“Man, they’re nice.”
“They’re the best.”
“Have you told your family what’s going on?” he asks.
“Obviously,” I lie, pulling up my phone. I text my dad and brothers.
Lucas’s response is swift and stupid, as expected.
Lucas
But you have the cookies! Aunt Meredith is going to be so mad.
Logan
Lee, I knew you’d do anything to avoid Christmas Adam, but this is a little much even for you.
Papa Fisch
I think she’ll do anything to avoid you knuckleheads. How are you, Lee?
Liesel
I’m safe and have supplies and a full tank of gas. I was driving a coworker to the airport, so I have company.
Lucas
What friend?
Papa Fisch
She didn’t say it was a friend, she said it was a coworker.
Which coworker? Do we know her?
Liesel
You guys have the subtlety of an atomic bomb.
I’m safe. Give my love to everyone. If this clears fast enough, I’ll be there.
A few days ago, I would have been thrilled to avoid Christmas Adam with the family. As it is, I’m torn between relief and … regret.
I miss my mom like a drowning woman misses oxygen. But being around her siblingsandmine doesn’t sound like the worst way to cope.
Cooper keeps stretching, and I watch him from the corner of my eye. His movements are strangely graceful. For so long, I’ve hated the way he treats the sport I love, but there’s no question he takes it seriously. It almost makes me hate himmore. If he were a slacker, it would be so much easier to be upset at how he showboats. But he really does work as hard as he claims.
That doesn’t make him a good person, though.
He’s still appallingly selfish.
Yes, that’s right. He’s selfish. This isn’t a bonding moment. We’re not “in this together.” We’re in this at the same time and place. Independently.
“So, are we going to talk about whatever’s bothering you?” Cooper asks.
“I already told you what’s bothering me.”
“No you didn’t.”
