I feel their stares on me. Like oil on my skin. I look at the three of them with their hungry gazes fully focused on my ass. A shiver of dread runs down my spine. Before they can say anything, I open the front door and walk inside to hop in a scolding hot shower to get the feeling of their predatory gaze off me.
The second the door closes, my mom pokes her head out from the kitchen. A smug smile on her lips means she is hiding something from me. She has always had the same look when she tries to surprise me with anything.
Curiosity gets the better of me, and the shower can wait. I walk towards the kitchen, determined to figure out what my mom has planned. She rushes back in, and I close in on her.
“Mom, what are you…” I start, but my words falter as I see what she was hiding.
My grandparents are sitting at the table with wide grins as they see me. Grandma, a woman in her sixties, still looked good for her age. Her dark brown hair has started to fade, and small pieces of white are shining through. Her deep blue eyes shine with happy tears as we stare at each other. She is wearing a pink cashmere sweater and beige palazzo pants.
Grandpa, also in his sixties, is sitting next to her. His salt and pepper hair has thinned out some, but still covers his whole head. He is a tall, skinny man who, no matter what he ate, never put weight on. He is wearing black trousers and a light blue button-down top.
I don’t think, I just move. I ran towards them and threw myself into my grandma’s arms. She tightly wraps her arms around me, holding me close as the tears start to fall from my eyes.
This would have been the first Christmas I spent away from them, and it was a hard thing for me to wrap my head around. As much as I wanted to keep that to myself, Mom could tell how much it was bugging me.
This is the best Christmas surprise I could have ever asked for.
Grandma pulls away from me and wipes the tears from my eyes. I rest my head against her hand, loving the feeling of her skin against mine.
I turn to Grandpa next, who is now standing, and wrap my arms around his waist. A hearty chuckle escapes him as we embrace. More tears flow from my eyes, but this is the first time in a long time they are from happiness, and I don’t want them to end.
I spent the entire afternoon catching up with my grandparents. Telling them everything that I could about our new lives here in Fallingbrook. I even told them about the guys, just not that I am seeing all four of them or what they are associated with. Grandma and Grandpa gave mom a few side eyes as I spoke about them, but that was it.
We talked about school. My friends. That I finally feel like a better version of myself. I swear I didn’t stop talking for hours.
Mom must have told them about the break-in after it happened because I got a grilling from Grandpa that I need to learn to protect myself better. I agreed with him on that. And I already have a plan for that.
Grandma was worried that this place wasn’t safe enough for the two of us to live, but Mom reassured her that this was the safest place for us. After a bit of back and forth, Grandma finally relented on the subject.
Though they seemed to be arguing about more than just the break-in. Without additional words between them about what they really meant, I could read between the lines. There was something else Grandma was worried about, but no one would say what it was.
Mom made a huge dinner for the four of us, and we are all seated around the kitchen table enjoying it together.
“I heard an interesting rumor the other day,” Grandma says between bites of the lasagna Mom made.
“Oh yeah?” Mom replies.
“I saw Evan out and about,” Grandma says with a sneer. “He was with a man whom I had never seen before. Word on the street that it is his older brother.”
“He doesn’t have an older brother,” I add.
“Apparently, he does. His father allegedly slept with one of his students, and she became pregnant. He paid her off to either get rid of the baby or to keep away from him. A hefty sum if the rumors are to be believed. I guess the son got in touch with Evan, and now his father is furious that they have grown close.”
Grandma takes another bite of her food as we all soak in what she said. It doesn’t surprise me that he would have another child, or that he would pay to have it kept quiet. That man is all about his image and would do anything to keep it clean.
But why would Evan never tell me about this brother? Why do I even care? I don’t, but it is curious. Evan was all about his family's appearance as well, and wouldn’t publicly do anything to tarnish it. I’m guessing he kept it quiet for that reason while secretly wanting to know his older brother.
The rest of the dinner is spent catching up. Grandma and Grandpa are going to stay until New Year’s Eve. They wanted to stay longer, but I guess they had booked a vacation that starts on the second of January and wanted time to go home and get ready before leaving.
This is the nicest night I have had in a long time. My family is all together like it used to be.
All feels right in the world.
Let’s hope that feeling stays.
Serena
Christmas Eve. The most wonderful time of the year. That’s what that song wants you to believe. Sadly, it is not the most wonderful time of the year.
