Friday was the final day before the holiday break, and also the day of the Lake End orchestra concert. Since Avery would be old enough to begin playing an instrument the following year, Ellie decided to take him so he could observe some of his older peers performing. Having read more than enough articles about the positive impact of music education on developing brains, Ellie would make sure Avery played an instrument, at least for a few years. Besides, she'd done so much work on this event, and she wanted to see it for herself. Clay had almost refused to come, but Ellie had given him her look of fire and he'd submitted to her. She loved the way that worked on him. Talia was with them, too, since Dylan had to stay late to work on the influx of cars that had come into the shop for the holidays.

She tried not to think about the previous day as she, Clay, and the kids found seats in the school's auditorium, but then she spotted Lana, who, rather than waving at her, turned her head like she hadn't seen her. Melanie sat close to Lana, and Lana whispered something in her ear, and Ellie felt positive she was the topic of their gossip.

A few volunteer moms passed out paper bags filled with popcorn, a trick for keeping younger siblings occupied and hopefully quiet, proposed by Trina during December's LEPO meeting. Ellie accepted a single bag of popcorn, giving it to Avery and Talia to share.

A few rows behind them sat Trina and her family, and Ellie waved cordially when she noticed Trina looking over at them. Trina's returned wave seemed more lackluster than usual, and Ellie wondered if everyone's holidays were starting off on a bad note. Hopefully, Lana hadn't gotten the chance to spread some rumor about her. But Ellie wasn't that hopeful. Lana had probably had time to tell other moms about Dylan and Leah. Did you ladies hear that Ellie might be Trigger's grandmother? Maybe that was why Trina's wave lacked its usual fierceness. Ellie shuddered.

The concert commenced, one Christmas song followed by another, various students off-beat, their bows out of sync. The resulting sounds, akin to metal forks on porcelain plates, made Ellie wince from discomfort, though she tried to smile like she enjoyed the concert; after all, she wanted Avery to see how well his peers were doing, how fun it would be to join them the next year. "Isn't this great?" she whispered in his ear as "Jingle Bells" ended, clapping loudly right after. He nodded as Talia went wild with her applause next to him.

"Great" was an absolute overstatement, but at least Avery and Talia seemed to agree with her. Seeing their peers under spotlights on stage was probably enough to impress them, with or without a quality performance.

Ellie couldn't help but realize that holiday break truly was starting off on a "bad note."

Everything that had used to be great to Ellie now sucked, it seemed. Ellie used to think shopping was great, and now she'd become a professional shopper, a purchaser of groceries and toiletries and medicine, the weekly replenisher of essential supplies. She used to crave parties, and now when she heard the word "birthday party," she knew she was doomed for at least two hours of insufferable chit chat with other parents, paired with greasy pizza and disgustingly sweet cake (birthday parties were the one occasion where unhealthy foods were still permitted). She used to love concerts. But now, she realized that whenever she heard the word "concert," this exact moment would come to mind. Screeching violas and violins and cellos and upright basses, a cacophony of dying birds.

Along to the music, she heard Lana telling her your stepson is dating that horrid girl.

Lana's voice was another screeching presence in her life, a voice she should probably shut out completely, and she glared in the direction of the back of Lana's pretty head, angered by how rude she had been to her in her moment of need.

The concert ended, and Ellie felt grateful for the noise reduction, unsure if she really wanted Avery to join the orchestra, knowing that, if he did, she would have to endure years of this. Maybe she would enroll him in private lessons instead.

*

After their family arrived home, Clay stood in front of her, giving her a look.

"Ellie, we should talk," he said, and she worried he wanted to tell her about his affair. After all, she'd felt his discomfort each time Trina had walked too near.

She didn't want to hear it; she just wanted him to keep himself satisfied so that their family could maintain a semblance of happiness. Their image was deteriorating quickly.

He began, "I think we should consider asking Dylan to invite his girlfriend over for Christmas dinner." Ellie hadn't expected this. "You saw how hurt he was on Thanksgiving."

I used to love holidays, Ellie though. Now, holidays are the times for unwanted guests.

"You're probably right," she said, because although the thought of Leah and Trigger at her table gave her anxiety, she remembered the way Dylan had looked on Thanksgiving, when he'd told everyone she'd forbidden Leah from coming into her home, preventing his happiness. Dylan deserved more from her, and she knew it. She couldn't keep letting her fear of Lana's judgment and everything Lana represented influence her into hurting Dylan more than she already had.

She closed her eyes, accepting the pain of the right decision.