“Great. Mari, thank you. This town is better for having you in it. I appreciate you.”
I beamed at her words.
With another quick goodbye, I made my way to the back of the line at Donner Bakery, my buoyant mood back in place. I had so much on my mind that Leo was quickly pushed aside.
I barely made it in time to grab the last banana cake of the day and a couple of pies. Returning to my apartment, I had my arms loaded with groceries and various goodies for the visit. I’d put everything away and sprinted around my apartment, cleaning as fast as I could. I blasted music as I went and sang along to a good vibes playlist. When a song from The Burnouts came up, I skipped it and pushed away thoughts of Janice and her request. I’d almost forgotten that my phone had been ringing until I went to call the Lodge. In the past few hours, I’d missed several calls from my parents and brothers.
I stared at the notifications, and it felt like someone made me swallow a bunch of rocks.
“Don’t assume the worst,” I chastised myself.
I was about to call my mom back when my phone vibrated again. It was Noah, my eldest brother.
“Hey, Noah. I was just about to call you back.”
“Hi, Mariam. Yeah, it’s Noah.”
“I know. I just said?—”
“Listen, I’m here at LaGuardia.” He sighed with gusto. “It’s been a shit show today. I don’t know where you’ve been, but we’ve all been trying to reach you.”
“I’m sorry. I was just?—”
“Here’s the deal. Mom and Dad’s flight was canceled, so I booked them tickets here instead. Got them a straight shot, first class.” The anxiety in my chest plummeted to my stomach.
“What? But I—” Heat burned my cheeks as he interrupted me again.
“Don’t worry, Asim and I will cover it. Maybe you can do the Christmas gifts this year? Anyway, when Jonas heard, they just decided to stay in North Carolina. I guess Alice didn’t want to drive all day with the kids. She’s not feeling good.”
I felt an anger burn up inside me. It was the same feeling of being at the dinner table and having everybody talk over me. I wanted to scream out just to be heard. I took a steadying breath.
“But I’ve made all these plans,” I said, impressed by how calm I sounded.
“I know, kid, sorry. But it’s not a great time at our firm anyway. Just a lot going on. We’ll try to make Christmas work this year.”
I fell back against the counter. I felt sostupid. I had been so excited and made so many plans. All this food. All the people in town I told. Oh God, I got my students to volunteer to perform for them. I rubbed at my burning eyes.
“Mariam? Hang on, Mom wants to say something.”
“They’re already there?” I almost yelled. I gripped the phone.
“No need to yell,” he chastised. “Like I said, direct flights. We just picked them up. Hang on.”
I scrubbed at my chest. Those swallowed rocks now felt like burning coals.
“Mariam, it’s your mother.”
“Yeah, I know?—”
“I’m sorry things worked out this way, but don’t take it out on Noah. The boys and their families are just so busy. You’ll understand when you have a family of your own. It’s not easy for everyone to pick up their whole lives to travel to the middle of nowhere.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “I know. I just?—”
“Calm down. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you that temper of yours isn’t very ladylike.”
I ground my jaw.
“I was going to suggest you fly out,” she said.
