Her sister.
Her brother-in-law.
Two coworkers.
Friends.
Daniel.
Melissa.
Every chair had been assigned.
Except one.
Mine.
I checked again.
Slowly.
There was no mistake.
My name wasn’t anywhere on my own table.
Behind me, Melissa entered the room.
“What are you doing?”
I pulled Howard’s chair away from the table.
Its wooden legs scraped across the floor.
Melissa stiffened.
I sat down.
My knees hurt, but I refused to show it.
Then I placed both hands on the table.
“Evelyn, people are going to be here soon.”
“I know.”
“This is exactly what I meant. I don’t want things becoming uncomfortable.”
I looked at her.
“Neither do I.”
Something in my voice unsettled her.
She started to speak.
I stopped her.
“Don’t worry, Melissa.”
Her shoulders relaxed.
She thought I had surrendered.
Then I added:
“This will be the last Christmas you ever have to worry about me being uncomfortable in this house.”
Her face changed.
Only slightly.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll understand.”
I stood.
And that was when I chose the date.
