Merry Mayhem

CHAPTER 1 THEA “Are you sure you don’t want me to take your shift tonight?” I ask my sister for the second time. Violet shakes her head. “No. I’m fine. No big deal. I knew he’d be home for the holidays.” Yes, of course, her ex is home for Christmas. His parents, grandparents, and two sisters live here. “But Ashley’s with him,” I say. I’d seen Scumbag Sam and his new girlfriend earlier at the grocery store. I’d been chatting with Brian Watkins about his elbow surgery, so I couldn’t flip Sam off, or turn my back on him, or even duck behind the display of pie filling to avoid him. Unfortunately, as the physical therapist in town—a healthcare provider and business owner—I have to act professionally and maturely, at least in public. So, when Sam said, “Hey, Thea,” I had to smile and say, “Hi, Sam.” I had to be friendly and pleasant to the asshole who had broken my sister’s heart. The same asshole who made her quit the job where they’d worked together, and move out of the apartment they’d shared, which is why, ten months later, she’s still back home, working for our grandpa. “I figured he would be,” Violet says. “But I’m fine to work. Everything is fine.” I look around Perks and Rec, our grandfather’s coffee shop/bar/café. It’s busy right now due to the dinner rush, which will keep her distracted, but it will clear out quickly after everyone has eaten. Merry Mayhem, the town’s annual Christmas celebration, starts the day after tomorrow, and people will head home to get ready. Yes, Merry Mayhem requires days of preparation. Weeks, even. And not just by the town’s Parks and Recreation department, which is solely responsible for the various events and decorations around town, but for everyone. Because everyone in town participates. Everyone. And then they’ll all do it again for Valentine’s Day. And then for St. Patrick’s Day. And then… I love my hometown. I really do. But it’s exhausting at times. Like now. Not only is Merry Mayhem only a couple of days away, but my sister is having a personal crisis in the middle of it—actually because of it—and I just really want to put on pajamas, pop some popcorn, and put in a funny Christmas movie. Nothing with tears. Nothing like The Family Stone. I love that freaking movie, but I don’t want to cry. I’m too tired to cry. I want to laugh. We’re talking Christmas Vacation or Elf here. But I won’t. At least not until I know for sure Violet is okay. “Okay, what can we do?” I ask, looking from Violet, who is bartending and waiting tables, to my cousin, Nora, and best friend, Anderson. Nora is practically bouncing on her stool. Getting her to sit still this long is a miracle, honestly. It’s a testament to how much she loves Violet. Nora is the head of Parks and Rec, and Merry Mayhem not only falls under her purview but also her invention. She is dying to wrap something in twinkle lights or stick more paper snowflakes somewhere. Though I can’t imagine she’s missed a single surface. Anderson is the one I should focus on. She’s the most likely of us to come up with a way to really torture Violet’s ex and to make it look like an accident. Or, better yet, make it look like his new girlfriend’s fault. Andi has a mean streak, but only when it comes to men and almost only when it comes to scumbag men. “Nothing,” Violet says, waving her hand as if brushing a fly away. “It’s fine.” That’s the fourth ‘fine’ I’ve gotten. “Violet,” Nora says gently, taking Violet’s hand. “Sam told me they’re signing up for Merry Mayhem.” She says it carefully, as if preparing for Violet to freak out. That’s exactly what we’re expecting. Violet does take a deep breath, but then she nods. “I expected that, too.” “You did?” I frown and look at Nora, then Andi. “You’re shocked?” Andi asks me. Sam and Violet were together for four years. I thought I knew him well, too. “I honestly didn’t think he’d be a big enough asshole to sign up for Mayhem without Violet the first year he’s back.” Merry Mayhem is only in its fifth year this year. Sam and Violet did Merry Mayhem together every single year, and they won every time. Basically, there has never been a Merry Mayhem without Sam and Violet. Or a Sam and Violet without Merry Mayhem. They displayed those stupid trophies on the bookcase in their living room in the apartment they shared until February this year. I don’t know if they split them up when Violet moved out, or if she took all four, or if she threw them at him when he broke things off, or what, but those damned things were important to them at one time. “You’re doing so great,” Andi tells Violet. “So, what if he competes with someone new, right? You’re going to show him that you don’t care. That you’ve moved on. That Merry Mayhem doesn’t actually mean anything to you anymore.” She glances at Nora. “No offense.” Nora looks like she’s in actual pain. “She can still care about Merry Mayhem