There is nothing I hate more than glitter on a tree. Tinsel comes close, but glitter takes the cake. I love the ornament Abby made me, despite the glitter, and place it on the branch. I’m covered in it and look as though I just stepped out of a strip club. Ugh. But, Abby took the time to make it, complete with a photo of her inside it. This much glitter should be illegal. I put it in the center so when she comes over she sees it right away.

Never in my life have I decorated my tree on a Monday afternoon. I like to do it on a weekend, but with no job I have all the time in the world. I’m finding it much easier to get through my days if I spread my tasks out. I put the tree up over the weekend and the lights and decorations today. Tomorrow I will tackle the outside decor. No need to rush.

“Jingle Bells” plays in the background, one of my favorite songs of the holidays. I’ll never forget how upset it made my mom whenever Courtney and I changed the words Jingle Bells to Batman Smells. She’d scold us every time, telling us how inappropriate we were being. I’m positive I caught her laughing on more than a few occasions. She didn’t want to admit she thought it was funny, but I knew the truth.

The chorus is about to come on when my door bursts open and Courtney yells, “Batman smells!” as if she has telepathic powers. Without so much as skipping a beat, we finish the chorus together as she crashes onto my couch.

“Can I sleep here forever?” She mumbles into the cushion, her face pressed against it and her butt raised in the air. “Wake me up in a week.”

“Nope. You can help me finish decorating my tree, though.”

She groans in protest, but lifts herself off the couch to join me. “I’m only asking for a little sleep. Even an hour. Can you give me an hour?”

I want to. I want to offer her my bed to take the longest nap she possibly can. The problem with that is I know my sister. “You won’t sleep. You’ll lay there and worry about Abby and Audrey, and then be mad at me for letting you.”

“I won’t.”

“You will.” I hand her an ornament. “Start with this one.”

She pauses.

“What?”

Of all the ornaments to give her, I handed her that one. “I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t know you had this.”

“I didn’t either.” I take it from her and dangle it in the air. The moon is about an inch and a half in diameter with a heart in the center.

“She gave me this when I was five. She said she loved me to the moon and back.”

“I remember. I challenged her, arguing that Jupiter was farther, and Pluto was the farthest, and why didn’t she love you that far?”

She nods. “Yeah, and she called you a stinker and gave us the biggest hug. I miss her hugs.”

I put my arm around my sister, and she lays her head on my shoulder. “I told Abby.” She sniffles and lifts her head up. “I told her and she cried. And when I started crying she stopped. She told me I don’t need to worry.”

I suck in my tears before they escape. My eyes are burning as I try to hold it in.

“How did I get so lucky to have such an amazing daughter? I love her so much. Both my girls.”

“I know.”

“What if the worst happens, Landon? She thinks she understands but she doesn’t. She’s too young. And Audrey won’t even remember me.”

“You can’t think about that.” But we can, and we should, which is why I met with Juliette in the first place. I want to be sure that even with Arthur there to support the girls that they’re taken care of. “Arthur.” I say his name out loud, not even realizing I’ve done it.

“What about him?”

“You never told me what was going on. Come on, Courtney, be honest with me. What’s the deal?” I don’t want her to keep this from me. We don’t keep secrets from each other. We shouldn’t start now.

She wipes her nose on her sleeve. I cringe, but I’m sure she’s had worse on her clothes with a baby in the house.

“He’s a great dad. He’s home with Audrey now, and he’s picking Abby up from school.”

I like Arthur. I always have. We were never best buds or anything but we’d share the occasional beer and spit our political views at each other in fun. And when my mom died, he was a rock for both me and Courtney. This talk about him leaving doesn’t add up.

“What’s going on? Why does he want to leave?”

“He doesn’t want to. I told him to.”

“You what?”

“I told him to. He can’t watch this. He can’t watch me go through the chemo and the radiation, my hair falling out, how weak I will be. That’s not me, Landon. I’m not weak. I have never been.”

She’s correct. She’s always been strong, willing to take on everything and everyone. Bold, courageous, persistent—all words people use to describe my sister. She could have been a full-time lawyer and mom. Even though she could have made it work, she didn’t choose that path. She devoted her life to her children, and I know it’s tearing her up inside that she has no choice in this.

“Courtney, isn’t that what marriage is about? You’re there for each other through the good times and the bad? Arthur will be your strength when you can’t be strong.” She continues to place ornaments on the tree. I place my hand on hers. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m so scared, Landon. My girls are so young. I’m so young.”

“I know.” I embrace her and she holds on tight. “I’m here for you. We all are. Don’t push Arthur away when you need him most. You love each other, don’t you?”

I can feel her nodding into my chest. “Thanks, bro.”

My phone bounces on the table as it buzzes. I continue to comfort my sister.

“Go ahead and get that.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m here for you. My phone can wait.”

“Nope.” She sucks in a breath. “I’ll be fine. Answer it.”

I struggle with the decision. I don’t want to seem uninterested and like I’m not there for her. When she insists on something, though, you do as she says. I pick up my phone, and Juliette’s photo fills the screen.

“Hi!” I stand from the couch and walk toward my kitchen. “How’s your day going?”

“Hey yourself,” she says, and I harden at the sound of her voice. “Any plans tonight?”

“Not that I know of. I’m putting my tree up now.”

“I don’t put one up.”

“You what?” I can’t believe someone doesn’t put up a Christmas tree. I wait all year to put mine up. I love it.

“I don’t put up a tree. Is that against the law?”

“No. It’s just weird.”

“Call me weird then. Anyway, my friend is getting married, and I’m in her wedding. She said I can pick out whatever dress I want. I know it’s not a dream date, but do you want to come with me, and I’ll put on a fashion show?”

Can you display the undergarments, too? I want to ask, but I don’t. I’ve been on many trips with my sister and Abby for clothes. I can handle this. And any excuse to spend time with Juliette is one I’ll take. “Definitely. It’s a date.”

I hang up the phone and turn around, my sister standing right in front of me. “Geez! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I clutch my chest.

“A date? Who do you have a date with?”

Crap. I should have known Courtney would eavesdrop. She has always listened in on my conversations from the time I was a teen. Juliette and I just started dating. I don’t want to jinx this. I can’t jinx it.

“A woman.”

“Well, no crap, Landon. Come on, now. Spill it.”

She won’t give up until I give her the information she wants. Persistent isn’t maybe an accurate word to describe her. Pushy. Annoying. Nagging until you give in. Yeah, that probably describes her better.

“Look—don’t get all crazy when I tell you.”

“Crazy? What do you mean crazy?”

She knows very well what I mean. She can either become overly protective or very pushy when it comes to my relationships. I will try and keep it simple. “I met her at the mall when I took Abby to see Santa.”

“So just this past week?”

“Yeah, and I’ve seen her every day since.”

She’s beaming, and I already know what she’s thinking. Here comes pushy Courtney.

“So it’s serious!” She claps her hands together.

“Serious? Courtney, I just met her.”

“But you’ve been out with her multiple times in a week! You really like her. Oh my gosh! I’m so happy for you!”

“Slow down. I’m not marrying her or anything.”

“Yet.”

I roll my eyes. “Just because she’s the first woman I’ve dated in who knows how long doesn’t mean I’m going to marry her.”

“Landon, please, you barely give women the time of day. If this girl caught your attention, she’s special. What’s her name?”

“Juliette.”

“Juliette! Oh my gosh, that’s perfect!”

And that’s the thing about Juliette, I truly think she may be.