Chapter 18 - CHRISTMAS EVE
We did not go to Margaret’s house for Christmas.
We stayed home.
My parents drove up from Pennsylvania.
Bridget joined us on Christmas Eve.
There were fewer dishes.
Fewer people.
Less noise.
Renley wore reindeer pajamas all afternoon and arranged her four wooden dolls around a miniature tea set.
All four.
No one demanded she surrender them.
At six, Callum arrived with presents.
He still stayed at the hotel.
Our separation had become official in every way except paperwork.
I had not decided what came next.
Neither had he.
He gave Renley a small wooden box.
Inside were hand-painted figures representing our family.
Renley.
Me.
Callum.
Baxter.
She laughed at the rabbit.
Then she grew serious.
“Are you coming home?”
Callum knelt beside her.
“I don’t know yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I hurt Mom’s trust.”
Renley looked at me.
“Can trust grow back?”
I answered carefully.
“Sometimes.”
Callum nodded.
“But you don’t get it back by asking for it.”
“You earn it.”
Renley placed the wooden Callum beside the wooden Evelyn.
Then she moved them a few inches apart.
“You can start here.”
My mother turned away to hide tears.
At 8:40 p.m., someone knocked.
My father checked the camera.
Deline.
She stood alone.
I felt every muscle in my body tighten.
Callum moved toward the door.
I stopped him.
“No.”
“She may need something.”
“She can call her attorney.”
The knocking became louder.
Then Deline shouted through the door.
“Callum, I know you’re in there.”
Renley froze.
Callum looked at her.
That was the decision.
Not Deline’s anger.
Not his mother’s tears.
His daughter’s face.
He walked to the door but did not open it.
“Leave.”
Deline laughed from outside.
“You’re choosing her over your own family?”
Callum looked back at me.
Then he answered.
“They are my family.”
Silence.
Deline struck the door once with the flat of her hand.
“You’ll regret this.”
Callum did not move.
After thirty seconds, she walked away.
We watched her drive off.
Renley released the breath she had been holding.
Callum crouched beside her.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
Then she whispered, “You spoke this time.”
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“I did.”
At 11:57 p.m., three minutes before Christmas morning, Claire emailed me.
Subject:
URGENT - DO NOT CONTACT DELINE.
The body contained one sentence.
May you like
Investigators believe she attempted to transfer ownership of the lake cabin this afternoon.
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