“If that’s what you want to call it.” Roger argues, “He’s making a fool of himself.”
I raise an eyebrow but don’t comment. Despite how warm and welcoming they are I don’t want to overstep and insert myself into their family drama.
“Mom, have you seen the baster?” A melodic voice calls from the kitchen.
“Oh, that’s Penelope. Come say hello honey.” Sandy says leading me into the kitchen.
Where the rest of the house is immaculate, the kitchen looks like a warzone. Dirty pots and pans cover the white granite counter tops and what looks like butter is smeared on several cabinet handles.
A tall and slender woman stands at the oven. Her brown hair is perfectly coiled at her nape, but her cherry red apron is covered in mashed potatoes.
“Penelope, this is Gabriella.” Sandy introduces me to her daughter as if nothing is amiss.
Taking a page from Sandy’s calm and collected demeanor I manage a polite hello.
“You’re the one who saved the day!” Penelope exclaims joyfully.
“That’s me,” I say feeling a hint of a blush in my cheeks.
“Don’t worry about the madness,” Penelope reassures me, “It’s all part of my method.”
Glancing around my doubt must show on my face.
“Just you wait Gabriella, this will be the best dinner of your life.” Penelope claims. “My husband and daughter are at his father’s house right now, but they should be in time for dinner.”
Leading me back out of the kitchen Sandy stashes me on the couch with Roger.
“I’m just going to go help Penelope in the kitchen for a bit. Feel free to have a cookie dear.” She says pointing to the plate on the coffee table where pink snowmen and blue reindeer clearly decorated by a child cover a dish.
“And Roger don’t make her watch football!” She shouts as she returns to the kitchen.
“Die Hardis on.” Roger suggests after an awkward moment.
Feeling shy in a stranger’s home I agree to watch the action movie. The man is a grandfather who has probably sat through every Christmas movie a dozen times at least. I can bite my tongue just this once.
As John McClane kills yet another terrorist, I hear a familiar deep voice behind me say “Now this is the betrayal to end all betrayals.”
Spinning on the cushion I look up to see Oliver’s grinning face.
“I don’t even care how you wound up in my parent’s house,” He continues with a shake of his head, “But how dare you watch this without me?”
“Uh.” Is the only sound I’m capable of making as Oliver rounds the side of the sectional to plop down beside me.
His sweater lights up briefly emphasizing the Christmas tree spanning his torso. As he wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer Roger pips up, “Don’t make the girl uncomfortable, just because you got dumped.”
Confusion causes Oliver’s eyebrows to scrunch together.
“I didn’t get dumped.” He says looking from me to his father.
“Your girlfriend didn’t want to spend Christmas with your family.” Roger says with a scoff, “I doubt that relationship is going to pan out son.”
Oliver’s gaze slides back to mine and I watch as he processes the information available to him.
“I bumped into your mom on the elevator. Gave her a ham. Didn’t know she was your mom. She insisted I come over for dinner.” I spit out finally.
Silence reigns as Roger and Oliver both look at me like I’m growing a second nose. I want to sink through the couch and then the floor when Roger begins to laugh.
“Sandy!” He shouts, “Baby you’ll never believe this!”
