Page 35 of Jingl
I’m not entirely sure how to broach the subject, though. I’ve always figured out ways to take care of myself when I needed to. When Mom needed help with money when I was younger, I did what I could to make things easier on her. I used money I earned from mowing lawns and other odd jobs a kid could do to buy clothes and alter them to fit me properly. That’s how I got into costuming. I learned how to cook, so she didn’t have to worry about it after a long day working three jobs.
I was an oops baby, a result of a one-night stand with a rando in a hotel while Mom was on spring break with college friends. She never got the guy’s name and I don’t exactly care. It’s been just the two of us, and Trace’s family, my entire life, and we all fit perfectly together. She did eventually go to school to be a nurse, which helped a lot with the finances.
But all that to say, I’m not sure how to let someone take care of me the way Trace does. Despite living at home, I’m fairly independent. Probably a result of living with an independent mother. She got mad at herself when she realized I used my money for clothes and sometimes food. But I never wanted her to have to worry, so I wasn’t going to tell her. The only reason she found out was because I needed new shoes and didn’t have the money to buy them. We both cried a lot that night, then she took me out and bought me shoes with my promise that I’d let her take care of me.
At my car, I pull my phone from my pocket and text both Mom and Trace.
Shae: School’s done. When do we wanna tree hunt?
Momma Bear: Let’s go tonight when it’s dark and they have all the lights on.
Tracy: I’m good with that! Gotta work on my project a little longer.
Shae: :thumbs up: Gonna hit the craft shop before I head to Mom’s.
Momma Bear: Sounds good, baby. See you soon.
Trace knows the plan is to meet at Mom’s house and I need a few supplies for the concert. This way, I don’t bother him too much while he’s trying to work. I don’t want him to see what I’m working on, so as soon as I grab what I need, I head to Mom’s to get a jumpstart on creating my masterpiece of a costume. I could go to the mall and check on everyone, but I was told that got weird really fast. So I stopped. I just like making sure the village runs smoothly and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I amble through the door with everything I bought and bags of clothes to do some laundry while I’m here. I may or may not have grabbed Trace’s clothes, too. He does so much for me the least I can do is his laundry.
Mom rushes to the kitchen where I drop my shopping bags on the table. “I underestimated how much I’d miss you being gone.” She wraps me in a mom hug and I sink into her arms. When she pulls back she searches my eyes for something. “You look so much better, kiddo.” She swipes her fingers through my hair.
“I feel better.”
“I hoped staying with Trace would help.” Mom moves out of the way and grabs the clothes.
“Wait. You don’t have—”
She waves me away. “Get started on your project and I’ll get your clothes clean. That way, you have more time before Trace gets here.” She winks, probably mother’s intuition knowing I have something planned I don’t want him to see.
“Thanks.” I plow into her and give her another hug.
“My pleasure.” Mom pats my side and heads to the laundry room while I pull out my patterns for my costume and get to work.
***
TRACE
I suck in a deep breath when I park in Peggy’s driveway. Sometimes my job can be mentally draining and today was one of those days. And while I love Shae and Peggy, tonight I’d like to just crawl under some covers and sleep. But I promised I’d go tree hunting with them and there’s no way I’m disappointing either of these people.
Just as I make it to the door, my phone rings. The niblings again. I think they’re testing to see if I’ll answer.
“Hey, niblets, how you doing?” I push through the door and smile at the image before me. Shae and Peggy warm their hands with mugs of something that smells spicy and I’m curious to know what it is.
“Missed you again,” Porter’s voice comes through.
“Aww, I miss you too, buddy. I’m getting ready to go with Shae and Peggy for a Christmas tree. Have you gotten a Christmas tree yet?”
Kenzie’s voice chimes in to answer. “Yes! It’s so pretty. Daddy put on the star and it’s all sparkly.”
“The star is the best part of the tree.”
“Where the heck have—” My sister’s frazzled voice is in the background. “Dang it Porter, you can’t keep stealing my phone.” It sounds like a tiny scuffle and she comes on the call. “Sorry about that. I told them you had plans tonight.”
“It’s fine. I love talking to them.”
“Say goodbye to Trace,” Wendy tells her kids and they do as told before we end the call.
