The Christmas evening
“Me and the gang are at a local cafe, think it's called Cafe Riviere or something.”
“So you’re all a gang now? Should I be worried?” Mama Kai jokes, they called asking what I was up to.
“Haha, very funny mom. Do you want anything while I'm here? ”
I heard murmuring on the other side of the phone,
“Do they have croissants?”
“Yes mom, I’ll get you a croissant.” I heard muffled excitement before “Thank yooouuuuuuu, have funnnn, goodbyyyee!” before the call ended.
“Everything good Lizzy?” Charlie sat across from me, taking a small bite of the bagel he had gotten.
“Yep, the mom just wanted to know what was up, I have to get them a croissant now though,” I shrug, grabbing my wallet and getting back in line, “what would you recommend for drinks? I was thinking about cocoa.”
Darcy wrapped her arm around me, very precariously holding her drink and food in her left hand.
“I’d say the cocoa is pretty good, but the tea is the best option.”
“You just don't like hot cocoa Darcy.” Tara
Darcy fake gasps, quickly removing her arm from my shoulders and places her hand on her chest in a mock offended way
“How dare you! I like hot chocolate! I just prefer tea!”
Tara hugs her girlfriend and leads her away to the rest of the group. I make my way over to the counter, rehearsing my order in my head,
“Hello, welcome to Cafe Rivere, how may I help you?”
“Oh, uh, can I get a Hot Cocoa and two chocolate croissaints?”
“Yep! Anything else?”
“No thank you.”
“That'll be 13.50”
As I dig through my pockets I swiftly realize I'm short.
“Damn, I only have 10.. Is there anything I could take off-?”
“Here ya go, 13.50.” Nick steps in front of me, handing the cashier the cash.
“You didn't have to do that, I was just gonna get the croissants…”
“Ive met your mother, they would be upset if you bought them something but nothing for yourself. If you're short of money you could get a job? There's plenty of places hiring, Kings Corner is hiring on third, that's an easy walk or bus ride from your house.”
Nick continues to explain a few places that are hiring near me as we sit down with our lot.
“I could do that, I'd have to talk with Mama Kai though. They might not like it if I get a job. Wanting me to be a kid and live a little and all. They’ve been having a hard time getting a job though..”
“You could both work there. I’m sure the owners won't mind the extra help.”
“Yeah, that might work. I'll talk to them later tonight. Now, enough talk about adult stuff. What are Y’all doing for Christmas?”
Everyone pretty much explains the same thing, they're spending it with family. A ping of homesickness stings my side, but I let it slide.
“What about you Liz?” Darcy asks, sipping her tea.
“Oh, Jade’s going out to visit family somewhere with her parents so it's just me and Mama Kai, we’re gonna watch a few movies and play minecraft or something..” I drink my now lukewarm coco and listen to everyone else's conversation, talking and making jokes.
“Mooom, I'm hommmmme!” I set my things down by the door and kick off my shoes, nearly falling in the process.
“I have your croissant!” and suddenly I hear footsteps running down the hall upstairs and down the stairs.
“Hello my beautiful daughter I heard the mention of snacks?”
I laugh, handing them the bag with the probably now stale croissant.
“Did you have fun? Meet anyone cute? See any dogs?” they talk in between bites, looking at me as they do.
“I didn’t see any dogs, I am not interested in romances right now, and yes I did have fun. It's a pretty cute cafe by the river.” I set my things down, plopping on the couch. I open my phone and see a notification from Nick, it's a link to the hiring webpage for Kings Corner. Oh right, I wanted to talk to Mom about that.
“How's the job hunting going?” I look up from my phone, I know they won't be angry but trying to bring this up is making me so anxious.
“Meh, it's going. I was looking at that place on third? Kings something, it seems cool, that's the movie theater/arcade thing right? Like the Wild Horse from home?” they look at me while chewing, very absentmindedly.
“Oh, yeah, Nick said they were hiring. It's like a store with a food court and stuff. I was thinking of trying to get a job there, part time.” I hold my breath, I can feel my heart pounding.
“Oh yeah? Well if you get an interview I'll let the school know. You have your last period as a free period right? Maybe they’ll let you go early. I wonder if I could get a job there too.” they keep talking, mainly to themselves it seems. And I remember why I agreed to live with them, they let me be a person.
I stare at them, talking animatedly to themself, and suddenly the tears start.
“Well, if we both work there we’d be able to carpool, that way you dont gotta walk- Honey what's wrong?” they look at me, so much concern in their eyes it's almost overwhelming.
“I’m just happy Momma. I guess I’m just a bit overwhelmed right now. With Christmas and stuff..” I wiped my eyes, going in for the hug Momma Kai offered immediately after they realized I was crying.
“Well, it’ll be just us. We’ll watch movies, make cocoa and play minecraft, we’ll run around in the snow and make snowmen, it’ll be fun I promise.”
I laugh into they're shoulder,
"I know it'll be fun momma. I'm sorry, Im staining your sweater." I pull back.
They wipe my face off with their sleeve.
"Hey, you're not allowed to say sorry for that. It's a sweater, I can just wash it. Is anything else bothering you?"
They grab my hand and hold it with both of theirs.
"I.. I miss them momma. This is the first Christmas without them. I even bought them presents!"
The tears come back even faster.
Momma Kai just wraps her arms around me again, petting my hair as I sob into their chest again.
"I know sweetie, it'll be okay. We can wrap the presents and open them together on Christmas okay? It'll be just for them."
I nod my head and they let me go again.
"Wanna watch a show? NCIS? We can eat some snacks and make drinks?"
I smile and nod as they stand handing me the remote before walking into the kitchen.
"Thank you momma, I love you."
"I love you too hunny."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wake up early in the morning, Christmas music blaring throughout the house and the smell of fresh cookies lingering.
I stretch and struggle out of bed, making my way downstairs. Letting the smell of cookies, coffee and bacon keep me awake.
"Morning momma.. What are you doing up this early?"
They turn around, the "kiss the chef" apron momma Jade got them covered in flour.
"It's Christmas, I wanted to make you a good morning breakfast. We'll open presents here in a second ok?" As I sit down at the bar they place a plate full of pancakes and bacon in front of me.
As we open presents we save the ones I got for Kota and Dom for last, Kai giggles as we do, knowing they would've loved them.
The rest of the day went by slowly, playing games and watching Christmas movies while eating junk food and mommas burnt sugar cookies. It was a good day, Nick and Sarah stopped by as a surprise visit, bringing gifts and even more cookies.
"Well, go on, open it!"
I tear away the wrapping paper revealing a pretty box with an even prettier necklace in it.
"Nick this is wayyy to nice. How much was this??"
I lift up the necklace, and notice the charm.
"DnD? I mean, the games cool but I don't know much about it."
Momma giggles and Nick just laughs.
"It's for your brothers. I asked Kai what their names were and got their initials engraved on it."
I start him for a few moments, then back at the necklace. Tears once again starts forming and all I can do is hug him. I'll miss him when I go back to the states.