Delinquent For Christmas

Chapter Twelve

       I woke up in Molly's bed, no Molly, and light flooding through the windows. Not gray, early morning light but bright, golden, early afternoon light. I roll over, checking Molly's alarm clock. It was close to one in the afternoon. I'm not really all that surprised I slept that long, but I am surprised  was allowed to.

        I slide out of the bed, grab my bag, and lock myself in the bathroom. I take a quick shower, waking myself up and getting myself ready for later. I dry my hair with the towel, but leave it down, frizzy and damp. I'm planning on curling it later. And planning on baking right now, so I throw on jeans and an old T-shirt. I pull on some house socks, the kinds with the little grippy things on the bottoms of them meant to prevent slipping, and make my way downstairs. The railings were already decorated with fake green vines with plastic red berries on them, and twinkling christmas lights that revolve their colors.

        In the kitchen, Molly and her mom were already well into their baking. I stood there for a moment in the doorway, just watching them. Mother and daughter, giggling and having fun. The perfect relationship well built from day one. Something worth of jealousy. Like with my own mom, when Moly's around. I can't deny it hurts when my adoptive mother seems to give my best friendthe attention she seems tonot give me. But when I'm here, with Molly and her parents, non of them ever make me feel left out. I almost feel ike I belong. I definutely feel loved and accepted. Something nobody should ever feel like they lack. It's a sensitive emotion for peple like me, for those who came from where I did. But I feel like I'm finally out of that slump. When I'm here, I feel accepted. Still, I know it's not where I belong. I still haven't found that place yet.

        "Hey!" Molly's dad's shouting draws eceryone's attention to me. "Looks like Sleeping Beauty decided to finally wake herself."

        I take that one step into the kitchen, meeting him for the hug his outstretched arms were waiting for. "Hi daddy," I joke. His wife scoffs, pouting. I roll my eyes, movingaround the island to hug here, too. "Hi mommy."

        "That's better," she winks, turning back to her work. "How about you come help us, yeah? Make those delisious brownines of yours? We've already got the cupcakes dne, frosted, and cookies are in the ove now. We have the chips and other snack foods ready to be removed from their packages and put into bowls."

        "Wow, how long have you all been at this?"

        "I gotup early," Molly bragged. "I snuck away at like seven this morning. You know while you slept past noon...?" She shruggs, joking. "Figured you needed it. Least I could do."

        "You're the best. Now move, I've got brownies to bake."

        "Come on Molly, let the girl work. Why don't we go make sure your brother hasn't destroyed the place "decorating" like he has before."

       "Oh, leave that poor boy alone!" Miss Bristan calls after her husband, shaking her head. "He's a football player, not a professional decrator. Am I right?" I laugh. She always tries tobefunny, always joking naturally. I guess Max gets it from her? His dad, too. The man tries too hard. He' just not funny. He tells lame jokesthat are sobad, you laugh at them. So, yeah, I guess he does get his humo from bot of his parents. Moll gets the lame humor enough from them, it's no wonder she critisizes him.

        "I mean, we're lucky to get him home for the holidays at all." She continues.

       "I agree."

       "I heard you had quite the tmewhile we were gone. We're lucky to have you around, Hope."

        "How so?"

        "Your responsible, and so reliable to look after te place in our absense. You work yourself too hard, dear, but you do a magnificent job. You and my son make a great team."

        Oh no, not you, too...What do I say?

        "Oh, yeah?"

       "Yeah. I heard about the new dog you two rescued. He only responds to you?"

        "Yes, me and a friend found him. I hear he's visious, but aound the two of us, he's puddy. Molly was in their last night wih me. He's making good progress, I think."

        "A friend?"

        "Yeah. His name is Zach. I met him a few days ago. He's been staying at m place with my parents and I. We were driving past an ally on our way bac from the food bank. I spotted the dog out the window and called Max. Zach and I styed with him until Dave took him. Then we heard about his bhavior and it just didn't sound like the same dog. He was real sweet when we found him. Coroperative, because the doctors were heping him, but loved us afterwards, too."

        "This Zach guy sounds pretty special." I shrug, blushing. So much was wrong with what I had just told her. "Seriously. The Hope I know works alone. Sounds like mybe thisboy is changing that? I hve to admit,tere's definutely something diferent about the woman  see infront ome. I could put a finger on it..."

        "And you think it's because of him? Trust me, it's not."

        "Okay..." He voice was one that suggests dsbelief.

        Whatever, believe whatever you want. I nowwhat I'm alking about. At least, I hope I do...I know how things should be, I just know the feelings and the facts no longer add up...

        "Great job, girls! Why don't you go on up stairs and start getting ready? Less than two hours 'til show time!"

        We don't hessitate to plow up the stairs, almost trampling Max in the process. "Sorry---"

        "Ladies first, slow bro!"

        "Molly! Be nice to your brother."

        "Sorry Mom!" She rolls her eyes, giving me a look that says she so clealy isn't. Turning back around, we continue our stampeed to her bedroom. "How are your nails?"

        I inspect them. Molly had painted them Midnight Forest Green last night. "A little chipped. Yours?"

        "Wish I could say they weren't, but alas, not everthing about me can be perfect all of the time!"

        "Gosh, Moll, yo're talking to your best friend. There's no need to lie. Or be your usual shallow self."

         "Hush, and come here. I need to give you a touch up."

         After she had repainted my nails to perfection, and they had dried, I curled my hair. Molly straightened hers. Then did my make-up. She's the "beauty expert," so it's best just to give her what she wants and let her do everything for me. And with both our hair, make-up, and nails done, with ten minutes left until people were supposed to start coming, all that was left to do was to get dressed. I slipped into my red dress while Molly slipped into her shinny tin foil-resembling gold dress. She put on gold flats. I put on gold heels.

        She turns from her reflection in the mirror to me. "Ready to go? Oh,my. Hope, you look downright gorgeous!"

        I roll my eyes, "Yeah. I'm ready. Let's go face the people..."