Page 60 of Imperfections Forbidden

Jay is right; she’s going to learn real fast.

“Yay, Aunty Cat is here, yay!”

Sasha spots me and screams my name, all excited.She pulls away from her parents, hair bouncing as she runs toward me.I meet her halfway, pick her up, and squeeze her little soft body in my arms.

“Merry Christmas, munchkin.”

“Merry Christmas, happy birthday!”She’s all excited and happy.She is too cute for words.

“Oh, you remembered.Thank you.”I kiss her on her chubby cheeks and wipe my lip gloss off her.

“Presents!”She squirms down out of my arms like a little monkey and pulls me by my hand toward the tree.

Everyone says, “Happy birthday!”to me and “Merry Christmas!”

“Thank you.”

Vanessa and Jay make room for me between them on the floor where Sasha wants me.They both kiss me on the cheek at the same time that Sasha thrusts a gift box into my hands.I smile at her and look at her parents.

“What is it?”

Jay shakes his head and smiles.“We can’t tell you.Open it, Aunty Cat, before your niece loses it completely.”

“Why is she so excited, other than the gifts?”

“Too much pancake syrup,” Vanessa says.“Never again.This is what happens when you let a three-year-old help herself.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Will you open it already?”Jay playfully elbows me nonstop in my arm.

“Will you stop it?Did you OD on the syrup too?”I giggle and rip the red wrapping paper off the box.I open the box and pull out a pink cashmere sweater.I look at Sasha.“I love it!Did you pick this out all by yourself, Sasha?”

“Yes.”She bobs her head vigorously.

“It’s just what I wanted.”I give her a big hug and a kiss.“Thank you, baby.”

“You’re welcome.Me next!Me next!”She’s jumping up and down like a jack hammer.

We all laugh.“Yes, you next, have at it.”I get up and make my way over to my parents.

“Merry Christmas, Mom.”She gives me a hug.I hug her back, and she doesn’t pull away right away.She steps back and looks at me and smiles.

“Happy birthday, Catherine.Your gift is under the tree from me and your father.”

“Thank you.I’ll open it later after Sasha tires herself out.”I look over my shoulder at Sasha.

My father gives me a big bear hug, as usual.“Daddy, you’re cutting off my air supply,” I croak.

“I’m sorry, I can’t believe my kit Cat is twenty-five.You’re all grown up.”

“No matter how old I get, I will always be your little kit Cat, Dad.”

“You got that right.Don’t forget it.”

“I won’t, Daddy.”

I look over at Kate sitting next to Chris.There is no way around it, I have to go over there and say something to her.If I don’t, my father and Jay are going to notice we’re not talking.