Unfiltered by Leigh Lennon

Author:Leigh Lennon [Lennon, Leigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-15T05:00:00+00:00

During dinner, Kai and Rose both try to engage Emma in conversation but she barely responds to their questions. I wouldn’t say she is being out and out rude, but she is not trying and I am immediately angry as the dinner progresses. Finally, Tyler looks at me with a “don’t worry, I got this” look, and tries to take matters into his own hands.

“So, tell me, Justine, will you be like all the other crazy people out there the week after Thanksgiving trying to get the best deals on Christmas presents?” he asks and I have no idea where my son-in-law is going with this.

She gives him a sly smile. “No, I am all done for the most part with my shopping. Wait, doesn’t everyone do that?”

Rose and Kai smirk at one another as Rose continues, “And knowing Mom, she has them wrapped and her Christmas cards ready to be mailed out.”

Justine only smiles to this statement. “No way? Why?” Tyler asks.

“I don’t enjoy Christmas with the demands of shopping and all that commercial crap. I get it done so I can enjoy my holiday in peace.”

“I am impressed but I have to say, I still believe in Santa Claus.”

I laugh, not knowing where this is going. “Ty, son, I hate to break it to you but Santa is not real.”

“No, he is. Then who brings my favorite gift each year?” He laughs, looking at Emma, flirtatiously.

“What is that?” I question, stupidly.

“Funny you ask.” He looks at me and then at Emma, as she is shaking her head no adamantly. “It is your daughter decorated in just a bow.” Emma glares at him, making the Cold War look peaceful.

Justine, snorting between laughter, only says, “You walked into that one, cowboy.”

Emma may not have talked much more tonight but the humor of Tyler breaks up the harsh exterior of my daughter. That makes the night a lot more tolerable.

It surprises me when Rafe shows up earlier than I expect. As Rose and Kai leave, Emma doesn’t respond to their goodbyes. She out and out ignores them. I see something in Justine’s eyes that makes me understand that she contacted Rafe to ask him to get the kids earlier. I brace myself for the battle of these fierce women.

As she turns to Ems, she quietly but forcefully says, “Emma, you are allowed to be a bitch to me, but when it comes to my kids, I draw the line. They have done nothing to you.”

I see an equal look in Emma’s face and both Ty and I sit back on the couch as if we are going to witness a WWE wrestling match. I look at Ty and we both say quietly, “This should be fun.”

“I am trying, Justine,” she says.

Justine squares her off, physically standing her ground and says, “That was you trying, ignoring my kids when they were trying to say goodbye to you?”

Emma and Justine are standing face to face in my living room while Ty and I are still sitting on the couch.

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