Christmas Connection

“I didn't mean to worry you. I went...”

“Went where?”

Bailey's vision blurred as fresh tears surfaced. “I went to... Dad's gravesite.”

“Bailey, I'm so sorry.” Her mother's voice trembled.

Bailey wanted the pain to end. “Stop apologizing. You did what you thought was best.”

“But what I've done to you, I never meant...”

“I know you didn't.”

“I don't want this to come between us, Bailey,” her mother said.

“It won’t. You're my mother.” A feeling as if someone had lifted a load relieved the ache in her chest. It wouldn't heal overnight, but she couldn't lose her family. They were all she had. All except... Jackson.

“Sweetie, I want you to know you have my support. I meant what I said before. If you want to sing, I'll be in the front row cheering you on.”

Bailey wiped her damp cheeks. “Thanks Mom.”

“Now, I only have one more question,” her mother said.

“What's that?”

“When will I meet Jackson?”

Bailey lifted her gaze and looked out the window. The snow slowed. Could she make it home?

“Bailey?” Her mother sounded concerned.

Bailey swallowed the last of her tea. “I'm on my way, Mom.”

Chapter 13

“Everything for Christmas,” Bailey sung to herself, as the track “Everything for Christmas” by The Temptations played in the background. Her mother and Aunt Celia insisted that the family should eat together after church. Bailey recalled the family dinners as a child, but as she grew up, they became fewer.

Tonight that changed. Bailey stared at the dinner table: sweet potatoes, turnip greens, broccoli cheese casserole, roast beef, and her mother's chocolate cake. It was practically a Christmas dinner with the holly scattered around the table, but Christmas would come the following day. There was another menu planned, according to her mother. Did her mother mention frying a turkey?

Bailey sighed. She hadn't heard from Jackson. Christmas Eve came too quickly for her. All her calls went to voicemail. When he called back, she missed him. Was he back since the blizzard? Did he go to spend Christmas with his family? What if he did? Did he visit his parents in Costa Rica?

“Are you okay?” Kenya stood next to her. “Your Mom says we can eat in a few minutes.”

“I will be,” Bailey said.

Kenya took her hand. “Nothing's changed too much has it?”

Bailey smiled and embraced her cousin. “I love you all.”

“We love you too.” Kenya hugged her tight.

Bailey opened her mouth to say more, but the music playing in the background grabbed her attention. It overpowered her mother's radio music. “Still” by Mali Music filled her ears. It was one of her favorites.

“What is that?” Kenya asked, as the

y broke their embrace.

“Bailey, what’s happening?” her mother asked.