The burning sun was starting to retire for the night. Somewhere in the distance, a mariachi band played “Feliz Navidad”. Bella sat on the beach shore beside Nathan. A comfortable silence rested between them. There was always something so relaxing about the sunset. Bella wondered what the rest of her family was doing at this moment. They were probably all gathered in New York, celebrating the holidays as well as the birth of the newest member. Most likely, they would all be at Rico and Ceci’s place, fussing over the baby girl. Rhea was rather cute from what she’d seen in pictures. She almost wished she was there to see her in person, but that meant she’d have to see everyone else as well… everyone else.
She wondered if all of Ceci’s family would be there too. One big, happy family. Perhaps Adam was there. He’d showed up once or twice at family celebrations, even when Lucie had been born. Her teeth dug into her lower lip. These days, thoughts of him crossed her mind often, but more of a fleeting thought. What if he wasn’t alright? What if he was? She wasn’t sure which she should worry more about. Normally, he would be one of the first to hear about all the changes happening in her life. Vet school, the animal shelter, the fact that her dream seemed more achievable than it did in the past. But she hadn't heard from him in over a year... Excusing herself from Nathan’s side, she walked towards the two tents set up higher up on the beach, away from the tide. Her phone had been turned off to preserve the battery in case of emergencies, but she would make an exception for this. For a moment, she thought of calling Rico, but any member of her immediate family would just ask a million questions, so instead she just sent Ceci a text: “Hey Ceci. Merry Christmas and congrats on your baby girl. She’s cute and her name is awesome. I don’t know if everyone’s there, but if you see Adam, tell him to text me or call me. I haven’t heard from him in almost a year. Anyway, give my brother and the girls my best wishes.” Turning her phone off again, she rummaged through her bag to find a card she’d purchased in town while Nathan hadn’t been looking. Just a simple card with Feliz Navidad written on the front, and some spanish message on the inside, followed by her hand-written sentiments, thanking him for all that he’d done for her: the job, the temporary place of living, the work visa, this holiday to take her mind off everything. He was an incredible friend and she wished she knew how she could repay him. She stepped out of the tent and gazed at the sun as it sank beneath the horizon. Tomorrow would be another day in Mexico, and for the first time in years, she felt she could let go of all the things usually troubling her. Tonight, she would just enjoy the sunset and in the morning, she would watch the dawning of a new day. Sitting beside Nathan again, she handed him the card with a smirk. “I don’t usually do this,” she said, “but Feliz Navidad.”
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Isabella Kaylee DwyerWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
December 2017
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