Every year, my husband and his family blamed me for “ruining” Christmas. This year, I finally stopped showing up—and stopped paying for the celebration they expected me to cover. By 6:30 p.m., my phone started ringing over and over. The same people who said I spoiled the holiday were suddenly desperate to know where I was and why nothing was going according to plan.

Colleen frowned.

“Leah, Christmas isn’t a business meeting.”

“No.”

“Then why are you making it one?”

I had expected that question.

The answer still hurt to say.

“Because for a long time the cost has mostly landed with me, and I don’t want to do that anymore.”

Nobody spoke.

Then Marcy said, “Mostly?”

“Yes.”

She looked at Neil.

I noticed it.

So did he.

Ryan shifted in his chair.

“What do you mean mostly?”

Neil said, “We don’t need to go through old numbers.”

I looked at him.

Marcy said, “I thought you guys split the house.”

Neil answered too quickly.

“We do.”