The terminal was completely deserted, with the exception of a single woman behind the counter at the gift shop who looked as forlorn as I felt. I offered her a smile as I passed, though I knew it probably didn’t look super cheery or festive. For some reason, every step I took away from Brogan compounded my sadness. It wasn’t as if the relationship we’d forged in so short a time could mean much to me, but he’d been kind and open. And let’s face it, I reminded myself, he’s hot as hell.
There was no one at my gate when I rolled back into the waiting area. I glanced at the update screen, but it still said only “Cancelled.” I pulled out my phone and sat down, dialing Mom’s number.
“Hello?” Katie, my sister, answered.
“Hey Kate.” I coaxed some false brightness into my voice.
“Hey sis! Shouldn’t you be on a plane right now? What’s going on?”
My heart sank low in my chest and weighed down my voice. I felt like I’d swallowed a rock. “It’s snowing here, Katie. Like, a lot. All the flights are cancelled. I can’t even leave the airport. I’m basically snowed in.”
“At the airport? But it’s Christmas Eve!”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Mom’s gonna cry.” My sister sounded irritated. As if this was my fault.
“Can I talk to her?”
“Yep. Hang on.” As Katie put down the phone, I could hear the music playing in the background and the sounds of dishes clattering in the kitchen. Dad’s boisterous laugh filtered through the phone line, and I felt even more forlorn.
“Hi, honeybee! When do you get in?” Mom’s voice was happy and warm. I wanted to walk into her arms for a hug.
“I’m not gonna make it, Mom. My flight’s cancelled.”
“No! Oh, honey! What will you do? Will it get out later?”
“I don’t think so. We’re snowed in here at the airport.” I suddenly felt horribly sorry for myself. “I’m going to spend Christmas Eve sleeping in the airport, Mom. I can’t even drive myself home now, the snow’s too thick.” It was a whine, and I knew I was too old to whine to my mother, but hearing Mom’s voice made me think of everything I was missing—and of everything I’d recently lost.
“Oh honey.” I could hear the tears in my mother’s voice.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. I really wanted to be there. And to see Nana.”
“Oh, it’s not your fault, Dix. And I’m sorry, too. I wish I could reach through the phone and pull you out here. I just hate thinking of you all alone in that cold airport tonight.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” I said, feeling sorry that I’d worried her.
“Oh, honey. I just can’t think of much more lonely for you … especially with everything that’s happened with Paul.” Mom paused and I could hear her putting on her it’ll-be-fine attitude as she took a deep breath. “Well, here’s what we’ll do. You call me first thing in the morning and let me know what the update is from the airport. If you can get out at all—no matter how early or late—you come right here. And we will not open a single gift until you’re here. And we’ll just keep the big dinner until you arrive, even if we end up having it a week from now. We’re having you here for Christmas, Dixie, you hear me? And you just pretend that today is just a regular day. It’s not anything special, and as soon as you can get out of that awful airport, then the holiday will be back on.”
I smiled. My mother was the perfect example of a strong southern woman—she’d grown up in Texas, after all. She could be dramatic and tenderhearted, but when there was a trial to be won, she always showed that she was made of iron underneath. “Thanks Mom.”
“You call me first thing.”
“I will. I love you, Mom. Merry …”
“No! Don’t say it. Christmas doesn’t begin until you arrive. I love you, baby.”
I hung up and let my mind wander back home for a while as I stared out at the thick blanket coating everything outside with a glistening layer of white. My mother’s voice had warmed me and I wanted to hold on to the tiny glimmer of holiday cheer I’d felt through the connection to home. But the air around me was chilly, and the strange quiet of the terminal soon eroded my cheer. I closed my eyes and slumped down into my seat, pulling my coat close around me.