Ties (Book 1)

16. Christmas Crisis

"Why can't I go to New York? I've spent Christmas with Mike before who is not my family; why can't I spend Christmas with my family in New York?"

"Because before anyone else, your dad and I are your family. We go to France every single year. That time was an exception."

"But I want to be with my aunt, I like her."

"You like my parents too."

"But I've gone to France more often than I've been to New York! I know my grandparents completely but I don't know my father's only sister. How is that logical?"

"You're not going to be by yourself on Christmas, end of story."

My will was strong, so I would persist. "I'll be with family; that's not alone."

"It's not alone but it is without me. Do you want to get away from me that desperately?" My mom's eyes sparkled.

That quickly ended the persistence. "Mom, I didn't mean—"

She put her hands in front of her to stop me from continuing. "No, you make it quite clear how much you detest me. It's not without reason though." She began to leave my room.

"Mom, please stop. I'll go to France with you if that's what you want. Just please don't be upset with me."

With a deflated tone, she told me, "just go to New York. I'm not going to force you to come with me." She began to leave again but I jumped off my bed and ran to her. I put my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder.

"I'm going with you, Momma." She brushed my hair with her hand and simply held me without saying anything. Those weeks after my near-death experience had been heaven for me. I finally had a real mom.

"Why don't we spend Christmas with your aunt this year?"

I pulled away and looked at her brightly. "You mean it?"

"Why not?"

Never had I felt so giddy and youthful; I hugged her and jumped up and down. "You're the best!" I kissed her on the cheek, and she chuckled, embarrassed from so much affection.

"Stop it, Mackenzie." She squirmed as I tickled her, eyes closed with laughter. I stopped laughing and quit poking at her ribs when I noticed we were being watched. She followed my gaze; my father was staring at us from a few feet away. He was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.

"How long have you been there, Nick," my mother asked as she slowed down her breathing and adjusted her hair.

"Long enough." He continued to look at us, pleased somehow.

"Mackenzie and I decided to change our Christmas tradition and visit your family instead."

His expression changed dramatically; the happy lines around his eyes transformed into a frown. "Why?"

"Mackenzie brought up how she has never spent a lot of time with Joy. We can visit my parents another time. My brother and my sister will be with them, so they won't miss us too much."

He did not have a chance to respond, since the phone in his pocket began ringing. He turned away and left.

My mom pretended like she had not noticed my father's reaction. She laid her hands on my shoulders and looked at me with bright eyes, "let's pack!"

*****

I had my snow boots on and a million layers of clothes. Ezra and I walked through the increasing levels of snow towards the front door. Before even getting to the door, there was a large straight staircase and then there was more space between the top of the steps we had climbed and the large front door. I was shivering down to my bones because of the snow storm, and yet, I had agreed to go with Ezra to his friend's house. His friend had a sister and she seemed nice the last time I was there; it left me hoping I could create amity between us.