As we go into Thanksgiving in America, we prepare for family shenanigans and drama. It’s hilarious and ironic to me that the one single holiday we have that does not revolve around gift-giving but rather thankfulness and family is the one holiday that people dread … for that very reason.
I read an article from USA Today that 85% of Americans avoid their families during the holidays. Am I surprised? Maybe that it’s that high. (85% seems a WOW number to me.) But, then again, I’m not.
A part of me wonders if it’s because we’ve trained ourselves to expect family events to be rife with headaches. Turkey and tussles—the go hand-in-hand.
Without a doubt, some families are truly awful. And the stress of holidays can put people on edge. (Hello, it’s me.) But maybe sometimes it’s the stress of it that’s the villain and not Aunt Shirley. Maybe.
I’ve been thinking about this because I just published my newest novel in the Carmichael Family Series, Flame. This family is wild and playful—shenanigans ensue at every turn. (Chickens, anyone?) And my hero in Flame, Foxx, isn’t a fan of said behavior. He’s a grumpy, broody, aloof bodyguard who does his best to avoid all of that nonsense (especially his youngest brother, Banks).
Spoiler: Foxx falls in love and begins to slowlyyyyyyy look at his family a little differently. It’s a good time, and it just hit the Top 10 on Amazon. 🥳
Writing this series, specifically Flame as we approach the holidays has made me reflect on my own family. I have four sons, aged 21-14, and they resemble the Carmichaels in so many ways.
This story pulled up in my Memories this week. Enjoy.
Circa 2020
Note: For reference, OL is “Oldest Locke” (my oldest son), LL#2 is my second son, LL#3 is my third son, and LL is my youngest.
Pro: My children aren't snitches.
Con: My children aren't snitches.
Because look what I just found in OL's room.
A kitten.
A kitten that I said we could not have until we move.
Sighs.
I was sitting at the dining room table. LL#3 is on the couch and OL is outside. His bedroom door is closed. I keep hearing a meow that isn't Sparta's ... but it has to be Sparta's because she's the only cat we have ... in OL's room.
Me 🧐: "Do you hear that?"
LL#3 🤨: "What? No. I hear nothing."
Me: "Listen. Sparta must be shut in OL's bedroom."
LL#3 😳: "Nah. Don't think so. Hey, Momma. I got 12 kills in Fortnite last night."
Me: "Let Sparta out."
LL#3: "I sniped this kid that—"
Me 😑: "Let the cat out."
LL#3: 😳
Me: 🧐🤨
OL comes inside. He reads the room. This is him: 😳
Me: "Let Sparta out of your room. You caught her in there."
OL 🫣: "Okay. We gotta talk."
Me: "Apparently, we do."
OL: "So, I'm gonna show you something and you aren't going to freak out."
Me: "Is it alive?"
OL: ...
Me: "Oh, my gosh, Alexander. What have you done?"
LL#3: "Relax, Momma. You're gonna love it."
Me 😒 : "I can tell you right now I'm not. AND YOU KNEW ABOUT WHATEVER IT IS?"
LL#3: "We all kind of did."
THEY ARE TRAITORS.
Untrustworthy, disloyal little traitors.
Also, her name is Margo or Millie and isn't she adorable?
Edited to answer questions:
She's been there approximately two weeks. She is from a litter that OL's girlfriend's neighbor cat had.
They were all in on it except Mr. Locke. LL would sneak in there at night and play with it. LL#2 would hide it in his closet if OL left during the day because his closet is the farthest thing from any room I'd go to in the natural routine of my day. LL#3 would distract me if I got suspicious. Little jerks. LOL
Yes, we're keeping it. How can we not? We haven't chosen between Millie or Margo yet. (They didn't name it so that I could name it when I eventually found out because they felt like that would make me love it more. UGHHHH LOL)
If you are looking for a new romance read this week (maybe to escape the family!), check out Flame. Live now on Amazon and free with Kindle Unlimited.
Okay, so my sisters and I did something similar when I was in 3rd grade LOL. My sisters are 10 and 13 years older than me and one weekend my parents took me out of town on a little trip. My sisters being teenagers threw a party and someone left a kitten. I was so excited when I got home but they told me not to say anything otherwise my parents would make us get rid of him. My mom eventually found the kitten and we kept the kitten but my parents were so mad I didn't say anything.
I remember reading that and loving it so much! My #4 boy did the same thing in 2021. I told him to give her back, but I went and got her back after we did!😂