After confirming with Ginger and swapping her Mini-Cooper for Jack’s vintage VW van, she and Ginger started for the Seabreeze Inn.
Her grandmother settled in the seat beside her, dressed in pressed denims and kitten-heel boots with a smart ivory wool jacket. “I loved the creativity you all brought to our decorating party. I’m enjoying the fresh perspective.”
“This holiday season feels different,” Marina said as she drove along the sunny coastline and turned onto Main Street.
She loved spending the holidays at the beach. The summer crowds had thinned, and the village looked magical. Glittery Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa decorations sparkled in every storefront. They passed Brandy’s hair salon, which looked busy.
“Kai called this morning,” Ginger said. “She made our appointments for an afternoon of pampering at Beach Waves.”
“Sounds good.” She glanced at her grandmother, whose ginger-colored hair was always styled. “Is it just me, or does something feel off this year?”
“Are you worried because I’m cleaning house? I saw the way you looked at the donations yesterday. I’m fine, dear. Nothing to worry about.”
Marina let out a breath. “Thanks for clearing that up.”
“Your expressions are easy to read,” Ginger said pointedly. “Don’t ever bet on cards.”
“I only bet on my business. That’s risky enough.”
Ginger swayed to “White Christmas,” the Bing Crosby version Marina had put on for her. “Every year brings changes, dear. We’ll have babies around the tree for the first time in years. And Heather is building quite a business with the cafe’s food trucks. Her holiday coffee and treats menu was a brilliant idea. You raised a smart young woman.”
“I’m proud of her. Ethan, too.” Recalling their last phone conversation, Marina sighed. Her son had always loved golf and recently fulfilled his dream of turning professional. “Sadly, he’s unable to come home for Christmas.”
“Is that what’s troubling you?” Ginger touched her shoulder. “Ethan is having the time of his life. Is it a new girlfriend?”
“With his demanding travel and practice schedule, he says he doesn’t have time.” Even so, Marina was happy for him. “This will be the first Christmas the twins haven’t spent together. Maybe that’s why it feels off.”
Ginger nodded thoughtfully. “I remember when you moved to San Francisco. We adjusted, and you will, too. Growing pains aren’t only for children. It’s normal as we move through life’s phases. The key is to expect and embrace change, not fight against it.”
Marina inclined her head. “For years, you celebrated Christmas Eve with Brooke and her children, and then flew to visit us on Christmas Day. In hindsight, I realize that was a burden on you. I shouldn’t have asked you to do that.”
“You didn’t. It was what I wanted to do.” Ginger’s eyes sparkled at the memories. “Traveling on Christmas Day is a joy. Most people are full of good cheer, except those who seldom are anyway. I try to find something to enjoy every day because there is plenty to complain about. Yet, all that does is give you ulcers and premature wrinkles.” She paused. “What do you enjoy every day?”
“Jack and Leo, of course. Working with Heather and following Ethan’s career. Being here with you and my sisters and their families.” Marina glanced from the window toward the sea. “And I love waking to the sound of the ocean.”
Ginger nodded. “This is our mild, sunny winter. Why, I remember fresh snowy days in Paris. They were gorgeous and wildly romantic but also came with wet boots and chapped cheeks. One could choose to love it or complain incessantly.”
Marina smiled at Ginger’s eternally upbeat approach to life. Today hardly felt like winter to anyone but the locals. She loved this time of year. Fewer people were on the beach, lemons were turning yellow, and poinsettias fluttered in the breeze.
“This year, we’ll have new faces gathered around our traditional feast,” Ginger said.
“Two new babies and one young-at-heart boyfriend—I mean, yourbeau.” Marina corrected herself with the word her grandmother preferred.
Ginger rested a hand on Marina’s shoulder. “Oliver is more than a beau now.”
“Is there something you want to share?” Marina asked.
“Soon, perhaps.” Her grandmother shrugged with a small smile.
Even at Ginger’s age, she was vibrant and attractive, ageless in spirit and mind. She could still out-trek Marina up the cliff to her favorite meditation spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
From time to time, Ginger also flew to the East Coast to train young code breakers working on government projects. Only recently, during his research for his biography of Ginger, Jack learned that she had been studying potential applications of artificial intelligence for years.
Her grandmother patted her arm, and Marina tried to shake off the odd sensation she felt. Still, even Jack had noticed it this morning. He’d joked with her, calling it a premonition.
Maybe it was.
She lifted her chin and shook her hair back. Christmas was a time for secrets and surprises, that’s all.
