“It does? I had no idea.” He says with a huge grin on his face. I take the lid off of the box, move over the top layer of tissue paper and see a leather jacket inside. I stand up off of the bed and pull it out of the box. It’s the exact same one I tried on at the store with Bevan when I was purchasing Jameson’s jacket.
“Jameson, I can’t accept this. This is way too much. I was just trying this on for fun.”
“If I have to take yours back then you have to take mine back.” He demands.
“That’s not fair!” I plead.
“Seems pretty fair to me.” He snarls back. “Either we both keep them or we both send them back and I don’t know where I put the receipt so—”
“You play dirty Jameson Michaels.”
“In more ways than one baby. Now let me see you in nothing but that jacket and those heels over there.”
WE OPENED PRESENTS WITH MARCIE at the apartment in the morning. She argued with us for twenty minutes over driving to her parent’s house. After we spent four hours there she still gave us dirty looks and attitude not caring that my family was holding dinner for us.
I wish I could dismiss her comments as easily as Jameson seemed to be able to do. It was just like Thanksgiving all over again. Everyone hugged us goodbye, thanked us for spending the day with them and driving so far. She only gave us grief. Jameson didn’t say a word. He just smiled, waved goodbye and walked out the door. Why was he so unaffected? Why did she think her behavior was acceptable? Is every holiday going to be like this? What have I gotten myself in to?
RIGHT BEFORE WE WERE ABOUT TO TURN on to the highway I asked Jameson to stop at the gas station so I could get some aspirin and a drink.
“You okay? Headache?” He asks.
“Yeah, you could say that.” I tell him.
I don’t even wait for him to put the car in park before I take off my seatbelt, grab my purse and open the door. I don’t look behind me but I hear his car door close, so I know he’s on my tail. I stomp over to where I see the coolers with beverages and look for the ginger ale. My stomach is already in knots. Jameson is standing near me but I walk right passed him. I see the trial size aspirin on my way to the counter, grab a pack and put it on the counter. Jameson reaches over me, puts a bottle of soda on the counter.
“I got this.” He tells me. I keep my head down and step aside so the cashier can scan our items.
Once Jameson pays he hands me my ginger ale and aspirin, puts his arm out as if to tell me “after you”, so I walk back to the car still with my head down.
“You wanna tell me what the hell that was all about?” He asks sternly.
“Nope.”
“Well, I don’t fucking care. Tell me what the fuck happened because I obviously missed something.”
“Your mom.” I admit.
“Oh Christ. What did she do now?”
“It was just the way she was when we said we were leaving. It’s the same shit as Thanksgiving. We spent the morning with her, then spent all day with her and her family and she’s gonna give us shit about leaving to see my family… on fucking Christmas. It’s bullshit! I will not put up with this every fucking holiday Jameson.”
“I’m sorry Hillary. I guess I’m just used to letting things she says go in one ear and out the other. I’m so used to running around to different houses on holidays since being a child of divorce. I didn’t take you into consideration.”
I can feel my face reddening, the tears welling up, my hands shaking. Why am I so scared about being honest with my feelings? I have every right to feel. “I said it once and I’ll say it again Jameson. I’ll be damned if I get a God damn guilt trip about spending time with my fucking family for the holidays.”
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’ll take care of it. Let’s get on the road and go see your family.”
“You dirty cunt! You’re gonna get it now!”
December 31, 2002
JAMESON LOVES THE NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY. When he told me Marcie was going to the party in the community room at their apartment complex I suggested inviting Bevan and Lily, and Karolyn and her husband, Joe over. Jameson loved the idea of keeping it low key at the apartment. We don’t have to worry about drinking and driving, spending a ridiculous amount of money or dealing with crowds. We laughed about Karolyn telling us she was coming in her pajamas.
At seven o’clock on the dot all four of our guests showed up wine and beer in hand. We all sat at the dining room table playing board games and sharing laughs. Joe spent most of his time yelling about us not upping our game during cards. Karolyn and Lily only wanted to talk about our wedding plans, and Bevan just sat there and laughed at all of us.