“How do you like my outfit?” she asked, bouncing up and down.
I blinked, taking a step back to take it all in. Katie was wearing a pair of reindeer antlers—not unlike the ones from Graham’s photoshoot—reindeer-shaped earrings and one of those super cropped tops that didn’t evencover her boobs—and pasties. Yep. Pasties… in the shape of Christmas trees. That’s it.
“It’s an outfit, for sure,” I answered, pulling her in again and squeezing. “Thank you for being here. Don’t give my mom’s judgmental stares a second thought,” I said, leaning into her warmth.
“Are you kidding? I wore this just for her andyourbrother. You know I love to give a good fluster.”
God, I loved her. We both chuckled, then she placed her hand between us, redirecting the moment.
“Oh, Chester and Tophie are both upstairs,” she said. “I set them up with a yuletide cat tree, a litter box, and some food. Derek found a nature video that should play for a few hours. It’s just birds and squirrels flitting around a snowy berry bush—completely wholesome entertainment for the kids.” She giggled, then lowered her voice to a whisper, leaning into me. “Just so you know… if I were to disappear for a while… it’d be cool, right? Silas and I have plans.”
Oh, dear God, not this again.
I closed my eyes and tried to scratch the possibilities of what that meant from my imagination. “O—kay???… Fine… just don’t… scar the children.”
“Oh, you know me better than that, silly.” She grabbed a bowl of pistachio fluff from the fridge and headed to the dining room. “Silas and I will put them in the cubby.”
“Yes, lock away the children in a room most likely filled with asbestos and nightmares so you can shag my dead uncle… sounds like a wonderful plan.” I rolled my eyes, and turned my attention to Derek.
“Hey, where’s Trixi? I thought you would have brought her?”
“She’s stuck behind the counter. For some reason the solstice brings in a crowd for larping supplies.”
“Let her know I’m sorry she couldn’t make it. We’ll make up a plate for her.”
“She’ll like that. I’ll leave a little early to get it to her.”
My gaze flicked to Graham, who’d clearly lost the same battle I did of forgetting Katie’s strange addiction. He was stuck side-eyeing her from the window seat—puffed out his cheeks and let out a breath like it was his onlyhope of survival.
“Derek,” Annie called, “grab the scalloped potatoes from the ov’n. And Graham, be a doll, and wrangle that ham,” she said, slipping off her apron. “Let’s get this meal over with so ya can relax,” she said, rubbing my back and leading me into the dining room.
The table was set, decorated in reds and greens and everything that screamed winter solstice was afoot. The tall pillar candles were lit up, mingled amongst the sea of holly leaves, evergreen sprigs, and the little decorative birds with wire feet I added to my collection last year.
A warm amber glow lit everyone’s faces as I entered the dining room.
“Maggie, we’ve got you here, next to Hunter, and Graham on your other side.” She motioned to the head of the table where Hunter sat. I looked around, taking note of the empty places.
“Where’s Mary? And Bradley… the aunts?” I asked.
“Well, you know Mary, she’s always late,” Jeremiah chimed in and sipped his water.
Noel chuckled next to Daddy. “She’s just as bad as Maggie—one can’t keep her legs shut… the other only opens them for a man that can’t hold a tune.”
Daddy tapped his index finger on the table, just like he used to do when we were kids. “Be nice to your sisters, pudding. You could learn a few things from them.”
“Yeah, like how to be the embarrassments of the family. I’ll pass.” Noel flipped her shoulder length bob, then took a sip of water.
“Well at least they’re not stuck with the delusion that sucking off your church leaders will get you into Sky Daddy’s marble palace.Fuck you, Noel,” Katie grumbled. “May your ham be dry, and your wine go sour. And before you grow old…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “May your precious face wilt like a flower.”
I nudged Katie’s foot with mine and gave her a quick shake of my head.
“What? Someone so ugly inside doesn’t deserve a face like that,” she said, opening her napkin and placing it on her lap like she didn’t just curse my little sister.
My eyes shot to Mom, her face flushing red, before she rose. “That is enough! I will not tolerate?—”
“Ophelia—” Daddy shook his head and nodded for Mom to sit back down. “They’re adults, let them handle it.”
Mom grabbed her glass, her grip tightening as she stared down Katie—it was so tight I was worried she’d shatter the crystal.
