Chapter 8 — The Family Photograph Almost Fails
The next morning, Robert woke before everyone else.
He checked the weather.
Then the photographer’s confirmation.
Then everyone’s arrival times.
Everything looked organized.
At 8:47 AM, Rachel called.
“We’re going to be late.”
Robert froze.
“How late?”
“Maybe thirty minutes.”
“The photographer is coming at ten.”
“I know.”
“Rachel—”
Then Robert stopped.
His old instinct had returned.
Control the schedule.
Correct the problem.
Make the day match the plan.
He looked toward the new ornament hanging on the tree.
Uneven stars.
Crooked gold paint.
Sophie’s fingerprint.
“Drive safely,” Robert said.
Rachel went silent.
“Who are you?”
Robert laughed.
“Apparently Christmas changed me.”
Rachel arrived at 10:21.
The photographer waited.
Then Michael’s family arrived at 10:29.
One child was missing a shoe.
Another had spilled orange juice on his sweater.
Helen’s hair wasn’t behaving.
Daniel’s shirt had a tiny stain.
Sophie refused to remove a plastic tiara she had received as an early gift.
Robert looked around.
This was not the photograph he had imagined.
Then the photographer said:
“Everybody squeeze together.”
They did.
Milo wandered into the frame.
Robert almost removed him.
Sophie grabbed the cat.
“Milo is family.”
Robert looked toward the animal responsible for yesterday’s disaster.
Then sighed.
“Fine.”
Milo stayed.
The photograph was taken.
Sophie wore her tiara.
Rachel was still laughing.
One child had only one visible shoe.
Milo looked furious.
Helen loved it.