Yet, when I asked her to accompany me she said yes. We scooted into the back row and sat on the hard pew a few minutes before the service started. It was evening and the room was dimly lit with candles glowing on the stage. It looked beautiful and serene. The sanctuary was almost full. Everyone was dressed up in frilly dresses and suits with ties. Mom wore her signature tight red dress and leopard print heels, but even that didn’t deter my good mood. Most Christmas Eves Mom went out with Carol while I stayed home alone. I crossed one of my legs encased in black tights and settled in, contentment filling me. “At least the church didn’t burn down when I stepped into it,” Mom whispered, a smile playing on her lips. “Oh, stop.” I grinned back. When I looked up, I saw Tanner walking past wearing black pants and a white collared shirt. His musky cologne followed in his wake, stirring up feelings I’d just as soon forget.
