Mom was chirpy and flushed from the wine after one glass. 

Dad grumbled under his breath about the steak from this place always being overcooked while  I nervously cast glances at the bar, praying Joe didn't hear so he wouldn't spit on our food. 

Peter and his fiancée, Crystal, poked fun at my driving skills, completely ignoring that I didn't just drive off the road for fun but had a flat tire. 

It was a typical family dinner. 

Dad's grumbling, Mom's chirping, and Peter and Crystal's driving jokes lasted until we finished our first drink. I could feel the impending doom from Potato Peter's smirk when he turned to me. He started his assault early this year—usually I was left alone until at least the main course. 

"So, Darcy. Still no John this year? You'll never catch up to me at this rate," Peter asked teasingly, placing his hand on Crystal's hand to emphasise his point. "What happened to your 'boyfriend' this year? He decided to walk home because of your poor driving skills?"

 I gritted my teeth. "No, Peter, as I told you last year: I broke up with John. I haven't seen him at all since then. Besides, this is not a competition." 

Peter just grinned. "Certainly not a close one. But seriously, when can we expect you to make up, uh, I mean bring a new John?" 

I shrugged, hoping the waiter would come soon. He had nothing else to do—we were the only guests so why the fuck wasn't he here yet to take our order? He must've heard dad complain. Shit. 

"Who knows, maybe never," I answered Peter with a forced smile, hoping a final light remark would be the end of it.I felt my plan backfiring immediately as mom turned to me with a horrified expression and put her hand on my shoulder. 

"Oh, no, Darcy you will find someone. Don't say things like that!"

"Yeah, Darcy, don't say that!" Crystal repeated with a sly smile. Bitch. 

Whether it was seeing Lydia again, immediately being assaulted for my lack of John,  the expensive flat tire that was forcing me to skip on a spa visit this month, or Joe's extra strong shots that really packed a punch, I was pissed. I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Not this time. 

"Why?" I bit. "Pa pa George never married either, and you all don't give him a hard time." 

Mom frowned. "Some people just aren't meant for marriage, dear." 

"Well, maybe I am not meant for marriage too. Ever considered that?" 

I stood abruptly and marched off to the bathroom while Peter and Crystal laughed at my outburst and Mom followed after me. 

"Darcy!" Mom called, but I didn't stop until I reached the bathrooms. I slammed the door shut behind me, but Mom simply opened it again and stepped inside the small, tiled room with me. 

"Darcy love, calm down," she said soothingly, patting my back. "We only see each other once a year. Let's just try and keep things nice for the holidays, okay?" 

I shot Mom an incredulous look. "How is this suddenly my fault? From the moment you all walked in, I've had nothing but shitty remarks. Tell them we only see each other once a year and to be nice." 

"Your brother and his fiancée are just teasing you, Darcy. They don't mean anything with it."

I stared at my mom. Sure, it would be a lot easier for everyone involved if I just laughed through gritted teeth all holiday long like I usually did. But you know what? Not this year. 

I smiled. "I'm just going to take a walk while my dear brother can shove a stuffed potato up his stuffed unsalted potato arse." 

I made for the bathroom door. 

"Darcy!" my mom yelled. 

"Don't worry, I don't mean it, I'm just teasing!" I yelled back childishly before making a dash for the back exit and running out into the snow.