Relaxing at last, Christina took a long, hot shower and washed her hair, and rubbed cream into her skin, and blew her hair dry. She slipped into her favorite robe and lay on the sofa, reading a book her parents had bought her for Christmas. Actually, she had bought it, but Mimi had suggested after her parents died that she keep their memory alive by buying herself a present she knew they would give her. She read Patti Callahan’s Becoming Mrs. Lewis, about the woman who married C. S. Lewis. Later, she put a bookmark in the book and turned on her television and searched for The Chronicles of Narnia. She loved the lion.

She wondered if Wink had seen this movie or heard of the book.

Finally it was time to go to Oscar’s house for Christmas dinner. She wore her knee-high red leather boots—which had recovered nicely from the water-pipe incident, just as Harriet promised—her red silk dress, and earrings shaped like tree lights that blinked on and off. Today was Christmas, and she felt festive. She redid her cherry red lipstick, picked up her bag of presents, and drove to Oscar’s house.

Chapter 22

Wink threw the door open the moment Christina pulled into the driveway.

“You’re here! Finally!” Wink was so excited, she jumped up and down as she talked. “We have presents for you!”

Delia appeared behind her daughter. “Sweetie, you’re letting cold air into the house. Let Christina get inside before you start chattering at her.”

Christina stepped inside—it was wonderfully warm—and bent to kiss Wink. From the kitchen came the aroma of delicious baking.

“What’s in the bag?” Wink asked.

“Presents for everyone, of course,” Christina told her.

Andy appeared. “Let me take your coat.”

The sight of Andy and Delia together made Christina blink. “Um, you’re wearing Christmas sweaters.”

“Yes, we are.” Delia bugged out her eyes and smiled determinedly. “Wink gave us each a sweater for Christmas.”

“Grandfather helped me buy them,” Wink said. “Aren’t they cool?”

Both sweaters were gaudily embellished with Christmas themes. Delia had a smiling white-haired Mrs. Santa Claus in the kitchen with the elves stirring a steaming pot. Andy wore a reindeer with antlers and a bright red nose.

“They are extremely cool,” Christina agreed.

“Merry Christmas, Christina,” Delia’s husband said. The front of his sweater dazzled with an enormous and extremely decorated Christmas tree.

“Merry Christmas, Jeff,” Christina said. “Wow, you have a Christmas sweater, too!”

“I got Daddy one,” Wink cried, “because I didn’t want him to be left out at Christmas! And wait till you see what I got for you!” Wink took Christina’s hand and pulled her toward the living room.