“Howmanymoreofthesedowehaftawrap”Eight-year-oldReillywhined.Hisfingersweresorefromwrappingthehomemadecaramelsintotinfoil,andquitefrankly,hewasgrowingalittlebitboredwiththeactivity;exemplifiedbyhissquirrelyposture.
“Asmanyasyouseeonthetable,Bud,”Nicolereplied,chinnoddingtowardsthepileoftwentyorsosquarecaramels.Shedroppedsomemoretinfoilwrappersinfrontofthekids,andthenaffectionatelytousledReilley’shair.“You’realmostdone.”
TheMcCordchildren,minusone-yearoldBuzz,hadbeenspendingthemorningwithNicoleandAmandawrappingandpackinguphomemadecaramelsthattheywouldthendelivertoanumberofthecouple’sfriendsandfamily.ItwasatraditionthatNicolehadbeenkeepingeversinceshewasagirl,whenhermotherwouldjoyfullytossherandherbrothersintothecaranddrivethemalloverthecityonChristmasEvetospreadgoodwillandhomemadecaramels.MaryandReillyhadbeenparticipatingintheritualeversincethey’dcomeintoNicoleandAmanda’slivesasfosterchildrenmorethansevenyearsago,withKaylajoiningthemwhenherdadstarteddatingMaryandReilly’smom.
“But,myfingersaregoingtofalllllofffff!”Reillywhined.
“Oh,suckitup,Ry,we’vebeenwrappingthemjustasmuchandourfingersaretotallyfine,”Maryadmonished.Maryhadnotrouble,andinfacttookalittleglee,inbossingherbrotheraround,somethingthathadn’tchangedsincetheywerelittle.And,surprisingly,Reillyjustputupwithit–oftengoodnaturedly.Nicoleassumeditwasbecausewhiletheyhadbeeninfostercare,Maryhadtakencareofherbrotherandhadbeenfiercelyprotectiveofhim.Shestillwas,inspiteoftheirbickering,andReillysecretlyappreciatedit.
NicoletossedapacketofcoloredpensacrossthetabletoReilly.“Bud,ifyouwanttodosomethingdifferent,youcandrawChristmastreesonthelastthreegiftbags.”
“Oooh,yeah.I’lldothat,”Reillyreplied,reachingforthepens.Reillywasabuddingartist,andmuchpreferreddrawingoveranythingelse.Nicole,anillustratorforchildren’sbooks,hadbeenmentoringReilly,buthisskillsweresoadvanced,Nicolehadrecommendedprofessionalclasses,whichSiobhanandPaulhadpromptlyenrolledhimin.
Whenthey’dfinishedwrappinganddecorating,theystuffedthebagsofChristmascaramelsintoalargebox,andthenloadeditintothebackofAmanda’sSUV.Thekidsbundledupintheirwinterouterwear,andAmandapackedacoupleofthermoseswithhotchocolate.NicolestuffedherpursewithDovechocolatepromises,andtheyallpiledintothecartobegintheirjourney,theradiotunedtothelocalChristmasstation.
“Whosefirst”Kaylaasked,bucklingherseatbelt.
NicolewasdrivingwhileAmandacheckedthelist.“LookslikeMaggieandChristian”SheglancedatthekidsthroughthevanitymirroronhervisorandlaughedasshewatchedReillybouncinginthebackseat,hisheadbobbingintimetoCher’snewsong,DJPlayaChristmasSong.
“Alice’sparents”Maryasked,leaningforwardfromherspotinthemiddleseattocatchAmanda’seye.Alicewasafewyearsyoungerthanthegirls,butthey’dbeeninKidsandCompanyafterschoolprogramwithherandthethreehadspentalotoftimeplayingtogether.
“Yep.”
“Wait,howdoyouknowthem”Kaylaasked.“DidyoufosterAlice,too”
“No.ChristianandIworkinthesamecircles,”Nicoleexplained,glancingatKaylathroughtherear-viewmirror.“Andwebothteachartatthecommunitycenter.”
“Oh!”Reillyexclaimed,temporarilypausinghishead-bobbing.“IthinkIhadaclasswithhim.”
Theypulleduptothethree-storyVictorianhouse,ahugeChristmastreelitupinthefrontplateglasswindow.MaryandKaylascrambledoutoftheSUVandthegirlsskippedupthesidewalkbehindNicole.Amandastayedinthecartokeepitrunningandwarm.Kaylarangthedoorbell,andtheystoodbacktowait.Itdidn’ttakelong.Thedoorswungopen,andtheycouldseeMaggiethroughthepartiallyfrostedglassofthestormdoor.Shepusheditopenandsmiledbroadlyatthem.
“Well,hello!”sheexclaimed.“Thisisanicesurprise.”Shesteppedaside.“Comeonin.”
Nicolesteppedintotheentryway,followedbythegirls.“Wecan’tstaylong,”shewarned.“Wejustwantedtodropoffsomecaramels.”
“Oh,mygosh!”Maggiereplied,acceptingthebag.“Iwashopingwe’dbeonyourroutethisyear.Alicewillbesoexcited!”
“Isshehere”Maryasked,peeringpastMaggieandintothelivingroom.
“No,I’msorry,”Maggiereplied.“She’swithChristianandhergrandparentsdoingsomelast-minuteshopping.”
“Oh.”Marycouldn’thideherdisappointment.
“I’llbesuretotellheryouwerehere,”Maggieadded.
“Youlooksotan!”Nicolecommented.“Wereyousomeplacesunnyrecently”
Maggiesuddenlylookedverynervous,herfingersfumblingwiththepapercaramelbagasshesmiledsheepishlyatNicole.“Ah,well,yes,”shereplied.“ItookanunexpectedtriptoMexico.”
“Manda!!!”Meredithsquealed,assheranthroughthelivingroomofthesmallapartmentshesharedwithhermother,herarmswidetohugAmanda.
“Hey,bug!”Amandareplied,droppingtoherkneestogatherthegirlinherarms.“Howareyou”
MeredithleanedbackandthenpointedatEllieandEvanwhowerehoveringbehindher.“Wearegettingmarried!”Onlyitsoundedmorelikemare-weed
Amanda’sheadsnappedupandherjawdropped.“You’regettingmarried!”
Elliesmiledandnodded.“Wegotengagedafewdaysago.”
Amandajumpedtoherfeetandhurriedovertothecouple,huggingElliefirstandthenEvan.“Oh,mygosh,thisissuchgreatnews!”Shecouldn’thelpthewidegrinonherfaceandwasgenuinelyhappyforherfriendandherformerfosterdaughter.“Nicolewillbethrilled.Ibettertexthertocomeuphere,she’sgonnawanttocongratulateyou.”
“Thankyouforthecaramels,”Evanoffered,holdingthebaginonehandashepoppedasecondcaramelinhismouth.“Thesethingsmeltinyourmouth.Sogood!”
“You’rewelcome,”Amandareplied.“WhatareyouthreedoingforChristmas”
“We’llbeatmybrother’splace.HeandhispartnerOwenarehostingChristmasdinner.”Evanexplained.
“Santacometonight!”Meredithannounced.
“Iknow!”Amandareplied,pickingupthegirl.“DidyouaskSantatobringyousomepresents”
Meredithofferedavigorousnodofthehead.“Iwantahorsey!”
JustthenNicoleburstthroughthedoor,shehadn’tevenbotheredtoknock.“OhmyGod,you’regettingmarried!”
Therewerehugsallaround,acoupleoftears,mostlylaughter.ThenEllietookadeepbreath.“Weactuallyhaveaquestiontoaskyoutwo,”shesaid,glancingatEvan,whonoddedhisencouragement.
“Oh”theysaidinunison.
“Yeah,um.”Ellieclearedherthroat.“YouweresoimportanttoMeredith,andtome,whenIwasrecoveringfromthefire,andyou’llalwaysbeapartofourfamily.So,I,wewerewonderingifyoubothwouldbewillingtostandupforusatourweddingAlongwithmybestfriend,MarieandEvan’sbrotherandhisbestfriend,Paul”
“Yes!”Nicolereplied,claspingherhandstogether!
“Ofcourse!”Amandaexclaimedatthesametime.
Thereweremoreexcitedhugs,moretears,alotofsmilesandlaughter–includingfromMeredith,whodidn’treallyknowwhatwasgoingon,butenjoyedhowhappyeveryonewas.
“Yay!”shecheered.“Wegettingmare-weed!”
They’dstoppedatfourotherhousesincludingNicole’sstudent,Eleanor,andhergirlfriendHannah,Amanda’sfriendGabby,Nicole’sfriend,Jennifer,andtheirfriendsGyuriandShantal,beforethekidsweregettinghungryandtheyallneededtopee.TheystoppedatMcDonald’sforaquicklunch,includingmilkshakesthatReillyinsistedtheydrinkfromthecupinsteadofthestrawsotheywouldallgetfrostymustaches,andthenmadetwomorestopsbeforeNicolecalledit.
“Ithinkthat’severyone,”sheannounced,pointingthecartowardsPaulandSiobhan’shouse.
“Hey,therearestillthreebagsinhere.Couldwegiveonetoourneighbor,Mr.Shefty”Kaylaasked,glancingatMarytoseeifsheagreed.
Marybobbedherhead.“Ooh,yeah!Goodidea.”
“Sure,”Nicolereplied.“Thatleavesthelasttwobagsforyourmomanddad,andJackieandMartha–they’recomingtoday,right”
“Yep,they’recoming,”Kaylaconfirmed.
NicolepulledupinfrontoftheMcCord’shomeandcutofftheengine.MaryandKaylahoppedoutofthecar,oneofthebagsofcaramelsinKayla’shand,andtheyracedacrossthestreettoMr.Shefty’shouse.Theystoppedinfrontoftheclosedgateofthewhitepicketfencethatborderedhisyard,simultaneouslycontemplatingwhetherthiswasagoodidea.KaylaglancedatMary,whowrinkledhernoseandshrugged.
“Let’sgo,”Kaylablurted,andsheopenedthegateandmarcheduptoMr.Shefty’sfrontdoor,consequencesbedamned.ShewasdeterminedtomakeMr.Sheftylikethem.Sherangthebell,andthensteppedback,noticingwithonlyslightamusementthatMarywasstandingbehindher,seekingprotectionfromthegrumpyoldman.
Thedoorslowlyopened,andtherewasMr.Shefty,peeringatthemthroughthestormdoorwindow.Hehadapairofhalf-moonglasseson,blackdenimpantsandagreensweater,andhewasholdingapaperbackinonehand.Heglaredatthemdisapprovingly,butstillopenedthestormdoor.“Hullothere,girls,”hegreetedinanindeterminatetone.“Areyouheretospyonmesomemore”
MaryswallowedhardandthenpeekedoutbehindKayla.“Wewanttogiveyousomehomemadecaramels,”shesqueaked.
“Whatdidyousay”hebarked.“Ican’thearyou.”
“We’reheretogiveyousomecaramelswemade,”Kaylarepeated,moreloudlythanhersister,whowasstillshakinginherbootsbehindKayla.Sheheldoutthebag,“MerryChristmas,Mr.Shefty.”
Thatstoppedhimshort.Hedidn’thaveareply.Hequietlyacceptedthebag,andthenglancedatthegirlssuspiciously,hiseyesnarrowing.Hepeeredinsidethepaperbag,adornedwithReilly’sdrawingofaChristmastree,andthenglancedatthegirls.Afaintsmilecurvedhislips,andheclearedhisthroat.Hewastouched.“Thankyou,”hereplied.“Thatwasveryniceofya.”
“AreyouspendingChristmasEvewithyourfamily”Kaylablurted.“Youcancometoourhouse,ifyoulike.Wehaveplentyoffood,and…”
ThiselicitedachuckleandagenuinegrinfromMr.Shefty.“That’sniceofya,girlie,”hereplied.“Butmygrandchildrenarecomingoverandwe’llbeeatin’chiliandcornbread.Infact,Ineedtogetinsideandgiveitastir.”Heheldupthebag.“Thanksagain,ferthetreats.”
Kaylanoddedandwavedasheclosedthedoorandthegirlsturnedtomaketheirwayhome.ButthenMr.Sheftyopenedhisdooragainandcalledout.Theystoppedandglancedbackathim.
“Don’tthinkthismeansyadon’thaftashovelmysidewalk,”hehollered,thoughhisvoicewasjovial.“You’renotoffthehookfortrespassin’andspyin’onme,”headded.
Kaylalaughed.“Wehaven’tforgotten,”sheassured.
Henoddedandwavedthemon,unexpectedlyadding,“MerryChristmas,girls!”
“MerryChristmas!”
MaryturnedtoKaylaastheyskippeddownthesidewalktowardshome.“Missionaccomplished”
Kaylanodded,linkingherarmwithMary’s.“Missionaccomplished!”
“Untilnextyear.”
TheEnd.
AuthorsNote:Annnnndthat’sawrapfor2023!Thankyoufortakingthisridewithme.Idohopeyouhaveenjoyedreadingthesestories,andgettingtoknowthesecharacters,asmuchasIhaveenjoyedwritingthem.
IwishyouamerryChristmasandaveryhappyNewYear!
-KD
Marystormedintothebedroom,scrambleduptheladdertoherloftbed,andploppeddowncross-leggedontopofherChristmassnowmancomforter.BythetimeKaylafollowedherintothebedroom,Marywasrestingherchininherhands,asourexpressiononherface.
“Mary,Ithoughtwe’dsettledthis!”Kaylaroared.“Whyareyoustillmad”Shestoodinthecenteroftheroom,herhandsballedupintofistswhich,inherownanger,shehadplacedfirmlyonherhips.
“I’mnotmad,”Marysaidthroughclenchedteeth.
Kayladroppedherarmsandsighedwithexasperation.“Seriously”
“Seriously!”
“Mary,you’reobviouslymad,”Kaylareasoned.Sheclimbedtheladdertoherownloft,whichwasperpendiculartoMary’sbed;thetwobedsformedtheshapeofanLinonecorneroftheirbedroom.“Remember,Siobhansaidweneedtotalkoutourfeelings.”ShetuckedherlegsbeneathherandpivotedsoshecouldfaceMary,whowasstudyingthefingernailofherleftthumbasthoughthereweresuddenlysomethingquiteextraordinaryaboutit.
“I.Am.Not.Having.Any.Feelings.”
“Fine.Thenwhatareyouthinking”Kaylaasked.
Shewasmetwithstubbornsilence.
Kaylatriedtowaitherout,butshefinallycouldn’ttakeitandblurted,“Claireisjustmyfriend.Youaremysister.”
“Iusedtobeyourbestfriend!”Maryfumed.
“Youstillare!”
“IoverheardyoutellingClairethatshewasyourbestfriend.”
“What”Kaylareplied,herpalmflyingtoherchest.“Ineversaidthat!”
“Iheardyouinthegirl’sbathroomatthemovielastnight,”Maryinsisted.
AproverbiallightbulbwentoninKayla’sheadandsherockedbackwards.“Ohhhhh,”sheexhaled.“No,youdidn’thearmesaythat.YouheardClairesaythat!”
Marygrunted,shootingKaylaaside-eye.“Samedifference.”
“No!”Kaylainsisted.“It’snotthesamedifference.”KaylainchedclosertoMary,thoughshewascarefultostayonherownbed.“Clairejustmovedhere,shedoesn’tknowanyone,andIamheronlyfriendrightnow,”shereasoned.“Soofcourse,I’mherbestfriend.Butthatdoesn’tmeanshe’smybestfriend!”Kaylapickedupastuffedsnowman,athree-dimensionalmatchtotheFrozencharacterthatsmiledbackatthemfromtheirtwincomforters,andtosseditatMary,hittingherontheshoulder.“Youaremybestfriendyouknucklehead!”
MarypickedupthesnowmanandglancedupatKaylafrombeneaththecurtainofbangsthatfellacrosshereyes,shewastryingtofightthesmilethatcreptupherlips.“Swear”
Kaylafrowned.“Swear.”
Afteramomentofquietcontemplation,Marysighed.“I’msorry,”shewhispered.“IguessIwasjealous.”
“JustlikeIwaswhenyouandNickywerespendingsomuchtimetogether.”
“Yeah,Iguess.PlusIwasupsetthatyoudidHarriettheSpyClubstuffwithher.”
“Iknow.I’msorryaboutthat,”Kaylaoffered,hershouldersdropping.Shestoodupand,herhandsbracedontheceiling,climbedovertoMary’sbed,sittingdownbesideher,herlegsswingingovertheedge.Sheheldoutherpinkyfinger.“Ipromisethatfromnowon,nomatterwhat,HarriettheSpyclubisjustforus.PinkySwear”
MarycurledherpinkyaroundKayla’s,herheadbobbinginagreement.“Pinkyswear!”
