Christmas Connection

A cell phone rang. Mia dug inside her purse. “I'll be back.”

Bailey nodded and sat the bag on her mother's coffee table. “I got you more sinus and cold medicine.”

Her mother reached for the box. “Thank you, sweetie. I should have this beat by the weekend.”

“I can't stay long, but I wanted to stop by.”

“I appreciate you taking care of the shop while I'm out,” her mother said.

Bailey couldn't abandon her, despite how she felt about her singing. Perhaps there was some truth to her words. What if singing was only a dream? She was only filling in for someone else. Would Jackson dump her when a better voice came along?

“I have to get back to work.” Bailey stood to her feet. “I'll call you after my last client. I can have Amanda close up the salon again.”

“How’s your young man?” Her mother asked.

“His name is Jackson.”

“Strong name. Last or first?”

“First,” Bailey said.

“When do I get to meet him?”

“Soon.” Would she like Jackson?

“I love you,” her mother said.

Bailey pivoted and smiled. “I love you too.” She then continued to the front door. Mia held her cell phone to her ear, with her back turned to her.

“Yeah, I saw it. She did great,” Mia said, distracted by her conversation.

Bailey looked inside her purse for her keys.

“How did the meeting go?” Mia said.

She raised an eyebrow. What was Mia talking about? Then Bailey blinked. She wouldn’t be nosy.

“Those poor kids. I wish you could adopt them all.” She sighed. “I guess not everybody is lucky like Bailey to find a family...” Mia turned, facing her. Her mouth fell open and her body went still.

Bailey clutched her keys. “Excuse me?”

“I have to call you back, Kenya.” Mia hung up the phone. Then her hands trembled. “Oh no. How much did you hear?”

“Enough. What about me finding a family?”

Mia's eyebrows gathered in. “Bailey I—”

“What did you mean, Mia?”

Did she hear right? Her cousin didn't utter a word. This had to be a joke. Bailey didn't wait for her answer. She hurried back to the living room.

Her mother sat up on the couch. “I thought you left, sweetie.”

“What's this about me finding a family?” Bailey asked. A sudden feeling of heaviness expanded inside her core.

Her mother's lips parted. Her eyes looked sorrowful. “Bailey sit down, please.”

“I'm sorry, Aunt Helen,” Mia said. “I was talking to Kenya and it... I didn't mean to...”