Page 1 of OMG Christmas Tree
CHAPTER ONE
Megan
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IWAS DESTINED TO BEa disappointment.
“I know Christmas is in four days,” I told my mother into the phone for the second time in as many minutes. “The reason I’m working isbecauseit’s the holidays. Everyone wants the next few days off for vacation.”
“Andyounever get one. Not even a measly few days to see your family.”
Heaping spoonful of guilt, anyone?
“We have an event at the cafe tonight,” I responded. “Running special events puts me one step closer to store manager.” I glanced over my shoulder, hoping nobody heard me. I didn’t want to sound desperate.
“Can’t a coffee shop shut down for a week? There are plenty of places for people to get coffee in Chicago.”
A coffee grinder buzzed, cutting any reply short. Funny, I was the one with my thumb on the GRIND button.
“Sorry, can’t hear!” I shouted, scrunching my shoulder toward my ear to hold the slim phone steady. Naturally, it tumbled onto the counter face down into a puddle of peppermint creamer.
My coworker Cam reached across me and shut the grinder off. “Take your break, Megan.”
“The gaming group will be here in twenty—”
“How about now.” Cam’s usual soft brown eyes blackened.
“Got it.” I pinched the phone from the counter and wiped the screen against my apron along theDripname and logo. “I have this under control.”
Cam said nothing. Simply looked at the grinder in front of me.
Empty. I’d been grinding nothing but bean dust and generational angst.
Sigh.I zipped into the back room.
“My wedding, Megan,” Mom was saying through the phone. “You missed my wedding.”
I switched the phone to my other ear, Silly me. Like my right ear would suddenly make this conversation any easier.
“Mom, you know I would have gone if—”
“You didn’t have to work.” She filled in for me. “That’s always the case. Well, I’m telling you the truth. It upset me. And your grandmother. And Stu. Stu is still upset.”
I shut my eyes, but her words seeped through. “I’m sorry I missed your vows with Stu.” What sort of name was Stu, anyhow?Short for Stuart, my brain reminded. Shut up, brain! “You gave me two days’ notice. I couldn’t get to Wisconsin that fast. Not when the work schedule already went up.”
The line went quiet. On the other side of the door, coffee grinding (actual beans this time; Cam had that down) and customers chatting offered familiar comfort.
“It’s been a tough few years.” Mom’s tone softened. “I miss my baby. I want you to see how far we’ve come. How happy I am with Stu. I want you to be part of this Christmas.”
“I know.” The printed shift schedule on the bulletin board blurred before my eyes. Tears? Now, at work? I wiped my cheek. “I miss Dad.”
“Oh, honey. Me too. He’ll always be with us. Always.”
Four years since we lost him and some days it felt like yesterday. The holidays brought it all back. All the feels.
“I wish we’d had one last Christmas in the house.” I cringed at my own words. The things that fell out of my mouth sometimes...
“It made sense to move in with Stu since I’m retired.” Her words became clipped, her tone less sympathetic. “The house sold quickly. That’s good news to most people.”
