An (un)Orthodox Christmas by Drew Ana T

Author:Drew, Ana T [Drew, Ana T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-21T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

It comes as no surprise how pleased I am to see David again.

“How long has it been? A year? More?” He eyes me after we sit down.

“About a year,” I say. “You were out of town on my last two visits.”

He points at Edwige’s belly. “My boss has been notified he has two months to move me to a department where I don’t have to travel so much, or else I quit.”

He hasn’t changed. Same warmth in his chocolate-brown eyes, same thick, curly eyelashes, prominent nose, and strong chin. At twenty-eight, he’s lost the last of his teenage allure to become a man. That said, people have always thought David was my brother and not Patrick’s. Now the resemblance between the two of us is even more striking than before. Patrick takes after his Normand dad, and he looks just as boyish at twenty as he did at seventeen.

The one who’s changed a lot over the last year is Edwige. While she wasn’t exactly skinny when I met her, now she’s voluptuous, her face as rounded as her belly.

The weather is mild this afternoon, and we’ve moved our coffee cups and dessert platters out to the garden table. It’s just the four of us—David, Edwige, Julie, and me. My parents gave us some space on purpose. Medz Mama did it despite herself, due to an urgent nap.

We spend an hour or so talking about life, work, and common acquaintances. To my delight, both Edwige and Julie take an active part in the conversation, apparently enjoying it. They even encourage David and me to share stories of childhood mischief, the kind of stuff that only moms find interesting. Another hour later, I begin to worry there won’t be a natural lull so I can ask my cousin and his wife about their problem with Aunt Mireille.

“You must be wondering if I’m pregnant with twins,” Edwige says out of the blue.

I follow her gaze to her larger-than-average bump. “I wasn’t. But are you?”

“Nope, just one.” She forces a chuckle.

Julie’s eyes linger on Edwige’s. “Did Mireille ask you if you were expecting twins?”

“I don’t doubt she would’ve, but she didn’t get a chance,” the other woman replies, her face tight. “We stopped talking before I got pregnant.”

Given her reaction, Julie may have put her finger on something.

“Aunt Mireille is heartbroken,” I say. “Whatever happened, whatever hurtful thing she might’ve said, is there a way you could forgive her?”

Edwige glances at David.

“Your attempt at mediation is endearing,” my cousin says. “But you’re wasting your time.” All warmth is gone from his eyes now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this before.

“All right,” I say. “Don’t forgive her. Don’t move on. But at least tell her, or your dad, why you’re so angry.”

“We’re not angry with my dad,” David objects.

“The fact that she has no clue why David and I won’t talk to her tells you all you need to know,” Edwige says.

“No, it doesn’t. Honestly!” I spread my hands. “Help me out here, please.

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