Home For The Holidays

“These are the gifts Jared got the girls.”

“Oh, my word Samantha what is that?” Mom pointed at my ring just as Tom and Tessa were coming down the stairs, perfect timing. Of course, I had to show my ass just to get under Cruella’s skin. “Oh, this, just my engagement ring, isn’t it awesome?” Mom forgot herself for a moment and turned my hand this way and that, exclaiming about the beauty and clarity of the stone along with something about GIA color grade blah-blah-blah, things I know nothing about.

I couldn’t help it; I kept my eyes on Tessa to see her reaction and almost peed myself with glee. She…was…furious. And then I went in for the kill. “Oh, guess what he wanted to show me last night. Guess who are now the proud owners of the entire top floor of Alton towers.” Even dad got in on that one, and he dragged Jared off somewhere to talk manly stuff. I was pleased to see Tom follow along behind them. I think he has a bit of hero worship for Jared.

“Where are the girls?”

“In the den watching cartoons. We’re going to make a gingerbread house in a little bit.”

“Is that what I smell? It smells amazing. Thanks, mom. I’m glad, unlike some people, you know that they’re your grandbabies and are doing all the things with them you did with their dad and me.” I dared Tessa with a look to say anything, but she had the good sense to just walk away.

“Samantha!” Mom whispered in a chastising tone.

“What? It’s the truth, and if I have to stomach that thing at the dinner table this holiday season, then she can deal with whatever I dish out.” And I have plenty waiting for her ass.

The morning was spent building a gingerbread house with mom and the girls while Jared went off with dad and Tom to dad’s workshop outback. Probably grunting and making Cro Magnon man sounds over some crap that nobody could use anywhere to do anything.

By noon I’d decided on what I wanted to do with Deidre and the girls and went about getting everyone else on board. “Ice skating? But I haven’t ice skated in years. Plus, there’s so much to do to get ready for tomorrow.” Mom started moaning and groaning as soon as I mentioned it. All it took was one look in dad’s direction to get him on board.

“Yes, my love, but you were so good at it. I miss seeing my beautiful girl on the ice. Remember your Swan Lake? As for tomorrow, we have plenty of hands here to help out in the kitchen.” The way mom blushed, I’m not sure I want to know what that Swan Lake thing is about. And her, “okay fine, I’ll do it,” with a facetious grin only made me doubly sure.

From the way Tessa had my brother cornered, and the harsh whispering sounds coming from there, I know she was arguing with him not to go. Good luck with that. “Tom, you remember how to skate, don’t you? Come on; it’s going to be fun. Tessa, you can skate, can’t you?” If she thought that was a good-faith invitation, that’s not my problem. I’m about to show this twat who’s family and who isn’t.

I started my shit storm before we even left the street. No one had any idea that I’d invited Deidre along with us. It was the first time I think that Tom had seen his wife since the divorce and the way he looked at her when she walked to the car where she was going to ride with Jared and I, even a blind man could see that he still had feelings for her.

Deidre, much like myself, is a boss at ignoring people, and she didn’t even look at him or his sidepiece as she greeted mom and dad and the girls who were already strapped into dad’s car. Let the games begin. I was laughing like a loon by the time we climbed into the back of Jared’s car, which started Deidre laughing as well.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, the look on her face, did you see her?”

“Forget that; what is that boulder on your finger? Let me see.” She beamed at my hand.

“Jared, you did well. She’s a much better choice than your last one.” Because I’d let her in on some of what I had planned for Tessa, she knew all about Jared and I.

She didn’t know him that well because while they were in college and he was dating her best friend, he was also very busy working on his prototype, which is what had made him the self-made man he is today. So, according to both of them, she’s only seen him once or twice. Which meant she couldn’t tell me the reason for the broken engagement either since she wasn’t there, and Tessa apparently never said.