Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

Fiona runs toward me. “How did it go? You took forever.”

“They wanted me to do make-up for someone.”

“Who?”

“Read this and find out.” I hand the note over and start to film. Her eyes grow comically wide, and she glances up at me and back to the letter before screaming and jumping up and down. I turn the camera to myself. “That’s one happy fan.” I press send before I can overthink it. He wouldn’t have asked me to do this if he wasn’t interested. Not in me, in seeing a fan happy. I shove the phone into my back pocket. I refuse to stalk my phone, waiting for him to respond. He has a long day ahead of him and better things to do than respond to me immediately.

“Come on. I’m starving. While we’re in Austin, I want to take you to one of my favorite eating spots.”

“Rudy’s?” she asks, mentioning the mouthwatering barbeque spot.

“Nope, I’m feeling the need for Tex Mex. We’re going to Chuy’s.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and she leans into me.

“You already gave me more than I ever hoped for. Yoon Kim knows I exist.” She sighs, and I remember my own days, when idolizing musicians consumed me.

“He does indeed.” I wink.

“Did you get to talk to him for a long time?” She tucks a fist under her chin and focuses all her attention on me.

“Only a little.” I place my thumb and pointer finger an inch apart. “You know I like to stay professional. Even asking Yoon for his autograph was crossing lines I normally don’t.”

She stops. “You did it for me.”

“Baby sister, don’t you know I’d do anything for you by now?”

She throws her arms around me and squeezes tight. Closing my eyes, I enjoy the rare embrace. Contemplative and subdued, she’d been closed off lately. Inhaling the familiar fruity scent of her body spray, I will happiness into her. This trip has been good for us. Getting away from home, collecting goodies at rest stops, and singing along to the music. With high school homework, projects, studying, and my schedule, we can be like ships passing in the night. I must do better. Picking up shifts and side gigs helps us stay afloat while waiting for health insurance and life insurance to payout.

I feel the weight on my shoulders increase. Good thing I have sturdy legs. We make our way out of the building and back to the car. Chuy’s is a welcome sight. White walls stand out against the electric blue base, and eclectic stone wall décor. Stepping inside is like a blast from the past with its checkerboard patterned floor, Formica tables, with diner-style booths. Pink walls are lined with colorful pictures and lights.

“This place is amazing,” Fiona says.

“Right? Wait until you taste the food. It was one of my favorite spots to come to when I lived in Austin.”

It was the perfect place to stretch my wings when I moved out of the house. Close enough to be home in under two hours, but far enough away to breathe and make silly mistakes of youth without censor. We put our names on the waitlist and take a seat on the bench.

“Is there anything you want to do before we head back?”

“No.” She toys with the bottom of her T-shirt and looks down. “It’s nice to be away from everyone who knows what’s going on at home. I feel like a freak at school. People whisper and treat me differently. Teachers give me pitying glances. Home is the only place I can escape from that, and only if Dad’s not there.”

“Why do you mean about Dad?”

“I’m acutely aware that we favor Mom. Haven’t you noticed he avoids us?”

I lean forward, bending down to look at the face half shielded by her curls. “He’s just busy with work. We have a lot of bills coming in.” I decided to be honest with her. Teens don’t like to be lied to, and once you break their trust, it’s near impossible to get back.

“Is he?” She scowls. “What about when he is home locked away in his room or the study?’

“I can’t speak for him. But we all handle loss in different ways.” I reach over and grab her hands. “You know he loves you more than anything in this world. He’s doing the best he can.

Fiona snorts. “I hate being alone, and all anyone wants to do is give me space.” Her voice wavers. How could I not spot this?

“Do you feel lonely, Fi?”

She nods her head. “Dad stays locked away like a king in a tower, you’re always working, and I feel so removed from all my friends.”

Her words make my heart hurt. “You know you can always come to me. I’ll work on cutting down my hours, so we can spend more time together. That’s the whole reason why I came back.”

She peers at me through a curtain of hair. “It is?”