“Annnnd,”Kaylateased,linkingherarmwithMary’s.“Ihaveamysteryforustosolvetonight!”
“Youdo”
“YouknowoldMr.Sheftydowntheroad”
“Yeah,theonewhoshakeshiscaneatus”
“Iwannaknowwhyhe’ssuchagrouch.”
“Prollybornthatway,”Maryguessed.
“Nooneisbornthatway,”Kaylaargued.“Somethinghappenedtohim.”
“Hmmm.”
“Andwearegoingtofindoutwhatitwas.”
Kaylawashunchedoverherschool-issuedlaptopgooglingMr.Shefty,whileMarywasgatheringtheirsupplies,whichincluded:rope,flashlights,acoupleofgranolabarstokeepuptheirstrength,abottleofwater,twosmallnotebooksandtwopens,acompass,ahandmirrorforlookingaroundcorners,awhistleincasetheyhadtosoundanalarmforhelp,athintarpforhidingunder,andextrasocksjustincasetheirfeetgotwet.Shedividedthesuppliesintotwobackpacks,theirweightevenlydistributedbetweenthem.Thensherummagedthroughherclosetfortheheadlamphatsthey’dgottenforChristmaslastyear.EachhathadanLEDflashlightonthebrim,allowingforhandsfreeillumination.
“Okay,”sheannounced,ploppingbothbackpacksbytheirbedroomdoor.“Allset.”ShecollapsedintothebeanbagchairbesideKaylaandglancedatthescreenofhercomputer.“Anyluck”
“Yeah,”Kaylareplied,hereyesfixedonthecomputer.“Hehadawifeandhehastwokids,Iguess.Oneofthemismarried.Healsohasthreegrandkidsandagreat-grandkid.”
“Wow.Hemustbeold.Wait.Hehadawife”
Kaylaglancedup.“Shedied.I’mreadingherobituary.”
“What’saobitu-whatever.”
“Youknow,it’sthenoticeinthepaperwhensomeonedies”
Marystaredatherblank-faced.
KaylashiftedthecomputertowardshersoshecouldseeMrs.Shefty’sobituary.“Thefamilywritesitup.It’showpeopleknowwherethefuneral’sgonnabeandstuff.”
“Oh,”Maryreplied.“IguessI’veneverknownanyonewhodiedbefore.”Shescratchedthetipofhernose.“Well,‘ceptmydad,butwedidn’tfindoutuntilalongtimeafterhediedsowewouldn’thaveseenhis,”shesearchedfortheword,butitescapedher,“thing,”shefinallysaid.
“Obituary.”
“Yeah,obituary.Wewouldhaveneverseenit.”
“Wantmetolookforitnow”Kaylaasked.
Marythoughtaboutitforasecond,bitingherbottomlip,butthenshookherhead.“No,notnow.Maybelater”Sheblewherbangsfromhereyes.“Fornow,wehavetofocusonMr.Shefty.”
“M’kay,”Kaylaagreed.
Mr.Shefty’swife,Melinda,haddiedtwoyearsprioraccordingtotheobituary.Kaylaguessedshe’ddiedfromcancersincememorialstotheAmericanCancerSocietywerepreferredoverflowers.Shewassurvivedbyherhusbandofsixtyyears,Byron,theirsonFrederickanddaughterAnna,whowasmarriedtoDavidandhadthreechildren.OneofAnna’sthreechildrenmusthavealsohadachild,becauseMrs.Sheftywasalsosurvivedbyonegreat-grandchild.Inadditiontomanyniecesandnephews.
“So,Iguessweknowwhyhe’ssogrumpyallthetime”
“Yeah,”Kaylaagreed.“Irememberwhenwefirstmovedhere,hehadChristmaslightsonhishouse.Buthehasn’thadthemsince.”
Mary’sheadbobbedinagreement.“Yeah.MaybeMrs.Sheftywastheonewhowantedthelights”
“Orhemisseshersomuch,hedoesn’tcelebrateChristmasanymore”
“Well,that’ssad.Ihopethat’snotit.”
“Buthehasfamily.So,Idon’tgetit.”Kaylatappedherchinwithoneforefinger.
“Maybetheylivefaraway”Marysupposed.
“Couldbe,”Kaylareplied.Sheclosedthelaptopandsetinonthefloorbesideher.“ButIthinkwe’vedonealloftheonlineresearchwecan,andnow,”sherubbedherhandstogether,“it’stimeforsleuthing.”
MaryhandedKaylaherHarriettheSpyflashlighthatandtheybothstuffedthemontotheirheads.“Let’sroll,”Marycommanded.
Althoughtherewasstillalittlebitofdaylightleft,thetemperatureshadplummetedintothehightwenties,andthegirlshadtodressinextralayers.TherewasnotellinghowlongtheywouldbeoutsideaseachHarriettheSpycasewasdifferentandrequireddifferentlevelsofsleuthing.Theypromisedtheirparentsthey’dbebackintimefordinner,promisedagain,andthenalsopromisedtostayoutoftrouble.Theyfeltnoqualmsaboutmakingthatlastpromisesince,asKaylareasoned,stayingoutoftroublewassubjective.
TheyhurrieddownthestreettowardsMr.Shefty’shouse,amodestramblerwithdarkbluesidingandawhitepicketfence.Itwasimmaculatelykept.Inthesummerthelawnwasalwaysneatlycut,bushestrimmed,andthefencewaspaintedeveryfewyearstokeepitbrightandfreefrompeelingpaintchips.WhileMr.Sheftyclearlytookprideinhishome,he’dstoppeddoingtheextrathingstomakeitnicethathe’ddonewhenMrs.Sheftywasalive–likeputtingupChristmaslightsandawreathatChristmastime,orplantingflowersinspring.
Itwasdarkenoughoutsidethatwithinteriorlightingon,itwaseasyforthegirlstoseeintothehousefromtheoutside.However,thecurtainsinfrontweredrawn,sotheyneededtosneakacrossthelawntothesideofthehousewhereMaryhadspiedanopening–awindowwiththeshadeonlydrawnhalf-waydown.Itshouldaffordthemaviewintothelivingroomandmaybeeventhediningroomdependingontheangle.
“Wehavetobecarefulaboutleavingtracks,”Kaylawhispered.Shepointedatthepristinesnowtheywouldneedtocutthroughtogettothewindow.
“Hmmm.”Marylookedaroundandsawtherewasasidewalkalongtheothersideofthehousewhereallofthewindowsweredark.“Whatifwegoaroundthebackandapproachfromthatway”
“Or,”Kaylainterjected,“wetransfereverythingfrommybackpacktoyours,thenI’llfillminewithsnow,andwhenweleave,wefillourfootprintsinwiththesnowfrommybackpack!”
“Thatsoundslikealotofwork,”Marycomplained.
Kaylafrowned.“We’respies.We’rebuiltforwork!”
Marythoughtaboutitandthenshrugged.“Okay.”ShetookoffherpackandstuffeditwiththeitemsfromKayla’sbackpack,thentheyscoopedupsnowfromtheboulevardandfilledKayla’sbackpack.Maryhadtohelphergetitonitwassoheavy.“Yousureyoucancarrythis”
“Yep,”Kaylareplied,thoughhervoicebetrayedasmidgeofconcern.“Ready”Kaylaheldherfistout.
“Ready,”Maryreplied,bumpingthesideofherfistagainstMary’s.
“Radiosilence,”Kaylaordered,whichmeanttheywereonlytospeakiftheyabsolutelyhadtoandiftheydid,ithadtobeatthelowestofwhispers.
“Rogerthat,”Maryconfirmed.
Kaylacarefullyopenedthefrontgateandtheybothfrozeasitsqueaked.Theywaitedabeattoseeifitwouldillicitanyinterestfrominsidethehouse,andwhenitseemedtheywereintheclear,theycontinued.Maryverycarefullyclosedthegatebehindher,andtheyquietlycreptupthepathtothefrontofthehouse.Whenitwastimetomergefromthepathontothesnow-coveredlawn,Kaylacarefullyputherbootintothesnow,slowlytakingonestepatatimetominimizeasmuchaspossiblethesizeofherfootprint.Maryfollowedherfootstepsexactlysotheywouldonlyhaveonesetoftrackstofillinwithsnowontheirwayout.Thisrequiredhertohighstepitandifanyonewasobservingher,itmightappearasthoughshewereeitherrehearsingforaspotonherschool’smarchingbandorshewasacharacterfromSpyvsSpy.
Theyreachedthesideoftheone-storyhouseandslowlycrepttowardsthelivingroomwindow,whichwastheonlywindowthatwasn’tcompletelyseveredfromtheoutsidebyaclosedwindowdressing.Withtheshadeonlyhalf-waydrawn,theywereabletopeerintothelivingroom,andseepartofthediningroom.
Thehousewascleanandverytidywithminimalfurnitureordecoration.Afireplacetookuptheoppositewalloftheirwindow,andonthemantlewerefamilyphotographs.Asinglerowofevergreengarlandhungfromthefireplace,andalargeredcandlewaslit,illuminatinganeightbytenportraitofwhatmusthavebeenMr.andMrs.Shefty’sweddingday.Inthecorner,asmallartificialChristmastreestood,sparselyadorned,butlitupwithlargemulti-coloredbulbs.
“Well,atleasthehassomedecorationinsidehishouse,”Kaylawhispered.“Andlook,therearepresentsunderthetree.”
“So,maybehewon’tbealoneatChristmas”
“Shhh!”Kaylahissed.“Look,he’scoming.”
Mr.Shefty,ahotmugofsomethinginhishand–Kaylahopeditwascocoa,shuffledintotheroomwearingapairofwornbrownslippers,bluejeans,andaredflannelshirt.Heeasedintoaplaidwingbackchairthatframedonesideofthefireplace.Hegentlysetthemugonthetablebesidethechair,steamrisinginaswirlingsolitarystream.Asinglefloorlampbehindthetableprovidedillumination.Mr.Sheftyreachedforsomethingontheothersideofthechairandstraightenedupwithanewspaperinhishand.Heopenedthepaperandbeganreading,disappearingbehindtheblackandwhiteheadlinesoftheday,onlyhisgnarledhandsvisibletothegirls.
“Ithinkwefoundwhatwecamefor,”Kaylawhispered.“He’ssadbecausehiswifediedandmaybehe’slonelyButatleasthehaspeopleforChristmas.”
“Whatshouldwedo,then”Maryasked.“Wecouldtrytobehisfriends,”sheoffered.
“Nexttimeitsnows,let’sshovelhissidewalk!”Kaylasuggested.“WecanalsomakehimaChristmascardanddropitinhismailbox”
Mary’sheadbobbedinagreementcausingherheadlamptocomeon.“Ohno!”shecried.‘
“Shhhh!”Kaylawarned,reachingovertoshutoffthelight.TheyglancedthroughthewindowtoseeifMr.Sheftyhadnoticed,buthewasstillreadinghispaper.Kaylaletoutasigh.“Ithinkwe’reokay,”shewhispered.“Butthatwasaclosecall.Let’sgetoutofhere.”Shewriggledoutofherbackpackandopeneditup.“Ithinkweneedtowalkbackwardssowedon’tmakethefootprintswider.
“Okay,”Maryagreed.
“Yougofirst,andI’llfillourtrackswithsnow.”
MaryandKaylaswitchedplaces,andthenMarycarefullybegantheirbackwardsjourneytowardsthesidewalk.Theyweremakinggoodprogress;thesnowKaylawasfillingtheirfootprintswithdoingaserviceablejobofmaskingtheiruninvitedpresenceonMr.Shefty’slawn.
MarywasimpressedbyhowwellKayla’sstrategywasworking.ButthenfromsomewhereclosebehindhersheheardtheunmistakablesoundofMr.Sheftyclearinghisthroatandshefroze.
“What,exactly,doyouthinkyoukidsaredoingonmylawn”Hebarked,hisarmscrossedinfrontofhim,hisfacepinchedandangry.
KaylaandMaryslowlyturnedaround,theireyeswidewithfear.
“We’re,ah,we’resorryMister,”Marystammered,hereyeswellingwithtearsoffright.“Wewerejust,um.”
“Areyoutryingtostealfromme”Heasked.
“No!”thegirlscriedinunison.
Hiseyesnarrowed.“Wereyoutryingwritegraffitionmyhouse”HepointedattheopenbackpackinKayla’shand.“Yougotspraypaintinthere,girlie”
“No,goshno!”Kaylastammered.“Wewerejust,um,well,we’rekindofprivatedetectivesAndwe,um,wantedtoseeifwecouldfigureoutwhy,um…”
“GotacouplaNancyDrewsonmyhand,doI”Heinterrupted,hisfacestillpinchedwithanger.
“HarriettheSpy,”Marysqueaked.“And,wedidn’tmeananyharm,Mr.Shefty.Wejustwantedtoseeifwecouldunderstandwhyyou’resometimesalittle,um,grumpy”Thelastwordwasspokeninjustawhisper.ButMr.Sheftyhearditanditmadehimdosomethingcompletelyunexpected.
Helaughed.
Hesteppedontothewalkwayandambledtowardsthesidewalk.Hemotionedforthemtofollow.“Comealong,”heordered.“I’mtakingyouhometoyourparents,”hesaid,stillchucklingtohimself.
MaryandKaylastaredateachother,panicked,andtheyscrambledtofollowMr.Shefty.Kaylaemptiedtherestofhersnowfromherbackpackastheywalked.“Wearegonnabeinsomuchtrouble!”shewhispered.“Doyouthinkthey’llgroundus”
Marywrinkledhernose.“Idon’tthinkso,”shewhisperedback.“Imean,weweretryingtobehelpful!”SheheldbotharmsupintheshapeofaW.“Surely,theywon’tpunishusforthat!Howisitanydifferentthanwhatmomdidforthatguywhosavedherwhenshefell”
“Right!”Kaylashouted,thencoveredhermouthwhenMr.Sheftyglancedbackather.“Right,”shewhispered.“Shewasallupinhisbusiness,how’sthatanydifferentthanthis”
Theycrossedthestreetandmarchedupthefrontwalktotheirhouse.Mr.Sheftyrangthedoorbell,claspinghishandsbehindhisbackasherockedbackandforthontheballsofhisfeet,waitingforPaulorSiobhantoanswerthedoor.Thegirlsstoodsilentlybehindhim,bothstaringattheground.
ThedooropenedandPaulsmiled,thoughhissmilewasquicklyreplacedbyalookofconfusionwhenhesawthegirlsstandingbehindMr.Shefty.“Byron!Hello!Howareyou”
“Wellhullo,Paul,”MrSheftygreeted,theedgethathadbeeninhisvoicebeforewasgoneandhistonematchedthefriendlinessofPaul’s.“Foundmeacouplainterlopers!”Hesteppedaside,revealingthetwogirls.“Theyweresnoopin’aroundmyhouse,tresspassin’andsuch,”hesaid,tuggingonhisearlobe.“Thoughtyouandthemissusshouldknow.”
Paulfrownedandstaredatthegirls.“Isthattrue”
MaryswallowedhardandKayla’seyesgrewwide.“Wewerejusttryingtohelp,”Kaylapleaded.
“TheywantedtofigureoutwhyI’msogrumpy,”Mr.Sheftyinterjected,chuckling.“Though,I’darguekidstresspassin’onmylawnmightbereasonenough.”helookedatthegirlsashedeliveredthatlastpart.
Paulwavedatthepairtogointhehouse.“I’mverysorry,Byron,”heofferedasMaryandKaylaslinkedpasthim.“SiobhanandIwillspeakwiththegirls,andthey’lldefinitelybepunished.”
ThatelicitedagroanfromKaylaandMary.
Mr.Sheftyclearedhisthroat.“I’vegotasuggestion,ifyadon’tmindmesayin’so”
“I’mallears,”Paulsaid.KaylaandMarypeeredatMr.SheftyfrombehindPaul.Theywereallears,too.
“Nexttimeitsnows,sendthegirlsovertoshovelmywalk”
Paulgrinnedandstuckouthishand.“That’safineidea,”hesaidastheyshookhands.“Consideritdone.”
KaylalookedatMarywhosemouthwashangingopen.Whispering,shesaid,“That’sexactlywhatweweregonnado!”
“Thankya,Paul.MerryChristmastoyouandthemissus.”
“MerryChristmastoyou,aswell.”
Mr.Sheftystoleonemorelookatthegirls,whosemouthswerestillhangingopen,andhethrewthemaquickwinkoftheeye.Thenheturnedonhisheelandleft,whistlingafamiliartune.
I’mdreamingofawhiteChristmas…
Pauleasedintotheparkinglotandpulledasclosetothedoorofthetinycoffeeshopashecould.“Areyousureyoudon’twantmetowait”
Siobhan,gatheringherbackpackandmittens,shookherhead.“No,Chriswillgivemearidehomeafterwards.”
