by Bonnie Tharp
Annabelle took Regina’s arm and they followed the others down the staircase. They walked in time with the music, the only traditional touch. Pastor Posie stood centered in front of the fireplace. To the right, Sam stood with Joe and Tad, all three looking scrumptious in their black tuxedos. Tad agreed to wear the patent leather rental shoes instead of his Nikes like he did last year at Tillie’s wedding—a sure sign of his maturing. The men wore pristine white shirts, ascots and cummerbunds, sporting matching roses in their lapels.
“Wow,” Tillie whispered.
“I know,” Peggy said. “Even Tad looks handsome.”
Megan giggled.
Regina and Sam’s eyes locked as she glided across the hardwood floor where he waited for her hand.
Pastor Pete Posie’s curly red hair and beard were close cropped and tame compared to his usual mountain man appearance.
The continuous whir of the camera captured nearly every step of the procession. Regina couldn’t help but smile. The beauty and warmth of this day filled her to bursting.
Sam took her hand as her attendants moved to the left. Tillie took the single white long stemmed rose that Regina carried while Annabelle stood behind and waited.
A dozen people were in attendance. Close friends from the galleries, Annabelle’s Phillip, the vet and his nurse and Marvel, Sam’s assistant. A very small, intimate ceremony—just like Regina and Sam wanted.
Pastor Posie began. “Who gives this woman to this man in holy matrimony?”
“I do,” Annabelle said before stepping back. She took a seat on the front row beside Phil.
The pastor smiled at her, and the ceremony proceeded.
I can’t believe it’s really happening. It’s never too late for love. That’s all there is to it. Reality is much better than fiction.
The ceremony sped by, just like the goose bumps running along Regina’s spine.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Over much too quickly, Regina felt as though she had dreamed the entire ceremony. The kiss that Sam gave her and the ring on her finger told her otherwise. She felt the warmth of his love fill her from the top of her head to the tip of her toes and back again.
“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Duncan,” Sam said.
“Happy Birthday?”
“It’s the first day of your being Mrs. Regina Duncan. I’d call that a rebirth, wouldn’t you?”
She kissed his lips and smiled. “Yes, I do. Happy wedding day, Sam. Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
“Ditto.”
He winked at her, before they turned, facing the room. Everyone stood and cheered. Sugar added her own canine voice to the merriment. Someone had tied a blue ribbon around Sugar’s neck. She seemed to preen, front feet hopping off of the floor in excitement.
Regina, Sam, Pastor Posie and their respective attendants stood before the fireplace for photos and stayed to receive the good wishes of their guests.
“There’s a buffet in the dining room,” Tillie announced.
“What did you make?” Tad asked.
“Oh, just a few goodies for the celebration. There are strawberries, chocolate, cream puffs, quiche, cheese and crackers, etc. The bistro bunch kicked in and helped put it all together. A thank you for all the times you’ve patronized their establishment,” Tillie said.
“That’s very sweet. I’ll be sure to send them a thank you note.”
“Do. They’d love to hear how much you enjoyed their contribution.”
Sam poured champagne for all, including a little bit for the kids. Raising his glass for a toast, he said, “To many years of happiness.”
“Hear, hear,” they said and drank.
Megan giggled. “It tickles my nose, but it tastes good.”
“Just one for you guys.” Annabelle pointed at the children.
“Yes, ma’am,” Tad said, saluting her with his champagne flute.
“I’m the designated driver.” Phil handed Annabelle another full glass.
“Good idea,” Annabelle said.
“Very. I’m happy Sam and I aren’t going anywhere until tomorrow,” Regina said. Her eyes were filled and sparkling, a perfect start to her new life.
“Ah, so the plan is to really celebrate?” Tillie asked.
“Something like that.” Regina clinked her glass against her best friend’s, and a soft tone resonated.
The guests filled their small china plates and wandered around the house. Everyone visited in small groups for a few minutes here and there.
Much later, Regina hung back, standing next to Sam. Tillie took over the serving, and Peggy walked around picking up empty dishes as soon as they were laid down. The dishwasher would get a good workout by the time it was all over.
“What are you thinking about?” Sam asked.
“Nothing in particular. I’m just watching, really.”
“How do you feel?”
“Warm, contented, happy.”
He kissed her cheek and smiled. “Me, too.”
“Everything is beautiful.”
“Yes. Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“For taking my name.”
