Page 20 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

I nodded.

“You look a little pale. Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”

No. Of course I wasn’t. I couldn’t tell him that though.

“I am feeling a little flushed. I think I’ll go lay down for a bit.” I stood, and he looked at me with a concerned expression. “Don’t worry I don’t think it’s contagious.”

Heaven forbid he regret kissing me anymore than he already did.

“Do you want me to walk you up?”

I shook my head and started walking away. “I’m fine.”

I hurried out of the room and took the back stairs up to my room. I locked myself in and sighed. Did I really just run away? From my own party? Well, my parents’ party.

I couldn’t take being around him any longer. Not knowing he regretted it.

It looked like I was stuck up here for the rest of the night. At least I still had my food.

Eight

There was something magical about waking up to fresh snow on Christmas day. It made me feel like a child again when I looked out my window and saw a fluffy blanket of snow coating the yard, the cars, and the street beyond. It was a sign to me that Santa had come when I was little. Now it was just a sign Christmas was finally here.

I pulled on my fluffy, teal robe and hurried downstairs.

No matter how old we were, the tradition was the same. My parents woke early to make breakfast so it was ready when we woke up. When I turned the corner into the kitchen, Mom and Dad were standing near the stove sipping their coffee.

“Merry Christmas!” I snuck by and peeked to see what they were making. French Toast. I smiled and gave them each a hug.

“Merry Christmas, darling.” Mom smiled at me while Dad kissed my head.

“You disappeared last night. Were you not feeling well?” I looked to my Dad and tried to not give anything away on my face.

I shook my head. “I got caught up with some friends and went up to my room to talk.”

Mom smiled. “Just like old times.”

I nodded. I felt horrible for lying, but what was I supposed to tell them? I humiliated myself in front of Vince and ran away like a child? That I spent the night cuddled in my bed watching old romance movies and crying? No way.

“Merry Christmas!” Steven burst into the room and forced us all into a massive group hug.

“Now we can start.” Mom led us to the kitchen table and brought over the heaping plate of French toast, berries, and juice.

“Thanks for making all this.” I looked to Steven with his mouth full. He smiled and nodded.

Mom shook her head. He was still such a boy. That would never change.

After stuffing ourselves, we moved to the family room where the family Christmas tree was set up. Presents were spread around the floor and we easily slipped into our positions. Dad handed out the presents. Mom collected the wrapping. I took pictures and Steven counted to make sure he and I received the same number of gifts.

That was something he started when we were little and refused to give up. It always had to be balanced, not necessarily by worth of the gifts, but always by number.

Very mature, that one.

It took us an hour to get through the gifts with watching everyone take their turns opening, and the few laughing attacks between me and Steven.

It was wonderful. Just what I needed.

Dad loved the shaving kit I got him, and Steven said he would start using the wallet today. I’d purchased a silk scarf for Mom in Chicago and she said she loved it. She even wrapped it around her neck while we were still opening gifts.