A group of friends, including Cinnamon, Strawberry, Rebar, and others, spend Christmas Eve together, initially expecting Cinnamon's father to arrive home. However, they learn that he has boarded a flight to Japan for a meeting that could make him $50 million, and he will not be able to make it home for Christmas. The friends have a dinner party, exchange gifts, and spend time together, but Cinnamon is clearly disappointed and sad about her father's absence.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The plane to Hawaii was cancelled due to a storm.
2. The girls were planning to go to Hawaii for vacation.
3. They had to cancel their trip and spend Christmas at home instead.
4. Cinnamon's father is coming home for Christmas.
5. Cinnamon's mom is preparing a Christmas Eve dinner.
6. The dinner consists of five courses, excluding a palette cleanser.
7. Cinnamon's mom has a photo from her past as a playmate of the year.
8. Cinnamon's mom has a nudist sister who came back from a wellness retreat.
9. The family is waiting for Cinnamon's father to arrive for Christmas dinner.
10. Cinnamon's father is running late, which is a genetic trait in the Rodriguez family.
11. Cinnamon's father did board a flight, but it was going to Japan, not home.
12. Cinnamon's father is going to try to come home for New Year's.
13. Cinnamon's family has to eat Christmas dinner without him.
14. The guests are allowed to leave after dinner.
15. Cinnamon's mom tells everyone to leave after dinner.
16. Cinnamon is left alone in the house on Christmas.
17. Cinnamon's cousin Luciana shows up at the house unexpectedly.