Page 38 of A Holly Brown Christmas
“Hey, Anna! What’s up?”
“What the hell did you say to Mom?” she demanded. “She is positively freaking out right now!”
With a weary sigh, he went and sat down on the living room sofa. “And did she tell you why she was freaking out?”
“Something about a cruise and wanting to buy a timeshare at some resort in Palm Springs? I think? I don’t know. She was saying so many things and the kids were chasing each other around with bubble wands, so it was hard to hear.”
“She’s upset because I told her I would not act as her divorce attorney. It’s not what I do and…”
“Wait, wait, wait…divorce? Divorce? As in Mom and Dad are getting divorced?”
Uh-oh…
“Didn’t you know? She’s been calling me and talking about it for almost two weeks now!”
“No, I didn’t know, Lucas! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I thought you knew! Jeez! This family is seriously the worst with communications!”
“Does Kat know?”
“How should I know? I thought you knew!”
“Okay, okay, okay…we need to get on a group call and talk about this. When did this happen and why? And where’s Dad? Maybe I should talk to him.”
“Dad is currently down in Miami buying a yacht,” he stated. “A yacht that he plans on decorating for some sort of Christmas boat pageant and he’s going to get pictures taken with a bikini model.”
“What?! Does Mom know?”
“No, but she’s been sending him pictures of all the hot young guys at the resort and telling him how much fun she’s having with them. I’m telling you, Anna; it’s awful. And neither of them is coming home for Christmas. So, on top of everything else, we’re all going to be alone for the holidays. Well, you and Kat won’t, because you’re married and have families of your own.”
“You could too if you’d find a nice girl and settle down,” she murmured.
“Can we please focus on one family issue at a time? My love life is not the problem right now!”
“You’re right. Sorry. So…what are we all supposed to do?”
“About the holidays or Mom and Dad?”
“Mom and Dad! Have you tried getting the two of them to talk?”
“I have, but neither is willing. Dad canceled the company Christmas party—the one we have at the house every year—and pretty much let everyone know it was Mom’s fault. He’s allowing us to throw some token version at the office or something.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is with that in the grand scheme of things. It’s just a party.”
“Yeah, but it was a big deal to all our employees, and to Mom. She feels neglected, but so does Dad. And, maybe it’s crazy, but…I’m planning on throwing the party here at the house. I couldn’t get Mom’s party planner or her decorator or caterer, but I’m pulling things together with the help of someone from the office.”
“Really, Lucas? That’s what you’re focusing on? Our family is falling apart and you’re thinking about a party?”
“I think the party could be the thing to bring everyone together,” he explained. “I’m going to get everything taken care of. Then, a day or two before, I’m going to call each of them and tell them. You know Mom’s going to freak out because I did it and everyone’s coming and she won’t want to be embarrassed and have people talking about her for not being here. And Dad will be the same way. It’s his company, his house, and he’ll want to be here.”
“I don’t know…”
“And if they don’t take the bait, I’ll mention that the other one is bringing a date.”
“No. Absolutely not. Then they’ll both show up with dates and that will turn into a whole other issue. We need another plan.”
That’s what he was afraid of.
