I smiled. “That too. Anyway, I got let go.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was hurt. Embarrassed. You and Mom were all so happy when I made vice president. The Boss Lady. It felt like it was a justification for all that hard work and sacrifices I’d made. Yes, I left home, but look at what I’d accomplished. How could I come home and tell you I failed at that level?”
He scrunched up his face. “Because I’m your father. Because no matter what happens in your life, I’m here to support you. Love you. Tell you that those fuckers are assholes for firing you.”
“Dad! Your language!”
“Your mother isn’t here to chastise me, so I can say what I want. You tell me everything, Kristen. All of it. Part of the joy of being a parent is that I don’t just live my life, I get to experience yours too. All the highs and the lows. I want to know everything. You’re not out there on your own trying to handle everything yourself. You always have me in your corner. Always. Even if I do come with a failing inn and a busted leg.”
I reached across the table and grabbed his hand to squeeze it. “You are the absolute best, Dad.”
“I know it,” he grumbled. “Maybe you should share that information with your brother Matt.”
“I will.”
“So what was that phone call about then?”
“A new job, potentially. I might have to leave to fly out for an interview. But I’ll be back for Christmas. I promise I won’t leave you in a lurch.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. How many times do I have to tell you that? I get that I let some things slide around the inn, but now that you’ve pointed it all out, I can take it from here.”
No, he couldn’t. I thought back to what Paul said. About what the pressure of running the inn single-handedly was doing to him. That it was breaking him.
If I interviewed and got the job, I could always tell them I needed a few weeks before I could start. Maybe find a permanent manager who could help him with the day-to-day operations.
“All this is speculative,” I said. “I don’t even know if they’ll want to interview me.”
“Of course they will,” he said confidently. “You’re Kris Kringle Jr. Who wouldn’t want you on their team?”
“Dad,” I groaned. “Don’t call me Kris Kringle! You know it drives me crazy!”
He chuckled and patted his stomach. “That’s part of the fun!”
* * *
Paul
I watchedher walk toward me, her hands buried in her jean pockets. Her steps slower and more measured than they normally were.
“This isn’t going to be good, guys. This is going to be bad news.”
“Still talking to your trees?” she asked, as she approached the ladder I was standing on to shave down the tops of some of the taller trees.
“Always,” I said as I climbed down. “After all, at least they’re alive and can actually hear me.”
We stood there, on the ground, just looking at each other while I waited for her to work up the courage to say what she needed to say.
“Just rip it off like a Band-Aid, Kay-Kay. I can’t stand the suspense.”
“I have to leave tomorrow. That headhunter I told you about the other day, he called. The company wants to interview me for the COO position. Operations is where I do best.”
“Chief Operations Officer. That’s big time,” I agreed, and tried to smile around the sick feeling in my gut. “Next jump is CEO and that’s what you’ve always wanted.”
She nodded and ducked her head. “Yeah. Anyway, I’ll be back in time. I’m not going to leave everyone hanging for the big Christmas Eve party.”
“Yep.”
