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Black Friday Muffin Stop

The Zavijava was packed to capacity with holiday shoppers. Jazz instrumentals of Christmas music were barely audible over the cacophony of blended conversations.

Ivy leaned away from the jostling of passersby. “Okay, you’ve got my attention. What’s the big secret?”

“I’ve got Frank a very special Christmas present this year.” Holly twirled a wavy lock of red hair around her finger.

“Tire chains?”

“No, silly.” She threw the crinkled up straw wrapper at Ivy.

“Well, after what happened to him last year…”

“Oh, God. Don’t get him started on that again. Come on, guess. Take a good guess.” Holly was practically hopping in her chair.

“Jeez, Holly. I don’t know. A pair of those slippers that massage your feet?”

“No, well, maybe. If they have any in stock when we get to the mall. Guess again.”

“A 3D printer? He could make his own paperweights.”

“They’re coming down in price, from what I’ve heard. Boy, I’m glad you came along. You’ve got some great ideas.”

“Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do.” Ivy grimaced as someone’s posterior nearly buffeted her head. “Excuse me.”

The offending backside moved on without acknowledging the near-collision.

“Well, why don’t you buy some paints today? You can start a new illustration when we get home.”

“I do my painting digitally these days, Holly.”

“Seriously? The pictures you’ve sent me look so real.”

“Not real enough to drum up business at this time of year. Everybody’s saving their pennies for Christmas shopping.”

“I’m sorry. Are you going to be alright?”

“Yeah, it’s been this way the last couple of years. I’m used to it. It’s like a big Christmas vacation for me.” Ivy plucked a piece off of her chocolate chip muffin and popped it in her mouth. “So, tell me already. What’s this great surprise for Frank?” She chased her morsel of muffin with a swig of hot chocolate.

“A son.”

Ivy began sputtering and gagging as she reached for a napkin. “Wow! Talk about burying the lede! When did you find out?”

“I did a home test last week and got the doctor to confirm it on Tuesday.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! Frank must be over the moon.”

“I haven’t told him yet.”

“You’re not actually waiting until Christmas to tell him, are you?”

“No, silly. I wanted to find the right time to break it to him.”

“I would have thought that was something you’d have wanted to tell him before Thanksgiving Dinner.”

“Yes, I really wanted to, but he was so stressed from work this week. He was trying to get a bunch of stuff done before the long weekend, and he got all grumpy and standoffish. Locked himself up in his home office.”

“Poor Frank. He puts so much pressure on himself to make everything perfect for you guys.”

“That’s why I want it to be the right time to tell him. You know? He was so stressed out from work, he practically passed out after dinner.”

“I think that was the tryptophan. He did pack away three helpings of turkey and all the trimmings.”

“Maybe so, but he was still pretty grouchy after he got up from his nap. I’m hoping that some time playing with the girls will put him in the right mood for the news.”

“Speaking of the girls, what’s on their wish list this year? I’m not much of an aunt if I can’t help to spoil them.”

“I emailed their lists to you with Aunt Santa in the subject line.”

Ivy pulled her phone out and searched through her email. “There it is. Great. Thanks.” She tucked her phone back in her coat pocket and took another piece of muffin.

“Are you okay, Ivy?”

“Yeah, I’m used to business slowing down this time of year. It took me by surprise the first time, but I made adjustments to keep from getting blindsided again.”

“That’s not what I meant. I mean, are you alright?”

“Me? I’m fine. What do you mean?”

“You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

“Well, thanks for that. You’ll always be older than me no matter how often you go to the gym or the spa, glamor girl.”

“I’m serious, Ivy. I’m worried about you.”

“Worried? About what?”

“I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life. I want you to have what Frank and I have.”

“I’m fine. Frank’s a great guy and a wonderful dad. I don’t really want all that.”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

“Why can’t I be happy being me? Not everybody needs to be you, Holly. Different strokes for different folks. You do you and I’ll do me.”

“I hate seeing you lonely.”

“I’m not lonely. I’m all the company I’ve ever needed. If you hadn’t spent your entire life trying to make everything about you, you’d probably know me well enough to know that.” Ivy took a larger bite of her muffin to keep herself from saying anything more.

“Gee, I didn’t realize you resented me so much.” The tears began to flow.

Ivy rolled her eyes as she chewed the enormous wad of muffin and choked it down. “I’m sorry, Holly. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“I’m just trying to help.”

“I’m just saying I don’t really need help. I’m fine. Let’s get back on figuring out how to break the good news to Frank.”

Holly dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “Ivy.”

“Yes?”

“If you did want to be with somebody, what kind of person would they be?”

“Oh, my goodness, Holly.”

“Humor me.”

Ivy took another enormous chunk of muffin and fixed an irritated glare on her sister.

“How about him?”

Ivy looked over to where her sister was pointing. The incredulous frown told Holly she was off track.

“How about her?”

“No, Holly.”

“Just checking. How about him?”

“Some pimply faced barista? Can we stay with guys who are legally available? I don’t think he’s out of high school.”

“Not him, him, the customer.”

“He needs a shave, but he’s definitely better than the kid with the acne. What are you after? You’re not going to start playing matchmaker, are you?”

“No, you were right. I don’t really know you. I’ve been too selfish to even get to know my own sister. I want to correct that this year. I want to correct a lot of things.”

“Well, somebody melted Scrooge McPretty’s icy little heart at last.” Ivy leaned over the table to talk to her sister’s midriff. “Good job, little guy.”