Chapter 7

On Christmas Eve, Autumn and Finny set the table while gently sparring about Autumn’s new habit of wearing a tiara. Autumn insists she wears it because she likes it, bristling at being questioned but softening when Finny laughs. At dinner, they are allowed half-glasses of wine, and Autumn notes how easily her father talks with Finny about sports, treating Finny almost like a second child.

As The Mothers reminisce, Autumn recalls her best Christmas at age twelve, when snow and simple traditions made the holiday feel pure. Since then, other concerns have crowded that feeling. With Jamie away in Wisconsin, Autumn toys with her feelings, remembering kissing him and telling him she loves him, planning to start the new journal he gifted her on New Year’s.

During dinner, Autumn’s father calls her a “sugar plum fairy,” belatedly noticing the tiara without realizing she has worn it for weeks. The offhand remark stings, and Autumn excuses herself to her room. Surrounded by new posters that clash deliberately with her lavender room, she lies on the bed, avoiding the feelings stirred by her father’s obliviousness.

Finny knocks and enters to tell her dinner is over, then acknowledges how much it hurts that her father hasn’t noticed. Autumn defensively snaps, “At least my father’s around for Christmas,” unintentionally targeting Finny’s own family situation. Finny closes off, says everyone is waiting, and leaves.

Alone, Autumn regrets the jab and imagines confiding in Finny, being comforted, holding hands during It’s a Wonderful Life, and sharing a porch kiss as snow begins to fall. After wiping her eyes, she returns downstairs, choosing family presence over isolation.