Ties (Book 1)

17. Christmas Dinner

"How the heck am I supposed to know how to cook?" I exclaimed as I looked at the turkey in disgust.

"Well that is why we're going to teach you, mon coeur."

I hated when she pulled those lovely words; they were the equivalent of puppy face. "Mom, don't sweet talk me. That looks gross and I don't want to touch it." I crossed my arms defiantly.

Both my aunt Joy and my mom were standing in the kitchen waiting to show me how to prepare a meal. The thing was that I did not care to learn. If I ever came to need food, I could and would go out and buy it... ready.

"Well that's too bad, Mackenzie. Your mom and me are going to force you if we have to." I rolled my eyes at them and gave up.

I learned how to make mashed potatoes and a sweet potato casserole, prepare the turkey and the stuffing, what spices to add to vegetables. My mom made a traditional French Bûche de Noël; I simply watched her do that. The cake is meant to resemble a Yule log; it is a genoise cake rolled up with icing in the middle and covered with chocolate icing. Mom chose to make the filling out of mocha, instead of my grandmother's usual raspberry filling, which was exquisite. In the end I ate my mom's cake because it was cake. I had no idea my mom was such a mean cook like my grandmother, Elyse. Mom surprised me every day. By the end, my back hurt and my feet were killing me, but at least I could take credit that I helped.

Great aunts, uncles, and family friends gathered in my aunt and dad's childhood home to celebrate Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. Everyone ate and enjoyed the meal. Most of the adults drank too much wine and scotch. Ezra offered me some drinks but I declined. He thought I was being a goody two-shoes, but in reality I was very aware of what I was capable of when I drank. It was better if I stayed away from liquor. Every single person was happy and relaxed while they were there.

Midnight struck and we exchanged gifts. My mother handed me a small wrapped box. Inside the box was a ring made up of golden branches intertwined with a few delicate leafs scattered through the thin branches. In the inner side of the ring were small letters engraved, 'Mon Coeur.' A knot formed in my throat. I hugged my mother, completely speechless.

"You are my heart, May." She pulled away and concentrated on my eyes. "I know that I have been a horrible mother, but I promise you that I will make it up to you for the rest of my life."

"I love you, Mom."

"Me too, mon coeur."

That year was probably the best Christmas I had spent, at least until then.

*****

Raven had been sent from Heaven for sure. She invited me two days after Christmas to go shopping. She introduced me to her friend Samantha, a gorgeous red head. My God! Do these people know any ugly people at all?

We spent all morning browsing around stores. My feet ached from walking so much, and I wasn't even wearing heels like Raven and Samantha were. We had lunch and sat inside a café, looking through the window as pedestrians walked. Samantha received a phone call and had to leave after she ended the call. Raven and I continued sitting and eating, relieved to be out of the piercing wind.

"Can I tell you something?"

I gave her a puzzled look. "Sure."

"When I met your brother, I thought he was so attractive." Raven giggled. "He's my age... I mean he was." She shook her head to get back on track from the conversation. "But I thought it would have been weird to say anything since my brothers were friends with him. But over the last few months, we started hanging out more."

"Y'all dated," I questioned.

"No. We wanted to, but we never admitted it." She shook her head and smiled. "My brothers, all of our friends, and your brother went to a party on May thirtieth, a Saturday. I know you're still little but I'm sure you're not ignorant as to what goes on at a party?"

My ears reddened. "I definitely know what happens."

She smirked at me before continuing. "Well... We were all pretty buzzed. Johnathan and I went outside and I kissed him. I just threw myself at him," she laughed as she looked into the distance. "I surprised him, but he surprised me even more when he kissed me back. On Monday he was to leave and make his way down to Texas. But before he left he asked, 'what happened on Saturday, you liked it?'" She laughed even more; her cheeks were red with embarrassment. "And of course I said yes; I'm not really the shy type most of the time. We agreed that when he came back we would talk about it further." She smiled softly but her eyes were sad.

"But he never came back."

She shook her head from side to side.

"Maybe he did get to love then," I thought aloud.

"I don't know if I would have called it love, but it was certainly a deep affection."

"Thank you."

"For what?" Her brow furrowed in the middle.

"Maybe it wasn't love but you gave him a little bit of happiness... All of you did. Y'all gave him some of the youth he had been missing out on."

"You sound very old for your years, Mackenzie."

"I grew up fast."

Her eyes moved to mine in question. It was clear she was unaware of the life my brother and I had led. "Whenever you're in town don't hesitate to call or visit."

"Thank you for the offer."

At least I knew people there. If I ever visited, I would not have to stay trapped everyday in my aunt's house. I would be able to go out with... friends. What a great word.

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2 chapters in day! High five guys.

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