Page 110 of Deck the Hauls

Dad was balanced on a ladder leaning against the moving van, attaching a red tinsel bell at the top while Mom stood on the driveway, sticking gold stars to the back of the van. Lucia sat on the hood, attaching a large red Rudolph nose.

“What are you guys doing?” I asked, laughing.

“Well, since we’re not having Christmas with you this year, we thought we’d give you some Rossi family Christmas cheer to take with you.”

“Won’t it blow off while I’m driving?”

I could see myself speeding down the highway, red tinsel bells flying off and taking out unsuspecting drivers...

“They’ve survived fierce winds and snowstorms while stuck to the house and we’re using zip ties, rope and adhesive strips,” Dad said. “I think it’ll be fine.”

I laughed. “Well, I really appreciate the sentiment.”

My family really was incredibly caring and supportive.

Dana deserves that too.

Within a few minutes the truck was covered in tinsel bells, stars, a wreath on each side, a Rudolph nose on the front and two antlers sticking out from each side. Lucia checked the antler was secure and then jumped down.

“There we go. Perfect,” she said.

We stood back to admire our handiwork. I had to admit it looked pretty great. Hopefully Dana would appreciate it. She’d definitely become a lot more tolerant of Christmas. Maybe even on the verge of enjoying it? Hopefully that hadn’t all been undone by my inability to see what mattered most.

Mom, who’d disappeared, reappeared carrying two large cooler bags of food. “I’ll throw these in the back.”

A wave of nerves hit me as I climbed into the van. Was it okay just turning up unannounced like this on Dana’s doorstep?

I pulled my phone out to call her.

Straight to voicemail. She must be out of range.

Next stop, Red Tractor Farm.

CHAPTER FORTY

DANA

Merry.

Crack.

Fucking.

Crack.

Christmas.

Crack.

I heaved the axe up and then smashed it down again, over and over. Despite it only being forty degrees sweat dripped down my forehead.

What would Emily be doing right now? Probably in the kitchen with Lucia and her parents, helping prepare Christmas dinner. Somewhere in between Sapphire Springs and Dyker Heights, Mom, Dad, Kelsey and Jake would be doing the same.

Crack.

Roz had reiterated her invitation to their Christmas dinner yesterday, and George, Hannah, Jenny and Blake had invited me to their family gatherings as well. I’d declined them all. I would have just been the Christmas Grinch, dragging down the mood with my low spirits.

Crack.