“Alright.Butifyouchangeyourmind,justtextme.”HejumpedoutoftheSUVandpulledhermobilityscooterfromtheback,kissingherquicklybeforeclimbingbackin.Hewaiteduntilshewassafelyinsidethecafébeforepullingaway.
Insidethecozycafé,whichwasdecoratedwithwhitelightsandsnowflakesthathungfromtheceiling,SiobhanquicklyfoundChrisandtheyoungwomanshewasheretomeet,Rebecca.Chriswavedheroverandfussedoverheruntilshewascomfortablyseated,thenheorderedheracoffeeandsatbackdownbesideRebecca.
“Rebecca,meetmyfriend,Siobhan.Siobhan,meetmynewfriend,Rebecca.”
Siobhansmiledandnoddedattheyoungerwoman.“It’snicetomeetyou,Rebecca.”ThisyoungwomanmustbethereasonChristopherhadaskedhertomeethim.
RebeccasaidthesameandthenpointedatSiobhan’sknee.“Howareyouhealing”ShesideglancedatChristopher,“Chrisfilledmeinonyourankleinjury.”
“It’shealingnicely,thankyouforasking.And,”Siobhanpattedthescooterbesideher,“I’mgettingprettygoodatmaneuveringmywayaroundwiththisthing.”
Suddenly,unbiddentearswelledRebecca’seyes,andsheplacedonehandoverhermouth.Shetookadeepbreathandasked,“And,youthinkitwasmybrotherwhohelpedyouwhenyoufell”
Siobhanreachedintoherbagandpulledoutapacketoftissues,handingonetoRebecca.SheglancedatChristopher,confused,thenbackatRebecca.“Yourbrother”
Chrisclearedhisthroat.“WethinkHenryisRebecca’sbrother,”heexplained.“Shelosttouchwithhimacoupleofyearsago.”
“Oh,”Siobhanempathized.“Oh,Rebecca.I’msorry.”
Rebeccanodded,blowinghernose.“Thankyou.I’vebeenlookingforHenry,buthereallydoesn’twanttobefound.Afterhislastrelapse,hejustsortof,”shewavedherhand,“…disappeared.”
Siobhannodded.Thiswasafamiliarstory;oneshe’doftenheardinherworkasadrugandalcoholcounselor.
“Asithappens,”Christopherinterjected,“Siobhanworksintherecoverycommunity.So,whenHenryhelpedher,Idon’tthinkherealizedthathewashelpingsomeonewhocouldturnaroundandhelphimrightback.”
“Henryisinasafeplace,”Siobhanexplained.“AndIspokewithhimthismorning.”
“Doyouthinkhe’llseeme”Rebeccaasked,hereyeswellingagainwithtears.
SiobhanpushedthepacketofKleenextowardsher.“He’sintreatment,”sheexplained.“ButIcancallhimandseeifhe’supforavisit.”
“Theonewhereyouwork”Rebeccaasked,blowinghernoseagainwhichdrewasuspiciousglancefromthewomanatableover.“Canyoucallhimnow”
“No,unfortunatelywedidn’thaveabedforhim,buthewasabletogetintoanotherprogram.”Shereachedforhercellphone.“I’llcallhim,”sheagreed.“DoyoumindifIdosoprivately”
Rebeccashookherhead.
Siobhanmadeherwaydownthehallwaytowardsthebackoftherestaurantwheretherestroomswerelocated.Shehadjustenoughroomtostandwithherkneeonthescooterwithoutgettinginanyone’sway.Herconversationwasshort,whichworriedRebecca,butwhenshereturnedtothetable,Siobhangrinned.“Hewantstoseeyou.”
“Wonderful!”Christopherboomed.“WhencanwetakeRebeccatoseehim”
SiobhanglancedatherApplewatch.“Ifyou’reready,wecangonow,”sheexplained.“Visitsareallowedfortwomorehours.”
Rebeccashookherheadindisbelief.“Ican’tbelievethis,”sheexclaimed,claspingherhandsasifinprayerandrestingthemagainstherlips.SheroundedonChristopher.“AndIcan’tbelieveyou!”
Siobhanchuckled,“Hegetsthatalot,”shenoted.“WhereChrisKringlegoes,manyunexplainedandwonderfulthingsfollow.”
Rebeccaraisedaneyebrow.“So,hisnamereallyisChrisKringle”
“Oh,yes,”Siobhanreplied,risingfromherchair.ShethrewRebeccaaglance.“He’stherealdeal.”
Henrycheckedhisreflectioninthemirror,adjustedthecollarofhisnavy-bluepoloshirt,tuckeditintohisjeans,thenuntuckeditagain.Hewasabundleofnervesandwasstartingtowonderifagreeingtoseehissisterwasthebestidea.WashereadyWouldittriggerfeelingshewasn’tpreparedtohandleHewasbarelyoutofwithdrawal,andhefeltunsteady.
Still,outofeveryoneontheplanet,Rebeccawastheonlypersonhewantedtoseenow.
Hetuckedhisshirtinagain,tuggingatitforalooserfit,thenturnedawayfromthemirrorinhissmallroom.Hisroommatehadn’treturnedfromhisone-on-onecounselingsession,soHenryhadafewundisturbedminutestohimself,whichherelished.Onethingaboutlivinginatentbytheriverwashedidn’thavetosharespace.Itwasgoingtotakehimawhilegettingusedtoconstantcompany.
Hesatontheedgeofhistwinbed,staringabsentlyoutthewindow.Thesceneryoutsidewasbucolic,rollinghillsandpinetreesdottedthelandscapeofthefourteen-acreproperty,afreshblanketofsnowcoveringeverything.Giantfatflakeshadbeguntofall,anditlookedpositivelyliketheinsideofasnowglobe.Henrysmiled,rememberingtheChristmasesofhischildhood,hisfamilypackedintoastationwagontodrivetotheirgrandparent’shomeinNorthDakota.They’dsingcarols,orplayaroundof‘Ispy,’orthelicenseplategame,untilthey’darrive,andthengrandmawouldgreetthematthedoor,afreshplateofsugarcookiesinherhands,hotcocoaonthestove.Grandpawouldhavesomenewgameforthemtoplay,andinevitably,he’dlosetothekidsbecausehe’dmisunderstoodtheinstructions.
Allofthatwasgonenow.HisgrandfatherhaddiedyearsagoandhisgrandmotherhadAlzheimer’sandwaslivinginanursinghome,hisparentsweren’tspeakingtohim.Hissister…
Heletthethoughthanginhisconsciousness.Hiseyesimmediatelyrimmedwithtearsandallofhisemotionshadascendedtohisthroat.
Hewantedtodrink.Heverybadlywantedtodrink.
Instead,hestoodupandcheckedhisreflectionagain.He’dgottenhishaircut,hewasclean-shaven,andotherthanbeingalittletoothin,helookedbetterthanhehadinalongtime.Hefeltbetterthanhehadinalongtime,too.
“Hey!”
Henryspunaroundtoseeoneofthefemalestaffpokingherheadthroughhisopendoor.
“Youhavevisitors,”sheinformedhim.Hersmileradiatedagenuinecompassion.“Youready”
Heinhaleddeeply,shovinghishandsintothefrontpocketsofhisjeans,andshrugged.“Iguessso,”heexhaled.
“Youcanletthemwaitforaminute,ifyouneedto,”sheoffered.
Heshookhishead.“She’sbeenwaitinglongenough.”
Hefollowedherdownaseriesofhallwaysuntiltheycametoasmallroomattheendofoneofthem.Shepointedatthedoor,“they’rewaitinginthere.”
Hehadn’ttakenmorethanacoupleofstepsintotheroomandRebeccasuddenlyflewintohisarms.“Oh,myGod”shesobbed.“Oh,myGod.Oh,myGod,Henry!”sherepeated,hugginghimtightly.Thenshepulledawayandpunchedhimontheupperarm.“Oh,myGod!Henry!”sheshoutedagain,onlythistimehertonehadaslightedgetoit.Cryingandlaughingatthesametime,shehuggedhimoncemoreandthenwhisperedintohisear,“Don’tyoueverdisappearonmeagain,”sheordered.“Notforanyreason.”
“Ididn’twanttobeaburden,”hechoked.
“Andyoudon’tthinkwonderingwhetheryou’redeadoraliveisn’tburdensome!”shescolded,smackinghimgentlyontheupperarmagain.
Hewinced.He’dneverconsideredthat.“I’msorry,”heoffered.
Shesoftened,“I’msorry,too.”
“Forwhat”
“Fornotfightingharderwithmomanddad.Fornotmakingiteasierforyoutoaskforhelp.”
“Thatwasn’tyourresponsibility,”hesaid.
Sheshrugged.Thenlinkedherarmwithhis,turninghimtowardsthetablewhereshe’dbeenwaitingforhim.“Meetmyfriend”
Henrynodded.
“Chris.Thisismybrother,Henry,”Rebeccaintroduced.“Henry,ChrisisthereasonIfoundyou.”
Thetwomenshookhands,andthenHenrynoticedSiobhanstandingslightlybehindChris.Hisfacebrokeintoawidegrin.“Siobhan!”
Shemovedtowardshim.“Henry,”shewhispered.“Youlookgood.”
“Mygosh.Sodoyou!”Heacceptedherhug.“MuchbetterthanthelasttimeIsawyou!Howareyoudoing”
“Hobblingaround,”shereplied.“And,doingwell.”Shebeamedathim.“Thankyouagainforsavingme.And,I’msohappyforyou,Henry.”
“Thankyou,”Henrywhispered,chokingup.“Thankyouforpushing.Forcaring.Forsavingme.”
Shesmiled,nodding.“I’vebeenwhereyouare,Henry.Notexactly,butmyownversion.AndIknowit’sgoingtobetough.ButIalsoknowthatyouhaveanopportunitytogetyourlifeback.Andthat’sexciting.”
“Iknow,”hereplied.
“Siobhan,”Chrisgentlyreachedforherelbow.“Let’sgoforastrolloutsidewhilethesetwocatchup,shallwe”
HenryandRebeccasoonfellintoaneasycadence,alternatingbetweentalkingaboutwhattheirliveshadbeenlikeoverthepastfewyears,towhatthefuturemightbring.RebeccaofferedforHenrytocomelivewithher,buthegentlydeclined,despiteherdisappointment.Hewasmovingintoasoberprogramforsixmonthssohecouldgethisfeetunderhimbeforeattemptingtore-enterhislife.
Whenitwastimetoendtheirvisit,HenrywalkedwithRebeccatomeetSiobhanandChristopher.Theywereengrossedintheirpartingconversationandhadn’tnoticedthesmallgroupofchildren,heretovisitaparentorotherrelative,whohadassembledthemselvesintoasingle-linealongthesidewalkinordertoseeChristopher.
Henrystoppedshort.“Whatthe-”
“It’slikeasceneoutofTheSantaClause!”Rebeccalaughed.
“Youhavetoadmit,hedoeslookalotlikeSantaClaus,”Henrycommented,notingChristopher’sblackboots,redsuspendersoveragreenplaidshirt,andhisredjacketandhat.“He’sevenwearingredandgreen.”
RebeccawatchedasonechildslippedoffofChristopher’slap,andanotherhurriedtotakehisplace.Siobhanseemednonplussed,chattingwiththeparentsastheywatchedtheirchildrentellthisperfectstrangerwhattheywantedforChristmas.“YouknowhisnameisChrisKringle,”shewhispered.“AndheknewIwaslookingforyouwithoutmeeventellinghim.”
“Siobhanmusthavetoldhim.”
“Siobhandidn’tevenknowme,”Rebeccareplied.“Imetherforthefirsttimethismorning.So,thereisnowaythatChristophershouldhaveknownaboutyou,unlessyoutoldSiobhanaboutme”
Henryshookhishead.“InevermentionedyoutoSiobhan.”HeeyedChristopherwithsuspicion.“That’sweird.”
Rebeccagrinned.ObservingChristopherwiththechildren,thewayhegentlyleanedintoattendtotheireveryword,thewaytheylookedbackathimwithaninnocentcertaintyofwhohewas,shewasnowatruebeliever.
“It’snotweird,”shecountered.“It’smagic.”
byKatyDaniels
Ellie’sstomachwassocoiledupinknotsthatshewasbeginningtowonderifshe’devenbeabletoeat;whichwouldbeatragedygiventhechefatthisrestauranthadjustwonaJamesBeardawardandreservationswerenearlyimpossibletoget.Sheclosedhereyes,inhaleddeeply,andplacedahandonherstomach,hopingtosteadyhernerves.
Butthenthepassengerdoorswungopen,andshewassweptoutofthecarbythevalet.Evanwashurryingaroundthefrontofthecar,andshecouldtellhewasannoyedthatthevalethadopenedherdoorinsteadofwaitingforhimdoit.Evanwasfarfromold-fashioned,buthedidlikedotingonherandopeningthecardoorwassomethingheenjoyeddoing–usuallywithaflairanda“M’lady,”passinghislips.
Heheldouthishandandsheacceptedit,steppingupontothecurb.Shesteadiedherselfinherheelsandthentheyslowlymadetheirwayalongthesidewalkandintotheupscalerestaurant.
Inside,itwaswarmandsmelledofrichandsavoryfood.Inspiteofhernerves,Ellie’smouthsalivatedastheypassedbyacoupleeatinghangersteakandsalmonandEllieworriedlessaboutherappetite.Shewasalsogratefulshe’dwornherbestblackdressandheels.Therewasn’tapairofdenimtobefound,andthegreypantsandsweatershe’dalmostwornwouldnothavecutit.Eventheserversandbusserssportedtuxedopants,crispwhiteshirts,andsilkyblackties.
Theywereseatedatatablenearthestonefireplacewhichwasdrapedingarlandandmulti-coloredstringlights.Theserver,anancientmanwitharecedinghairlineandpinchedface,heldoutherchairasshesat,thenofferedheraleather-boundmenu.Evanwasprovidedthewinelistinadditiontohismenu.Theywerelefttoperusetheiroptions.
Ellieglancedaroundthedimlylitrestaurant,festivebutdignifieddécorhungfromtheceilings,bathedinthesoftglowofwhitetwinklelights.Redpoinsettiassatinarowatopthenarrowbar,andlivegarlandwasdrapedaroundeverypoleandbanisterintheroom.Attheirtable,asmallvasewasfilledwithevergreenbranchesandberriesandasinglevotivecandlesetaromantictone.
Thebutterfliesthathadfinallysettleddowninherstomachnowbegantostirandshetookadeepbreath,exhalingslowly.Gobacktosleep,sheurgedthem.
“Areyouokay,El”Evanasked,peeringatherfromoverthewinelist.“Youseemalittleanxious.”
“Ido”Shereplied,tryingtosoundcasual.
“Abit.”
“I’mfine,hon,”shelied,reachingacrossthetableforhishand;shelacedherfingerswithhis.Hishandwaswarmandsoft,comforting.“I’mjustexcitedtobeherewithyou.”
Hesmiled,visiblyrelaxing.“Metoo.”
ShemeltedunderhisadoringsmileandrowofperfectwhiteteethandshewasremindedagainofhowmuchheresembledDerekShephardfromGrey’sAnatomy.Andinhistux,helookedpositivelyMcDreamy.
Theservercameovertotaketheirdrinkorder,ignoringEllieandaddressinghisquestionstoEvan.AlthoughElliehadchosentherestaurant,shewasgrowingannoyedbyitsstuffygenderassumptions.Evanwastoo,itseemed,ashepassedthewinelisttoEllieandaskedhertochoose.Shetookamomenttostudythelist,andthenselectedared.Theserverofferedacurt‘Verywell,miss,’andthenhurriedoff.
Elliegiggled.“Well,Idon’tthinkhelikedthatverymuch.”
“No,”Evanagreed,laughing.ThenhecockedhisheadandgazedatEllie,hismidnight-coloredeyessparklingagainstthecandlelight.“Youlookbeautiful.”
Elliecouldfeelthecolorriseinhercheeks.Eversincebeingcaughtinthehousefirethathadlandedherinarehabilitationcenterfornearlyayear,Elliehadbeenworkingtoeraseherself-consciousnessaboutherlooks,andinparticularaboutthesnake-likeburnscarthatranfromjustbeneathherrightear,downherneck,overhercollarbone,alongherribcageandtoherhip.Thescardidn’thurtanymorebutitdidoccasionallytug,andeverytimeshelookedatherselfinthemirror,itwasareminderofthatdevastatingyear.BeingwithoutMeredith,who’dlivedwithAmandaandNicolewhileElliehadrecovered,thepainofdebridementandskingraftsandthenphysicaltherapy,nottomentionthedamagetoherlungsandtherespiratorytherapyshe’dhadtoundergo.Whenevershethoughtofthattimenow,shewonderedhowshe’dgottenthroughit.
