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Kettle Corn And Scrooge

“Oh, my. Are you serious?”

“Frank, you promised not to get upset.”

“Upset? Holly, this is wonderful! Why did you think I’d be upset?” He held her hand up to his cheek.

“You’ve been so cranky lately. I wanted to tell you before Thanksgiving but I couldn’t get through to you. I know you’ve been putting in a lot of hours at work and stressing yourself out.”

“I’m sorry, Holly. I didn’t realize I was putting up such a barrier. I’m just trying to take care of you guys.”

“I know. I appreciate everything you do, Frank.”

“But you can’t forgive me for Jenny from Accounting. Can I tell you something?”

“Oh, Frank. Don’t wreck it. We were having a moment.”

“No, Holly. I need to tell you something. You didn’t see what you thought you saw.”

“Don’t gaslight me, Frank. She was straddling you and grinding like a rodeo champ. What am I supposed to think?”

“She was drunk out of her mind. She was doing it to everybody who was sitting or standing still. It cost her a reputation and her job. She had to leave town after that stunt. I didn’t encourage it. I didn’t invite it. I was trying to push her off of me when you came in. I can’t believe you would think I was sitting there going at it with her. I only have eyes for you.”

“Nice story.”

“It’s true, Holly. Frankly, it’s pretty hurtful that you would believe that of me. Your opinion is the only one that matters to me and it’s absolutely killing me that you still think I would be philandering with some drunken idiot.”
Ivy backed into the garage and closed the door. “I guess we’re the first ones home. Maybe your mom and dad stopped for dinner, too.”

“Maybe so.” Kendra said as she got out of the car. “I’m going to go put on my pajamas. Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome, honey. Want to watch a movie or something?”

“Since Chelsea’s not here, can we watch Scrooge? She’s always scared of Jacob Marley and that future ghost.”

“Deal. Want some popcorn?”

“Can we have kettle corn?” Kendra opened the door to the kitchen and held it for her aunt.

“If we have it.”

“We do. Mom got some the other day. It’s my favorite kind.”

“I’ll have to remember that. Kettle corn and Scrooge. Sounds like fun.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back. I think Mom got the box of Christmas DVDs out already.”

“I’ll look. Go ahead and get changed. I’ll start the kettle corn.”

A smile teased her solemn little face as she turned to go upstairs. Ivy found the DVD and cued up the movie before digging through the shelves in search of the kettle corn.

Fortunately, it was found and popped before Kendra got back downstairs. Ivy was pouring it into a big bowl when her niece returned in her candy cane striped pajamas and fuzzy boot slippers. “We’re all set, kid.”

Kendra grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a seat on the sofa. Ivy sat down with the bowl of kettle corn between them and pressed play on the remote. The popcorn was already half gone before the party at Fezziwig’s.

“I don’t understand something.”

“What’s that?” Ivy asked.

“He likes her at Fezziwig’s but he doesn’t stop her from leaving later.”

“He likes money more. He’s so worried about not being poor that he can’t do anything that doesn’t make him a bunch more money. She sees that and she calls him on it.”

“Why are guys so dumb?”

“If they weren’t, they wouldn’t need us to take care of them.”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Kendra said, taking a handful of popcorn.

The curtains lit up momentarily. “I guess your parents are home.”

“Guess so. They can watch if they want but they have to pop their own bowl of corn.”

“Fair enough.” Ivy took a handful.

The door from the garage opened. Frank and Holly came in quietly.

“Hi.” Kendra said over her shoulder.

“Hi, honey. What are you watching?” Her dad asked.

“Since Chelsea isn’t here to be scared by the ghosts, Aunt Ivy and I are watching Scrooge.”

“Good idea. Can you pause it for a moment? Mom and I have something we need to tell you.”

Ivy paused the movie. Kendra and Ivy turned around to look at him.

“Holly?” He held out his hand.

“Oh, my God! You guys are getting a divorce.” Kendra yelled. “Who’s getting the house? Who’s getting us? Do Chelsea and I have to live in two different places? Are you going to sell all of my toys to pay the lawyer?”

“Whoa, slow down. Nobody’s getting divorced.” Frank said.

“It’s not that, Kendra. This is good news.” Holly smiled.

“Well?” Kendra took her glasses off to wipe tears from her eyes.

“Take a deep breath, honey. I want to be sure you hear this. Okay?” Her dad said.

“In and out. In and out.” Her mom said. “Are you calm?”

Kendra nodded.

“You’re going to have a little brother.”

“When?” She cocked her head and blinked at them.

“Sometime in May.” Holly said.

“Chelsea’s going to freak.” Kendra turned around and sat back down.

“Why do you think so?” Her dad asked.

“Well, unless you’re adding onto the house, she’s going to have to move into my room.”

“We have the guest room, Kendra.” Her mom said.

“Well, where’s Aunt Ivy going to stay when she visits?”

“There’s space over the garage that we can turn into a room. He’s not going to need it until next year, honey. We’ve got plenty of time to fix everything up before he even gets here.” Her dad said. “Don’t worry. Be happy.”

“You’ve got an answer for everything. Don’t you?” Kendra crossed her arms.

“Well, we’re the grownups, sweetie. We’re supposed to have the answers. Right?” Her mom asked.

She crammed a big handful of kettle corn in her mouth and thought about it a moment. “If you’ve got all the answers, tell me something.”

“Sure, honey. What is it?” Her dad asked.

“What’s his name going to be?”