We waved and got into our cars. I maneuvered out of the parking lot and onto the main street, and managed to find my way home without getting lost, noticing for the first time all the Christmas tree lots. But as soon as I entered the apartment tears welled up in my eyes. Christmas. I’d forgotten Christmas. But even worse, I had no one to spend it with.

I flopped on the couch and disregarded the grumbling in my stomach. I was suddenly depressed. I’d been doing pretty well for a while, but this was a reminder that I was alone and unconnected, and while that was never fun, it was a million times worse at Christmas.

Joker jumped onto my lap and mewed before sidling off to settle on the couch. At least I had a warm body with me for the holidays, even if it couldn’t help decorate a tree or go Christmas caroling. Maybe she’d enjoy a bit of eggnog.

“Missy had a great time with you, Grace,” Jane gushed the next day at work. “I hope you had fun too.”

“I did!” I assured her. “We have a lot in common. And it was nice to hang out with someone my own age—no offense.”

Jane laughed. “None taken. I think I’d worry if you preferred the company of people your parents’ age.” She sat down on the edge of my desk and gave me a weird look. “She said you didn’t have any plans for Christmas. Is that true?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I wasn’t planning on going back to Chicago—need to soak up more sun before I throw myself back into the deep freeze.” I tried to sound light and unbothered by the fact that I was spending the most family-centered holiday without any family.

Jane let out a sigh I would later come to recognize as a preamble to an offer one would be stupid to refuse. “Well, I can’t bear die thought of you by yourself on Christmas. All our family—my siblings and Simon’s—live out of town, so it’s usually just the four of us. We would love for you to join us, if you don’t want to spend it by yourself.”

My heart danced. Christmas with a family! “Oh, Jane, I would love to. But are you sure it’s not a big deal? I don’t want to disrupt any traditions or anything.”

She laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “No, not at all! We usually have a big lunch around one, and then go down to the beach in the evening and build a bonfire to roast marshmallows. In between we just watch movies and snack and down gallons of eggnog. Hardly sacred traditions, believe me. We’d love to have you.”

I leaned back in my chair and marveled at her generosity. “Thank you so much for the invitation, Jane. What can I bring?”