Theanswertothatquestionlayinallofthewaysherlifewassorichnow.HerfriendMarie,whohadbeenwithhereverydayduringthosefirsthorriblemonthsatthehospital,andthenlatervisitedherattherehabcenter,bringinghernewsoftheworld,milkshakes,trashymagazinesandinspirationalbooks.HerfriendshipwithNicoleandAmanda,whohadopenedtheirhometoMeredithandhadshownsuchloveandgenerositytothembotheversince.And,ofcourse,Evan.Themanwho,whentheylaytogetherintheearlyhoursofmorning,wouldtraceherscarwithhislips,notseeingthepuckeredpinktissueasanangryflaw,butratherabadgeofstrengthandcourage.Shethoughtofitthatway,too.Itwasasymbolofsurvival,ofresilience.Shewasproudofit.
Shesmiled.“Backatya,handsome,”shereplied.
Theserverbustledoverwiththeirbottleofred,hepouredasmallamountinEvan’sglassandthenstoodbackstiffly,waitingforEvan’sapproval.Evanliftedtheglass,stuckhisnoseinitandsniffed,swirleditandwatchedforthewine“tail”,thenfinallytookasip.HeimmediatelyhandedittoEllieforhertodothesame,whichshedidmuchtotheserver’sannoyance.ElliehandedtheglassbacktoEvanandnodded.“Perfect,”sheannounced.Theserversilentlypouredtheirwine,firsthersandthenhis,thensetthebottleonthetableandquicklydisappearedintothekitchen.
Evanlaughed.Pickeduphisglassandhelditout.Elliedidthesame.“Tous,”hetoasted.
Shenodded,agentlesmilebowingherlips.“Tous,”sheagreed.
Theysippedtheirwine,andEllie’sbutterfliesbegantostiragain.
Anhourlater,afterconsumingthemostsavorysteakdinner,pairedwitharootvegetabletapenadeandfennelpuree,itwastimetochoosetheirdessert.Insteadoftheserverbringingthedesserttrayover,therestaurant’shostdidit,ayoungwomanwithsilkyblondehairtieduponabunatthenapeofherneck.She,too,woreatuxedo,andapairoftortoiseshellglassesthatsatperchedontheendofhernose.Sherolledthedessertcarttowardsthem,andasitgotcloser,Ellie’snervesgrewexponentially.Thebutterflieswouldtakenomorecommandsfromher,andtheyflewaroundherinsidesinafrenzy.
“Goodevening,”thehostgreeted.“MayIinterestyouindessert”
Evanleanedbackinhischairandpattedhisstomach.“Ugh,I’mfull,thankyou.”
Ellie’sheartdropped,asdidherjaw.Shehadn’tplannedforthis.Evanglancedather,aconfusedexpressiononhisface.
“Didyouwantdessert,El”heasked,noticingherdisappointment.“Imean,Iprobablyhaveroomtosplitsomethingwithyou.”
Sheexhaled,relieved.“Yes,I’dlovethat.”
Thehostseemedrelievedtoo,andshepushedthetrayclosertotheirtable.
“Doyouseeanythingyoulike”Ellieasked.
EvanglancedatthetrayandthenatEllie,“Let’shearwhateverythingis”
Thehostgrinned,andnotmissingabeat,shepointedatalemoncake,describingitsgentletonesoflemonandzestoforange,thenshepointedatacheesecakeinthemiddleofthetray,asimpleNewYorkstylecheesecakewithacrumblecrustandstrawberrytopping,finallyshepointedatwhatappearedtobeasquarechocolatebrowniewitharedheartcandyontop.Shepointedatitandsaid,“And,thisoneisextraspecial.”
Evansmiled,waitingforfurtherdescription,butthehostjustlookedathimwithawittygrinonherface.Heglancedatthebrownie,andthenfelthisbrowsfurrowasherealizeditwasn’tabrownieatall.Itwasasmallbrownbox.“What”hemuttered,utterlyconfused.
Elliereachedoverandpickedupthebox,andthensuddenlyEvanknew.
Elliewasabouttopropose.
Thehostpulledthetableaway,andElliegracefullyslippedtooneknee,cradlingthesmallboxinherpalm.Herheartwashammeringsoloudlyinherchestshewassureeveryoneintheroomcouldhearit.Sheclearedherthroat.“Evan,thepasttwoyearswithyouhavebeensomeofthebestofmylife,”shewhispered,hereyesalreadyrimmingwithtears.“YouwaltzedintomylifeatatimewhenIhadjustmadepeacewithbeingaloneandraisingMeredithalone.Weloveyou,Evan.AndIcouldn’tthinkofabetterpartnertosharemylifewith.”Shehesitated,searchinghisfaceforanysignofrejection,buthestaredbackather,glassyeyedandwithadoration,soshetookadeepbreathandcontinued.“Evan,”sheopenedthebox,revealingtwothinplatinumbands,“willyoumarryme”
Hestaredather,hisfaceunblinking,frozen,andforjustamillisecondshewonderedifshe’dmisreadallofthesigns,includingtheverycandidconversationsthey’dhadaboutmarriage.Butthenhislipspartedintoawidegrin,hiseyesshimmered,crinklesformingintheircornersashesmiled,andhelaughed,loudlyandwithabandon.“Yes!”heboomed.“Yes!Let’sgetmarried!”
Hesweptherupinhisarmsandtheyembracedandlaughedandsobbedatthesametime.Theybarelynoticedthethunderousapplausethathadbrokenoutintherestaurant.Whentheyparted,EllietookthelargerofthematchingbandsandplaceditonEvan’sfinger.“Thisisapromisering,”shewhispered.“JustliketheonesinthatHallmarkmovieweloved.Youdon’tthinkit’stoocornyBecauseifyoudon’twanttowearit…”
Heshookhishead,“No.Iloveit.”Thenhepluckedthesmallerbandfromitsvelvetpillowandslippeditontoherringfinger.“They’reperfect.And,whoknows,wecouldbestartinganewtrend.”
Theyhuggedagain.Moreapplause,whichtheyshylyacknowledged.Then,theyslidbackintotheirseats,andthehost,whohadbeenstandingbackandobservingthetwo,herowneyesbrimmingwithtears,slidthetablebackinplaceandgentlysetthetwodessertsinfrontofthem,cheesecakeforhimandthelemonbarforher.Thenshebowed,offeringhercongratulations.
“Thankyousomuchforyourhelp,”Ellieoffered.
“Itwasmypleasure,”shereplied,offeringaquickwinkoftheeye.Thenshespunonherheelandhurriedaway.
Theirserverreturned,offeredacurtcongratulations,andaskediftheywishedforanycoffeeorteatogowiththeirdessert.EvanorderedadecafwhileEllieorderedachamomiletea.
“Howdidyoupullthatoff”Evanasked,pickinguphisfork.Hestabbeditintothecheesecake,havingfoundmorethanenoughroominhisbellyfortherichdessert,andtookabite,closinghiseyestorelishthesmoothflavor.
“Icameheretwodaysagoanddroppedofftherings.Candace–that’sthehost’sname–helpedmehatchtheplan.ThenallIhadtodowasgetyoutoagreetocomehere.”
“Thatwasn’thardtodo,”hereplied.“I’vebeenwantingtoeathereforages.HowdidyouevengetareservationIttakesmonths.”
Sheflashedhimalook.“Iknowpeople.”
“Youknowpeople”
Aslysmilecurvedherlipsandsheslidherforkthroughthelemonbarthenbroughtittoherlips.Sheclosedhereyesasanexplosionofflavorfilledhermouthandshesavoredthebiteforaslongasshereasonablycould.Whensheopenedhereyes,Evanwasstaringather,aplayfulglintinhiseye.Sheleanedforward.“Mariedeliveredtheowner’sbaby,”sheexplained.
Evanleanedbackinhischair,nodding.“Ah,”hereplied.“Well,IoweMarieandhermidwiferyskillsadebtofgratitude.”
Siobhanlookedinexplicablysheepish,andEvanraisedaneyebrow.
“Ellie,”hewhispered.“WhydoIfeellikeyou’vegotsomethingelseupyoursleeve”
Sheshookherhead.“No,notreally.”Thenshestoleaglanceoverhisshouldertowardstherestaurantssmallbarandgaveanalmostimperceptiblenodofthehead.“Butyou’lllikelyhaveanopportunitytothankhersoonerthanyouthink.”
Hiseyeswidened,“Oh”
“Mmmhmmm.”
Thepealsofexcitedlaughterprecededherarrivalattheirtable.EvanturnedaroundjustasMariedescendeduponthem,aflurryofhugsandkissesandgleefulexclamation.EvanrosefromhischairjustasMarieflungherselfintohisarms,“Iamsohappyforyouguys!”shesquealed.ShehuggedMarie.“I’msorry,IknowIwasn’tinvited,butIcouldn’thelpmyself!”sheadmitted.
EvanlaughedandglancedatEllie,mouthing,youdidn’tknow
Ellieshookherhead.
“Wait,”Ellieblurted.“Where’sMeredith”Mariewassupposedtobebabysitting.
“Wellll,Ihaveanothersurprise,”sheadmitted,claspingherhandstogether.Shemadeafacethatsaidpleaseforgiveme.Sheturnedandbeckonedatayoungwomanwhowasstandingneartheentranceoftherestaurant.EllierecognizedherasOlivia,Ellie’sdaughter.
Oliviawoundherwaytotheirtableandastheydrewcloser,ElliecouldseeMeredithholdingtightlytoOlivia’shand.Elliegasped,“What”
“Ihopeit’sokay.Ithoughtshecouldbehereforthis–IknowI’veoversteppedandit’spastherbedtime,but…”Marieblurted.
Elliewaveddismissively,“It’sperfect.”
“Mama!”Meredithcried,runningintohermother’sarms.“Whatishappening”sheasked.
“Well,guesswhat,peanut”
“What”Meredithasked,playingwiththestrandofpearlsElliewaswearing.Thesewereagiftfromherlatemother,andEllieonlyworethemonthemostspecialofoccasions.
“EvanandIaregettingmarried!”
Meredithstoppedplayingwiththepearls,andherheadwhippedaroundtolookatEvan.Hereyeswidewithexcitement,sheasked,“Weare!”
EveryonelaughedandEvanlookedrelievedasheletoutthebreathhedidn’tevenknowhe’dbeenholding.“Weare,”hechuckled.
Meredithsquealedwithlaughterandheadsturnedtowatchthejubilantgroup.
“Iseverythingalrighthere”theirserverasked,hisfaceaspinchedasever.
EllieandEvanexchangedanamusedglanceandthenElliesaid,“We’lltakeourdessertstogo,andhere,”shefishedinherpursewithonehandforhercreditcardwhileholdingMeredithwiththeother.“we’llsettleup.”SheglancedatMarie,“Let’stakethispartyhome”
“Yes!”Mariereplied.
Theserveracceptedhercardandhurriedaway,probablyhappytobedonewiththistableoftroublemakers.
Astheywalkedtowardsthecoatcheck,MeredithslippedherlittlehandintoEvan’s,smilingupathim.Hesmiledback,hiseyeslaughing.
“Wefamilynow,”Meredithdeclared.
EvenfelthisthroatclosewithemotionandhepickedMeredithup.“Yes,”heagreed,kissingheronthecheek.“We’refamilynow.”
DearSanta,
Hey,Santa,it’sNicky.DoyouremembermeWemetattheReindeerfarmacoupleyearsagoandyoukindofhelpedmeaftermydadleftus.Doyouremember
I’magoodkid,Santa.Ihelpmymom,Itakecareofmybrotherandsister,andIalwaysdomychores–er,atleastIalmostalwaysdomychores.Idon’tpickonanyone(atleastnotanymore)andwhenIgetmad,Iusemywords.
ButtodaywhenIwasatthereindeerfarmwithabunchofotherkidsfromourchurch,andmyfriendsMaryandKaylahadafight,IsortoflostitandIforgotallthewordsI’msupposedtouse,andIusedsomewordsthatmymomsaysshouldn’tbeusedinpolitecompany–ifyouknowwhatImean.WhichIthinkyoudo.
Everythingwasfineatfirst.KaylawasevennicetomejustliketheolddaysbeforeMaryandIbecameboyfriendandgirlfriendandKaylagotalljealousandweird.Wewerehavingfunandjokingaround.ButthenKaylametupwiththisgirl,Claire,whoIguessisanewkidatschoolandisinKayla’smathclass.Wewereallhangingoutfeedingthereindeerandwatchingthemplayandstuff,andthenClairesaidshewantedtowalkaroundthegrounds,butMarywantedtogoonthehayride.That’swhenthingsstartedtogobad.
MeandMarywentonthehayride,butshewasinabadmoodthewholetime,soitwasn’treallyveryfun.KaylaandClairewentofftogether,andevenwhenthehayridewasover,wedidn’tseethemforalongtime.Santa,itseemedlikethelongerKaylawasmissing,theworseMary’smoodgotandItoldherso,andthenshegotmadatme–andIdidn’tevendonothing!
Anyway,finallyKaylaandClairecomebackandthey’reallmuddyandtheirhairwasmessylikethey’dgottenittangledupinatreeorsomething,andKaylawasmissingamitten,buttheywerelaughingandtalkingabouthowthey’dbeenonaHarriettheSpyassignment.Well,MaryLOSTITandstartedyellingatKaylaabouthowHarriettheSpywassupposedtobeforthemonly,andshehadnorighttoincludeClaire,sothenClairestartedyellingatMary.Well,IhadtodefendMary,soIstartedyellingatClaire,andthat’swhenIusedtheimpolitewordsandthenKaylatoldMaryshewasbeingstupidandjealousandsoMarystormedoffandIdidn’treallyknowwhattodo,soIfollowedher.
Santa,itbrokemyheart.MarywascryingsohardthathernosegotallrunnyandsnottyandIdidn’thaveatissue,soshehadtowipehernoseonhercoatsleeve,whichdidn’treallybotherme,butitwaskindagross.Shewassosad,andshesaidshewantedtoleave,butthebuswasn’tdueyetsowecouldn’tleave.ShesaidKaylabroketheirpromisetokeepHarriettheSpyclubjustbetweenthem,andthatwastheworstthingKaylacouldhavedone.I’llbehonest,Idon’treallyunderstandwhatHarriettheSpyclubis–IguessHarriettheSpyissomeold-timekidsbookorsomethingAnyway,it’sbeenthissuper-secretthingbetweenthemeversinceI’veknownthem.
Whenwegotonthebustogohome,KaylaandClairesatattheback,andmeandMarysatatthefront.ThenmymompickedmeupattheChurchandKayandMarygotpickedupbyKayla’sdad–well,Iguesshe’sboththeirdadnowonaccountofhimadoptingMaryandReilly,butIstillthinkofhimasKayla’sdad.Anyway,whenweallgothome,MarycalledmeandtoldmethatKaylahadinvitedClaireoverfordinner,andhermomwasmakingherbenicetoClaire.Ididn’tknowwhattosay,cuzIthinkit’sgoodthatKaylahasClairecuzmaybeshe’llstopbeingmeantome.But,nowMaryisgettingalljealousandweirdbutIknewbetterthantosayTHATtoMary.
TheotherreasonI’mwritingisIwaswonderingifyoucouldtalktothemIknowyouknowMaryandKaylapersonally,somaybeyoucouldhelpthemworkthisoutCuz,ifI’mbeinghonest,whichmomsaysIshouldalwaysbe,I’mgettingkindoftiredofthedramabetweenthemtwo,andnowI’mgettingintotroublebecauseofthem,andonlyforbeingagoodboyfriend!Imean,seriously,that’stotallynotfair!
Well,Iguessthat’sit,Santa.ExcepttosaythatIreallyhopeIgetthatSpiderManLegomodelIaskedforforChristmasthisyear.Thinkthat’spossibleThat’dbesupercool.Iamagoodkid,Santa.Youknowthat’strueandinmyheart,right
Yourpal,
Nicky
ThemallwasunusuallybusyforaTuesdayafternoon,soittookalittlelongertofindaparkingspace,evenwithSiobhan’stemporarydisabilityparkingpass.TheyfinallyfoundaspotbytheBarnes&NobleandunloadedthedoublestrollerandSiobhan’smobilitykneescooter.
“Whoeverinventedthatthingisagenius!”Jackiecommented,astheyenteredthemall.“Somuchbetterthanhobblingaroundoncrutches.”
“RightAslongasIhavesomeonetopushBuzz,”shepointedatthedoublestrollerthatJackiewascurrentlymaneuveringwithease,“…Icangetaroundanywhere.”
