The Quiet One Snaps at Christmas Eve
Silencio
I'm afflicted with a severe phobia related to socializing. Christmas is the one holiday that I fear the most.
In order to escape from my relatives' incessant questions, I've spent one year digging up dirty laundry related to every single person in my family.
Before going home for the holidays, I've made a secret vow that as long as my relatives don't disturb me, I will definitely keep those skeletons of theirs sealed tightly in their closets.
But at the Christmas Eve dinner, these relatives insist on making me their personal doormat.
My oldest uncle, Adam Burton, is the first one to start a topic in a passive-aggressive manner.
"Hannah, you're not getting any younger, you know. It's one thing to not be able to nail down a job, but what's with your inability to find yourself a boyfriend, hmm?
"Look at Quinn. The moment she'd graduated from college, she'd already married a rich scion."
I can only smile bashfully before I lower my head and start eating from my plate in an attempt to skip the topic.
But my second aunt, Zoe Brown, refuses to let it slide. She begins putting on airs as a senior member of this family while lecturing me.
"Stop being so stubborn, Hannah. Adam is doing this for your own good. We're a family at the end of the day; we will never hurt you. You have to listen to our advice. Otherwise, you'll become an old and lonely woman that no one wants as a partner when the time comes."
Pfft! "We're a family", she says! I think these relatives of mine just don't want me to live a nice, comfortable life as a single woman!
Unable to endure it anymore, I put down my fork and lift my head. Then, I flash everyone an awkward smile.
"In that case, Aunt Zoe, why don't you tell me who's more impressive in bed? Was it Uncle Caleb… or Uncle Adam?
"Since we're a family, we should be honest with each other, right?"