Page 10 of Holly Jolly
My mother continued to wax poetic about the good old days, and I could tell that she was trying to hint at something. She was really laying it on thick without saying a word that she wanted me and Holly together.
Just then, Holly's phone buzzed. She looked down and read a message from her agent. Her shoulders dropped in relief as the anxiety of the past few weeks melted away.
"What is it?" I asked, concerned.
"Oh, just a message from my agent," she said, a smile spreading across her face. "The release seems to be going well, and I'm a trending hashtag on Instagram!"
I leaned over to embrace her and my mother smiled.
"So baby, have you decided if you are going to move back or not?" my mother asked.
I had been back and forth since being here, but this visit had shown me that I was happier around my mother. Back in Texas, I sulked around my apartment because I had no one. Here, I had my mother and Holly. Whether anything came of Holly and I, Michigan seemed like the right place for me.
"I'm leaning toward moving back," I said to my mother, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "But it's not definite. It depends on what my job says, and then I can start looking for a place here. Things need to be in order before I officially move back."
My mother acted like she just won the lottery, jumping up and down in her seat, and beaming at Holly.
"This is the best news!" my mother exclaimed. "I've been waiting for so long for you to come home! We should celebrate!"
Holly laughed, raising her glass. "Here's to moving back!"
The rest of us raised our glasses and toasted each other as the warmth filled the room. Holly looked at me with a twinkle in her eye, seeming more hopeful than ever before. I felt my heart flutter as I realized how much she wanted me back here too.
After dinner we moved into the living room and continued talking about everything from old friends to current events. Holly opened up about her career—her successes, struggles, hopes for the future—and it was clear that she had found her passion and found success in pursuing it.
I was jealous of Holly in a way, because she went for her dream and found success. Me, on the other hand, got a degree and even though it paid decent, it wasn't what I wanted to do. Sometimes you had to just take the hand that life handed you and run with it.
Right now, life was telling me it was time for a change, and I would listen.
10
Ethan
December 25th
I wake up with the sun streaming in through the window, the snowflakes outside glistening in the bright morning light, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon filling the air. I lay there for a moment, just taking it all in, feeling the warmth radiating from the sun against my skin, the softness of my blankets, and the comforting aroma of breakfast.
With a smile, I reach for my phone.
Holly: Good morning. Let me know when you guys are up and ready for me to head that way. =)
The cute smiley face at the end made me smile. She was happy I was moving back, and honestly I hoped we could rekindle our relationship. When I came back for this visit, I never would have imagined Holly still being here. For some reason, I imagined her in some big city, far away from this little town. I type out a reply.
Me: From the smell I just woke up to, I'd say she has been up for at least an hour and that she made coffee and breakfast. So come over whenever you want. See you in a bit.
I slide out of bed, put on my slippers and robe, and make my way downstairs.
"Morning, mama."
I stepped into the kitchen and found my mom standing at the stove, flipping pancakes and frying bacon. She turned around when I walked in and gave me a warm smile.
"Good morning sweetheart, Merry Christmas! Ready for breakfast?"
I nodded, my stomach rumbling in anticipation. "Let me go get dressed first. Holly will be over anytime."
She smiled again, this time bigger, and winked. "It'll be ready in ten."
Stepping back into my room, I went to the small closet to pick out what I wanted to wear today. After rummaging through, I slipped on a pair of black slacks and a blue button-up.
