Page 19 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
Asher told us random facts he knew about all sorts of animals. He did his best to read the informational signs about each species in front of their pens. Some of it, I read to him. He loved the monkeys and zebras, and oohed and ahhed over the giraffes, which soared over his head to eat foliage from a tree in their habitat.
My son grabbed my hand and pointed across the path to a building surrounded by picnic tables. “I’m hungry, Dad.”
I nodded. “I could eat. I wonder if they’ve got any penguin burgers.”
Asher wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Eww, they better not.”
I shrugged. “You never know. Let’s head over and see what they’ve got.”
My son nodded, and we began making our way over to the concession stand.
My father laughed beside me. “Did I not say this would happen? Breakfast was barely three hours ago, and you’re already moving on to your next meal.”
“He’s a growing boy,” I said.
“And what’s your excuse?”
I shrugged. “I want to feel included.”
My father laughed and so did I. Asher joined in, even though he didn’t really seem to understand what was so funny.
We ordered burgers and fries and sodas—penguins were not on the menu—and Asher chose what he deemed to be the best table. The food was overpriced and mediocre, but the company was exceptional, and the joy in my son’s eyes made it one of the best meals of my life.
8
LINA
My plane touched down at nine in the morning on Thursday. After the rigorous work of getting off the plane, finding my way through the terminal, and retrieving my luggage, I made my way out through the gates and peered through a gathered crowd to try to spot Kelli.
She must have seen me first because I heard her cry my name. People parted out of her way, and she burst free from them to throw her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “Lina! It’s so good to see you!” She pulled away and looked up at me. “You look as gorgeous as ever. Wow.”
“So do you, Kelli.” I smiled. I wasn’t lying. Her skin was clear and bright and so were her eyes. Her smile was radiant. She looked good. Especially since the last time I’d seen her, things hadn’t been going well for her and her mother. “I’m happy to be here. Thank you again for inviting me. This will be the best Christmas I’ve had in a while.”
Kelli went to grab my suitcase, but I waved her off. She grinned and turned toward the exit to the parking lot. We began walking. “It will be an awesome holiday. I have so many things planned. So does Mom. I hope you’re ready to celebrate in style this year. We’re not holding back.”
“Sounds perfect.” I could already picture the house I’d spent most of my high school years living in. I could smell the apple cider simmering on the stove in the kitchen and the pine of the very real Christmas tree Judy put in front of the big bay window in the living room. It could be seen from the street and was quite possibly the most magical tree I had ever seen—and I had seen some pretty wonderful trees while working on Christmas-styled photo shoots. But nothing held a candle to Judy’s tree.
We found Kelli’s white SUV in the parking lot, and I loaded my suitcase into the back before climbing in the passenger seat. As soon as she turned the car on, the heat started to flow in through the vents, and I aimed them at myself while holding my freezing cold hands in front of them. “Damn, it’s cold.
“Yep, I love it. Mom is out right now, but there’s a pot of spiced apple cider on the stove for us.”
I smiled. “Of course there is.”
We drove away from the airport and hit the interstate. The drive was about thirty minutes long, and we talked about every little thing that popped into our minds. Kelli asked me about modeling and how it was going. I lied and said it was going great, that I couldn’t have hoped for better. “My agent thinks my big break is right around the corner. And he’s not usually wrong.”
“That’s so exciting, Lina. Congrats!”
“Thank you. What about you? How’s work going?”
Kelli sighed. “Well, unfortunately, it’s not going at all. Mom has really been missing Dad the last few months, so I asked my manager if I could change my hours to part time. I didn’t think there’d be any harm in it. Nurses everywhere are looking for work, so I assumed they’d be able to fill my shifts easily.”
“But?”
“But he told me I couldn’t cut my hours based on my contract, and I’d have to wait until March to change things. But who knows if I’d even want to be part time in March? Honestly, the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way, so I ended up telling him to stick it where the sun don’t shine.”
I laughed in surprise. “You quit?”
“Damn straight, I quit. Now I’ve been unemployed since August and am living back at home with Mom and her cat. Not that I’m complaining. It’s just… not where I saw myself at thirty-two, you know?”
