Ever since that time, she’d spent Christmas at her father’s house or at Cordelia’s. This year, she’d made the decision to host Christmas at her home. It was all part of the decision she’d made to live life at a more respectful pace, to stop and smell the roses, and all that. Coming into the living room, she found Cordelia bending over the tree base, filling it with water. Bolger Aspenwall III, Hattie’s part-time nanny—also in his final year of an MFA program at the university—stood on a ladder attempting to affix a glittering gold star to the top of the tree. Hattie was on her knees in front of the fireplace, perched between Jane’s two dogs—Mouse, a brown lab, and Gimlet, a miniature black poodle. All three were staring raptly at Bolger. “Make sure it’s straight,” said Cordelia, helping Jane set the cumbersome box down on the couch. Hattie scrambled to her feet as Jane removed the cover. “Ooh,” she said, touching the red tissue paper surrounding all the delicate ornaments.
