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“Yes, Mom,” Tasha replied, perfectly imitating Sophia’s ‘exasperated by mom’ tone. Tasha giggled as she ducked a flying throw pillow.

CHAPTER 26

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

Thursday passed relatively uneventfully as everyone settled into their new routine.

Friday morning, Tasha got a minute alone with Megan. “Hey, today’s the first day of December, and, uh, is Sophia going to be worried about…” her voice dropped to a whisper, “Santa finding y’all?”

“Oh, good thought, but we’re in the clear on that. She figured out the whole Santa thing last year.”

“Okay, good. What about a tree? Should we get one?”

“I thought you said that you were an atheist.”

“So? I still like Christmas.”

“Let’s talk later, alright?”

“Oh, can you get groceries today? I can send you a list later. I want to teach Sophia how to make samosas.”

“Oh, I’d like to learn that too. Send me the list.”

With that, they were off to face the day. Megan was soon out the door. Tasha and Sophia left a little later to walk to school. Once she got to work, Tasha put on her headphones and let LL Cool J help make work go faster.

During lunchtime, Tasha sent Megan a shopping list. Near the end of lunch, she received the all-staff invite to the company holiday party next Friday, followed almost immediately by an over-enthusiastic missive from Kevin telling everyone how showing up was a sign of being a “team player.” Looking at the invite, Tasha hatched a plan for a fun girl’s night. Once she decided, she called Maria.

“Maria, hi!”

“Tasha, dear! How are you?”

“I’m good. This is a bit weird, but maybe you know someone who knows someone. Um, I need a babysitter.”

“Really? You weren’t even showing last week.”

“Ha. Ha. You’re hilarious. Actually, it’s for Sophia. My company’s holiday party is next Friday, and I want to bring Megan.”

“Oh, like a date?”

“No, no. We’re friends. Um, I haven’t even asked her yet, actually.”

“When does your party start, and where is it?”

“It starts at six, and it’s at a local lounge near work. Why?”

“Hmm. Sophia is a darling girl. I have a proposition for you, my dear.”

“What?”

“I will babysit Sophia next Friday night if Megan can bring her over immediately after school.”

“That would work. I’ll ask Megan, but I’m sure she’ll agree.”

“Excellent. I have one other condition.”

“Uh, sure. What is it?”

“You must wear that red minidress that you wore at Friendsgiving.”