Laughing, I shake my head. “I didn’t think anythin’ could stop the madness. The downside, though, is that I can actually hear myself think now. It was a nice little break.”
“What if you drove out to Chicago?” Darwin suggests.
Clearly, Brynlee’s won over my family. Or they know how much I want to be with her. How was I the only one who didn’t see she was as happy as I was? Until I made us miserable, anyway.
“I thought about it, but I don’t know for sure that’s where she went. If she is, I don’t know the first place to look for her. She mentioned her mom always wanted to go to New York, and they have that giant outdoor tree there. Or she could have gone to LA, or… anywhere, really. She told me once she missed bein’ invisible.”
I don’t think they realize how much time and effort I’ve put into thinking about this every night. Where she may have gone and why. How I could possibly find her. I come up empty every time.
“What about Darla? Gem said they’re workin’ together now. Bought the Golden Comb, which she’s really excited about,” Isaac says. “Gem can’t get an appointment with Darla to save her life because Doris keeps shortenin’ the hours.”
“Darla wants to stab me whenever she sees me, so I don’t think she’s in much of a helpin’ mood. She’s so mad, I’m pretty sure she’d hesitate before helpin’ put me out if I caught on fire.”
The doorbell rings, and the kids fall completely silent. We all take a quick inventory, but everyone’s here.
“We have a doorbell?” Hardy asks and looks around. “Since when?”
“Since forever,” Pop says and stands.
“Has anyone ever heard it before?” I ask and look at my brothers. “I honestly thought it was just for decoration.”
Mom walks out of the kitchen and waves a towel at Pop. “I got it.”
“Earl’s not still makin’ deliveries, is he?” Clint asks. “It’s Christmas. Poor man.”
Mom’s squealing has us all leaning as far as we can to see whoever stands in the entryway, but a large wall where Pop built her a closet blocks our view. The kids stare in silent shock, and I’m actually surprised they’re still as quiet as they are.
“Who is it, Mom?” Pop calls out.
“I didn’t know if you got my message. I just put dinner away, but I can make you a plate and warm it up. Here, hang up your jacket, and I’ll get you a plate. Oh, I’m so happy you’re here!”
My sisters and in-laws shuffle out of the kitchen and gush over whoever stands in the doorway.
“Any chance that’s your girl at the door?” Clint asks, his voice a whisper as he leans over Hardy.
I shrug, straining as far back as I can without tipping over the recliner to see who stands there. I have no idea who it could be other than Brynlee, and my heart races. Mom left a message for whoever it is. She doesn’t have her number, does she? Did they exchange them at Thanksgiving?
“Come into the kitchen and sit down. I’m goin’ to make you a plate of everythin’. You’re even thinner than you were at Thanksgiving,” Mom says.
Jumping up, I nearly trip over the three kids as I run into the kitchen to find Brynlee sitting at the island, just like she did the last time she was here. I slide on my socks as I stop, and her back sits straight as she looks around cautiously.
“There’s no bowl of flour sitting around, is there?” Brynlee asks.
Her voice sounds like music to my ears as I forget to breathe while Mom laughs. “No, we’re long done with bakin’. Oh, what do you want for dessert? We have cookies and pie.”
“You don’t have to go through any trouble. I was supposed to be here sooner, but there was a storm in Chicago that delayed my flight.”
“It’s no trouble. If I knew you were comin’, we would have waited for you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. It would have been late, but I have to be honest… I expected to walk in to find kids screaming and running around. Do you have them locked away in a basement closet or something?”
She’s joking. That’s a good sign. Until she glances back to see me standing there like a stalker creep and jumps. Our eyes lock, and I damn near fall to my knees.
“Hi,” I manage to finally spit out once my lungs take in air again.
“Hi,” she says. “Your mom called and invited me for Christmas.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