“Andquickly!”Jackienoted,hurryingtokeepupwithhersister-in-law.
Siobhanwasexpertlyleadingthemthroughtheupscalemall,dodginginattentiveshoppers,avoidingunsupervisedchildren,andstoppingonadimeiftherewasadisplayshewantedtosee.ShespentalotoftimeinfrontoftheLegostore,contemplatingatwo-hundreddollarR2D2modelthatReillyhadbeendroppinghintsabout.Shejustcouldn’tjustifytheexpense,however.
“So,where’stheChristmasvillagesothesetwocanvisitSanta”Jackieasked.
Siobhanlaughed.“Don’tyouthinkit’sironicthatwe’retakingthesetwotovisitamallSanta,whentheyhavearelativewhoisactuallySanta”
Jackiemadeaface.“Well,he’snottheonlySanta.”
“Istilldon’tgetthat,”Siobhansaid,resumingtheirwaythroughthemall,albeitataslowerpace.“HowcantherebemorethanoneSanta”
“Because,”Jackiestartedtoexplain,“…theSantapartisthemagic,nottheperson.Allthatstuffaboutelvesandflyingreindeersisjustlegend.”
“Youmeanit’snottrue”Siobhanaskedinmockastonishment.
“I’mnotsayingthat,”Jackiecountered,winking.“Butit’sabigworld,andittakesalotofpeopletospreadthejoyandmagic.”
Siobhangiggled.“Fairenough.”
WithBuzzblissfullyasleepinthestroller,andNicolasperfectlyhappywatchingthesceneryastheypassedbythefestivelydecoratedstoresandpeople,theydecidedtospendalittletimewindowshopping,dreamingofallofthethingstheywishedtheycouldbuy,butcouldn’tafford.
“I’dbuyoneofthosedeepcoucheswiththeloungersthatgoallthewayacross,”Siobhansighed,staringintothewindowatCrate&Barrel.“Thewholefamilycouldsnuggleuponmovienight.”
Jackielaughed.“Youknow,Ihaveafriendwhohasoneofthose,they’reactuallynotascomfortableasyou’dthink.”
“ReallyTheylooksosnuggly.”
“Hardtogetinandoutof,”Jackieexplained.
“Ah.”
Theystumbleduponatrioofcarolers,allofwhomweredressedupinold-timeDickensiangarb,andJackiestaredatthemthroughnarrowedeyes.Shewassuretheywerethesamesingerswhowerewithherfather-in-lawthedaysheandMarthahadvisitedhimattheGalleria.“Hmmm,”shemused.
“What”
Shepointedatthetrio,whowerecurrentlysingingSleighBellstoagrowingaudienceofshoppers.“They’rethesingersfromtheGalleria.TheyworkwithChris,”sheexplained.“Iwonderwhatthey’redoinghere”
Siobhanshrugged.“Maybetheygofrommalltomall”
“Isuppose,”Jackiereplied.“Couldbe.”
Whentheypassedbythetrio,theyoungerofthetwowomendidadoubletakeandofferedJackiealittlewave.
Theyweredefinitelythesamegroup.
Bythetimethey’darrivedatSanta’sVillage,Jackiehadforgottenaboutthecarolers,andwasinsteadtryingtodecideonwhichphotographpackageshewantedforNicolas’firstvisitwithSantaClaus.Thelinewasn’tterriblylong,whichmeantBuzzwouldhavetobewokenupwhenitwastheirturn.ShesuggestedthistoSiobhan.
“HeissometimesMr.crankypantswhenhefirstwakesup.MaybeIshouldjostlehimawakenow”Siobhanwondered.
Butbeforeshe’devenfinishedhersentence,NicolasturnedaroundandgentlyshookBuzzawake.Whentheyoungerboy(bythreemonths)slowlyopenedhiseyes,Nicolasbabbledathim.Buzzbabbledback.Then,herubbedhiseyesandsatupstraighter,craninghislittlenecktoseebeyondtheotherkidsandtheirparentswhowerepatiently(andsometimesimpatiently)awaitingtheirturntoseeSanta.
Siobhan’sjawdroppedandshestaredindisbeliefatJackie.“Didtheyjusttalktoeachotherrightnow”
Jackieshrugged,anon-plussedexpressiononherface.
“Wait.Hasthathappenedbefore”
Jackiefoldedherarmsacrossherchestandsmiled.“Well…”
“Ohmygosh!”Siobhanbreathed.
Jackielaughed.“Ofcourse,wecan’tknowforsure.Butwe’vehadanumberofencounterswithotherchildreninwhichitseemedlikeNicowascommunicatingwiththem.”
“You’vegotyourveryownLookWho’sTalkingsituationonyourhands!”Siobhanexclaimedastheyinchedforwardinline.
“RightCouldbe,”Jackieshruggedagain.
Siobhanstaredathersuspiciously,hereyesnarrowing.“Youknow,ifIdidn’tknowNicolashadbeenadopted,I’dthinkhe’dinheritedalittleofhisgrandfather’smagic.”
Again,Jackieshrugged,aslysmilegracingherlips.
“Wait,isthatpossible”Siobhanasked.
“Well,whenitcomestomagic,aretherereallyanyrules”
“Idon’tknow,”Siobhanreplied.“Arethere”
Jackieraisedaneyebrow.
“So,wemightbetakingafutureSantaClaustovisitSantaClaus”
“Couldbe,”Jackielaughed.
“Mind.Officially.Blown,”Siobhangiggled.
Theycrossedbeneaththecandy-canestripedarchwaythatmarkedtheentrancetoSanta’svillage.Itwasdarkerinthisspace,andfloatingcandlesguidedthemforwardthroughthelitupanimatronicdisplaysofelvesbusilymakingtoys,andreindeerplayingreindeergames.Theboysseemedtoenjoythedisplay,pointingatalargereindeerthatwasperpetuallyraisingandloweringitshead,asifeatinghayfromtheground.Thiswasaningeniouswaytogetpeopletowaitinlinewithoutmakingitfeelliketheywerewaitinginline.
Forthenexttwentyminutestheychatted,catchinguponthelatestineachother’slives.Theboyschatted,too,thoughaboutwhatnoonecouldtell.Theyallfellsilentwhenthepaththey’dbeenfollowingfinallyspilledoutintoalargewaitingarea,withSantasittingononeendonagiantpedestal.Jackiestoppedshortandfrowned.“Oh,no!”
“What”Siobhanasked,lookingupasshepulledBuzzfromthestroller.
“Look,”Jackieinstructed,pointingatSanta.
Siobhanlaughed.“Ohmygosh!Youmeanwestoodinthislinesothekidscouldseeyourfather-in-law”ShehoistedBuzzontoherhip.“ImeanBuzzwouldn’tknowthedifference,butthat’sNico’sgrandfather,”shelaughedagain.
“Whatintheworldishedoinghere”Jackieblurted.“ThewholereasonwechosethismallwasbecausehewasattheGalleria!”
“Doyouwanttoleave”Siobhanasked,frowning.Shehopedtheanswerwasno.
“No,no,”Jackiedismissed,wavingtheairinfrontofherlikeshewasswattingamosquito.“Wecanstay.ButIdon’tneedtospendanymoneyonthephotopackage!WealreadyhaveatonofphotosofNicolasandChristogether.”
“Ha.Thereyougo.Silverlining,”Siobhanoffered.
“Hohoho,”Christopherbellowed.“Well,well,well.Lookattheseperfectboys!”hegreeted,acceptingbothboysoneithersideofhislap.
“Ofcourse!Howareyou,dear”HeaskedSiobhan,glancingatherankle.
“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,”Siobhanreplied,smiling.
HeturnedbacktowardsJackie.“I’mherebecausewhenIwokeupthismorning,somethingtoldmeIwasneededheretoday.”
“Isee,”Jackiereplied.Sheshouldhaveknown,forthatwasoftenChristopher’sstatedexplanationfordoingthings.Mysterysurroundedthatmanatalltimes,butJackieneverceasedtobeamazedbyit.“Well,Nicolaslooksthrilledtobeinyourcompany.”Theboywasbeamingathisgrandfather,hisroundcheeksabrightrosy-red.Hisoceanblueeyessparkledwithhintsofamberanddiamond,andhestaredatChristopherwithaknowingthatwaspastJackie’sunderstanding.
“AsamIwithhim,”Christopherreplied,theadorationinhiseyesunmistakable.
Athinyoungwomanwithlongchestnuthairapproachedwithacamera.“Everyonesmile!”Sheinstructed.SiobhanandJackieleanedintothepictureandbothboysturnedtolookatthewomanassherangabellabovethecamera.ThenthetwowomensteppedbackandallowedsomephotoswithjustChristopherandtheboys,allofthemgrinningfromeartoear.
SiobhanwatchedwithastonishmentastheboysbabbledatChristopher.Henodded,asthoughunderstandingwithperfectclaritywhattheywereattemptingtocommunicate.SiobhanhadnodoubtthatChristopherunderstoodeveryutterance.
Jackietuckedbothboysbackintothestroller,andthenleanedintogiveherfather-in-lawafarewellkissonthecheek.“We’llseeyouinafewdays,yes”sheasked.
“Motherwouldn’thaveitanyotherway,”Christopherreplied.Motherwashiswife,Jessica,anditalwayscreepedJackieoutalittlethathereferredtoherthatway.
“Good.”
“Didyoueverhearfromhim”
“I’mgladtohearit,”Christopherreplied.
“Metoo.”
“Didhesayanythingabouthisfamily”
Siobhanfrowned.“No.IaskedhimiftherewasanyoneIshouldcallforhim,andhemadesomecommentaboutnotwantingtohurther.Iassumedhemeantagirlfriend,ormaybehismother”
“Orsister”Christophermused.
Siobhannodded.“Couldbe,yes,couldbeasister,”shereplied.
Christopher’sheadbobbedandhissmilereturned.“Thankyou,Siobhan,”heoffered.
Sherosefromthebench.“Ofcourse,”shereplied,resistingtheurgetoaskhimwhathehaduphissleeve.Shesqueezedhishandinfarewell,andthenhoistedherkneeontothemobilityscooterandheadedfortheexitwhereJackieandtheboyswerewaiting.
“Oh,Siobhan!”Christopherbellowed,onefingerpoisedintheair.
“Yes”Sheturnedtoglanceathim.
“Didyouevergethislastname”
Shenodded.“Yes.HetoldmewhenIfell,butofcourseIwasinadazeandtotallyforgot.HislastnameisDavies.”
Christopherbeamed,hiswholefaceturningpink,andSiobhanknewthiswastheanswerhewaslookingfor.“Thankyou,mydear!”heoffered.
RebeccaDaviesquicklychangedintoher‘civilian’clothing,placingherDickensiancostumeintoagarmentbagandzippingitclosed.Sheputthehatinahatboxandthebootsintoasmalldufflebag.ThenshestuffedherfeetintoapairofthickblacksocksfollowedbyafavoritepairofwornTimberlandboots.Shegatheredherstuff,skillfullybalancingthegarmentbag,hatbox,andduffleinherarms,andtheninchedherwayfromthechangingroomtothebreakroom.
Nottwostepsintothebreakroomhowever,andshepromptlybumpedintosomeone,sendingherhatboxflyingandthegarmentbaglandinginaheaponthefloor.She’donlymanagedtohangontothedufflebag.
“I’msosorry,”shemuttered,feelingflustered.
“Ho,ho,ho.Nottoworry,”ChristopherKringlereplied.
Herheadsnappedupandherfrownquicklyturnedintoawidegrin.“Christopher,ohmygosh,whatareyoudoinghere”
“Icouldaskthesameofyou,”hereplied,helpingherwiththegarmentbag.“IthoughtyouonlyperformedattheGalleria”
“AndIthoughtyouwereonlyaSantaattheGalleria,”shecountered.
Hechuckled.“I’mfillingin,”heanswered.
“Metoo,”shelaughed.
“Rebecca,mayIwalkyououtIt’sactuallyfortuitousthatwebumpedintoeachother.”
“Oh”Sheasked,hereyebrowspeakedwithcuriosity.“How”
“Well,”hestarted,flingingthegarmentbagoverhisshoulder.Hegesturedtowardsthedoor.“MayIaskyouaquestionbeforeItellyou”
Shenodded.“Sure.”
“DoyouknowamannamedHenry”
Shestoppedinhertracksandslowlyturnedaround,thecolordrainingfromherface.
Hemethergaze.Bingo,hethought.Henrywasthethinghewassupposedtohelpherwith.Heofferedagentlesmile.“HenryDavies”
Shecouldfeelherheartpoundingwithhope,andshehadtosetthedufflebagonthefloorasitsuddenlyfeltlikeitwasfilledwithrocks.Hermouthwashangingopenandshestudiedhisface.“Howdoyouknow…”
Hepalmedhischest,“Idon’tknowhim.ButIhaveafeelinghe’ssomeoneimportanttoyou.Someoneyou’vebeenlookingfor.”Hewatchedashereyesrimmedwithtears.Atleastthecolorwasreturningtohercheeks.“AmIright”
Shenoddedsilently.
Hewaited.Shehadsomethingtosay,hecouldseeitetchedinherface.So,hewaited.
Finally,afterseverallongsecondsofsilencebetweenthem,sheopenedhermouthtospeak.“He’smybrother.And,Ihaven’tseenhiminalmosttwoyears.”
Chrisrockedbackwardsonhisheelsandstrokedhisbeard.“Well,mydear.IbelieveIhavesomegoodnewsforyou.”
TheEnd(tobecontinued)
“Reilly!”heshoutedagaindownthestaircasetothebasement.“Wehavetogetgoingorwe’regonnamissthemovie!”
“Wantmetogethim”Maryoffered.SheandKaylawerealsowaitingimpatientlybythedoor,theirbootsandcoatson.
“No.Idon’twanttoloseanotheroneofyou.Juststayput.Reilly!”Heshoutedagain.
“Well,heytherestrangers!”NicoleLondongreeted,strollingintothekitchen,herwifeAmandainherwake.
“Nicole!”Maryshouted,runningtothetwowomen.
NicoleandAmandawerefriendsofPaul’ssister,Jackie,buttheyhadalsocoincidentallybeenMaryandReilly’sfostermothersfrommorethansevenyearsagowhileSiobhanhadbeengettingsober.TheyhuggedthegirlsandgreetedPaul.“Reillydragginghisfeet”
Paulrolledhiseyes.“Always.”
AmandaraisedhervoicesoReillycouldhear.“Well,hecanalwaysstayhomeandhangoutwithuswomen.”
ItonlytookasecondbeforetheyheardReilley’sfeetascendingthestaircase.HewavedatNicoleandAmandaandthenglancedatPaul.“Ihadtofinishmygame.”
“No,”Paulcorrected.“Youchosetofinishyourgame,andyou’regonnamakeuslateforthemovie.WestillhavetodropBuzzoffatJackie’s.”
“Wait.Isn’tJackiecomingtonight”Amandaasked.
“No,yeah,sheis,”Paulexplained.“We’regonnashareababysitter.”Hethumbedbehindhim.“Atherplace.”
“Oh.Ofcourse.”
Thedoorbellrangagain,andPaulpluckedBuzzoutofhishighchair.“That’smycue!Youguyshavefun.”
Backinthelivingroom,GyuriandChantalhadjustarrivedandwerepilingtheircoatsonabenchnearthestaircase.
“Hayyyyy’all,”Chantalgreeted,“Wehavearrived,letthegamesbegin!”
SiobhanlaughedandacceptedthetrayofcookiesGyurihadbroughtwiththem.“Pleasemakeyourselvesathome,grababeverage,someappetizers,we’restillwaitingforJackieandMartha.”
“Here,letmetakethose,”Jenniferoffered.“Youneedtogetoffthatankle.”
“Ugh.Thanks,”Siobhanreplied.“Iprobablyshouldpropitupforawhile.”
“Saynomore!”Chantalannounced,usheringSiobhantothesofa.“Sityourbuttdownandputyourfootup.We.Have.Got.It.From.Here,girlfriend!”
“Whatgamedoyouhaveforustonight”Gabbieasked,ploppingdownonthesofabesideSiobhan.“CharadesPictionary”
“Somethingnew,”Siobhanreplied.“You’lllikeit.”
Itwasn’tlongbeforeJackieandMarthahurriedin,andJackiewasalreadycallingthebabysitterwithadditionalinstructions.
“You’dthinkwe’veneverlefthimwithasitterbefore,”Marthateased.
“Well,itisthefirsttimewhenthesitterisn’toneofus,right”Sibohanreasoned.
“Oh,”Marthasaid,hereyebrowsfurrowing.“Iguessyou’reright.”
“Who’dyougetEleanor”
“Yes.”
“Thekidsalwayslovedhavingher,”Siobhanexplained.“Theboysareingoodhands.”
