in, I requested for her to send one of our staff personal shoppers up to meet with me. That photo sparked an idea, and I had some shopping to do.
We walked around the store as she scribbled notes and barked orders at the salespeople while I fired off a list of things I needed and pointed to various things I needed to purchase.
Around housewares, my phone rang. I checked the screen and saw it was my mother.
“Hey, I’m glad you called me back,” I answered. “I have an idea I wanted to tell you and Dad about. More than an idea. A plan. I want you both and Ann and the kids to come to my place for dinner on Christmas Eve. I’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is show up.”
“Christmas Eve?” she replied, not sounding too thrilled.
“I know you two don’t have plans. You never do. Why shouldn’t we spend the holiday together?”
“Actually, son...in light of your father’s retirement, this time we do have plans. We’re packing now and leaving in the morning for a two week cruise through the Caribbean. I’m sorry to put a damper on your dinner plans, dear. But you’ll have to carry on without us.”
I turned to the personal shopper, who was holding up two different napkins for me to choose from. I pointed to one and directed my attention back to my call.
“The Caribbean?” I repeated. “You’re leaving in the morning?”
“I’m afraid so,” she said, but her tone didn’t sound sorry at all.
“Mom, let me talk to Dad. Is he nearby?”
I heard the shuffling of the phone being passed off followed by my father’s voice. “Son! Did your mother tell you the good news? We’re finally getting that extended vacation we’ve been dreaming about for years. I feel bad that now you’re stuck in the same spot I was for so long. Chained to that drowning company. But I know you’ll see us through. Like your mother says, I have to let go at some point.”
“Dad, couldn’t you guys put the cruise off until after the new year?” I proposed. “Surely one benefit of enjoying your retirement is that you can spend more time with your family now. And I’ve been thinking...We really don’t spend enough time together. Don’t you want to see your grandkids for Christmas?”
“It’s a lovely idea, Chris. But maybe next year.”
“I have a feeling that’s going to turn into an endless string of ‘maybe next year’s until something happens and it’s too late,” I sighed. “I’m insisting, Dad. Just do this for me. One dinner is all I’m asking...Just us family.”
“Your mom’s heart is quite set on this cruise,” he answered. “I am sorry, but...not this time.”
I hung up the phone, exasperated. The shopkeeper still wanted my opinion on this tablecloth or that, and what china did I decide on? I sucked up all my determination and carried on with it until we were finished. I didn’t know how I was going to make this work with my parents dead set on a tropical cruise in the middle of Christmas, but I had to come up with something.
I finished all the shopping and gave the instructions for everything to be delivered to my place. After the bonus announcement to all the employees, my mood felt lifted again. I could find some way to pull this off.
I went home and set to another task that I rarely gave any thought to, much less attempted myself. I poured a glass of wine and started wrapping presents I had bought for everyone. I could have paid someone to do it, but it was the kind of thing Hazel would say you should do yourself. It makes the gift more special if it’s wrapped by hand, and I agreed.
Once I had a few glasses down, I started to get in a good groove of wrapping and tying each one up with ribbon. Then, my phone rang again. This time it was my sister calling.
“Ann, did you get my message?” I stood and looked around the chaotic spread of wrapping paper, tape, and bows.
“Yes, what’s this urgent matter all about? I take it you’ve been following what they’re saying about you online?”
“You can’t pay attention to that kind of stuff,” I said dismissively. “No, the urgent matter is actually about our Christmas Eve plans. I need your help. Mom and Dad are set on going off on some cruise, but it’s really important to me that we get together for