Nora and two friends

Skipping Christmas Chapter 4 Nora and two friends had just captured a table at their favorite deli MBT sale , a converted service station that still sold gas but had also added designer sandwiches and latte at three bucks a cup. As always, it was packed at noon, and the long lines attracted even more folks.It was a working lunch. Candi and Merry were the other two members of a committee to oversee an auction for the art museum. Around most of the other tables, similar fund-raisers were being plotted with great effort.Nora's cell phone rang. She apologized because she had forgotten to turn it off MBT shoes uk , but Merry insisted she take the call anyway. Cell phones were buzzing all over the deli.It was Aubie again, and at first she was puzzled as to how he had obtained her number. But then, she routinely gave it away.'It's Aubie from The Pumpkin Seed, she explained to Candi and Merry, thereby linking them to the conversation. They nodded with disinterest. Presumably, everybody knew Aubie from The Pumpkin Seed. He had the highest prices in the world so if you shopped there you could one-up anyone when it came to stationery MBT shoes London .'We forgot to discuss your party invitations,' Aubie said, and Nora's heart Froze. She, too, had forgotten the invitations, and she certainly didn't want to discuss them in front of Merry and Candi.'Oh yes,' she said. Merry had struck up a conversation with a volunteer at the next table. Candi was scanning the deli to see who wasn't there.'We won't be needing them, either,' Nora said.'No party?' Aubie asked, his words laden with curiosity MBT UK .'Yes, no party this year.''Well, I-''Thanks for calling, Aubie,' she said softly and quickly and snapped the phone shut.'Won't be needing what?' Merry asked, suddenly breaking off her other conversation and honing in on Nora.'No party this year?' Candi asked, her eyes locking on to Nora's like radar. 'What's up?'Grit your teeth, Nora urged herself. Think of beaches, warm salt water MBT shoes , ten days in paradise. 'Oh that,' she said. 'We're taking a cruise this year instead of doing Christmas. Blair's gone, you know, we need a break.'The deli was suddenly quiet, or at least it seemed so to Nora. Candi and Merry frowned as they replayed this news. Nora, with Luther's words ringing in her ears, pushed the offensive. 'Ten days on the Island Princess, a luxury liner. Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman. I've already lost two pounds,' she said with a cheerful smugness.'You're not doing Christmas?' Merry said in disbelief.'That's what I said,' Nora responded. Merry was quick with a judgment MBT shoes clearance , and years ago Nora had learned to bite back. She stiffened, ready for a sharp word.'How do you simply not do Christmas?' Merry asked.'You skip it,' Nora replied, as if that would explain everything.'Sounds wonderful,' Candi said.'Then what do we do Christmas Eve?' Merry asked MBT Sandals .'You'll think of something,' Nora replied. 'There are other parties.''But none like yours.''You're sweet.''When do you leave?' Candi asked, dreaming now of beaches and no in-laws piled in for a week.'Christmas Day. Around noon.' It was an odd time to leave, she had thought after Luther had booked the cruise. If we're not celebrating Christmas, dear, she'd said, why not leave a few days earlier MBT shoes sale ? Avoid Christmas Eve while we're at it. Eliminate the whole crazy mess. 'What if Blair calls Christmas Eve?' he'd replied. And besides, Biff got $399 knocked off the package because few people travel on the twenty-fifth. Anyway, it was booked and paid for and nothing was going to change.'Then why not have the party on Christmas Eve anyway?' Merry asked, getting pushy, fearful that she might feel obligated to host a replacement.'Because we don't want to, Merry. We're taking a break, okay. A year off. No Christmas whatsoever. Nothing. No tree, no turkey, no gifts. We're taking the money and splurging on a cruise. Get it cheap MBT shoes ?''I get it, Candi said. 'I wish Norman would do something like that. He wouldn't dream of it, though, afraid he'd miss twenty or so bowl games. I'm so envious, Nora.'And with that Merry took a bite of her avocado sandwich. She chewed and began glancing around the deli. Nora knew exactly what she was thinking. Who can I tell first? The Kranks are slapping Christmas! No party! No tree! 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