Page 78 of Sheltering You

“Ice skating was more of a contact sport with us. We played hockey or had races or just…knocked each other over.”

On all that hard ice? With freezing water beneath? The thought of it made Jasmine shiver. “Sounds dangerous.”

Derrick shook his head, catching Rabie’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Girls.”

He giggled. “I would like to try skating. I would be very good.”

“Maybe you’ll get to.” Derrick followed the traffic, leaving the little park behind.

“Is all of America so cold?” Rabie sounded excited by the prospect, though Jasmine couldn’t imagine why. She liked the cold, but she was eager for summertime. Derrick had assured her that it did warm up in Maine for a few months every year.

“There are all different climates in the US.” Derrick followed the map, turning at the next light. “Depends where you live.”

“Where did you grow up?”

“Michigan.” The untruth rolled off his tongue as if he’d practiced.

“I want to live somewhere I can skate,” Rabie said. “Maybe we will live in Michigan.”

Derrick picked up speed as they left the little town behind. “There are ice skating rinks all over the country, even in warm climates. They’re just indoors. Maybe you’ll get to learn to skate.”

The road narrowed to two lanes lined with homes. Most of them were decorated for Christmas. Elegant nativity scenes and giant blow-up snowmen in the deep yards. Glittering reindeer munched grass, and colorful balls hung from trees. There were lights everywhere—steady and flashing and twinkling. They passed one house that had so many, it was nearly blinding. And she could swear she heard Christmas music coming through the windows.

In the backseat, Rabie was taking it all in. She hadn’t been in America so long that it was normal to her, either.

“This is all because of Christmas?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Derrick’s tone was almost…embarrassed. “We go a little overboard.”

“I think I would like Christmas.”

“Oh, yes,” Jasmine said. “I helped put up the tree at Derrick’s family’s house last weekend. It is a big, beautiful home, and the tree is six meters tall.”

“Inside?” Rabie sounded awed.

She twisted to face him. “A real tree they took off their property, an island they own.”

Derrick flashed Jasmine a warning look. “On Lake Huron.”

Right. She must be careful about what she disclosed to the child. “Even with so many people, it took all day to decorate the tree and put up all the decorations. And then we had a feast and ate cookies and played games. And this is only one of the traditions. Next, there will be a party with aunts and uncle and cousins.”

“How many people will be there?” Rabie asked.

Derrick had to think about that. “Probably…about twenty, maybe twenty-five? Depends how many of the cousins can make it.”

“And they all fit at this house?”

He shrugged. “It’s a big house.”

“They will go back to the island for Christmas.” She glanced at Derrick. “Yes?”

“You, too.” Was he annoyed with her? “Unless you have other plans.”

“I do not assume.”

It was a moment before Derrick shook off his irritation. “It’s a wonder anybody in our family gets any work done in December with all our trips up to camp. And back home, Mom’s always trying to get us to go caroling.” He rolled his eyes.

“What is caroling?” she asked. “I have not heard of this.”