Christmas at the Wellands

By Liz Jacobs

Kev's had a truly horrible year. After losing his mom, he was plunged into a deep depression, and only pulled through with his best friend Andrew's help. So when Andrew invites him to spend Christmas with his family in Connecticut, it would be pretty crappy to turn down the invitation, despite not being sure how he would fit in with Andrew's very white, very wholesome family. 

As soon as they get there, Kev and Andrew are greeted with over-active and curious children, and many harried--and curious--adults. As Kev struggles to find his place amidst the chaos, he is also confronted by his awakening desire for something he really can't have--his straight best friend. 

But revelations, great and small, take everyone by surprise--and show that Christmas just might be the happiest time of the year, after all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liz Jacobs
• Release date: Jan 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370747061

Book preview

Christmas at the Wellands

Christmas at the Wellands

Liz Jacobs

Published by Liz Jacobs, 2018.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

CHRISTMAS AT THE WELLANDS

First edition. January 4, 2018.

Copyright © 2018 Liz Jacobs.

ISBN: 978-1370747061

Written by Liz Jacobs.

Christmas at the Wellands

Liz Jacobs

Contents

Copyright

Author’s Note

Christmas at the Wellands

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About Liz Jacobs

More By Liz Jacobs

Copyright © 2018 Liz Jacobs

Published by Liz Jacobs at Smashwords

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All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means.

Author’s Note

Content warnings for parental loss, depression, past suicidality, and past self-harm.

Christmas at the Wellands

By the time they were nearly to Andrew's house, the snow had begun to stick to tree branches, fluffing them up with white wetness, to the roofs of the houses they passed, and finally, even to the road, piling quietly on as if a myriad cars had not been heating it on a regular basis. The sleepy Connecticut roads were turning as picturesque as any Christmas postcard, which really put a damper on Kev's brooding thoughts.

At the wheel, Andrew looked quietly pleased, peaceful like the snowfall outside, and Kev did his best to mirror him. He had a feeling that his own face looked less pleased and more constipated, but he just couldn't seem to shake his internal dread.

All right, so, things to know, Andrew said as he made another turn onto an increasingly suburban street. They were definitely getting close. My sisters talk a mile a minute, but you really don't have to pay attention to them. Like, they'll let you know when it's important.

Tessa and Cherry, right? He knew they were twins, and still in school, though wasn't totally clear on actual ages.

Yes! Andrew flashed him a quick smile. Kev burrowed deeper into his scarf. Andrew's smiles were like the clouds parting to reveal a full moon. Unexpected and bright, for all that they were easy to goad. It still managed to pluck at Kev's insides every time in ways that were best left unexamined. Right, and then there's Sandy.

Your...aunt?

Yeah, dad's sister. She's, uh. Well, try not to pay too much attention to her, either, now that I think about it.

Any particular reason?

She's a little...uh... Kev watched as Andrew chewed on his lower lip. I guess you could say she's a bit kooky. I mean, she's harmless, but, uhm... It was adorable, really, how easily Andrew blushed. Actually, embarrassing Andrew had become one of Kev's biggest joys in life since they'd palled up in bio last year, and it was cute to watch him squirm, when Kev wasn't the cause of the squirming. Well, anyway, she's been staying with my parents since her divorce. She's in the apartment over the garage.

That sounded pretty fancy. Kev vaguely knew that Andrew's family was comfortable, which only ratcheted up his own discomfort the closer they got. He still couldn't believe he'd let Andrew talk him into coming to his parents' place for Christmas.

So, then there's Mom and Dad. I know you've met them, so you're, you know, familiar with their...everything...

Kev had met them when they'd come for Parents' Weekend back in October. The two of them were straight out of a Norman Rockwell special. Andrew looked just like his mom, blinding smile and all. Kev had felt the need to squirm himself, when they'd taken them out for dinner. It's so nice to meet you, Kev! Andrew's mom—Mrs. Welland—had gushed. I'm just so glad he's found a friend, finally. As if Kev had been the one to save Andrew, and not the other way around.

But don't let them get to you—they're a lot, but they mean well, you know?

They're nice, man, don't worry about it.

But Kev worried. Kev worried that he wouldn't fit into the Wellands' loving, perfectly ordinary family. He worried that he hadn't gone to the barber in too long and his hair was a shaggy mess that would be a lightning rod for all their curiosities. He worried that he would put his elbows in the wrong place at the wrong time. He worried that for all that his skin was dark, the circles under his eyes were darker. He worried that, when the sun began to set shortly, he wouldn't be able to avoid the feeling of dread in his stomach, and the sleepless, endless night that would follow. He worried about the morning after.

He cleared his throat. You said you had others coming for Christmas, right? Who else you got?

Andrew blew out a breath. Well, let's see... There's my grandparents—Mom's side, Dad's are gone—and my other aunt and uncle, and their kids. There's four of them.

Wow. Your family doesn't fuck around. Kev paused, rethinking. I mean, I guess they do, in fact.

Oh my God, do not make me dump your ass on the street. Stop talking about my family like...eurgh. Gross.

Kev grinned, gloomy mood momentarily dispelled. Andrew was such a good boy. He only cursed when it was a curse, and not the actual act. Andrew, apparently, did not fuck. Andrew saw girls and occasionally spent the night with them. Kev could only imagine that he probably took them out for breakfast afterwards and held their hands. Kev was the fuck-and-run dude around these parts.

As Andrew drove, he took Kev further and further away from everything Kev knew.

Sorry, he conceded, settling into his seat. Okay, so aunt and uncle. And four cousins. What are their names? Just so I'm prepared. Although he hoped Andrew didn't expect him to memorize any names at the outset.

Andrew appeared to shake himself off. Okay, so it's Aunt Mabel—

No way is your aunt named Mabel.

What, why?

Kev shook his head. God, you're fucking wholesome. It wasn't a complaint, really. Just a fact, possibly mixed in with some wonder.

I am not!

All right, you're not. Your uncle is..?

Mike.

Aunt Mabel and Uncle Mike?

Right... Okay, I see what you mean.

Kev cracked a grin. Cousins?

Andrew shot him another look, tips of his ears adorably pink. Katie, Toby, uh, Andy—

No fucking way.

She's a girl!

Who's older?

I am!

Kev could feel laughter—almost unfamiliar in its unbridled, easy nascency—bubbling up his belly. He tried to hold it in, if only because releasing it would jar him with a long-forgotten sensation, but one look at Andrew's indignant face and he was gone. Gone. He doubled over and wheezed, his throat long unused for the purpose, his body remembering all the ways that a person could laugh. The slap of a hand against his knee, the lightest of aches in his abdominal muscles, and that feeling of joy that came with this sort of laughter. A feeling of joy that had the potential to last, sustained by more laughter, and more joy.

So, they stole your name and used it for parts. What's the last cousin's name?

Andrew had that look on his face that Kev knew so well—wanting to be annoyed, but being too fucking good-natured to follow through.