“Holly!” Her mother called from the other side of the house. “Come throw this wrapping paper away. I told you to clean up your mess. You still haven’t done it.”
“Okay, Mom.” Holly jumped up and then looked back. “Oh, Ivy, do you want some cookies and eggnog?”
I nodded.
Saint raised his hand. “Me too.”
“I’m not your maid, butthead.” Holly stuck her tongue at him and then left.
Saint frowned.
Younger Me giggled.
Saint turned her way.
She stopped. “Sorry. It was funny.”
“It wasn’t. I’ll get her back later.”
Younger Me smiled.
He scooted over to her. “Are they fighting again? Your parents.”
She nodded.
His frown deepened. He put his small hand on hers and squeezed it. “Did you open my present?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I will when I get back.”
“You’re going to like it.”
She widened her eyes. “Did you open my present?”
He grinned. “It was the best of them all.”
She beamed. “No way.”
“I’m not lying.”
Watching them made me feel happy and sad. It was good to remember our innocence. However, it was heartbreaking to know that their future would be a rough one, traumatizing and life-changing for both of them.
The glowing man walked off. “It’s time for us to go.”
I looked at him. “Why?”
He pointed in front of him. Swirling red energy moved within the doorway. “Let’s go.”
Swallowing, I walked forward, sad to leave Younger Me. I wanted to hug and console her. I knew what she was feeling—confused, sad, and scared for her parents. Little did she know that things would only get worse.
I followed the glowing man, walking through the red swirling energy with no fear. Everything had been so ridiculous. Surely things couldn’t get any worse.
Surprisingly, I stepped back into my childhood living room. “No. I said I didn’t want to be back here.”
“This is a different Christmas.”
Crying came from behind me. I checked that area and spotted Mom on the ground, grabbing at Dad’s leg. “Please, don’t leave us.”
Sadness filled his eyes as they watered. He held the doorknob but didn’t open it. “The doctor said that the baby will be sick. She wanted to kill him. I can’t let that happen, Gloria.”
“Let her kill the baby.”
“I can’t.”
“Then why do you need to be over there?”
“Because she’s scared and all alone and—”
“I’m scared and alone. I’m your wife—”
“Gloria—”
“Isn’t it enough that I took you back after you got her pregnant?”
“I have to go.” He gently pulled her off his leg. “It won’t be too long. I’ll just go see how she is doing and rush back. Trust me.”
Mom stayed on the floor. Tears streamed down her face. “The worst thing I ever could have done. . .was trust you.”
Anger swelled in my chest as I watched my father open the door and leave. “You piece of shit. That’s why I’ll never forgive you. Never.”
The glowing ghost stepped in front of me and frowned. “Hold my hand.”
I did, thinking we would be heading back to the villa. Instead, everything moved fast around us. Mom zipped off the floor and into the living room in a blur. I became dizzy and looked away. Buzzing filled my ears.
And then the ghost let go of my hand and pointed behind me. “Look.”
I checked over my shoulder.
Leaving her bedroom, Younger Me held her teddy bear and hurried into the living room. I spotted those white pajamas and jumped back. “No! No! Get me out of here.”
“We must remain.”
I covered my face. “I don’t want to be here. Please.”
“If you don’t look, then we’ll be stuck.”
I moved my hands. “I don’t want to be here!”
“Ivy.” The golden flame around his head rose higher. “You must.”
Younger Me screamed as she saw Mom hanging in the doorway. I didn’t look.
Instead, I yearned to hug her. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Tears fell down my eyes as I watched her piss herself.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
The door opened. My father rushed in there with Saint and Holly at his side.
“No!” I shook my head at them, forgetting that they couldn’t hear me. “Don’t look! Turn around! You’re too young. This isn’t going to be good for you two.”
Saint saw my mother and pointed. Holly screamed and ran away. Not wanting to be in the living room, I headed after her.
The ghost roared. “Ivy!”
“You can’t make me stay.” I walked through the doorway. But I didn’t go outside. Instead, I entered my grandmother’s old living room. I froze and looked around. “What?”
The glowing ghost came to my side.
I fisted my hands. “Am I in hell or something?”
“I really would like you to stop saying things like that.”
“Sorry. I don’t want to be here either.”
“We must.”
My grandmother walked into the living room and wiped her hands on her apron. “Ivy! Come on, baby!”
Younger Me walked in, but she wasn’t so tiny anymore. She was much taller. Small breasts pushed against her pajama top. “Ma’am?”
Grandma hugged her and then leaned away. “Aren’t you going to open your presents? It’s already the afternoon now.”