Page 24 of Cross Check Christmas
"Such a lovely girl. She lives just five houses down now, you know."
I choke on my coffee. “Colette lives here? On Peppertree Lane?"
Aunt Goldie points out the window with a view of the entire cul-de-sac. "That pretty blue house with the bare porch. But her house is the only one not decorated yet."
"And as head of the neighborhood Christmas committee," Grannie adds, "I simply can't allow that."
"Wait." I set down my fork. "Colette McAllister lives five houses away?"
"Do keep up, dear." Grannie starts gathering plates. "We were thinking, since you're so tall and strong..."
"No." I shake my head. "No way."
“All houses must be decorated by December 1st,” Aunt Goldie says. “Which was last week!”
"Hers is the only house without decorations," Grannie adds with a disapproving cluck. "It's against the guidelines."
"Which you wrote," I mutter into my mug.
"That sweet girl works so hard at the school," Grannie continues, ignoring me. "She probably hasn't had time to decorate properly."
"Or maybe she doesn't want to participate in your Christmas light war," I say.
"Nonsense. Everyone wants to participate." Grannie bustles to the door adjacent to the kitchen leading into the garage. "Now, I have some extra lights in here somewhere..."
"I'm sure Colette is perfectly capable of decorating her own house."
"But you're so tall!" Aunt Goldie protests. "And we already bought all the supplies."
"You what?"
"Just a few things." Grannie emerges dragging a massive box. "Some lights, garland, maybe a few inflatable snowmen..."
"A few?" I peer into the box. "This looks like you robbed Santa's workshop."
"We're on the committee," Aunt Goldie says, as if that explains everything. "We have standards to maintain."
"And responsibilities," Grannie adds firmly.
"I'm not ambushing Colette's house with surprise decorations."
"Well, we can't let her house be the only dark spot on the street." Grannie's voice takes on that tone that means resistance is futile. "It would throw off the whole aesthetic."
"And since you're staying here anyway..." Aunt Goldie trails off meaningfully.
"Think of it as a peace offering." Grannie pats my arm. "After that little incident at the school gym. Heinrich.”
I groan. "How do you even know about that?"
"Small town, dear." She starts loading my arms with strings of lights. "Now, we'll need to do this while she's at work..."
9
COLETTE
"Ican’t believe it! A film crew?” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. “He'll have to go back to Toronto now!"
The universe has finally thrown me a bone. I win the dare without lifting a finger.
