Faking Under the Mistletoe

by Ashley Shepherd

“Are you about done?” I’m puking on the side of the road, somewhere between exit fifty-nine and sixty, because Asher kept insisting I was fine and that all I needed was to drink more water. A publicist and a medical professional. His parents must be so proud.

“She was… everything,” I tell him. “My mom and my best friend all rolled into one. She loved Shania Twain and the color green and trashy soap operas. She made the best chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and never went anywhere without a dozen tubes of lip balm. “She worked so hard to make sure I had everything I needed. Honestly, I’m not sure if she ever slept. She’d pack my lunch everyday and she’d always write a note on the napkin. Some days she’d wake me up and tell me it was a holiday, and I’d skip school and we’d go on an adventure. She was just… the best mom. I was so lucky to have her.”