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I grab my coat, throw it on over my tux even though we’re only walking a few feet, and we make our way outside.
Music trickles from the inn, spilling into the yard. Caterers rush inside, carrying trays of food.
There may be a lot of events in Winterberry leading up to Christmas, but this is the biggest one, and almost every resident will stop by tonight, if only for a moment. Each year, my parents put this ball on for free.
We enter through the back door and the hustle and bustle hits me in the face.
“Grandma! Pop! We’re here!” Nora calls.
Mom rounds the corner, and I’m struck by how beautiful she looks. She doesn’t dress up often, in fact this might be the only day of the year she does, and she looks amazing.
“Hello, gorgeous girl, look how pretty you are!” she says, giving Nora a big hug and taking our coats. “And look at you, my handsome son.” She cups my cheeks in her hands.
“Thanks, Mom. What do you need help with?”
“Could you help your dad get the rest of the food set up? The caterers are bringing them all in now.”
“Sure thing,” I say.
I head to the living room. We moved all of the furniture out and added a few tables with chairs, so everyone can sit and eat. We did the same in the dining room, where the table is adorned with platters of food, lit candles, and winter greens.
“Hey, Dad, what can I do to help?”
His black tux matches my own—I know Mom made him wear it—and he looks really great.
“Hey, son, if you could just tell the caterers where to go when they come inside, that would be great,” he says. “Guests should be arriving in a few minutes.” By the sweat pooling above his upper lip and the way he keeps running his fingers through his hair, I can tell he’s stressed but everything will be fine, just like it always is.
This year, I’m more into the Christmas season than I’ve been in years, and it feels like everyone can tell. But, with the rejection from Penelope still fresh in my mind, I’m hoping I can muster up my festive spirit without letting the weight of my pain show. What I wouldn’t give to have her by my side tonight.
Before I know it, guests start arriving. I have to admit, each person looks amazing. Dressed in suits, ties, tuxes, and ball gowns, the whole town is dressed in their best. Every person stops and says Merry Christmas, bringing trays of homemade desserts like every year.
After a while, the party is in full, loud swing, with some people eating and others dancing to the Christmas music. Ben and his wife twirl past, and I smile.
I stand off to the side by the Blue Spruce, taking it all in.
“Dad! Dance with me!” Nora yells as she comes running through the room. She’s in her element.
“Sure, honey,” I say.
She reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me to the dance floor. She jumps around, moving to the music, and I try to keep up with her moves. Grabbing onto her hands again, I twirl her around before picking her up and moving her all over the dance floor as she squeals in delight.
She’s something else, this daughter of mine.
Loud voices and movement by the kitchen catches my attention. I stop dancing to peer through the crowd of people to see what’s going on. My parents might need my help with something, so I tell Nora I’ll be right back and walk toward the kitchen. The crowd parts, letting me pass, but I only make it a few steps before I freeze.
There, standing in the doorway to the kitchen, is Penelope. She’s an unbelievable vision in the red gown I bought her, wearing her brown hair curled and that red lipstick I’m so fond of.
What is she doing here?
We lock eyes, neither of us moving or saying anything. My pulse quickens. The whole room seems to hold its breath.
Slowly, she walks in my direction, but I stay in my place because apparently my legs forgot how to work. As soon as she’s in front of me, the smell of her perfume invades my nostrils and my heart thumps wildly against my chest.
“Hi, Brent,” she whispers, sounding as nervous as I feel.
“Penelope, you look beautiful. I’m so happy to see you.”
“Can we go outside for a minute and talk?”
