The Christmas Pic

33. Ava

CHAPTER 33

AVA

As soon as I heard Jo’s truck was totaled, I was ready to leap into action. It’s unfortunate Jo had to lose such an important heirloom, but being the forward-thinker I am, I had an inkling it was going to give out on us at any moment. And as per usual, I was right. Also as per usual, I was prepared.

While Jo sleeps next to me, I sneak a text. ‘SEND IT,’ I shoot off to Max, whom I also woke up to share the bad news, which in reality is good news, because we get to execute our top secret surprise plan. I can’t help but imagine the grin on Jo’s face when she sees what I’ve pulled together for her. Maybe then she will understand how much I care.

At around eleven a.m., Jo wakes up.

“Merry Christmas Eve, Jo,” I say, trying to hide my eagerness.

She stretches. “Merry Christmas Eve, I guess,” she says with tired eyes.

The empathetic sadness I feel at her gloom must be written all over my face, because I see her work to muster a braver expression

“No, you know what? Merry Christmas Eve, I know .” She leans over and gives me a peck. “Dad wouldn’t have it any other way.”

There she is.

I go to get dressed, but Jo won’t allow it. “Nope, Christmas pajamas only at a Fisher Family Christmas event,” she instructs, handing me an ‘I’m Santa’s Favorite’ set.

“Anything for you.”

We make our way into Carol’s living room, everyone’s jubilant faces falling as soon as they see Jo’s. I explain what happened the night before, that the truck is totaled, and that it’s not returning from the mechanic this time.

Carol processes the news, her face hollow, and it strikes me: the truck was their last living piece of Roger, and now that piece is gone.

“We all knew this day would come,” Carol says, keeping it together for her girls. She opens her arms to Jo, who snuggles up next to her on the couch.

Lena nods and wipes away a tear as Carol rubs her back with her other hand. “On Christmas Eve of all days,” she laughs. “Nice one, Dad.”

She sniffs a nose full of snot then stands for a tissue, but winces. “Oof,” she grunts. Matt runs to her aid.

“You good?” he asks. “Do we need to go to the hospital?”

She shakes her head. “We don’t need to go to the hospital every time I’m in pain.”

“Nine months pregnant–you’re always in pain,” Carol confirms.

Matt hands her a tissue as she sits back down, blowing her nose like if she does it hard enough, all of this will go away.

“Gross,” Jo says to her, a tiny smile on her face.

“You’re gross,” she shoots back. Sisters.

I clap my hands together. “We’re not gonna let this ruin Christmas Eve, right?”

“No question,” Jo says .

The mood lifts.

The rest of the day is better than I imagined. We assemble our own Christmas charcuterie boards, each with a specific theme. We nibble from the plates of meats and cheeses and candied nuts telling stories of Christmases past. Their memories are so vivid, it’s like I was there all along.

As per tradition, everyone gets to open one present on Christmas Eve. Lena gets an adorable outfit for the baby. Carol opens the most luscious robe I’ve ever seen. Jo unboxes a new record player. In a surprise to no one, Matt receives a bong shaped like a candy-cane.

Carol turns to me. “I’m sorry we don’t have any presents for you, Ava. Do you want to open one of mine?”

“That’s sweet, Carol, but I couldn’t,” I say as Jo stands.

“Wait,” she says, running out to her backhouse.

Moments later, she returns, a crudely wrapped present in her hands. “I want you to have this,” she says. “Open it.”

I take the gift and peel away the layers of tape and brown paper to reveal a film camera.

“It was my dad’s first camera,” she says. “You love film, too, so I thought it could be a nice reintroduction to your photography roots.”

I’m speechless. She’s lost one of the biggest pieces of her father, and now she’s willing to give me another? I shake my head.

“Yes,” she says, wrapping my hands around the small camera body. “I’m sure.”

If I had no idea how she felt before this moment, I know now. She couldn’t have given me a bigger piece of her heart than this, and I’m overjoyed. I embrace her and give her a kiss on the cheek .

“I love it,” I say. She smiles the biggest smile I’ve seen all day.

Like magic, I receive a text from Max. ‘IT’S GO TIME.’

“Just in time for my present to you, Jo.” I grab her hand and lead her to the front door. “I was going to wait til tomorrow, but no time like the present, right? Ha! Present.”

“What are you talking about?” she asks. Her family follows us.

“Last night was horrible,” I say. “And I can’t replace what your dad left you, but I pulled every favor I could think of to make sure you were covered.”

I open the front door, and on cue, Max pulls up the driveway in a brand-new, state-of-the-art photo truck. Aspen and his team stand outside the door, waiting for us, cameras rolling to capture reactions.

Lena’s jaw drops, and Carol runs out to the truck with glee.

But Jo’s reaction is nothing like what I expected.