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“It’s fine,” she said. “My office opened on Monday, so I have plenty to keep me busy.”
Then Pam tapped her glass with a fork. “Everyone, can I have your attention?”
The conversation ceased, and all eyes were on her. “Dan and I want to invite everyone to our house for Christmas Eve. Some of you have shared that you’re ready to spend Christmas in your own homes, and I concur. So come for dinner and gift-giving, and we can even do a shuttle for midnight candlelight Mass if you want to.”
“Why on earth would we do that?” Ryan asked. “We’ve never gone to church as a group.”
“I’m just trying to switch things up a little. To give it some meaning.”
“I love that idea,” Lisa said.
“You would, with your Mary fetish,” Alison said, scoffing.
“Anyway,” Pam continued, louder, “Let me know.”
Murmuring spread throughout Ryan and Betsy’s house. Then Will and Laura arrived late.
“What’s going on?” Will asked.
“Pam offered to do Christmas Eve, and everyone can do their own thing on Christmas Day,” Alison said.
“That’s a good idea,” Laura said. “We can do that, can’t we, Will?”
“Sure. What’s everyone going to do for Christmas?”
“The whole point of getting together on Christmas Eve is to avoid another daytime fiasco like we had at my house,” Kassandra said, her voice maybe a shade too loud so they knew she was upset.
“That’s not why I offered Christmas Eve,” Pam said.
“Everyone can do what they want for Christmas. That’s the point,” Lisa said. “Alison might be the only other person who understands what it’s like to get a herd of kids ready to go out. I’m looking forward to letting them stay in their pajamas all day if they want.”
“Me, too,” Alison said.
“So, if you all want to come to our house, you know it’s a zoo. Come in your pajamas,” Lisa invited them. “Christmas is on Sunday this year, so you’d be at my house, anyway.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Sandra said. “We should really take up a collection for Lisa for food, housecleaning, childcare.”
“Not necessary,” she said. “So, it’s a deal. Christmas Eve at Pam and Dan’s, Christmas Day at my house if anyone doesn’t want to stay home.”
“We’ll be there,” Will said, and everyone else said the same.
Betsy was standing in the kitchen loading the dishwasher when Lisa joined her with a pile of dishes.
“I can’t believe this,” Lisa whispered. “Kassandra is dating my ex.”
Betsy turned to her. “He’s her obstetrician, but I don’t think they’re dating,” she said. But then she stopped and looked out into space. “Are they?”
“I just heard her whispering to Sandra. Laura dated him, too. Laura and Ryan were married. Laura and Ryan actually workedat my father’s company, doing exactly what he’s doing now. It had to be after Sandra left. Yes, you heard that. Laura didn’t just have an affair with Ryan. They were married. But he was still in love with me, so when I divorced Steve, Steve went to Laura, and Ryan came to me. Ugh, I realize how that must sound. Betsy, I’m so sorry. Rest assured he’s not still in love with me!”
Betsy squeezed Lisa’s shoulder and chuckled. “It’s okay,” she said, grimacing. “This sounds like a bad soap opera.”
“It was the worst soap opera. But listen to this! When Laura was with Steve, Sandra and I saw Laura masturbating in her car parked in the lot of the social services building. And guess what? She was having an affair with Dan! I don’t remember if we found out for sure that it was Dan but I’m pretty sure it was. Laura is all sweet and pure with Will, but she’s a piece of work.”
“Wait, was she married to Steve?”
“Um, I don’t remember, but I don’t think so. Yeah, Dan is a mess. They all are. Anyway, so now add Kassandra to that circle. I can’t believe Kassandra is dating Steve!”
The rest of the season was over the top. The giant nativity scene on the beach, Christmas carols, everything Lisa promised came true. She’d arranged for a petting zoo farm to bring the appropriate animals to her cottage on Friday night. Everyone on Sea View had been invited over for caroling and hot chocolate.
