Patricia

“Can I hang the treetopper??” Ray asks, picking up the Christmas angel ornament.

“Yes, baby,” Jordan answers, carrying her to the top of the tree. She successfully hangs it and delightfully celebrates the accomplishment.

“I'll go check on our gingerbread man and the cookie house,” I announce, putting my mitten back on.

“Can I tag along?”

"Of course you can, Ray.”

“How’s your mom?” Mrs. Elizabeth asks, covering the pudding.

“She is very well, Ma.”

“Please call me Mom or Lizzy. How's she spending her Christmas?”

“With a friend, I guess.”

“Very well, then. Anyone I know?”

“Not sure.”

“Oh okay.”

I'm not about to tell Mrs. Elizabeth that her mother will be spending Christmas with her boyfriend. That's not my secret to tell. especially because she didn't bring him to the engagement party for reasons best known to her.

“Tell me you are famished because I am.”

“I am,” I confess.

“The last time I cooked this vigorously was last year's Christmas. All we have to do tomorrow is cook the turkey, m