“I like the sound of it much better than Regina Louise Morgan-Smith Duncan. What a mouthful. Besides Morgan Duncan sounds like a line from a Dr. Seuss book. Regina Louise Duncan is solid and simple, something I’ve never been but always admired.” She looked at her cousin.
“Regina Louise Morgan Smith Duncan does have sort of a rhythmic quality to it.”
“Not for me. Regina Louise Duncan is perfect.”
“Yes, you are.” He kissed the palm of her hand, sending tiny tickles up her arm and neck.
Chapter 43
“GRAM,” MEGAN SAID. “Get up, it’s Christmas!” The little girl bounced into her grandmother’s room and onto the bed. “Rise and shine.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, honey.” Annabelle gave her granddaughter a hug and quick kiss on the head. “Let me go brush my teeth then we’ll see what Santa brought.”
“Hurry!” Megan followed her across the hall.
“Where are your brother and sister?”
“They’re already downstairs. I lost the draw. They sent me to wake you up.”
“I see. Afraid they’d get into trouble?”
“Probably, but it’s Christmas. I knew you’d be happy.”
They walked down the stairs and into the parlor, Megan chattering the whole way. The kitten curled up on the window seat. Turbo lay in the middle of the rug. Tad and Peggy sat under the tree shaking boxes.
“We’ve found our stuff,” Tad said. “And here’s one for Megan and you, too, Gram.” He handed his grandmother and little sister their gifts.
“Well, then I guess we’d better start opening. We’ll take turns so we can see what each of us got. You go first.”
“Thanks.” Tad ripped the paper from the box. “Awesome! These are the shoes I’ve always wanted. How did you know? They’re great, Gram, thanks.” He hopped up from the floor and gave her a kiss, then sat back down and loosened the strings on the shoes.
“I worried shoes were too practical, but Sam and Joe assured me these were the ‘bomb’ and that was good.”
“They were right!” Tad slipped them on his bare feet.
Peggy opened her present next. She held up a knobby red cowl neck sweater, rubbing it against her cheek. “Oh, Gram, this is soft and cool and . . . did you make it?”
“Yes.”
“When did you have the time? How did you do it without me knowing?”
“Here and there. When you were off gallivanting with Malissa.” Annabelle was pleased.
You never know what kids will like.
; Megan went next. She found wrapped in the tissue paper a pair of gloves, tasseled cap and matching scarf in variegated pastel colors.
She slipped on the gloves and hat then wrapped the scarf around her neck. “Oh, they’re so pretty, soft like kitten fur. They fit perfect.” Wiggling her fingers, she held up her hands and admired the colorful array. “They’ll go with anything!”
“You look cute,” Peggy said. “Well done, Gram. It’s your turn.”
“No, you kids finish, then I’ll open mine.”
The kids each had one more present to open. Tad started again. “Wow, look at this,” he said, holding up a diver’s watch. “I’ve never seen so many buttons and stuff. It has a stopwatch and a compass. Thanks!” He nearly knocked his grandmother over with his hug.
Peggy opened her tiny box and exclaimed. “I love them, Gram. Thank you.” She put the silver earrings on and pulled her hair behind her ears to show them off, before giving her grandmother a big hug.
Megan pulled the paper off of her gift and found a boxed set of the Harry Potter books, which she had wanted for a very long time. “Oh, Gram. Thank you.” She gave her grandmother a kiss on the cheek.
“Open yours, Gram,” Megan said.
Annabelle heard rustling inside the box she shook.
“It’s smaller than an accordion, but bigger than a hair clip,” she said.
Megan giggled.
Annabelle slowly peeled the taped paper away from the package then slipped her finger under the lid of the box.
“What could it be?”
All three children watched her, anticipation painted on their faces.
Inside the box, wrapped in tissue, Annabelle discovered a scrapbook. She opened the cover to find photographs and keepsakes from things she and the children had done together. There were movie ticket stubs, pictures of each of them laughing together and smiling separately. One page had the pizza menu with drawings of pizza slices and a picture of them eating at the kitchen table.
The animal page had a picture of Ms. Pickles, Tang and Turbo in various acts of silliness. More pictures showed them baking cookies, reading and watching television. These were patches and pieces of their lives, going as far back as Megan’s birth, when Annabelle still had blue hair. On the last page, Annabelle found a photo of her and Lydia together. While neither smiled, they looked peaceful, surrounded by crayon blue clouds and a yellow sun, no doubt Tad’s artistic hand.
Tears coursed down Annabelle’s face.
“This is special. How did you find all these photos?”
