I set the ribbon down.

“That’s between you and Dad.”

“He says if I want to skip Christmas, that’s my choice.

He won’t beg.”

“It sounds as if he has made his position clear.”

“Do you know how humiliating that is?”

I thought of my wedding dress, the closed oak doors, and the three days I’d had to replace an escort who’d promised to be there.

I also thought of how little good that comparison would do us now.