Mine to Worship

What happens when your best friend's little sister silences all your demons?

Eight months ago, I lost my big brother-the last of my family-while he was deployed with the Army. Now, as Christmas approaches, I'm feeling anything other than festive.

If I had a boyfriend or a puppy to occupy my mind, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Instead, I've resigned myself to losing the thirty pounds of grief weight I've put on and avoiding all holiday cheer on TV.

That's where my mind is when I catch a hot, mus...