she told me this year that no one needed me to come, something dark inside me laughed. If I disappeared, that house wouldn’t simply feel emptier.
It would fall apart.
I’m the one who reminds Uncle James about his flight. I’m the one who picks up Grandma so she doesn’t sit home alone. I organize the Secret Santa list. I text cousins their assignments. I remind everyone to bring what they promised.
Without me, there is no Christmas.
Not the version they’re used to.
The more I thought about it,
