Homecoming Christmas...

 "Are you heading home for Christmas?"

"I am home."

"You know what I mean. Back to your hometown. Are you going back this year?"

"I don't think so. I think I'm going to go back for New Year's Eve this year. Let things clear out and calm down first."

"Won't your folks be upset?"

"Nah, not as long as I make it back sometime. My mother will fuss a little bit about it not being the same and she will be upset I won't be there to be fixed up with whatever poor guy she's picked out for me, but she'll get over it as long as I show up for New Year's Eve."

"How about your brother? Will he be mad that you're putting all the holiday pressure on him?"

"My brother? Are you kidding? He's so busy this time of year he can hardly see straight. A visit after Christmas will be perfect for him. And it will give me a chance to meet the latest girlfriend."

"Oh? Is he seeing someone?"

"Now? I'm not sure. It's probably just at the seeing each other around town stage right now, but by then? Sure he'll be deeply in love with Holly or Noelle or Carol or Eve or..."

"Oh come on! They aren't always named something like that."

"Aren't they though? I mean, maybe not their real names, but the one they tell him is always something like that. My favorite was Vixen. She knew what she was after and made it happen without any shame."

"Does it bother him?"

"Nah. I mean, eventually he will find someone and settle down, but for now he's fine playing Christmas Fantasy Man. And if he ever decides to move any big city he's got contacts in Real Estate, Law and Publishing just to name a few. I mean, his network of Christmas Girlies is vast."

"Is that what you call them?"

"I do. I mean, it sounds derogatory, but in a way I envy them. They found a way to cosplay their favorite movies and have their own December to Remember. None of them really want to stay in a small town in Vermont and work the Christmas Tree farm year round, but for a few weeks in December, maybe a little bit of January? It's fun. It's fairly harmless. I mean as long as everyone knows what's going on. And Nick has always seemed to be aware that he was a prop not a real proposal."

"But he really is a good guy and they really would be lucky to have him."

"For sure. I mean, I'm biased, he's my baby brother after all, but he is a good guy. He's good looking. He's honest. He's a hard worker. He's named Nick and runs a Christmas Tree farm. I mean, if he isn't perfect he's darn close. And eventually someone will snatch him up and probably make him start going by his middle name, at least during December."

"Ha! That would be hilarious. My names Ni...I mean Abner."

"Well, yeah, his middle name isn't Abner but that would work too. He could always hire an apprentice. The pay isn't great, but the perks are fun. But how about you? Are you staying here or heading back to your hometown?"

"I'm staying too. Hey, since you are in town did you want to come to our celebration? We're having a bunch of people over. The mixed group of don't want to be alones, but don't want to go homes. We start on Christmas Eve with a potluck dinner, white elephant gift exchange, board games until drop, pajama party sleep in, then Gary's famous cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast."

"Oh my gosh, that sounds perfect and I think I might not ever go back to Vermont for Christmas again as long as you are hosting that!"

"Great! I'll put you on the food list. We pick randomly out of a hat who brings what, so cross your fingers it's something you like to make!"

"Cross your fingers I get dessert, I mean, I did help run the bakery after all."

"Oh my gosh that's right! Maybe I'll just slip a little note on the list, Joy is bringing cookies"

"Julie."

"Oh, that's right, I totally forgot you were going by your middle name now."

"Especially this time of year."

"Especially."