Christmas Letters Read Free

job. And in the meanwhile, these Christmas letters gave her some useful practice in creating a positive spin on some unpromising situations—like poor Bill Mulcahy’s.
    “I’d love a cup of tea, but unfortunately I’ve got to get to work.”
    “Perhaps tomorrow,” LaVonne suggested.
    “That would be great.”
    “I’ll call upon my psychic powers and look into your future if you’d like.” She sounded completely serious.
    “Sure,” K.O. returned casually. Perhaps LaVonne could let her know when she’d find a job.
    LaVonne’s eyes brightened. “I’ll study my class notes and then I’ll tell you what I see for you.”
    “Thanks.” She reached over and scratched Tom’s ears. The big cat purred with pleasure.
    With a bounce in her step, LaVonne went into her condo, closing the door with a slam that shook her Christmas wreath, decorated with golden moons and silver stars. K.O. headed for her own undecorated door, which was across the hall. Much as she disapproved of her sister’s hero, she could hardly wait to tell Zelda the news.

Chapter

2
     
    K .O. waited until she’d worked two hours straight before she phoned her sister. Zelda was a stay-at-home mom with Zoe and Zara, who were identical twins. Earlier in the year Zelda and Zach had purchased the girls each a dog. Two Yorkshire terriers, which the two girls had promptly named Zero and Zorro. K.O. called her sister’s home the Land of Z. Even now, she wasn’t sure how Zelda kept the girls straight, let alone the dogs. Even their barks sounded identical. Yap. Yap and yap with an occasional yip thrown in for variety, as if they sometimes grew bored with the sound of their own yapping.
    Zelda answered on the third ring, sounding frazzled and breathless. “Yes?” she snapped into the phone.
    “Is this a bad time?” K.O. asked.
    “Oh, hi.” The lack of enthusiasm was apparent. In addition to everything else, Dr. Jeffries’ theories had placed a strain on K.O.’s relations with her younger sister.
    “Merry Christmas to you, too,” K.O. said cheerfully. “Can you talk?”
    “Sure.”
    “The girls are napping?”
    “No,” Zelda muttered. “They decided they no longer need naps. Dr. Jeffries says on page 125 of his book that children should be allowed to sleep when, and only when, they decide they’re tired. Forcing them into regimented nap- and bedtimes, is in opposition to their biological natures.”
    “I see.” K.O. restrained the urge to argue. “Speaking of Dr. Jeffries…”
    “I know you don’t agree with his philosophy, but this is the way Zach and I have chosen to raise our daughters. When you have a family of your own, you can choose how best to parent your children.”
    “True, but…”
    “Sorry,” Zelda cried. It sounded as if she’d dropped the phone.
    In the background, K.O. could hear her sister shouting at the girls and the dogs. Her shouts were punctuated with the dogs’ yapping. A good five minutes passed before Zelda was back.
    “What happened?” K.O. asked, genuinely concerned.
    “Oh, nothing.”
    “As I started to say, I saw Dr. Jeffries.”
    “On television?” Zelda asked, only half-interested.
    “No, in person.”
    “Where?” All at once she had Zelda’s attention.
    “On Blossom Street. You aren’t going to believe this, but he actually lives in my building.”
    “Dr. Jeffries? Get out of here!”
    Zelda was definitely interested now. “Wait—I heard he moved to Seattle just before his book was published.” She took a deep breath. “Wow! You really saw him?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Oh, my goodness, did you talk to him? Is he as handsome in person as he is in his photo?”
    Feeling about him the way she did, K.O. had to consider the question for a moment. “He’s fairly easy on the eyes.” That was an understatement but looks weren’t everything. To her mind, he seemed stiff and unapproachable. Distant, even.
    “Did you tell him that Zach and I both read his book and what a difference it’s