AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You didn’t care that Jenna’s friend helped us last year,” Easton says, glaring at his dad. “She’s not family.”
“How about we start around ten?” Penelope says, trying desperately to prevent a fight between Easton and his dad. “I’ll make a big breakfast and then we can all get started on the tree.”
“I’m going into the office tomorrow,” Stephen says. “I need to catch up after being gone for a week.”
“That’s fine, dear. We’ll manage without you.” Penelope looks at Easton. “Could you help put up the tree?”
“Yeah, I can do it. Mom, we were just heading out. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”
“You’re leaving? Didn’t you just get here?”
“Yeah, but we’re not staying.” He glances at his dad. “We’ll see you later.”
We go outside. Easton stops before we get to his Jeep. “I can’t believe he’s acting this way.”
“You knew he’d be mad that I’m staying here.”
“Yeah, but he usually hides that shit. He doesn’t let people see it. I thought he might fake being nice to you, at least while you’re staying with us.”
“Maybe he needs more time to cool off. He’ll probably be better tomorrow.”
Easton turns to me. “I’m sorry he acted that way to you.”
“At least your mom is nice. I’m kind of excited about this decorating thing. I’ve never decorated for Christmas. I’ve never even celebrated it except for the year we lived with Liz.”
“Shit,” Easton says.
“What?”
“Christmas. It’s only a few weeks away.”
“Yeah? So?”
“We still haven’t found you a place to live. What if…” He doesn’t finish the thought.
“What if I’m homeless? I won’t be. I’ll just live in Ted’s car.”
Easton walks past me and stops. “He’s kicking you out right before Christmas. What a fucking bastard.”
“Easton, don’t say that.” I come up beside him. “He’s your dad.”
“How can he do this? How could he not even care?” Easton shakes his head. “I don’t even know who he is anymore.”
He’s a man who doesn’t want me in his son’s life. Maybe I should just leave. I don’t want to cause all these problems with Easton and his family. Staying at their house is just going to make things worse. I think it’s time for me to go.
24
Easton
“The tree looks great!”my mom says as she comes in the living room.
It’s a nine-foot artificial tree, but it looks real. Nova helped me put it together and fluff out the branches. Then we put on the lights. We didn’t add the ornaments because my mom insists we do that part as a family.
“I brought the ornaments up from the basement,” I say to my mom.
“Let me go get Jenna.” She races up the stairs.
“Wow,” Nova says, gazing at the tree. “It’s beautiful.”