“Tellyoursister-in-law,willyou”Marthalaughed.“She’sanervouswreck.”
“Iwill.”
Marthahelpedherselftoabeerandfilledherplatewithcrackersandcheese,andthensatinthechairnexttothesofa.“Siobhan,mayIaskyouaquestionabouttheguywhofoundyouwhenyoufell”
Siobhanmadeaface.“Sure.Why”
“Mydad,”Marthaexplained,rollinghereyes.“He’slikeadogwithabone.”
“Yeah,Inoticed,”Siobhanchuckled.ThensheexplainedhowChrishadchattedwithherseveraldaysagoaboutHenry,themanwho’dfoundheraftershe’dfallenandbrokenheranklewhileonarun,buthehadn’treallyexplainedhisinterest.
“Well,Dad’slikethat.Alwayshassomemysteriousprojectgoingon.”
“That’skindofhisjob,isn’tit”Jackiechimedin.“Seeingasmyfather-in-lawisSantaClaus,”shepointedoutassheparkedherselfonthearmofthechairinwhichMarthawascurledup.
Siobhanlaughed,eyingJackieasshesatbesideherwife.ThenshereturnedherattentiontoMartha.“Well,whatdoyouwanttoknowaboutHenry”
“Haveyouheardfromhimsincethatday”
Siobhannodded.“Hecalledme.Saidhewasgoingintotreatment.”
“Didhego”
Siobhanshookherhead.“Idon’tknow.And,ifIdid,Imightnotbeabletotellyou.”
“Confidentiality”Marthasurmised.
SiobhantouchedhernoseandpointedatMartha.“Bingo.”
“DidhesayanythingabouthavingfamilyAwife,asisterordaughter”
“Yourdadaskedmethat,too.No,hedidn’t.Why”
Marthashookherhead.“I’mnotone-hundredpercentsure,Iknowithastodowithawomanhe’sworkingwithatthemall.”Marthaexplained.“But,whateveritisbeyondthat,I’mguessingit’sbecausehe’sdrummingupanotherChristmasmiracle.”
“SpeakingofChristmasmiracles,”Gabbieloudlyinterjected.“AnychanceChantalgetsonateamthatactuallywins”
“Hey!”Chantalreplied,palmingherchestinmockoffense.“WewouldhavewonlastyearifSiobhanhadn’tgoneintolabor!”
“ItwasactuallyBraxtonhicks,”Jackiecorrected.
“Ugh.Don’tremindme!”Siobhanlaughed,reachingfortheremotetotheTV.“Okay,ifeveryoneishere,Ihaveanewgameforustoplay,andyouallneedyourcellphones.”
“Oooh,”Gyuricried.“I’mintrigued!”
“It’scalledDrawfulandhere’showweplay.”Siobhanreadthroughtheinstructions,startingwithhoweveryoneneededtodrawapictureofthemselveswhichwouldrepresentwhotheywereinthegame.
“Oh,this’llbefair.Nicoleisanartist!”Jenniferlamented.
“Illustrator,”Nicolecorrected.
“What’sthedifference”Gabbieasked.
“Don’tworry,evenNicolemightfindthisonechallenging,”Siobhanoffered.
Afterreviewingtheinstructionswitheveryone–twice–shefireduphercomputer,turnedontheTVandpairedthetwo.Ittookaminuteforeveryonetogetonthewebsite,login,anddrawtheirportrait,butaftertwofailedattempts,theywereallfinallyonline.
“Okay,folks.Herewego!”Siobhanwarned.
Thefirstimagecameonthescreen.
“Whattheheckisthat”Nicoleasked.
“Oh,mygod,thatlookspornographic!”
“Goodthingthekidsaren’thome.”
“GoodthingPaulisn’thome,Siobhan,he’dbegettingideas.”
“Ew!Gabbie!”Jackiewinced,scrunchinguphernose.“That’smybrotheryou’retalkingabout.”
“Okay,okay.Youallneedtotypeinwhatyouthinkthatis!”Siobhaninstructed,wonderingherselfhowshewasgoingtoventureaguess.“Beforethetimerrunsout.”
Thescreenquicklychangedandtheiranswersbeganpoppingup.
Chantalroared.“WhowroteTwoGiraffe’sDoingIt!”Thesoftchucklingbesidehergavehertheanswer.“Babe,”shepokedGyuriintheribs,“you’remindsometimes,”sheadmonished.
“WhatThatcouldberight.”Gyuriargued,lookingproudofheranswer.
“Onagameforageseightandup”
“Mayyyybe.”
“Don’tforgettolockinyourguessastowhowrotethecorrectanswer!”Siobhanwarned.
Everyonescrambledtotypeintheiranswersandthenasthoughofahivemind,theyallglancedupattheTVatthesametime.
“And,thecorrectansweris,”Siobhanannounced,tappingherfingersinadrumrollagainstthecoffeetable.“APenguinParade!”
“OhmyGod,wherearethepenguins”
“Sorry,guys,I’mterribleatdrawing.”Amandaconfessed.
“Ha!IseeIwintwopointsbecausetwoofyoudirty,dirty,girlsthoughtGiraffesDoingItwastherightanswer!”GyurileanedintoChantal.“See,honeyI’mnottheonlyonewithacreativemind!”
“Iknewtherewasareasonwewereallfriends,”Chantalquipped.
“Okay,nextone’sup.”
“Oh,geez.”Gyurigasped.“Nowthatreallydoeslookliketwogiraffesdoingit!”
Anhourlaterandaftereveryoneelsehadleft,apartinggiftofhomemadecookiesintheirhands,JackieandMarthastayedbehindtohelpSiobhanclean-up,whichmostlyconsistedofwrappinguptheleftoversandloadingthedishwasher.
“Thanksforyourhelp,guys.”SheglancedatJackie,whohadhernosebackinherphone,textingwiththebabysitter.“Iappreciateyoustayingbehind.”
“Ofcourse,”Marthareplied,foldingadishtowelandhangingitfromtheovendoor.ShecollapsedontoakitchenchairbesideJackie.“Everythingokaywiththeboys”
“They’resoundasleep,”Jackiereplied.“Thankgoodness.”
“Yousurvivedyourfirstnightoutwithasitterincharge.How’sitfeel”Siobhanteased.
“Stressful,”Jackiereplied.“Butwehadfun.”
“PaulwillbeoverinthemorningtopickupBuzz.”
“Takeyourtime,”Marthaoffered.“Sleepinifyouwantto!We’llplanonmakingthemapancakebreakfast.”
Siobhanlaughed.“Imightjusttakeyouupon–.“Butbeforeshecouldfinishherthought,herphonerang.Sheglancedatthescreenbutdidn’trecognizethenumber.“Hmmm,”shemuttered.“I’llletitgotovoicemail.Probablyspam.”
“Oh,”shewhisperedtoherself,pressingplayonthemessage.
“Hi,Siobhan,”amalevoicegreeted,itwaslowandgravelly,andSiobhandidn’timmediatelyrecognizeit.Heclearedhisthroatbeforecontinuing.“IwasactuallykindofhopingImightgetyourvoicemail,”themanadmitted.Siobhanfrowned.Thevoicewasbothfamiliarandunfamiliaratthesametime.
And,thenitdawnedonher.
ItwasHenry!
TheEnd(tobecontinued).
IttookanhourofmaneuveringthroughChicagotrafficbeforeJasonwasabletoinchhiswayontoI-94andpointhiscartowardstheTwinCities.EleanorhadpassedoutinthefrontseatwithinfifteenminutesofclimbingintotheoldFordFocus.Betweenstudyingforfinalsandfinishingaresearchproject,she’dbarelygottenfourhoursofsleepthepreviousthreenightsinarow.Shewasexhausted.
JasonwasinhisfirstyearatNorthwestern,Eleanorinhersecond.Thehighschoolsweetheartshadbothmanagedtogetacceptedattheprestigiousuniversity,andexceptforabriefbreakupthepreviousyear,hadmanagedtostaytogether.
JasonhadsuggestedEleanorputtheseatback,restherheadagainstapillow,andusethenextsixhourstocatchuponhersleep.Hewouldentertainhimselfbylisteningtoafewofhisfavoritepodcasts,startingwithHaunted,apodcastaboutrealghoststories.Eleanorhadalwaysarguedwithhimthattherewerenosuchthingasrealghosts,andthereforetherecouldbenorealghoststories.Whatever.Hestilllikeditandlistenedtothepodcastwithouther.
Afterfourhoursofdrivingthroughmoderatelyheavytraffic,Jasonpulledintoarest-stoptousethebathroomandgrabasnack.Eleanorwokeuplongenoughtotellhimshedidn’tneedtopee,andhecouldgoinwithouther.WhenhereturnedwithabagofchipsandaKitKat,shewasfastasleep.
Hervoicegravellywithsleep,shetiltedthescreentowardsJason,“It’sHannah.”Sheswipedthescreenandtappedthespeakerbutton.“Hey,Hannah.”
“Hey,Els!Areyouguysintownyet”
“Notyet,”Eleanorreplied,yawning.SheglancedatJasonwhowascheckinghisside-viewmirrorashemergedbackontoI-94.“Babe,howfaroutarewe”Sheasked,rubbingthesleepfromhereyes.
“Abouttwohours,”hereplied,clickingthecruise-controlon.
“Hey,Jase!”Hannahgreeted,hervoicerising.
“Hey!”Jasonshoutedback.Eleanorwincedathisvolume,herearsstillsensitivefromsleep.
“So,”Hannahstarted.
ItwasasoEleanorrecognized.ItmeantHannahhadplans.EleanorsmirkedatJasonandmouthed,We’regoingouttonight.
“AngelinaandIgotusallticketstoaChristmaspoetryslamtonight.”
Eleanorpunchedhimintheupperarm,mouthing‘See’Jasonwincedandthumpedhisheadagainsttheheadrestinprotest,whileEleanorsuppressedagiggle.“Ohhhh,”shereplied,failingmiserablyathidingherdisinterest.
“Stoprollingyoureyes,El,”Hannainstructed.
“HowdidyouknowIwas-”
“Iknowyou,”shesighed.“Giveitachance,okayAngelinaisgoingtoreadoneofherpoems.”
EleanorandJasonexchangedalookthatwordlesslyconveyedtheirsharedunderstandingthatnomatterhowhardtheymighttrytofindaway,therewouldbenogettingoutofthis.“Okay,we’llgo,”Eleanorconceded,“ButwhenAngelinaisdone,Ican’tguaranteewe’llstay.”
“Fine,”Hannahreplied,“Fairenough.MeetusatTheLoopatsix,okay”
“Yougotit.”
Twohours,threepodcastepisodes,andanothernapforEleanorlatertheywerepullingintothedrivewayofJason’sparents’house,whichwasconvenientlylocatednextdoortoEleanor’sparent’shouseinasleepycul-de-sacinSouthMinneapolis.Theygrabbedtheirrespectiveluggageandagreedtomeetbackatthecarbyfive-thirty.
“Sayhitoyourfolks,”Jasoninstructed.
“Youtoo,”Eleanorreplied,kissinghimbrieflybeforeslingingherbackpackoverhershoulderandheadingintheoppositedirection.“Andsayhitoyourbrother!”
“Honey!Eleanor’shome!”CallieCarlsonsquealedasshegatheredherdaughterintoherarms.“Oh,sweetie,I’msohappytoseeyou!HowwasthedriveAreyouhungry”
Eleanorsmiled.“I’mgladtobehome,mom.”
“Hi,Elleeeee,”DougCarlsongreeted,wipinghishandsonadishtowel.“DidyouhavemuchtrafficHowwasyourdriveCanIgetyouasandwich”
“Itwasfine,Dad.Isleptmostoftheway.”
Eleanorputupwithanacceptableamountofparentaldoting,andthenretreatedtoherroomwheresheunpacked,textedwithafewfriends,changedherclothes,andcuddledwithherdog,whomshehadmissedbeyondmeasure.Justasshewasheadingdownstairs,thedoorbellchimed.“I’llgetit!”Sheannounced.
Jason,hismomanddadandyoungerbrother,Roger,werestandingonthefrontporch,pleasant,expectantexpressionsontheirfaces.Jasonwasholdingalargetraycoveredinfoil.SheguesseditwascoveringatrayfullofChristmascookies.
“Oh,hi,”Sheblurted,glancingatherwatch,confused.“Whatareyoudoinghere”
“We’reherefordinnerandgamenight!”AbigailAndersonreplied.“Didn’tyourfolkstellyou”
“CanwecomeinEl”Jasonasked,hiseyesapologeticasshesteppedaside.“Ijustfoundoutmyself.Ourparentshavebeenplottingbehindourbacks.”
“Oh,pooh!”Abigailscoffed.“We’vedonenosuchthing.”ShebreezedpastEleanor,whostilllookedutterlyconfused.“Thankyou,dear,”shethrewoverhershoulderafterdepositinghercoatinEleanor’shands.Jason’sfatherandbrotherfollowedher,aftertheytoogaveEleanortheircoats.
“WhatamI”Eleanorasked,“Coatcheck”
Jasonlaughedandhelpedherhangthecoatsinthefronthallcloset.
“I’msorry,El.Iguessourmomsdecidedtohostajoint-familynightandforgottotellus.”
“ButwepromisedHannahwe’dgotoTheLoopandlistentoAngelina’spoetryslam.”
Jasonshrugged.“Doyouwanttotellthem”hejerkedhisheadinthedirectionofthediningroom.
“Yes!”Eleanorreplied.Shefeltafamiliarriseofannoyance.“Whywouldtheymakeplansforuswithouttellingus”
“Ithinkintheirexcitementtheyjustforgot,”Jasonreasoned.“Idon’tthinkitwasintentional.”
Eleanorgrunted.
“Whatdoyouwanttodo”
Eleanorcheckedherwatchagain.Theywouldhavetoleaveinhalfanhouriftheyweregoingtomakeittothepoetryslamontime.Shechewedonherlowerlipandglancedintothediningroomwhereeveryonewashuggingandmingling,herfatherwaspouringdrinks,andhermotherwasgushingoversomephotographsAbigailwasshowingheronherphone.OnlyRogerlookedoutofplaceandslightlybored.
“Ugh,”Shesighed.
Hannahhadmanagedtoscoreasix-toptablenearthefrontofthesmallcaféwhileAngelinawascheckinginwiththeorganizersofthepoetryslam.Hannahwavedherover.
“Allset”Hannahasked.
“Yep,”Angelinareplied,slidingintotheopenchairbesideHannah.“I’mupthird.”
“Oh,that’sgood.Betterthanfirstorlast!”Hannahreplied.“Ooh,there’sHillary.”
HillaryandherboyfriendEdwinwereweavingtheirwaythroughthecrowdtojoinHannahandAngelina.Theyquicklyordereddrinksandsettledinbeforethefirstpoettooktothesmallmakeshiftstage.
HillaryleanedtowardsHannahandwhispered,“AreJaseandElcoming”
Hannahshrugged.
Edwintappedthebackofherhandandthenpointedattheirfriends,whoweredoingtheirbesttomuscletheirwaythroughthedensecrowd.
“Hey!”Eleanorgreeted,almosttrippingoversomeone’sshoebeforereachingherseat.“Sorrywe’relate.”Shewavedherhanddismissively,adding.“Familydrama.”
“Didwemissyourpoem”Jasonasked.
“No,I’mupinalittlebit,”Angelinaexplained.“You’regood.”
BeforeJasoncouldreply,ayoungwomanwithawildmaneofblackcurlyhair,wearingblackfromheadtotoe,approachedthemicandbellowed,“CHRISTMASISAHOSTILEHOLIDAY!”
JasoncaughtEleanor’seyeandmouthed,Ohmy.Eleanorgrinned.
Therestofthepoemwentsimilarlyandwhenshewasfinished,shestompedoffthestagetoasmatteringofapplause.
“Well,thatwas,ah,interesting,”Edwinremarked,takingaswigofhisbeer.“Yoursgonnabelikethat”HeaskedAngie.
“Ah,no,”Angelinareplied.“Infact,ifpeoplelikedthatone,they’regonnahatemine.”
Whenitwasherturn,Angelinarosefromherseatandimmediatelyfeltascoreofbutterfliestakeflightinherstomach.Hannahsqueezedherhandandwhispered,“You’vegotthis!”
Shestoodinfrontofthemic,clearedherthroat,andbeganherslam,hertemposlowandmeasured.
“Snowfalls,angelssing,trumpetssound,
It’sChristmas.
Myheartaches,myeyesweep,Imissyouso,
Thetreeislit,andcookiesmade,snowfalls,
Theshoppingisdone,thelistsaremade,thebillscomedue,
Mymemories,It’swhereyoulive,It’sallIhave
Ghoststhatvisit,mulledwine,perhaps,andjoy,
Merriment,andheartache,stillgratitudeforcelebrationspast.
