“I invited Melanie to Christmas Eve dinner on Saturday.”
His face fills with astonishment. “When was this?”
She shrugs. “Oh, a few weeks ago.”
I interrupt, “Look, Mrs. Zepp—I mean Maggie, I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it.”
She refuses to hear it. “Please dear, I would love if you could come by. It doesn’t have to be an all night event for you. Even an hour or two would be fine. Vin and I would love to see you there.”
Eyeballing her and Roman, I admit defeat and confirm that I’ll be there. She pulls me into another hug, this time squeezing as tight as she can. Roman smiles in the background as she squeezes.
She writes the address on a slip of paper and hands it to me. “Here is the address. You can swing by anytime. We’ll be home all day. Okay?”
I nod. “Yes, ma’am. I will be there.”
“Excellent!”
******
“Gia, I don’t think I can handle this. I am a nervous wreck.” I’m spilling my guts out to her over the phone as my legs profusely shake during the cab ride.
Her loud voice blasts through the cell phone, “Just relax! Breathe Melanie. You are stressing way too much over this.”
“What am I supposed to do there? I hardly know these people.”
“That’s not true and you know that. Stop second-guessing yourself. Just remember everything I told you. Or did you forget already?”
Thinking back to our conversation last night, I remember she told me to just be myself and have fun, to be honest and respectful, but not boring either. And also to remember to bring some wine.
Clutching the wine bottle in my hand, my lungs inhale and exhale as I try to calm my nerves. As the cab driver approaches the destination, the pounding heart in my chest beats stronger each minute. Snowflakes fall from the grey sky so elegantly, powdering the streets and sidewalks. Children play in the snow, making snow angels on top of parked cars.
The driver slows the cab to a halt, pulling alongside the curb in the quaint Italian neighborhood. I peek out the window and my eyes land upon a three-story house with a lovely porch. The home’s siding is coated with a light pastel green paint and white trim. Christmas lights span across the roof where Santa Claus and his reindeer are parked by the chimney.
Smiling at the view, I whisper into the phone. “I’m here Gia and the house is so adorable. It has a porch. I love porches! Great reading spot.”
Her laugh echoes. “You see? You can read to Roman on the porch then.”
I stare at the house as nerves shoot all over my body. “No, I can’t do that. Oh god, I’m so nervous, I think I’m going to be sick.”
“I knew I should have given you my Prozac.”
Shaking my head at her response, I say goodbye and wish her a merry Christmas. Just before I hang up, she begs me to call her as soon as I get home to give her all the details. Paying the cab driver his fee, I hoist the wine bottle and grab my purse.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, I’m extra cautious not to slip or slide on the newly fallen snow. I make my way toward the steps and see the small wooden ramp positioned on the outside corner.
Taking one step at a time, my breathing escalates as the front door gets closer and closer. Swallowing hard, I flex my hands, releasing the stress and tension. Relax. Forcing myself to be brave and just suck it up, my finger presses against the doorbell and a second later, the chime rings throughout the house.
Tightening my grip around the wine bottle, I close my eyes for a quick moment of meditation and breathe slowly. The faint sound of approaching footsteps sounds from the other side of the door. Opening my eyes, I plaster a smile on my face, ready to take charge and enjoy my time with Roman and his family. The locks on the door click and unlock, and as the door is pulled open, Maggie’s eyes beam with joy.
“You made it! Welcome. Please come in.”
Stepping aside, she welcomes me inside and pulls me into a hug. After our embrace, she shuts the door behind me and offers to take my coat.
I hand her the wine bottle. “Here, I brought this. I hope you like it.”
As she inspects the bottle, a slight ounce of hesitation irks me. Ah hell, she hates it. But then a smile curves along her face and she thanks me for the wonderful gift.
Leading me inside, we step through the foyer. “Come dear. Let’s go to the living room and get warmed up. Vin has the fireplace going.”