Page 109 of Deck the Hauls

I’d been so worried that speaking out against Phillip would impact my career, but now I was so glad that I had. Despite the interview requests, the reporters turning up unannounced and the negative social media comments I’d tried hard to ignore, watching Phillip’s downfall play out made it all worth it. Perhaps all my worries about coming out were overblown as well.

I dipped the giant rum ball in coconut.

Coming out would also cause Phillip to lose the last of his power over me, my only ‘secret’ that he could hold over me. If I came out on my own terms, that would no longer be hanging over my head.

Dana’s voice echoed in my head. Which option would you regret the least? Ten years from now, would I regret losing my career, or regret not living my life authentically, regret not fighting for Dana?

I glanced at my watch. 9:30 a.m.

“Are you thinking about making a mad dash up to Sapphire Springs to go get Dana?” Lucia asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes.”

“Woo‑hoo!” yelled Lucia, an enormous grin across her face.

“The only problem,” I said, “is I don’t know how many trains are going to be running today. I have to get from the train station to the farm, and Sapphire Springs only has two Uber drivers, and neither of them seems like the type to work on Christmas Day. I can’t take Mom and Dad’s car because they’ll need it to pick up Aunt Rosa.”

“Why don’t you take my moving van?” Lucia suggested. “I don’t need to return it for another two days. I wanted to give myself a bit of leeway in case it takes longer than expected to unpack, but it turns out I shouldn’t have worried.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, heart thumping. Was I seriously about to do this?

Excitement fizzed in my stomach.

Yes. Yes, I was.

“Of course. Go get your girl!”

I turned to the sink and washed my hands.

“How are those rum balls going?” Mom asked, entering with an apron in her arms. “I’ll need the kitchen soon to start preparing the salads.”

“Almost done,” Lucia said. “Although, Emily has some news for you.”

“Oh?” Mom raised her eyebrows.

“Sorry for the change of plans, but I’m going to spend Christmas with Dana after all—if she’ll have me, that is.”

Mom’s eyes lit up. “I knew there was something more going on between you two!” She clapped her hands together. “You know, she’s welcome to come here, bella.”

“Thanks Mom. I’ll see what she says. But if she’s up for it, I think I should be there to support her at her family’s Christmas dinner.”

Mom nodded. “Well, I’ll pack you some food anyway, just in case.”

She bustled around the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out foil.

“That’s really not necessary,” I said.

Mom waved her hand at me. “Go on! Go get ready.”

I ran upstairs, took a quick shower, threw some clothes in my bag and dashed downstairs. In the kitchen, in the place of my immediate family, Lisa was slicing tomatoes and Tom was picking basil leaves off a stem. A giant pile of food wrapped in foil sat on the countertop.

I wandered down the hallway, looking for my parents and Lucia.

Nonna and Nonno were still in the living room with the kids, who were playing with their new presents.

“Mom? Dad? Lucia?!” I called, wandering around the house to look for them. “Where on earth did they go?”

A crash sounded outside. I turned and walked down the hall toward the front door and pushed the door open. What the⁠—?