It’sChristmas.”
Eleanortookadeepbreathandraisedhereyestotheceilingbeforefinishing.
“I.Love.You.Dad.
Shereturnedtothetableamidthunderousapplause,andHannahgatheredherupinherarms,cooing,“Baby,thatwasfabulous!Abeautifultributetoyourdad.”
“Thanks.”
“Reallynice,Angie,”Jasonagreed.“Youshouldpublishthat.”
“Iagree,”Eleanorchimedin,wipingthetearsfromhereyes.ShesuddenlyfeltverybadlyabouthowangryshehadbeenthatherparentshadmadetheegregiousdecisiontohostapartysotheycouldspendmoretimewithherandbeinclusiveofJasonatthesametime.Shecouldkickherselfnow.SheleanedintoJason.“Ifeellikesuchaputz.”
“WhatWhy”Jasonasked,astheytooktheirseatsagain.
“Mymomwasn’ttryingtocontrolmyschedule,”sheadmitted.Shechin-noddedtowardsHannah,“…anymorethanHannahwasinmakingtheseplansforustonight.”
“Yourmomseemedcoolwithuscominghere,”Jasonreasoned,drainingthedietcokefromhisglassandbitingdownonanicecube.“Idon’tthinkyouneedtobehardonyourself.”
Eleanorshookherhead.“Shewasacting.Iknowshewasdisappointed.”
“Soooo,”Jasontappedhisfingeronthetable.“…whatdoyouwanttodo”Healreadyknewtheanswer.
Eleanorscrunchedupherface,“Wouldyoumind,terribly”
WhenEleanorandJasonarrivedhome,shehurriedintothehouse,pausingonlylongenoughtodropherjacketbytheclosetdoor.Shecrossedthelivingroomandstoppedattheentrancetothediningroomwhereshefoundherparents,Jason’sparents,oneofhertwoolderbrotherswhowasalsohomefromcollege,andJason’syoungerbrother,sittingaroundthediningroomtable,playingtheCodeNamesgame.
“Eleanor!”CallieCarlsoncried,jumpingupfromthetable.“Oh,my!”hereyesgrewwidewhenshesawagroupofEleanor’sfriendsmakingtheirwaythroughthelivingroombehindher.
“Hi,mom,”Eleanorsheepishlygreeted,glancingatthegroupbehindher.“Ihopeyoudon’tmind,butwedecidedtoleavethepoetryslamearlyandcomebackhere”Shepointedatherfriends,“YouknowAngieandHannah,butdoyourememberHillaryandEdwin”
“Oh,ofcourseIdo,”Calliehurriedovertothemtogathertheirjackets.“Comeinandjoinus,”sheinstructed,thenshepausedandglancedatEleanor,herfacefallingeversoslightly,“Or,areyouallgoingdownstairstohangout”
Eleanorshookherhead.“No,no,wethoughtwe’djoinyou,ifthat’sokaywith..”
“Oh,good!”Callieexclaimed,notlettingEleanorcompletehersentence.Sheshuffledthechairsaroundtomakeroomforthekids.
Eleanorsawthejoyonherface,andsmiledinwardly.
“Haveyoualleatendinneryet”
“No,”Jasoninterjected.“…butweweregonnaorderapizzaorsomething.”
“Nonsense,”DougCarlsoninterrupted.Herosefromhisseatandgesturedfortheyoungpeopletojointhem.GlancingatEleanor,headded,“…yourmothermadeenoughchilitofeedthewholeblock.Come,”hebeckoned.“Joinus.”
Somehow,theyallmanagedtofitaroundthetable,withJasonperchedonastoolfromthekitchen.Andbeforelong,they’ddividedintonewteamsandhadstartedanewgameofCodeNames.Eleanorsatbackandsmiled,watchinghowhappyhermomanddadwere,howengagedherfriendswerewiththem,andshewassogladshe’ddecidedtobringthemover.
“Mom,”shewhisperedwhentheywerealoneinthekitchentogether,refillingtheirbeverages.
“Hmmm”Calliereplied.
“I’msorryaboutbefore,”sheoffered.
“What”Callieasked,facingherdaughter.“Whatareyoutalkingabout”
Eleanorsighed.“Iwaskindofannoyedthatyou’dmadeplanswithouttellingme,andI…”
“Oh,honey.Thankyouforapologizing.Butyouwereright.Ishouldhaverememberedtotellyou.”
“Still.IhopeyouanddadknowhowgratefulIam.Foreverythingyoudo”ShethoughtaboutEleanor’spoem.“Idon’twantyoutothinkItakeitforgranted.”Shepalmedherchest.“IknowhowluckyIam.”
Calliesmiledandpulledherdaughterclose.“IloveyouEl.”
“Iloveyoutoo,mom.”
TheybothjumpedwhentheyheardJasonbellowfromtheotherroom,“CHRISTMASISAHOSTILEHOLIDAY!”
“Whatintheworld”Callieasked,apalmtoherchest.
Eleanorlaughed,holdingherstomach.“It’snothing.Justapoemfromtonight.”
“Well,mygoodness,”Calliegasped.“Nowonderyouallleftandcamehere!”
Eleanorwrappedherarmaroundhermother’sshouldersagain.“No,mom,”shegentlycorrectedastheywalkedbackintothediningroom.“Wecameherebecausewewantedtobewithallofyou.”
KaylatossedherbackpackontooneofthetwinbedsintheguestroomatherauntJackie’shouse–well,reallyherroomatAuntJackie’shouseonaccountofhowoftenshehasstayedwithherauntovertheyears.
BeforeKayla’sdadandSiobhanweremarried,Kaylahadlivedwithheraunttwoweekendsamonthwhileherdaddyworkedasthemanagerofadowntownhotel.AlthoughshenolongerneededtolivewithAuntJackie,shestillrelishedtheirspecialtimetogetherandstayedoveroften,sometimeswithhersiblings,MaryandReilly,butmostofthetimeshewasthereonherown.
Sheshruggedoutofherjacket,leftitinaheaponthefloor,andthenracedbackdownstairstohelpAuntJackiemakedinner.Thiswasanannualritualbetweenthetwoofthem,andeveryChristmasseasontheymademoreandmorecomplicateddishes.Kaylawantedtobeachefwhenshegrewup,andespeciallywantedtobeaFoodNetworkchef.
“Doyouwanttobrownthemeatorcutuptheonions”AuntJackieasked,asKaylabustledintothekitchen.
“Meat,please,”Kaylareplied,alreadytyingherapron.Theyweremakinglasagnafordinner,oneofKayla’sfavoritemeals,andshewasexcitedtobakehernow-famousbreadsticks.
“Howmanycookinglessonshaveyouhadnow,Kay”
“I’malreadyatthethirdlevel,”Kaylarepliedproudly.She’dtakenupcookingandbakingoverayearagoandwasalreadyquiteskilledatit.HerdreamwastobeononeoftheFoodNetworkkidcompetitionshows,itdidn’tmatterwhichone,butshehadn’tmusteredupthecourageyettoapply.Sheneededtogetafewmorecookinglessonsunderherbeltbeforeshestartedcompetingand,ofcourse,openingherselfuptothepotentialhumiliationofscrewinguponnationaltelevision.
“What’sbeenyourfavoritethingtolearn”
“Reductions,”Kaylareplied.
Jackiesnorted.“Reductions”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.Ijustlearnedhowtoproperlydothatafewyearsago.”
“Youdidn’tnoticebecauseyou’vehadyournoseinacase,Iassume”Jackieteased.Marthawasaprivatedetective,particularlyskilledatfindingmissingpeople.
Marthaopenedthefridge,staredatitscontentsforabeat,thenpulledoutaDietCokeandclosedthedoor.“Yeah,probono.Dad’sgotmelookingintoapossiblemissing-person-found-personcase”
“Oh”
“Actually,yoursister-in-lawissomehowinvolved.Somethingabouttheguywhofoundherwhenshetookthatnastyfall”
“Huh.Iknowhewaslivingbytheriverwhenshefell.IthinkSiobhanhelpedhimgetintotreatment.”Jackiepulledoutanonionandstartedchoppingit,slippingonapairofsafetyglassesfirsttokeephereyesfromtearingup.“HowdidChrisgetpulledintoitandhowdoesheevenknowthisguy”
“He’sSanta,”Kaylainterjected,glancingupatthemfromthestovewhereshewasbrowningapoundofgroundbeef.“Heknowseverything.”HergazeshiftedtoMarthaand,hervoicelacedwithuncertaintyasked,“Which,um,canIaskyouaquestionDoyouknowifhegotmyletter”
MarthashotJackieaglance,they’dheardallaboutthefoodfightthathadlandedthegirlsintotroubleaswellasanearfulfromPaulabouttheargumentbetweenKaylaandMarythatstillhadn’tbeenresolved.SheofferedKaylaasympatheticsmile,“I’msurehedid.”
“Buthedidn’tsayanythingtoyouaboutit”
Kaylanodded,workinghardtohideherdisappointment,andturnedbacktoherbrowninggroundbeef.
“IsNicolasstillsleeping”Jackieasked.Nicolaswastheirfifteen-month-oldson,whomthey’dadoptedlastyearafterfallinginlovewithhimatfirstsight.
“Outlikealight.”
Afterthey’dputthelasagnaintobake,JackiesuggestedsheandKaylasnuggleupbythefireandflipthroughherbakingcookbookstofindarecipethatKaylacouldsubmittothekidsbakingcontestatthemidtown-marketkidsChristmasfestival.They’dporedthroughthreebooksbeforeKaylahadfinallyfoundsomethingshethoughtshecouldmakebutthatwouldalsochallengeherskills.
AndthenawaveofanxietywashedoverKaylaandsheglancedupatJackie,theseedsofuncertaintyswimminginhereyes.
“AreyousureyouthinkIshoulddothis”
“WhatOfcourse!”
“Really”
“Kay,youarereallygoodatthis.Andifyouwanttocompeteonthefoodnetwork,youhavetostartsomewhere,right”
“Is’pose,”Kaylawhispered.
Shethoughtforaminute.“IguessIdon’treallywanttodothisifMaryisn’tthere,”Kaylareplied,hervoicecracking.
Jackiesatbackandnodded.She’dbeenwonderingwhenthetopicofMarywouldcomeup.“Oh,honey.IknowthatMarywouldwanttobethereifyouinvitedher.”
Kaylashookherheadandfoldedherkneestoherchest,huggingthem.“Shesaidweweren’trealsisters.Ibetshedoesn’twanttobeinourHarriettheSpyclubanymore,either!”
“Kayla,Idon’tthinkshemeantthat,”Jackiereplied,frowning.“YouandMaryhavebeensisterssincethedayyoumet-andyougotintotroubleforgivingNickyabloodynoseRemember”
Kaylasnorted.“I’dliketogivehimabloodynosenow!”
“Kayla.”
“Iknow.I’msorry.It’sjustthatMaryspendsallofhertimewithhim.LikeIdon’tevenmatter!”
Herfeelingsescalated,andsheburiedherheadinherarmsandexhaled,thehardlumpinherthroatthreateningtocutoffhervoice.
“I’msorry,honey.Iknowthat’shard.”Jackiehelplesslywrappedonearmaroundherniece.ShewishedmorethananythingthatshecouldtakethestingofthisawayfromKayla.“IthinkyouneedtotalktoMaryandtellherhowyoufeelandseeifthetwoofyoucanmakeanagreementaboutspendingtimetogether.”
“Wetriedthat!”
“Ithinkyouneedtotryagain,”Jackieurged.“Maryisyoursister,andyouloveher,she’simportanttoyou.Youhavetokeeptrying.”
Kaylashruggedagain.
“Whydon’tyouinvitehertothecontesttomorrow”
“Can’t,”Kaylablurted,straighteningherlegs.“She’sgrounded.”
“Well,”Jackiesighed,unfoldingherselfandgettingupfromthefloor.“IcantalktoPaul,maybethey’dmakeanexception”
Kayladarednothopeandsimplyshrugged.But,deepdown,shehadtoadmitshedesperatelyneededhersisterwithherwhenshesubmittedherpastryforthecontest.Eithertocelebratewithherwhenshewonorcommiseratewithherwhenshelost.ShehopedAuntJackiewouldbesuccessfulinconvincingherparentstoletMarycometomorrow.
“C’mon,”Jackieinstructed,reachingoutforKayla’shand.“Let’stestthisrecipe.”
“Kiddo,you’veoutdoneyourselfagain!”Marthapraised,leaningbackinherchairandrubbingherstomach.“I’mfull!”SheglancedoveratNicolas,atomatosaucegrinonhisface.“Nicolaslovedittoo!”
“Thanks,AuntMartha,”Kaylareplied,smilingproudly.“But,doyouhaveroomformypuffpastrycinnamontwists”
“Areyoukidding”Marthacried.“Always!”
“I’llgoplatethemup,”Kaylareplied,scramblingoutofherseat.
JackiesmiledandreachedforMartha’shand.“Thanks,hon.”
“Right”Jackierosefromherchair,herthoughtsshifting.“WouldyoumindcleaningNicoupwhileImakeaphonecall”
“Onit.”
Afterthreerings,Siobhanpickedup.“Hey,Jackie.Everythingokay”
“Yes,yes,”Jackiereplied,makingsureshewasoutofKayla’searshot.Shepeeredintothekitchenandsawherniecewasbusilydishingupthepastrydessert.“ButIhaveanideaaboutthegirls.”
“Oh,I’msonervous!”Kaylacried,anxiouslytwistingthehemofhersweaterasshepacedthefloor.Herstomachwasalltiedupinknots.“Whatiftheyhateit!”
“They’renotgoingtohateit,sweetie,”Jackiereassured.
“Ugh.IthinkIleftthemintheoventoolong.”
“Theylookedperfect.”
Kaylanodded,squaredhershoulders,andexhaledloudly.“You’reright.You’reright.Theylookedgood.”
“Theytastedgood,too,”Marthachimedin,jostlingNicolasfromonehiptotheother.“You’vegotthis,kiddo.”
Kaylabitherthumbnailandscannedtheroomnervously.Abouttwentykidshadenteredthecontest.Thejudges,twolocalbakers,weremovingfromstationtostation,tastetestingtheitems.Kaylawasoneofthreekidswho’dusedpuffpastry.Theresthadmadecookies,cake,orpie.“Ihopeso,”shefinallyreplied.“Diddaddysaywhenhewasgoingtogethere”
Jackieglancedatherwatch.“Theyshouldbehereanyminute.”
Asthoughoncue,theyspottedSiobhanhobblingthroughthecrowd.Hergaitunmistakablesinceshewasstilloncrutches.Paulwalkedbehindher,holdingBuzz,Kayla’sbabybrother.Kaylawaved.“Overhere!”
Andthenshefroze.
Marywaswiththem.
“Hi,bug!”Paulgreeted.Hescannedtheroomandrubbedhishandstogetherasthoughwarmingthemup.“Thisisexciting!Howdoyoufeel”
“Nervous,”Kaylareplied,acceptinghishug.
“Jackietellsusyoumadeaveryyummydessert,”Siobhanstated.“Ican’twaittotasteit.”
Kaylabarelyheardthem.Shecouldn’tstopthinkingaboutMary.Shedidn’tknowwhattoevensaytoher.ShouldshesayhiShouldsheapologizeMarywastheonewho’dsaidtheVeryMeanThing.WhyshouldshehavetoapologizeMaryshouldbeapologizing.But,maybebecauseshe’dbeenabratatthefoodbankOrbecauseshewasjealousOrbecausetheyweresistersandlikeAuntJackiesaid,shehadtokeeptrying
“EarthtoKayla,”Paulteased.
Kaylaglancedatherfather.“Huh”
“Isaid,hi,”Marymumbled.
“Oh,”Kaylareplied.“Hi.”
TheystoodawkwardlyforabeatandthenKaylaadded.“Thanksforcoming.”
“Yeah,”Maryreplied.“I’mexcitedforyou.”
“Yeah”
“Cool.”
“Ok.”
MarthaleanedintoJackieandwhispered,“Ohhhhh,thisissopainfultowatch.”
JackiewasabouttoreplywhenthejudgesreachedKayla’sstation.Athinmanwitharecedinghairlineandapear-shapedwomanaboutfortywiththickglassesandshortblackhair.Theyaskedherafewquestionsabouthowshe’dpreparedherpastry,andKaylaansweredthemexpertly.Thentheyeachtookacinnamontwistandtookonebite,settingtherestofitbackontheirplates.TheirfacesbetrayednothinganditwaskillingKaylatonotbeabletotellwhetherthey’dlikeditornot.Theytooknotes,thankedKayla,andthenmovedontothenextcontestant.
