Easy to say when your kids just got enough tech to start a YouTube channel.
The rest of the morning dragged on.
I helped Lucas open the toy and pretended it was fun. We played with it on the carpet while my nieces compared apps and took selfies.
Every so often, Mom would glance my way, that same nervous guilt flickering across her face, but she never said anything.
When breakfast was served, Dad made another joke.
He looked at Lucas and said, “Maybe if your dad worked harder, Santa would have brought something bigger.”
The table went quiet.
Even Melissa gave him a look.
I felt my hands tighten around my coffee mug.
Lucas just stared down at his plate.
He didn’t cry.
He just looked small.
Something inside me snapped a little that morning, though I didn’t show it.
Years of small slights, quiet favoritism, and being told to be grateful. It all stacked up right there under that twinkling Christmas tree.
