Best Mistake

Christmas was always a big deal with my family, at least my mom, Gwen's, side of it. If they could make the trip, my stepbrothers would come for the holiday and we would all sit around the tree Christmas morning and open our gifts after having some of my stepdad, David's, famous pancakes. It was the one day of the year he cooked a single meal, bless my moms heart.

My time at my dad, Johnny's, house was much simpler. My older sister Ashleigh, her husband Jonathan, and I would meet up there for lunch, which was prepared by my dad's awesome girlfriend Traci. I was really upset I was going to miss it, since Ashleigh recently had a son that I hadn't met yet. I really missed all of them.

I was a little sad when I realized I was going to be spending my first Christmas alone, since the past three years were spent with Megan. She was to spend the day with Luke again. I was secretly jealous that I didn't have a significant other to spend the holiday with. I couldn't help but kind of hope that Alex would come visit. But he was in England with Sophia visiting his parents. And he wasn't my significant other.

I got a text from my mom asking if I had time to video chat with her and my stepdad around 10:00 that morning. I snorted a laugh, since I wasn't doing anything anyway.

"Hey baby," my mom cooed once the chat was connected.

I missed seeing her face so much, I almost cried. "Hey mama."

"How's my girl?" she asked.

I shrugged. She didn't know about my situation yet, and I wasn't sure a FaceTime session would be the best time to fill her in. "I'm okay."

She gave me a strange look and I could tell her motherly instincts were kicking in. "You sure about that?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," I lied. "Just tired. I've been working a lot lately."

"Oh yeah?" she grunted, standing up from the recliner. "Saving up for a trip home?"

"You bet," I laughed. "Where's pops?"

My mom flipped her camera around so I could see as she walked into the kitchen. My stepdad was standing at the stove, flipping a pancake over. He looked back at my mom, then at the phone in her hands and when he saw me, he smiled.

"Hey Whit!" he said as he put the spatula down. "How are ya?"

"I'm good," I chuckled. "All of a sudden craving pancakes, but good."

David took the phone my mom and turned the camera to the pancake in the frying pan. "This chocolate chip one is being made especially for you!"

I laughed. "Thanks, pops. I'll pay for shipping if you mail me a stack of them."

He turned the camera back to him, smiling from ear to ear. "We miss you around here, kid."

I felt tears prick the back of my eyes. "I miss you guys too."

David glanced away then back to me. "I gotta give the phone back to your mom now. She's about to pitch a fit if she doesn't get to talk to you more. Love you!"

"Love you too," I said as the phone was being passed back.

My mom had her mouth open to speak when she looked away. She nodded to some unheard question and smiled. "Someone else here would like to say 'hi'."

I watched as the phone was being passed around again before I was looking up a nose. The phone began to pan out, and soon I was looking at one of my stepbrother, Dave's, shit eating grin.

"Brother!" I squealed. Even though we weren't blood related, we were still really close. I'd always wanted an older brother growing up, and when my mom and David got married, Dave stepped right in.

"Hey sis," he smiled, picking up one of the pancakes.

I hadn't seen him in about four years since he lived in Arizona, working on one of the Indian reservations as a teacher. He couldn't make it for Christmas the last one that I was at home. I missed him a lot.

"You got something right there," he pointed to the screen.

I looked in the small rectangle that allowed me to see myself, trying to find what he was looking for. When I couldn't find anything, I rose my eyebrows at him.

"My bad," he whispered. "It's just your face."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I miss you," I said.

He nodded. "I miss you, too. You coming home next Christmas?"

"I'm planning on it," I said slowly. It hasn't donned on me until then that if I was able to go home the next holiday, I wouldn't be going alone.

"Well good. See you then," he said before passing the phone back to my mom.

"Bye jerk!" I yelled, and I could hear him laugh.

Once my mom had the phone, she smiled at me. I could tell she knew something was up. I tried to divert her attention from said something.

"So where's Stephen?" I asked quickly, noticing my other stepbrother hadn't tried to talk to me yet. Not that he would anyway. We weren't as close and Dave and I were.

I could tell she was walking down the hallway to her room, more than likely trying to find a private place incase I had a confession to make.

"He couldn't get time off work," she said once her bedroom door was closed. Concern dripped from her eyes. "You sure you're ok, sweetie?"

I nodded with a shrug, trying to pass for nonchalant. "Yeah, I'm ok. It just sucks being away from home on Christmas."

"Well you know you can always come back. And you should also know by now that I really wish you would."

Before I could stop them, tears began to push their way out of my eyes. I wanted nothing more than for my mom to hold me, telling me everything was going to be ok. I wanted her to run her fingers through my hair as she rocked me back and forth. I wanted to sit on the front porch with her and tell her everything that was bothering me and soak up any piece of advise she threw my way. I just wanted to be near her. I covered my mouth with my hand as I sobbed.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" she asked, and I could see her eyes becoming wet with tears, too.

I shook my head and cleared my throat once I'd gotten most of it out. "I just really miss you, mama."

I broke down again when my mom started crying. I hated seeing her upset.

"I miss you, too, Whit. So much," she said while running a finger under her eye. "You'd better bring your ass here to see me soon, you hear me?"

I laughed a little, nodding. "Yes ma'am. Soon, I promise."

She smiled and blew a kiss. "I love you so much, baby. Take care of yourself out there."

I blew one back and nodded. "I love you, mama."

Our video chat ended and I leaned back against the couch, staring at the Christmas tree and suddenly feeling very empty.

Notes

Filler, sorry! Next one is a bit more dramatic :x