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There won’t be couple Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving with the family, nor a white Christmas tucked in Switzerland. Okay, the last one was my idea—a way to avoid my parents—but I hoped my boyfriend would agree.
Honestly, I should be at home right now, hidden away in the darkest corner of my bedroom, a tub of ice cream my only companion as tears flow freely while I grieve for the grandmother I barely knew. Plus, mending a broken heart. But I’m not filled with grief since my mother didn’t nurture my relationship with Grandma Pili. And there’s certainly not sadness that Reginald Maloni Olsen the Fourth so abruptly ended our relationship.
Though, I’m pissed he did it during my grandmother’s funeral.
“So, are you ready for a trip down to see Grandma Eugenia?” Lou asks, ice cubes tinkling against her margarita glass. Her eyes flash with curiosity as she takes a sip.
“This is completely unfair. Why is it that I, the youngest, have been chosen for this honor?” My words drip with disbelief and irritation. Five siblings, yet the shitty jobs always fall on me.
Lou shrugs. “Simple hierarchy, my little one. Plus, it’s not like you have anything to do.”
The last comment feels like a jab to the throat. Seriously, did she have to go there?
“It’s not my fault that my job went poof.” I make a gesture with my hands, as if I just performed a magic trick and made something disappear into thin air. “Gone forever.”
My gaze drifts to my empty glass. I point at it, silently requesting a refill from the bartender. Of everything that’s been happening in my life lately, losing my job cut me the deepest. It wasn’t my dream job, but I’d worked for my father since my junior year of college.
I spent nine years of my life trying to show him I could be an asset. But the moment his bottom line teetered on the brink of red, what did he do? He eliminated positions and fired about a thousand employees—including his youngest daughter—me.
A bitter laugh escapes me. “Who knew saving a sinking ship meant throwing your own daughter overboard?”
The bartender refills my glass. I lift it and swirl it a couple times, staring into its amber depths, hoping to drown my anger, so I can continue doing my parents’ bidding without snapping.
If Dad had listened to little McKay, his company wouldn’t be in trouble. But I’m not one of his sons. My parents cling to archaic norms where a woman’s only worth lies in marriage and motherhood—in other words, they’re misogynistic assholes.
Obviously, my parents and I don’t see eye to eye. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been the misfit. Soon, Mom will start parading eligible suitors before me, prized stallions vying to replace my ex. Ideally, some heir with old money, a spotless reputation, and bulging accounts—the perfect match in their eyes. I smirk cynically. As if that would ever make me happy. I wish they could understand my aspirations are not theirs.
In fact, I wish I had aspirations of my own. I’ve been so wrapped up in meeting their needs, trying to make them proud, that I don’t even know what I want to do with my life. This Vermont trip suddenly doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. It can be an escape from my parents’ rehearsed lectures and expectations.
As for my job situation, obviously I want to work, but what am I supposed to do now? I’m no longer the SEO for one of the top 500 companies. Honestly, I don’t want to continue doing the same thing anyway.
The possibilities of a new future brighten my mood. I picture the peaceful Vermont countryside. Well, I’ve never actually been there, but I’m sure it’s just like in those Hallmark movies—trees, snow, and hot cocoa around every corner. I wish Father had taken us to visit my grandparents growing up. But he doesn’t have much contact with anyone in his family. As far as I know, he just calls his mother once a year and has his assistant send presents for the holidays.
I’m pretty sure my father loves just three things: my mother, money, and … well, I hope us children too. His disdain for his own mother makes me wonder if she’s as cold as he is. Will she even care to leave her small town to be closer to her son?
He wants Grandma to sell all her properties to a friend, so he can use the money to save his company. The corner of my lip lifts as I wonder what would happen if, instead of being my parents’ puppet, I warn Grandma about their motives.
“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” Lou warns, narrowing her gaze at me.
I bat my eyelashes innocently. “Excuse me?”
“I know that smirk,” she says. “Just remember, if you don’t go to Vermont, they’ll send me instead. And I’m not leaving my children at the mercy of our crazy mother while my husband is working.”
Lou’s phone pings mid-rant, lighting up her face with a radiant smile. “It’s Tony,” she exclaims, voice brimming with so much joy you’d think they just started dating.
Seeing her excitement stirs an ache inside me. Will I ever find someone who loves me like Tony loves her? They’ve been together since college but still act like besotted newlyweds. I watch as Lou giggles looking at her phone, eyes sparkling as she texts with her other half. I can’t help but envy their relationship.
“Off to your husband and children,” I quip playfully, waving a hand dismissively.
Lou shakes her head, brow furrowed in concern. “You need me.”
“That’s nonsense.” I cross my heart like I used to when I was a child and she was babysitting. “I promise to be on my best behavior. You don’t have to worry about me.” I shrug with feigned nonchalance, masking what could be my best move yet.
“But you were dumped, and now you’re unemployed,” Lou says, squeezing my hand, eyes searching mine.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “It’s not like life has ended. If anything, I don’t have to deal with Reginald and the crappiest sex of my life anymore.” I take a long sip, finishing my drink. “I might find someone who’s actually good in bed and can give me an orgasm. Or two.”
Lou cringes, leaning in to hiss, “Use your indoor voice, please,” under her breath.
