A few days after her blowout with her family, Emily Carter was still fuming. The sting of her mom and sister’s words hung over her like the icy chill of Maplewood’s December. She’d made the mistake of mentioning to Linda during a quick call that she’d scored a holiday bonus from her job at the insurance office—a rare win after months of scraping by on survivor benefits and a tight budget stretched thin by preschool fees and sky-high winter heating bills. She should’ve kept her mouth shut. Not an hour later, her phone buzzed with Sarah’s name on the screen, her voice all sugar and fake cheer.
- Hey, Emily! Sarah chirped, like their last fight never happened. Mike and I are dying to hit up a New Year’s Eve bash at the ski lodge with friends. You know how it is—can’t exactly party with a toddler tagging along. Mom’s too wiped to watch Lily alone. Could you maybe spring for a babysitter for us?
Emily’s jaw hit the floor. The nerve! After she’d laid bare how overwhelmed she was, Sarah had the audacity to ask for money? She was too stunned to speak, and Sarah pounced on the silence.
- Look, if you’re too cheap to pay for a sitter, just watch the girls yourself, Sarah said, her tone turning sharp. You’re not going anywhere, right? You’re always hovering over Ava like a helicopter mom. What else you got planned for New Year’s Eve?
- I’m not your babysitter, Sarah, Emily snapped, her voice trembling with rage. And I’m definitely not watching your kid so you can go party!
She hung up before Sarah could reply, her hands shaking as she tossed the phone onto the couch. Not five minutes later, it buzzed again. Linda’s name flashed on the screen.
- She already snitched, Emily thought, steeling herself.
- Why are you hanging up on your sister? Linda barked, not bothering with a greeting. She’s been wrangling a toddler all year, Emily. She just wants one night to cut loose with Mike. Why do you have to make it so hard for her?
- Mom! Emily yelled into the phone, her patience shattered. I haven’t had a single break in four years! Not one second to myself. I can’t even get a haircut without dragging Ava along because you won’t—or don’t want to—watch her. But I’m supposed to drop everything to babysit Lily so Sarah can go party? No way! I’m not your maid, and I’m not Sarah’s nanny. You two figure it out. I’m done!
She ended the call, her heart racing. Linda tried ringing back three times, but Emily let it go to voicemail. She was trembling, not just from anger but from the rush of finally standing her ground. Her family’s entitlement had pushed her over the edge.
Just then, her phone rang again. This time, it was Jenna, the perky HR rep who doubled as the office’s event planner.
- Hey, Emily! Jenna said, her voice brimming with excitement. So, the company scored some spots for an all-expenses-paid trip to Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire. It’s called ‘A Visit with Santa’—perfect for kids! They get to meet Santa, pet his reindeer, ride the Christmas Express train. I thought of Ava—she’s so curious, and she’s just the right age. Wanna take her? Let me know by tomorrow, okay?
Emily’s breath caught. A trip to Santa’s Village? It was like a gift from the universe. She could hardly believe it. That evening, as she picked up Ava from preschool, she knelt down, brushing snowflakes from her daughter’s beanie.
- Sweetie, wanna go visit Santa Claus? Emily asked, her eyes sparkling. We could see his reindeer and ride his special train!
- Santa?! Ava’s face lit up like a Christmas light. That’s wicked awesome! Yes, yes, yes!
Emily laughed, her heart lighter than it had been in ages. That night, she crunched the numbers, setting aside a chunk of her bonus for a treat she’d put off for years: a salon visit. The next day, she stepped into Maplewood’s cozy hair salon, nerves tingling with excitement. The stylist trimmed her split ends, added soft layers, and even threw in a quick blowout. When Emily looked in the mirror, she saw a younger, brighter version of herself staring back.
- Wow, Mommy, you look like a princess! Ava squealed when Emily picked her up.
- Not a princess, honey—a Snow Queen, Emily teased, giving a playful twirl.
On December 30th, Linda showed up at Emily’s apartment unannounced. She knocked, pounded, and buzzed for a solid half-hour, expecting Emily to cave and agree to watch Lily for New Year’s Eve. Silence greeted her. Did she really say no to me? Linda thought, a flicker of unease creeping in. She’s never done this before. Finally, Mrs. Jenkins, the neighbor across the hall, poked her head out.
- They’re gone, Linda, Mrs. Jenkins said, arms crossed. Packed a suitcase and left this morning.
- Gone? Where? Linda stammered, her eyes wide. She’d come to guilt Emily into letting Sarah and Mike party at the lodge.
- Off to see Santa Claus, Mrs. Jenkins said with a grin, relishing Linda’s shock. Took Ava to that big Christmas resort up in New Hampshire. And stop banging on that door, or I’ll call the police.
Linda stood frozen, the weight of her daughter’s defiance hitting her. For the first time, she realized Emily wasn’t going to keep playing her role as the family’s doormat.
Meanwhile, Emily and Ava were curled up in a cozy train compartment, the scent of pine drifting through the car as the whistle sang over the snowy hills of New England. Ava pressed her nose to the window, her eyes wide at the frosted pines and sparkling fields flashing by. Emily sipped hot cocoa, feeling a peace she hadn’t known in years. Ava turned to her, grinning ear to ear.
- Mommy, is Santa gonna give us presents? she asked, her voice bubbling with wonder.
- Maybe, sweetheart, Emily said, ruffling her daughter’s curls. But being together like this? That’s the best gift of all.
As the train chugged toward Santa’s Village, Emily felt a weight lift. She wasn’t just a single mom scraping by anymore. She was a woman taking charge, giving her daughter a memory they’d treasure forever. For the first time in years, she felt truly free.