the family room sectional and watched A Christmas Carol, and right as the second ghost appeared to Scrooge, my phone buzzed. "Excuse me," I said as I stood up. "I'm going to take this in my room." I answered the call as I was walking upstairs. "Merry Christmas, baby."

"Same to you! Have you had a nice morning with your family?"

"It's been pretty chill. How has yours been?"

She laughed. "The opposite of chill but still wonderful. My little ones are at such a good age for Santa, and Lizzie played along beautifully. Hannah was beside herself with joy that he ate the cookies they left out for him."

"They aren't close by, are they? I overheard my dad talking to my grandma about what Santa was getting us when I was maybe nine, and I figured out my parents were the ones buying me presents every year. It was so disappointing."

"No. I'm upstairs on my bike. Can't you hear me huffing and puffing? This is why I didn't FaceTime you."

"You exercise on Christmas?" I asked. Even I didn't do that, and I was fairly serious about fitness.

"I've been eating my feelings, which I know is bad, so this counteracts the calories slightly. My mom is here, and she spent all week baking more cookies than you can imagine, and now we have an additional four dozen, thanks to Gina."

"Hold up...did you see her?"

"Oh my god! You don't know the news! I called her a few days ago and begged them to come over for the kids' sake. The children haven't seen them in a while and it would be hard to have zero contact over the holidays. I think the guilt got to her, because she convinced Bertram to call a truce with Bert. They came for Christmas Eve dinner last night and things were definitely tense, but the door to communication has opened. Before they left, Gina pulled me aside and said she couldn't believe Bert was staying with me. I think she understood how hard it is, given all that's happened, and I admitted to her that it put a strain on our relationship. She told me that she would try to talk Bertram into letting Bert stay in their guest room since that will get them their money much faster than if he has to rent an apartment. Lizzie will stay here, of course."