Ginna Wilkerson

Nicole approaches the Christmas holiday with sad nostalgia after a recent breakup with her girlfriend Emma. But much to her surprise, she finds herself attracted to a woman in her forties who her grandfather has been dating. <br><br>During her holiday visit, a storm takes out the power, and in the resulting black-out, romance blossoms between Nicole and Poppi’s “friend.” Then Nicole’s former partner shows up to complicate things.<br><br>Will this holiday drama end in heartache, or will Emma and Nikki get a second chance?

When the Lights Go Out

Poppi coughs and pauses for a moment. “Yeah. I know it’s not easy, Nik. I just want you to be happy.”


Now I pause. I don’t know how to move from this awkwardness into talking about our Christmas visit. Maybe he won’t even mention Lenore—maybe she’s not even that important to him.


“We got your invitation, and we’ll be there with bells on.”


“That’s great, Nik. It’ll be good to have both my girls here for a few days. I’m hoping Lenore will be around to meet you. We met when we both did Evitalast spring—but Ashley probably told you that. We get along so well. I know she’s younger, but…”


I’m surprised he’s bringing up this possible difficulty. “Yeah, Poppi—how young—old—is she?”


Again my grandfather hesitates. “Forty-six. There—I told you honestly. But it doesn’t seem to be a problem…”


“Well, okay. Listen, I’ll see you at Christmas. Gotta go—here’s Ash.” And I pass the phone over to Ashley while I get a soda from the fridge for my drive downtown.


Chapter 3