Head Over Boots For You // Jenlisa

20: Christmas Traditions

Lisa

Lisa sat at the table with Jennie and nursed her morning cup of coffee. She was more tired than she would like, but she absolutely did not regret staying up so late with Jennie the night before. Sunlight streamed in through the window, a stark contrast to the day before. She was about to ask Jennie if she was as groggy as she was when Jennie looked past her, frowning.

"Where are you off to?" Jennie asked her mom, who was putting on a thick coat. "You said you have today off."

Leah put some gloves in her pockets and smiled at Lisa. "I was thinking Lisa and I could go for a walk this morning. It's clear enough to see the mountains today."

Lisa glanced over to Jennie, whose eyes were wide. But Lisa took it in stride and smiled back to Leah. "I would love to."

After Leah left the room, Jennie leaned in close. "Are you sure? If it would be too weird, I can go with you, or—"

"I'll be fine, Jennie." Lisa rose from the couch, placing a soft peck on Jennie's lips. "We're just going to get to know each other better."

"But in-laws are scary," Jennie whispered, a little unnecessarily since Leah was still in the other room.

"Not for someone who wants to marry you as much as I do," Lisa said.

Jennie only responded with an expression that was equal parts turned on and deliriously happy.

So Lisa let herself be whisked away, through traffic that was still ridiculous even though it was the morning of Christmas Eve. Leah brought them through a Starbucks drive-through first, before heading to a large lake surrounded by houses on all sides. It was cold and clear, but Lisa had come prepared with her Carhartt jacket and beanie. She held her coffee cup in one hand and stuffed the other into her pocket as she walked alongside Leah. The wooden walkway meandered along the lakeshore, and people in skin-tight workout clothes ran past them along the walkway, their breath appearing as puffs in the cold air.

"I hope you don't mind me tearing you apart from Jennie for an hour," Leah began, sending Lisa an apologetic look. "I know you don't get to spend much time with her."

There was something about her expressions and the lilt of her voice that reminded Lisa so much of Jennie. She loved seeing where Jennie had gotten some of her mannerisms and wished she had been able to meet Jennie's father as well. Based on what Jennie had told her, Jennie was even more like her father.

"Neither do you," Lisa said. "I know it's hard for either of you to find the time to visit."

Lisa had worn her hair loose out of her beanie, and now it was blowing around her face in the wind. She should have worn her usual braid... but she liked wearing her hair long when she was with Jennie. It made it easier for Jennie to run her hands through it.

"That's true, now that she's decided to live a thousand miles away." Leah sighed, staring out over the water and taking a sip of her coffee. "It was easier when she was going to school here, even though between her studying and me working, we still didn't see a lot of each other. But at least I got her for the holidays."

"I think Jennie would see you more often if she could," Lisa said. "But the life of a student isn't a rich one."

"That's probably true. But mothers can never see too much of their children." Leah glanced over to her. "I'm wondering how much I'll see of her even after she graduates from school."

Lisa took a sip of her coffee, even though it was too sweet for her liking. She shouldn't have tried a latte after all. "You'll have to ask Jennie," she said simply. She really didn't know what Jennie's plans were concerning her visits home.