Suddenly, a thump of steps bowled down the stairs. A happy bark greeted Helen and Joaquin in the hallway’s entrance. Helen bent down to ruffle the soft ears of Lori’s springer spaniel.

“Hey there, girl! It’s been a while since you’ve seen me, hasn’t it?” Helen cooed as she scratched the white fur cleaving between the dog’s brown forehead.

“Ooh! Hiya!” Joaquin chimed. He reached for a pet but the dog sat politely at his feet, waiting for an introduction.

“This is Lori’s dog. Her name is Lady.” Helen met the dog’s inquisitive gaze. “And this, Lady, is my boyfriend, Joaquin.”

Her docked tail wiggled. She nuzzled up to Joaquin’s hand now that they were acquainted. He gave her a hearty pet, rubbing her skin back so as to stretch her eyelids. She did not mind.

“Ah! Lady! I see you’ve given Helen and Joaquin a warm welcome!” called a voice from above.

Helen moved toward the foyer, Joaquin and Lady following.

Lori trotted down the staircase, having practiced her gait to mimic that of a debutante. Helen waved. The shaft of light from a high window hit the woman in dramatic fashion. Lori glowed a golden brown, her spray tan the envy of every holiday roast. If only she could cook a turkey to the perfect doneness of her skin. Everyone always looked forward to the honey ham the most.

“Hi, Aunt Lori,” said Helen.

“Hello, Helen! And welcome, Joaquin! It’s such a pleasure to meet you!” The woman shook his hand and leaned in for a European style cheek kiss. “Come on, let’s get you two something to drink.”

Lori brushed past them, her chunky sweater catching against Helen’s own as she led them to the kitchen. They skirted past several boxes stacked against the wall in the hallway.

“Redoing another room?” asked Helen.

“I’m having Chuck move his things out of the shed in the yard. I’m turning it into a studio! Did you know there’s a company that makes custom wallpaper with your own designs?” Lori scowled at the boxes. “I wish he’d store these somewhere already. They’re such a tripping hazard!”

Before Helen was about to suggest storing them in their spacious three-car garage, she remembered it was not so spacious anymore as Chuck bought some gym equipment last year with the intention of getting back in shape. If he did or not would remain to be seen when he returned from the ham store.

An immaculate white kitchen seared their eyes as they came into what Lori called the heart of the home. Only it stayed so clean because Lori hardly ever used it. However, as it was recently remodeled, the kitchen boasted a grand island large enough to seat six that the Halidays flocked to for discussions and the consumption of grocery store pastries served in the very plastic containers they came in.

Today on the white marble top was an open tin of butter cookies: some accented with chocolate, some sprinkled with coarse granulated sugar, some plain. Helen picked up one shaped like a peanut, its ends dipped in dark chocolate. She and Joaquin slid onto upholstered stools and rested their elbows on the marble. Lori continued on explaining her plans for the shed while she grabbed three mugs from a cupboard.

As she nibbled on the cookie, chocolate end first, Helen glanced over at Joaquin. He was listening to Lori attentively, clearly interested in her designs for the space. Lori primped her short platinum curls before grabbing the teakettle from a range that cost more than Helen’s car when it was new.

The tea came to Helen in a cup the Halidays bought on a trip to Barcelona. It was tacky and reserved only for family use. Outsiders received the chic contemporary set Melissa gifted her parents a few years ago. Joaquin gripped his mug shaped into a black bear from Bavaria and took a deep gulp, ignoring the heat. Lori smiled at them over a classic I Heart NY mug, her veneers nearly as white as the ceramic in her hands. Lying in wait for any errant crumbs, Lady quietly slumped into stool legs below Joaquin.

“You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Haliday,” Joaquin said as he stared at the Italian glass pendant lights hanging above them.

“Please, call me Lori. To hell with those formalities—it’s Christmas! It’s a time to relax and get cozy with family!” She winked at him.

Helen was unsure whether it was an innocent welcome or if she was flirting with him. She wouldn’t put it past her aunt to do the latter.

Suddenly a digital chime rang, announcing the use of the door accessing the garage.

“Ah! The boys have returned!” Lori chirped.