The smell of Christmas was already in the air in the Parker household. With a fresh Christmas tree sitting undecorated in the front hall, Addison flashed back in her mind to the many Christmases that she and her brothers would drag decorations down from the attic to make the house look like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Her mother had always made everything seem perfect, although as an adult Addison now realized that her mother had probably been lonely herself. She never dated around the kids, and she poured her whole soul into her children and her work. She made holidays fun and memorable as all of her kids grew up and found lives of their own. She had been like a lighthouse out in the ocean, steering her children to good lives and happiness, while she remained stuck in the same place year after year. It made Addison a little sad to think about.
The last few years in Addison’s large home had made Christmas feel hollow. With a plastic tree - Jim was allergic to the real thing - and expensive decorations, Christmas had never felt the same. There was no depth of love in her house. No kids. No pets. Often no husband. But here, love oozed from the walls, it seemed.
Hosting Christmas parties for clients and other attorneys had been tedious at best. Making sure she had the right crystal glasses and the most expensive wines available. Using her best fake smile, she wined and dined everyone from congressmen to law partners all in an effort to make her husband look good.
As she walked into the family room, everyone was already gathered waiting for her. Laughter stopped as she entered the room, and an abnormal hush fell over everyone. It was all so serious, and she hated serious moments. She had accidentally laughed at her great aunt Gertrude’s funeral when she was sixteen simply because serious stuff made her nervous, and she laughed when she was nervous. This time, she had no desire to laugh and was holding back tears already.
“Hi, sweetie,” Adele said walking to her daughter and pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Everyone is here. Jackson said…”
“Yes, I wanted to talk to all of you,” Addison was happy to see that it was just her mother and her brothers. No fiancees, no girlfriends, no one to possibly judge her.
“It’s okay, sis. We’re here for you, whatever it is…” Aaron said. The youngest of their brood, Aaron had been her close companion when they were kids. They were only two years apart in age, and she loved playing with him when they were growing up. He was outdoorsy, and her love of adventure matched his personality very well.
Addison slid slowly into an overstuffed arm chair in the corner and took a deep breath before meeting her mother’s eyes. Adele sat down next to Brad on the sofa, and Jackson slipped his arm around her from the other side.
“Okay…” Addison started. “I’ve called you all here because I need to explain some things. I’m sure it’s obvious to all of you that something has been up with me for a few weeks now.”
“Yes, honey. We’ve all been worried about you,” Adele said nodding her head.
“I know, Mom, and I’m sorry. I just had to work some things out in my own time.”
“We understand, Addy. Just tell us…” Kyle said, obviously growing impatient in his concern for his sister.
“Last year, Jim had an affair,” she blurted out a little more quickly than she would have liked.
“That son of a…” Jackson said through gritted teeth.
“Jackson!” Adele chided. “Language.”
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