The holidays are around the corner. Despite the constant rushing, the jam-packed schedule, and the endless traffic, this is a time to celebrate the warmth and wonder of our lives. I’d like to share with you an excerpt from my new book Melt. It captures the peace and joy my three main characters find at this miraculous time of year.
Twas the day before Christmas
By three o’clock on the 24th everyone descends at Charlene’s. Lexie drops by to walk Madoff. Woo Woo has holiday pajamas for her friends—a Christmas Eve tradition. Terrell comes by with gifts. Boone is right behind him. Benjamin shows up about 20 minutes later. (Terrell texted him.)
Just as the group is trying to decide what to
eat for supper, the doorbell rings. It’s Beast and his grandmother. (Benjamin
texted them.) They’ve brought Stephanie, Luke, Brandon, and Mirabelle with
them. Charlene wonders if she should move to a bigger house.
“We wanted to say thank you.” This is from
the mother and the grandmother in the room. It’s echoed by Luke and Mirabelle.
(Brandon is too cool for unbridled emotion.)
Almost everyone in the room waves away the
thank you. “We didn’t do anything.” “This was you.” “You made your own way.”
Boone says, “You’re welcome.”
Amid the laughter the doorbell rings. It’s
pizza. Twelve pies from Kimolos with garlic fingers, Greek salad, and fruit
pizza for dessert. “From dad,” says Mirabelle. (She texted her father.)
The group is starting to wind down. Benjamin
is walking the dog. Boone is washing dishes. Lexie is drying them. Woo Woo is
putting leftover bags together for everyone.
Terrell is clearing the last remnants from
the table. Luke comes over to help. It’s not really why he comes over.
“Everything okay?” Luke is not asking about the table.
“Everything is okay—for you and your family.
Pappas has some decisions to make. As do you, I would guess.”
“I’ve made it. I don’t have the original
anymore.”
“Who does?” This is not Terrell. This is
Mirabelle. She has come up behind them. They jump.
“Scared the crap out of me.” Luke is watching
his language. He leans in for a kiss. Mirabelle leans away.
“You have to stop treating me like a kid.”
She turns to Terrell. “You both have to stop treating me like a kid.”
“Fair enough,” says Terrell. He hopes this
ends the conversation. It doesn’t.
“I know what my father does for a living. I
know what my brothers do. You can stop protecting me.”
“I will never stop protecting you,” Luke
says. And everything is right with the world.
From the doorway to the kitchen, Woo Woo
watches the hug that turns into a group hug. She texts Pappas. “It’s time.”
Enjoyed the scene
ReplyDelete