Page 20 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News “Grandma, you remember Claire?” he said, gesturing toward her. “Of course, I remember your wife,” Grandma said exasperatedly. “How could I forget such a lovely bride?” Grandma moved on to Claire, giving her a hug. Claire started to relax. She was actually making a good impression on everyone. “Can you believe that Claire has never been to a family holiday party?” Sarah asked. Claire’s entire body tensed up. Why would she say that? Grandma would have to know that something was up with her family. She looked at David and saw an equally panicked look on his face. Her anxiety became dread in an instant. Sarah, seeing the looks on both of their faces, realized that she probably should not have said that. The look on Grandma’s face was one of shock, only serving to deepen Claire’s dread. Suddenly, Claire felt her hand taken into two smaller, more frail ones. She looked up from the floor where she felt her eyes would rest for eternity. The look on Grandma’s face was no longer of shock, but one of genuine concern. “You’ve never celebrated a family holiday?” she asked. Claire shook her head, still too frightened to speak. “This just won’t do,” she said, walking past Claire. “Come with me, dear.” Now the look of shock had jumped to David’s face. Unsure of what to do, Claire did as Grandma told her. Grandma walked into the living room and looked back at Claire, who had been trailing a few feet behind. “Come here, dear,” Grandma said, waving Claire over. “Gregory,” she said to David’s father, “go get the good champagne and glasses.” Claire walked up next to Grandma, who took Claire’s hand in hers once more. “Everyone,” Grandma started, “I was just told that this is Claire’s first family Christmas party.” As she said this, Dad was walking around the room handing out nice glasses while David followed behind, filling each with just a bit of champagne. Claire felt her face burning with embarrassment. “She is a member of our family now, and I want to make a toast to commemorate our newest addition and welcome her to the family.” Dad handed a glass to Claire and David filled it, a goofy smile on his face. His smile was enough to make her smile just a little bit too. Once Grandma had her glass and champagne, she raised her glass in the air. “To Claire, a wonderful addition to a wonderful family.” Everyone else raised their glasses, and some (Natalie) cheered. Grandma gave her another hug, as did everyone else in the room. Claire felt the dread fall from her shoulders as a single tear rolled down her cheek. This really was a wonderful family, and she was happy to be a part of it. Matt Boutcher
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