Last Christmas Table

(ahhhh) Okay, listen, you won't believe this.

Grandma turns eighty-nine this winter.

Aunt Rena calls her every single night.

My mom drives out there every Sunday with the good bread.

Right now Rena is wrapping a gift for her.

Right now my mom is wrapping a bigger one.

Everyone wants her for Christmas.

Everyone wants one more year with her at the table.

There are only so many left,

you know.

And she has said yes to Rena twice already.

Rena's boys text her good morning every day.

My brother and I have been driving four hours every weekend.

Rena says my mom talks too loud at dinner.

My mom says Rena never lets anyone finish a story.

Grandma smiles and says she loves everyone the same.

Nobody believes her.

Right now Rena is booking the lake house for December.

Right now my mom is changing every plan she has.

Grandma keeps a calendar next to her bed.

She writes each name in pencil,

so she can change it.

She has been circling the same two days since October.

I have been watching her do it,

and she never says a word.

Rena has Christmas Eve,

and my mom has Christmas Day.

Rena has just asked to swap them.

I'm telling you, it is not over.

Everyone wants her for Christmas.