Chapter 48

Shannon is guiding James through the list of his Christmas presents for Seth’s benefit. “And what did your cousins Louis and Greg get you?”

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!”

“That’s right. And stickers?”

“And stickers.”

“Whoa, cool.” Seth is duly impressed. His girlfriend of less than seven months is six months pregnant, and he’s a little freaked out, but he’s gonna do great.

“And what did your Mimi get you?” Mémère is more than Shannon can get his mouth around, never mind James, so my mother, too, got a new name out of these proceedings.

“Nothing,” James says, dejected.

“Nothing?” Shannon coaches. “Or did she get you Legos?”

“Legos!” James squeals, bouncing up and down on Shannon’s lap. It’s a lot for the little guy to keep track of.

“It sounds like you had an awesome Christmas, Little Walnut,” Seth enthuses.

“Did you have an awesome Christmas?” Shannon asks.