176: Guest List

Fenella’s POV

I stood behind my front door. My mother stood behind me. Her forehead was furrowed in confusion at my behavior, but she let me be. I peeked through the peephole in the door.

I immediately felt relieved. I opened the door wide with a smile on my face. “Jessy!”

“Merry Christmas!”

We hugged tightly. My mother, upon seeing Jessy, groaned. “You dare show your face now?”

“Sorry, Ma’am.”

My mother didn’t particularly like Jessy. Not because she was homophobic or disliked Jessy’s personality, but because she felt Jessy controlled all my schedule. Part of it was my fault for often making Jessy the scapegoat for my absences on Christmas Eve for five consecutive years and for rarely returning to Boston.

“This is for you, Mrs. Baxter.” Jessy lifted a large bag filled with some premium food items.

“Oh, this is rare, honey. And dried fruits, too.” My mother accepted the bag and peered inside.

“Yes, just as you always wanted.” Jessy smiled and nodded at my mother.

“Oh, come in, dear. I