“Makes sense. Spending Christmas Eve at an airport couldn’t have been fun.”
“Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” Rose says.
‘Shut it,’ I mouth.
“Come on, let’s make ourselves plates and enjoy Delta while we have her.” Duncan smooths things over in the way he’s perfected over the years.
SAM
I never feel like I fit into my own skin when I’m home. I take in the two-story, historic, stone mansion with seven bedrooms and five and a half baths. It’s part museum, part home. Only the best for my mother, Senator Katherine Solaris. Born into old money, she’s always kept an immaculate house. There were part
ies here in the summer and during the holidays. Soirees to schmooze and entertain, because in some instance’s politics were a big show. Mom’s done a lot of good, but she always told me to make change happen in the world, she had to play the game.
I open the first couple of buttons on my oxford as I step into the house.
“Mom?” I call out as I walk toward the living room, where I hear music playing. Perfectly posed family pictures line the wall. Keeping up appearances was a way of life. When I was younger, Mom did an excellent job of keeping me out of the public eye. Once I was older, I became fair game. She roped me in, dressing, posing, and coaching me to help her keep her political position.
“In here, honey.”
Turning, I head toward the kitchen. I fight the urge to flinch when I find Dad and his best friend, Uncle Landon, and his daughter, Kit.
“They stopped by. When we told Landon and Kit you were coming, they decided to stay to see you.” Mom lifts her arms. “Surprise.”
“That’s nice.” I force the words she expected to hear out. I feel blindsided. My muscles tense. I fight the urge to snap my fingers. I like Uncle Landon and Kit, but a warning would’ve gone a long way.
“Isn’t it?” Mom beams. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“Water would be great, Mom.”
She opens the fridge and hands me a plastic bottle.
“I heard you got snowed in at the airport. That had to be an unpleasant way to spend Christmas Eve,” Kit says.
“It was okay.” I shrug and twist the cap on my water bottle. After navigating through Christmas traffic, the last thing I want is to expend energy I don’t have to make small talk.
“You’re a real trooper for coming over after the airport debacle. I’m happy to be done with all the business traveling.” Landon lifts his drink in a toast.
“Oh yeah. Sam’s a tough kid,” my father’s voice is dry.
I cringe for a moment before smoothing my expression over. Dad never minced his words or hid the fact that I wasn’t the son he’d wanted.
“Glad you could make it, Sammy.” Dad pats my back.
“Did your folks tell you about the New Year’s shindig they’re cooking up?” Uncle Landon asks.
“No.”
“Well, you know it’s almost time for me to run again, and that means good old family P.R. I have a photographer coming to take a few shots.” Mom shrugs.
I grit my teeth.
“We thought it’d be nice if you and Kit came together,” Dad says. “Everyone’s been wondering if you were still single. You’re quite the eligible bachelor, you know? Like your old man was.” He nudges me with his elbow.
“I don’t see why I need a date. I’ll show up in a suit and mingle like I always do.”
She clears her throat. “The race is projected to be close, and a little romance with the beautiful daughter and childhood friend of a fellow politician couldn’t hurt anything. You two spend enough time together that it shouldn’t be a hardship to be seen out and about together.”
I flex my jaw and rub the tips of my fingertips together. What I do is never enough. My parents always want more. Merely showing up and being among the crowd of people looking to catch me doing something embarrassing to print in the papers the next day is enough pressure to drain me for days.