Merry Me

by C.R. Jane

“Is that what y’all are calling a tree? Looks like a squirrel dragged in a branch and gave up halfway through decorating.”

“Good. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t eat real cookies,” MeMaw announced, chewing loudly as her ornaments swung wildly under her ears like wrecking balls. “Back in my day, we didn’t waste time with all this organic nonsense. We ate what we wanted and then handled the consequences like adults—with a shot of whiskey and a good lie.”

“But I didn’t stop loving you. Not for one day. And not because I wanted to let go. Because someone wise reminded me that real love isn’t a leash. It’s a lantern.”

“I’m holding a glitter sign in front of a hundred strangers. I think the bar for dignity’s already gone. Give me the speech, Hollywood.”

“Just in case you’re still wondering whether soulmates exist after all this time…I know they do. But not in the perfect, easy way people talk about. I think they’re rare. Messy. Stubborn as hell.”

“They fight. They break. They find their way back, sometimes more than once.”

“Glitter is the emotional equivalent of being on one knee, Easton. Everyone knows that. You gotta meet me halfway.”