Our food comes and gets set in front of us, feeding the intensity of the moment. When the waitress disappears, Kaiden’s eyes meet mine.
“She committed suicide.”
My lips part.
I notice the slightest tremble of his hand resting on the table, so I reach over and put my hand on top of his. He stares like he doesn’t know what’s happening, then flips his palm and wraps his fingers around mine.
Ignoring the delicious smell of the food in front of us, I ask, “Is that why you’re set on stopping people from giving me crap at school?”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I give him an appreciative smile.
He huffs, letting go of my hand. “Guess it doesn’t matter much, does it?”
My smile disappears.
No. I guess it doesn’t.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Christmas is in a couple of weeks. Dad and Cam ask to talk to me after dinner one night, so I stay behind while Kaiden goes upstairs to get ready for another movie night.
Sometimes I wish I could read Dad better, because his features almost never change. “What is this about? Did I do something?”
Cam’s eyes widen. “Oh! No, it’s nothing like that. Your father and I were just thinking about plans for the holidays. Usually we do a family dinner here. You know, a big lunch after opening presents and all that. It’s tradition to have the entire family here for it.”
Fighting the urge to wince over the idea of their entire family doing this every year, I stare at the placemat on the table. It’s white with snowmen and reindeer on it.
Had Dad ever mentioned inviting me to their celebration? Whenever we’d talk around the holidays, he’d just wish me a good one and tell me he sent my present. It was always a gift card to Amazon, which I always took the longest to spend because I hated using anything he gave me.
Dad brings me back. “We were wondering if you had plans to go to your mother’s house for the holidays.”
“Not that we don’t want you here,” Cam jumps in, smiling at me. “In fact, we were hoping you’d spend it with us. I think Kaiden would love that. You two get along so well.”
If they only knew how well.
“Uh…I haven’t really talked to her about it,” I admit, squirming. Grandma called me the other day after I spent some time texting Mama, asking me what we had planned here. When I told her I wasn’t sure, she didn’t push it.
“Do you think she’d want to come?” Cam asks excitedly. “Your grandmother too, of course. It could be good for them to see you here. You could show them your room.”
My eyes cut to Dad. He looks a little uncomfortable, but nowhere near as much as I feel. “I think it’s a good idea,” he admits.
I blink a few times. “You…what?”
He takes a deep breath. “Your mother and I haven’t been on great terms for obvious reasons. We have our differences, but we also have you. If you want to spend your Christmas with them, we’ll understand. However, if you’d consider staying here to spend it with us, the invite is extended to them. That way you can see all of us on the same day.”
I’m not sure what to say. Dad and Mama in the same room after all these years? Grandma never has anything bad to say about him, but I know she loves Mama. I can’t say she blames him for how she is, but I don’t rule it out.
“Do you think…I mean is that a good idea?” I doubt, frowning. “You and Mama haven’t spoken in a long time, right? She’s not the same person you knew.”
Cam rubs Dad’s arm. “We spoke to your mother last night. Your father left the invitation open in case she wanted to come. She’s welcome here anytime, Em. I hope you know that.”
I stare.
Dad straightens. “Cam is right. Your mother and I will always have a past, but you’re important to both of us. She can come here and visit. I know it’s quite a drive, but it might be good for all of us to be together for Christmas.”
“Mama and you?”