Kaylaturnedaround,herfacepink.Sheexhaled,hereyesbug-wide.“Holycow!”
“Ithinktheylikedit,”Maryoffered.
“Mmhmm,Iwaswatchingtheguyandheclosedhiseyes.Youonlydothatwhenyoureallylikesomething,”shedeclared.
“Oryou’reabouttopuke,”Kaylablurted.
“Kay,”Paulstarted.“IagreewithMary.Ithinktheylovedit!”
Theywatchedasthejudgeswenttotheremainingfewtables,thensatdownatthejudgestableandcomparednotes.Kaylacouldn’tkeepstillandhoppedfromfoottofootuntilfinallythejudgesstooduptoannouncethewinners.
Withouteventhinkingaboutit,KaylareachedforMary’shandandheldittightly.
Marylookedlikeshewasabouttocry.
“Wewillfirstannouncethehonorablementions,”themanproclaimed.Kaylacouldfeelherhearthammeringinherchest,andshewassureitwouldbeatitselfrightoutofherribcage,droptothefloor,growlegs,andrunoutoftheroom.
Hereadthreenamesthatweren’thersandshefeltawaveofdisappointmentwashoverher.She’dneverthoughtshe’dwin,butshehadthoughtthatattheveryleastshe’dgetoneoftheyellowhonorablementionribbons.Someonerubbedherback,probablyherdad,butshewaslaserfocusedonthejudges.
“Inthirdplace,”thepear-shapedladybegan,“Bakingasugarsnowflakecookie…IsKatieTaylor!”
Whoopsandhollersemittedfromacrosstheroomasaginger-hairedgirlranuptoreceiveherwhiteribbon.Kaylawascrushed.Shetuggedatherfather’sjacketandasked,“Daddy,canwego”
“WhatBug.No.Therearestilltworibbons…”
“Insecondplace,”themanstarted,“…bakingacinnamontwistpuffpastry…”
Kaylastoppedbreathingandstaredattheman,hereyeswidewithdisbelief.
“Kay!”AuntJackiegasped.
“…isKaylaBrennanMcCord!”
Shewassostunnedshewastemporarilyimmobilized.Then,someonepushedherforward,andshefinallyfoundherfeetandscurrieduptothejudgestable,happilycollectingherredribbonandanenvelopewithher$50inprizemoney.Whensheskippedbacktoherstation,shewassurroundedbyherfamily,allcongratulatingherwithexcitedsmilesandhugs.Shethenfoundherselfface-to-facewithMary,whoofferedabroadsmile.
“Congrats,Kay!”Marysaid.“Iknewyou’ddogreat.”
Kaylabittheinsideofhercheek.“Thanks!”shereplied,hervoicegiddywithexcitement.
Theystoodawkwardlyforabeat,notnoticingtheadultsaroundthemwatchingwithbatedbreathindesperatehopethatthegirlswouldfinallymakeupandresolvetheirfeud.
KaylaglancedatMary,catchingherbreath,andherwits,and,absentlybrushinganerrantstrandofhairfromhereyes,asked,“Doyouwannatryoneofmypuffpastries”
Mary’sfacelitup.“Sure!”
KaylahandedheracinnamontwistandwatchedasMarytookabite,grinningfromeartoearasMaryclosedhereyesandmoaned.“OhmyGod,Kay!Thisisdelicious!”
“Youreallythinkso”
“Yes!Howcomeyoudidn’tgetfirstplace”shesaidwithamouthfullofpastry.
Kaylablushed.“Youhavetosaythat,you’remysis-“Shecaughtherself.Shewasabouttosaysister,butafewdaysago,Maryhadstoodinthebasementoftheirhome,herhandsballedupintofistsandhadshoutedatthetopofherlungsthattheyweren’trealsisters.
Kaylafelthereyeswellwithtearsandhergazedroppedsothatnowshewasstudyinghershoes,apairofblueChucky-T’s.ShenoticedtheshoelaceonherrightshoewasuntiedandshewonderedhowlongithadbeenthatwayandthankGodshehadn’tdoneafaceplantwhenshe’drunuptocollecthersecond-placeprize.
“Kayla,”Marywhispered,inchingcloser.“Kayla,I’msorry.Wearesisters.Wearerealsisters.”
Kaylalookedup,herheartpounding.“Youmeanit”
Neithergirlevennoticedtheadults,whowerelettingoutacollectivesighofrelief.
“Yes,”Maryreplied.“AndIalsomeanitthatIthinkyoushouldhavegottenfirstprize!And,noI’mnotsayingthatcuzI’myoursister!”
Kayla’sfacebrightenedandsheheldoutherenvelopeofcash.“KnowwhatIwannadowiththis”Sheasked.
Adevlishsmilegracedherlips,andMaryguessed,“MoreHarriettheSpystuff”
Kaylaslowlynodded,smilingconspiratorially.“MoreHarriettheSpystuff!”
“Thanksforhostingthisatyourplacethisyear,”JeanHeetersaidasshedroppedabinfulloficingandsprinklesandassortedcookiedecoratingsuppliesonthekitchentable.“Ican’tbelievetherenovationtoourkitchenistakingthislong.TheypromisedmeitwouldbedonebeforeThanksgiving!”
JeanhadtraditionallybeentheonetohostChristmascookiedecoratingwithhersisterMarie,allofthekidswhowerecollectivelyknownas‘thecousins’,andanyotheradultswhowantedtojoinin.Butwithoutaworkingoven,itwasanogoforthisyear.
“Noworries,”Mariereplied.“Ilovethisstuff!”Sheopenedtheoventoputanothertrayofpre-shapedChristmassugarcookiesintobake.“Thosethingsalwaystakelongerthantheytellyouit’sgoingtotake.”
“Iknow,rightWhyisthat”
“Becauseconstructionisunpredictable,”MikeLarson,Jean’sson,interjectedashesaunteredintotheroom.“Weather,supplychainissues,laborshortages–theyallcausedelays.”
“Spokenlikeatruegeneralcontractor,”Jeanreplied.“Hisweetie,whendidyougethere”
“Justnow.AndI’mnotageneralcontractoryet,”hereplied.HegrabbedoneofthecookiesbeforeJeancouldstophimand,withnoremorse,bitoffSanta’shead.
“Youwillbesomeday.Anddon’teatthecookiesyet!”Jeanscolded.
“Hello,hello,hello!”Colinbellowed,strollingintohismother’skitchen,holdingthehandofhisgirlfriendParvati,whoshylywavedatJeanandMarie.
“Hihoney,”Mariegreeted,steppingovertohugheroldestson–thoughbarelyoldestasConner,Colin’stwin,wasbornjustafewminuteslater.“Parvati,”sheembracedtheyoungerwoman,“welcometocookiebakingday!”
“ThanksMrs.H.,”Parvatireplied,smiling.“I’mexcited.Colin’stoldmehowfunand…”sheglancedoveratColin,“…competitivetheannualHeeterfamilycookiedecoratingis.I’mgladIgettoexperienceitmyselfnow!”
“Wearetoo,”Mariereplied.“Butbeware,”shewaggedherfinger,“therearealotofcompetitivedecoratorsinthisfamily.”
“Oh,I’vebeenwarned,”Parvatilaughed,“…trustme.”
Overthenexthalfhour,therestofthefamilytrickledinandsoonMarie’stinykitchenwasbrimmingwithexcitedcousins.Colinwasn’ttheonlypersontobringasignificantother,hissister’snewlyrekindledboyfriend,Adam,hadalsojoinedthem.OliviaracedintothehouseaheadofAdamtowarnherbrothersthatthey’dbetternotbringupthetimeOliviahadmadeChristmascookiesforAdam’sfamilyHannukahdinnerorthere’dbehelltopay.Thetwinssaidtheycouldn’tguaranteeit,butthey’dtry.
“Nowwejustneedmomanddadandwe’reallset,”Marieannounced,carefullybalancingatrayofcooled-offcookieswhichshesetdowninthecenterofthetable.Halfofthemweresnatcheduprightawayasthecousinsstartedtheirfeverishdecorating.
“Oh,theyaren’tcominguntillater,”Jeanannounced.“Iforgottotellyou.Theyhadabirthdaypartytogoto.”
“What”Colin’sheadsnappedupandheseemedalarmed,whichstruckMarieasquiteodd.“Whenaretheygettinghere”
“Dunno,”Jeanreplied,notlookingupfromhercookietree,shehadalreadycovereditingreenfrostingandwasaddingcoloreddots.“Couplahours”
“Shoot,”Colinspat.
“What’sup,Col”Marieasked,averticallinepoppingupbetweenhereyes.ThiswasthelinethatOliviahaddubbedherworried-momwrinkle.Nottobeconfusedwithherangry-momcrease.
Colinshookhishead.“Nothing.Nevermind.”
Heseemednervous,butMariedroppedit.She’dbeenscoldedenoughtimesbyherthreeadultchildrenthattheyweren’tbabiesanymoreanddidn’tneedhermeddlingintotheirbusinessandcouldn’tshejustkeephersometimeshelpfulbutmostlyunwelcomecommentsandquestionstoherself,thankyouverymuchMariewascertainshewasn’tnearlyasbadasherownmotherhadbeen,butaccordingtoherkids,shewasn’tasrestrainedasthey’dprefer.
“Onceagain,itlookslikeAmyhasthebestChristmastreecookie,”Oliviaobserved,admiringthedepthofthegreencolorsandbrushstrokesthatmadethetreelookmorethreedimensional.“Howintheworlddidyougetthreedifferentshadesofgreenonit”
“Idunno,”Connercountered.“LookatAdam’stree.Ithinkwemightactuallyhavesomerealcompetitiononourhands.Amy,you’dbetterwatchout!”
Adamhadputastringofmulti-coloredlightsandaStarofDavidatthetopofhistreeandtherichnessofhiscolorscertainlymatchedthatofAmy’scookie.
“Oooh,”Amycooed.“Nice!”Thoughusuallythewinnerofthefamilycookiedecoratingcontest,Amyhadnohubrisaboutit.
“Hey,”Connerblurted.“…doyouguysrememberthetimeOliviamadeabunchofChristmascookies…”
“Formyfamily’sHannukahdinner”Adaminterrupted,oneeyebrowplayfullyarched.“Owarnedmeyouweregoingtobringthatup,”helaughed.“I’llhaveyouknow,myfamilylovedtheChristmascookies,andmymothersaidOliviaiswelcometobringthemtoHannukahanytime.”
“Oh,”Connerreplied,hisshouldersslumping.“Cool.”
“Ha!”Colinlaughed.“Totallyshutthatonedown.Nicegoing,Adam.”
OliviagaveAdamahighfive.
Therestoftheafternoonwasfairlyuneventful,exceptMikekepteatingthecookiesandJeankeptyellingathimandMariehadtomakeanextrabatch.Colinstillseemednervous,andAdamwasbyfarthemostproficientdecorator,withAmycominginaveryclosesecond.Afterthey’drunoutofcookiestodecorate,they’dallretreatedtothelivingroomtoplayagameofUnowhileMarieperusedthepizzamenuandJeanarrangedallofthecookiesonthetableforjudging.JustasMariewasabouttoorderdinner,herparents,EileenandJimHeeter,burstthroughthefrontdoor,anicygustofwindfollowingthemin.
Colinshotupfromhisspotonthecouch,upendinghishandofUnocards,andhurriedtousherhisconfusedgrandparentsintothelivingroom,strippingtheircoatsoffofthemasheshowedthemtotheirseats.
“Colin,whatisupwithyou,man”Connerasked,watchingwithsuspicionashisbrotheranxiouslyarrangeditsohisgrandparentscouldquicklysitbythefireplace.“Youlooklikeyou’vegotantsinyourpants.”
“WhereisAuntJean!”Colinasked,scanningtheroomforhisauntandhoppingfromonefoottotheotherasthoughheactuallydidhaveantsinhispants.
“Bathroom,”Connerreplied.
“What!Whyissheinthebathroomnow!”
“Ummm,asidefromthefactthatsheprobablyhadtopee”Oliviaasked,asidewaysgrinonherface.
“Orpoop,”Conneradded.
“Colin!”Mariescolded.
“DidIhearsomeonesaymyname”Jeanasked,strollingintothelivingroom.
“Thereyouare!”Colinshouted.“Sit.Please.”Headdedasecondpleasewhenhisauntgavehimadisapprovingside-eye.
“Bro,youarelosin’it!What’swithyou”Connerasked.
“Well,”Colinreplied,clearinghisthroatnervously.“Asamatteroffact,ah,Idohavesomething…”heclearedhisthroatagainandturnedtowardsParvatiwhowaswatchinghimwithconcern.“…forParv.”
“Oh,myGod!”ConnerwhisperedtoOlivia,whowasseatedbesidehimonthefloor.“He’sgoingtoaskhertomarryhimagain.”Heshieldedhiseyes.“Ican’twatch!”
Marieclaspedherhandstogetherasshewatchedhersongetononeknee.Herheartwaslikelybeatingjustasrapidlyashiswas,bothwithanticipationandjoy,butalsoconcern.ColinhadproposedtoParvatilastyear,butithadn’tgoneexactlyashe’dhoped.Parvatihadreplied,‘notyet,’insteadof‘yes,’andColinhadbeendevastated.
Mariesincerelyhopedhewasn’tgoingtofeelthestingofrejectionasecondtime.
“Parvati,we’vebeentogetheralongtime,”hestarted,hisvoicebreaking.“Youknowmebetterthananyoneinthisworld.You’remybestfriend.Andnow…”hereachedintohisbackpocketandpulledoutasmallsquareringbox,“…nothingwouldmakemehappierintheworldthantospendtherestofmylifewithyou.”Withtremblinghands,heopenedtheboxandrevealedamodestdiamondringsetinasimplesilverband.Heglancedupather,hiseyeswideandearnest.
“Oh,gawd!”Connerrepeated,peeringthroughhisfingersatthesceneunfoldingbeforethem.HewhisperedtoOlivia,“Thiscouldbeugly.”
Marieoverheardhimandhissed,“Conner!”
“Willyoumarryme”Colincroaked.
Parvaticoveredhermouthwithherhands,hereyeswellingwithtearsofjoy.“Oh,Colin!”
“Hereitcomes,”Connerwarned,squirmingastheyallawaitedherreply.“She’sgonnasayno.”
“Isthatayes”Colinasked,hisexpressionhopeful.
Shenodded,sobbing.“YES!”Shethrewherselfintohisarms.“Yes,ColinHeeter,Iwillmarryyou!”
Theroomexplodedwithjoyaseveryoneleapttotheirfeetinaracetobethefirsttohugtheyoungcouple.JimpattedColinontheback,offeringanattaboy!AndanIknewyoucouldwinherover.JeancongratulatedMarieandofferedtohelpwiththewedding,remindinghersisterthatit’snevertoosoontostartplanningandthesethingscangetawfullyexpensive.MarienixedtheideaofholdingthereceptionattheAmericanLegion.Hersonisnothavinghisreceptioninawindowlessroom,she’dexplained.Colinhelduphiscellphone,revealingParvati’sparentshadbeenonFaceTimethewholetimeandhadwitnessedtheproposal.TheywerebackinIndia,visitingrelatives,buthadknowninadvancethatColinwasgoingtoproposeagain.Theywereimmenselyhappyfortheirdaughterandfutureson-in-law.
“Oh,I’mgoingtohaveanothergranddaughter!”Eileenexclaimed.“I’msohappy.”
“YagonnahaveaChristmaswedding”Jeanasked,throwingherarmsaroundColin.“Pleasetellmeyou’regonnahaveaChristmaswedding.”
“Wedon’tknow,AuntJean.Wejustgotengaged!”
“Well,I’llbe!”Connerjoked.“Shefinallysaidyes.”HeslappedColinonthebackandgaveParvatiafistbump.“Neverthoughtitwouldhappen.”
“Conner,”Mariescolded.
SomeonebrokeoutabottleofchampagnewhileMarieorderedthepizza,andJimHeeter,aspatriarchofthefamily,offeredatoast.Heheldhisglasshigh,pauseddramatically,clearedhisthroat,andfinallysaid,“ToColinandParvati.Maythemostyouwishforbetheleastyouget.”
“Here,here.”Eileenraisedherglass.
“Awww,that’snice,Dad,”Mariereplied,raisingherownglass.
“Andmayallofyourupsanddownsbeinthebedroom!”Conneradded,doublingoverwithlaughter.
ColingroanedandParvatiblushedwhiletherestofthecousinsrolledtheireyes,thoughtheywerealllaughing,too.
“Conner!”Marieadmonished.“Jeez.”
“What!”
“Hey,”Jeaninterrupted.“Nottotakeawayfromthehappyannouncement.Butwestillhavetodecidewhomadethebestcookie.”