without caring about Sam.” “Exactly,” Violet says. “And that’s what I’m going to do.” “What do you mean?” I ask. “I’m going to do Merry Mayhem without Sam. I guess against Sam,” my sister says, her chin tipping up. “You…are?” I ask. I love my sister very much. She’s eight years younger than me. Our two brothers are between us, but Violet and I are still very close. I’ve always felt very protective of her, and I’d do anything for her. Except tell her that she could do better than Sam. I never did that. And I should have. She absolutely could have done better than Sam. And I swear if he’d ever proposed or something, I would have said something. I just kept thinking they were young and that there was no way she was going to settle for him. But she did. For four freaking years. And when he broke up with her, she was distraught. Absolutely miserable. For months. If he had ever come back and tried to reconcile, then I would have done something. Told him off. Punched him. Locked her in her room. Set his car on fire. You know, something reasonable that would have made the point. But he never did. He never came back. As far as I know, he never sent her even a text. In fact, he immediately started dating Ashley. Soon after, he brought her home to visit, and I ran into them here in Perks and Rec. And I did something very out of character—I told him he was not welcome and to never set foot inside my grandfather’s restaurant again. He must have believed me because he hasn’t. Neither has either of his brothers. I’m pretty proud of that, actually. I’m not really a boat-rocker. Especially in our small town. I own a business here. I have a daughter in school. My whole family lives here. If I go around making threats and pissing people off, it can have big consequences. So, I tend to bite my tongue a lot and quietly stew, or vent to Andi and Nora. But I don’t do things that might make the town upset with me. I definitely would have made an exception with Sam, though, if I’d needed to. Violet wasted so much time on him. “How are you going to compete against Sam in Merry Mayhem?” Andi asks. “Don’t you need a partner?” “Yep,” Violet says. “I’ve got one.” She gives us a big smile. “You…do?” I ask. “Who?” Nora leans in. Violet’s smile grows. “Remember the guy I went to that wedding with?” “The wedding where the two women knocked the cake over?” Nora asks. “Yep.” Violet nods happily. “We’ve been texting, and he agreed to come here for Christmas and to do Merry Mayhem with me.” “But…” I start. She’s told us nothing about this guy. “You’re dating him?” She turns away to grab another beer for someone. She flips the top off and then hands it over the bar. “We haven’t done anything since the wedding, but he’s so great,” she says. “He’s charming and sweet, and he’s so good-looking. He said he’s happy to come for Christmas.” The wedding in October was the first time she’d really been out with anyone since the break-up. I’d been so relieved she’d actually gone and that it had been fun. I’d had no idea they were still talking, though. She hasn’t said a thing about him since the morning after the wedding. But she’s gun-shy after Sam. I get that. When she and Sam broke up, it affected both families, too. Our parents have all known each other for years and years, and Sam felt like part of the family, as much as I’d hoped it wouldn’t be forever. But I like this idea. I like the idea of Sam seeing her with someone new. I love the idea of her having the chance to enjoy Merry Mayhem. I hated the idea that she’d have to be a spectator this year instead of a participant. It’s not my thing, but Violet loves our town’s crazy celebrations. This is good. Great, even. She can jump right back in and see that the holiday fun she’s had in the past wasn’t about Sam. She can make new memories. She can move on. And she and the new guy can kick Sam and Ashley’s asses. “Okay,” I say. “Well, great. I can’t wait to meet him.” She smiles. “He’s going to call later and we’ll make a plan for tomorrow.” “Great!” Nora says, hopping off her stool. “I’m so glad you’re good,” she tells Violet. “I’ve gotta go, though. So much to do!” “Sure. I’ll see you later,” Violet says. Andi and I both stand too. “I need to go pick Ruth up from Jordyn’s,” I say. “Aren’t they on Christmas break?” Violet asks. “Oh, yes, they were decorating cookies.” My twelve-year-old and her friends are so excited about Merry Mayhem, but they couldn’t wait until the kick-off party to start on holiday treats. Andi points at Violet. “Call me if you need anything.” “I will. But I won’t need anything!” Violet says. “I’ve got this, you guys, I promise. I’ve got a plan, and nothing is going to derail it. Merry Mayhem is all mine!” I’m feeling good as we head out. I really want Violet to be confident, secure, and happy. If this new guy is the answer, then great. I will welcome him with open arms.