Summary

In “Paul,” Paul did not argue with Ginger about having Velvet over for Christmas because he figured Velvet’s mother would not allow the visit. When he returned home from an errand he discovered Edie, his daughter from his first marriage, was enthralled by Ginger’s description of Velvet. She asked if she could hang out with her since she would also be coming to visit over Christmas.

In “Velvet,” Velvet’s brother acted out because Velvet had been asked to go to Ginger’s the day after Christmas. Her mother hit her in the head and told Velvet he was acting as he was because of her. In her bedroom she looked out the window at the Christmas lights in the window across the street. It was the only thing festive in her area. She felt her grandfather telling her that her mother...