Three

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and days of auld lang syne?

The party is in full swing as the four kids play cards. Though far from a wild party, everyone is enjoying themselves. Katie’s cousins are still young enough to appreciate the privilege of staying up until midnight. For Katie and her sister, midnight has been an early bedtime for several years. Well, for her sister at least, Katie fluctuates between ten-thirty and two, depending on what is going on in her daily life. Lately, it’s been the two a.m. option. There’s not much reason to get up early, she’s on break.

Katie isn’t sure how He comes up during the end of year jamboree, but He does.

“I unfriended him on Facebook,” says Katie’s sister. “He blocked me from seeing his wall.”

“What?” her mom exclaims.

“Yeah, he did me too,” says Katie, admitting it for the first time out loud. Her stomach flutters at the release of her secret, but it quickly settles.

“I thought it was just my phone.” Katie’s mom frowns, her face displeased and concerned at the same time.

Katie voices her theory as to why he hadn’t unfriended them all and is met with reluctant nods. It makes sense.

“That’s it. I’m unfriending him,” says Katie.

“Good for you!” says her sister. She hands Katie her laptop to do the deed. “Don’t forget to block him.”

With a few clicks, the “friendship” is dissolved. Katie returns the childrens’ attention back to the card game while the adults mutter back and forth.

Katie surveys her assembled family, aunt, uncle, boy cousin, girl cousin, sister, and mother as they count down.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

“Happy New Years!”

With a smile Katie whispers, “Happy New Years, mixed family.”