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“Thank you, Mrs Tanner We’d be honored to spend Christmas with you and your family”

She reaches up and pats my cheek “Gwen, dear, how many times do I have to tell you to callme that?”

I laugh “I don’t know Probably many more times”

“Well, since you’ll be spending the holiday with me, I insist that you start”

I s book and crayons “I promise I’ll try to remember”

I walk around the table to Kelsey, just as Daniel co over his small shoulder

I squat down beside Kelsey “Hey, honey You ready to go? You can help et home”

She looks at ives me a small nod, but that’s all I know she’ll help with the pie She’s a very good child, always doing what I ask without complaint Sometimes I wish she would throw a tantru so that way, because no matter how Kelsey acts, she’ll always be perfect in my eyes

I lean over and kiss her cheek before standing She iets up, her crossword book in hand, and stands beside rab her hand It ht-year-old daughter’s hand when they are si to the truck, but I steal asher hand, kissing her head or cheek, hugging her as often as I can—anything I can get I’m deprived of her voice, if I can help it, I won’t be deprived of anything else

I thank Ruth onceto stop by in the next few days to have dinner