Chapter 18: Unsent

Mom reached across the corner of the table and took my hand.

"I'm so sorry, honey," she said. "I got it wrong. I'm going to make it up to you."

"Okay."

"Let's put tonight behind us. We'll have pie and a good night's sleep, and in the morning, we'll start over."

I looked at her hand on mine.

It was warm and dry, and it had brushed a hundred fevers off my forehead.

It was also the hand that had held the phone while Lacey talked.

"Mom," I said. "That's an apology for me."

"What do you mean?"

"You said you called me cold to a man at church."

"I did."

"You told the church ladies I was resentful. You told the aunts, and probably half the street."

"I never said resentful. I said you were having a hard time."

"With the family."

Mom flushed.

"I want you to tell them," I said. "Not me. I don't need it said to me tonight, in front of a ham."

"Hannah."

"I want you to call the people you told, and tell them what you got wrong. Each one. In your own voice."

"That's humiliating."

"Yes."

"It's Christmas."

"Then it'll be the hardest call you make this year," I said. "I'm not asking for a card."

For a long time she said nothing.

My aunt looked at my mother, and Grandma looked at my aunt, and Grandma's eyes were bright.

"She's right," Grandma said to my mother. "Do it."

"I'll start tomorrow," Mom said.

"Tomorrow is Christmas Day."

Keep reading free with an account. Start Five of Us at Christmas, But They Only Ordered Four Cookies from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.