wake up and did his usual four-way stretch. My attention shifted to my kid moving around and reminding me of his presence. I broke off the stare-down with Robert and Magnus and covered my rippling stomach. The dress I had on fit well and somewhat minimized my protruding belly, but my pregnancy still showed. Owen moved his candle from one hand to the other and put his arm around me, pulling me into his sheltering body. He didn’t have to say a word for me to get his meaning. If either Robert or Magnus tried to mess with me, I had someone to protect and defend me. Warm fuzzies crowded my belly next to my kid, and I leaned against Owen’s side, sniffing his light cologne. He responded by kissing the top of my head.
I covered up a giggle and whispered, “I don’t think you’re supposed to kiss in church, sweetheart.”
He did it again and answered, “God’s house is a place of love. He won’t mind.”
After the service, we all went back to Bevvie and Connor’s house for presents, hot chocolate, and food. Owen and I walked into a house smelling of rich beef stew, yeasty bread, cinnamon-sweet sugar cake, and total bedlam.
Abby and Beverly were arguing in the open kitchen area.
“That’s so unfair, Mom.”
“You’re too young.”
“I’m sixteen!”
“That’s too young.”
“No, it’s not. I just need parental consent.”
“You’re assuming I’ll give you consent.”
I looked at Connor with questioning eyes, and he explained. “Abby’s found a new boy she likes. This one is big into Japanese anime and cosplay. Abby wants to get a tattoo of some cartoon character I’ve never heard of on her side for Christmas. Bev is against it.”
I stifled a laugh. No doubt who would win that battle. I could hear Abby’s wail through the house.
“You’re so mean!”
Beverly pulled bowls and plates from the cupboard while ignoring the teenage meltdown. “Yup, I’m the terrible mean mom, now and forever.”
“It’s all I want.”
“Too bad. I already bought you socks and underwear.”
“Why? Why can’t I get a tattoo? Harvey’s parents let him have one, and it’s soooo cute!”
“It’s a Pikachu Pokémon. I agree, they’re cute.”
“So why can’t I get a matching one?”
“You’ve never been into Pokémon before.”
“I’m into them now, and Harvey thinks it will look really cool.”
“If you’re still into them when you’re eighteen, you can get one then.”
“You’re just prejudiced against people with tattoos.”
I had to admire Bevvie’s patience. I was sure there was a special place in heaven for moms of teenage drama queens. She lifted the top from the huge crockpot, and fragrant steam rose from the bubbling stew. “I’m not against tattoos, Abby. I’m against the reason you want the tattoo so bad.”
“Why?” Bevvie was not the only stubborn female in the house.
Bevvie paused, stirred the stew, and placed the large spoon on a rest next to the pot. “You’re talking about going through a painful and permanent experience just because a boy you like says he wants you to. Do you not see what’s wrong with that?”
Abby crossed her arms and huffed. “I don’t see your point at all. Connor, make her stop.”
Connor barked out a laugh as he rejoined Bevvie in the kitchen. He unwrapped two round loaves of homemade bread. “Sorry, Abby. Your mom is right. You shouldn’t have to get a tattoo for this Harvey fellow to like you. No woman, young or old, needs to twist herself into knots and become something she’s not in order to keep a man interested. If he can’t love you for just being you, then he’s not worth your time.”
Abby still wasn’t ready to give up the argument. “I like Pikachu.”
“Enough to have him on your body for life? Suppose you and Harvey don’t work out and the next guy you like can’t stand Pokémon. Are you going to go through a laser removal because of that?”
Abby hesitated and then rolled her eyes before she flounced off. “Ugh, I hate it when you use logic.”
Connor’s chuckle followed her, and he turned back to the task of slicing the bread on a cutting board. Mattie, already in pj’s, surfed through the kitchen. Sarah sat under the tree, sorting the gifts into separate piles for each person. Jacob started a medley of Christmas music playing on his phone.
Good food. Good family. Good man at my side. How could it get any better?
It did in the form of a breaking news text alert.
Former Principal Garland Bradshaw has been arrested this evening on charges of possession of child