“We had a box of things from the old house. I also used the digital camera, and Tillie printed off the pictures,” Peggy said.
“Do you like it?” Megan asked. “I drew the pizza.”
“I love it. What a wonderful gift.”
“There’s pumpkin pie for breakfast,” Tad said.
“All right. Let’s eat now so we’re finished and dressed when Sam and Regina get here.”
They laughed over their pie and milk while Annabelle thumbed through the pages of the scrapbook again. All three kids had put a lot of time and thought into every page. So many wonderful memories were captured there. She felt her heart swell with pride that there had been happy times to record. The dark cloud of abuse no longer followed them.
The girls took their showers first.
Flexing his muscles, Tad said, “I don’t mind a cold shower. Makes me more of a man.”
“Whatever.” Peggy rolled her eyes. “We took fast ones, so it shouldn’t be too bad.”
Annabelle had cleaned up the night before. All she had to do was fix her hair and dress. Cold baths weren’t her favorite. She’d had way too many of them on the farm. She slipped on her clogs as the doorbell rang.
In the bathroom, Tad sang off-key. The girls raced down the stairs.
Peggy and Megan flung open the door. “Merry Christmas,” they said in unison.
A police officer stood where they had expected to see Sam and Regina.
The girls stepped back, allowing Annabelle to walk up to the open portal.
“Merry Christmas, Officer. What can we do for you?” Annabelle said.
“Merry Christmas, ma’am. Are you Annabelle Hubbard?”
He was tall, thin and fidgety.
“Yes, won’t you come in?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you on a holiday, ma’am, but do the children of Tom Malone live here?” He stayed on the welcome mat just beyond the threshold.
Peggy and Megan scooted up to link arms with their grandmother.
“Yes.”
“There’s been an incident involving their father. I’m sorry to report that he was injured.”
“What?” Annabelle said. “How?”
Megan began to cry. Peggy stiffened at Annabelle’s side.
“I’m sorry, there was a hold up at the diner where he works, and he . . .”
Car doors slammed in the drive. Sam and Regina approached the porch.
“Officer, is there a problem?”
“No, I mean, yes, sir. There’s been an incident involving Tom Malone. He’s in the hospital, sir.”
“Why don’t we go inside where it’s warm,” Sam said.
“But, sir.”
“I insist.”
“Let’s go into the parlor.” Regina hustled them into the room, not bothering to suggest they remove their coats and scarves.
They followed her in silence. Regina sat on the couch, and Annabelle joined her. Megan scooped up the kitten sitting in the window seat. Peggy sat rigid in the rocker with Ms. Pickles on her lap.
“Don’t say anything until Tad comes down,” Peggy said. “There’s no use in talking about it over and over again.”
“All right,” Regina said, unbuttoning her coat. She pulled each finger of her gloves to remove them then reached over to squeeze Annabelle’s inert hand.
The officer stood at attention by the fireplace, Sam at his side.
Tad came bounding down the stairs.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Tad asked.
“Merry Christmas,” Regina said.
Tad looked around the parlor and frowned. “What’s going on?”
“Have a seat, son,” Sam said. “Proceed, Officer.”
Tad sank down on the floor by his grandmother and stroked Turbo’s ears.
“There was a robbery at Jenny’s diner last night. Your father was shot trying to stop the thieves.”
“Is he going to be all right?” Megan asked, her voice filled with concern. She scooped up Tang from the seat for comfort.
“He was shot in the arm. I imagine he’ll be okay.”
“What hospital did you take him to?” Peggy asked.
“St. Francis.”
Sam stood. “Is there anything more you can tell us?”
“No, sir. I’m sorry. Merry . . . Christmas.” The officer bowed stiffly, letting himself out the front door.
Annabelle watched as Peggy put Ms. Pickles on the floor, stood and picked up one of the gifts under the tree. She put it into her lap and played with the bow in silence.
Scanning the brightly colored wrappings, boxes and gifts that littered the floor, Annabelle felt the beautiful morning dissolve.
Tom’s nothing but trouble, but he’s still their father. There’s been so much pain in their short lives. It just isn’t fair.
“What should we do now?” Tad asked.
“Maybe we should have our Christmas tomorrow,” Sam said.
“Do you want us to stay, Belle?” Regina asked.
“It’s okay. I think Sam is right. Maybe we could get together for dinner tomorrow. We need to find out if Tom is okay.”
Regina squeezed Annabelle’s hand and Sam kissed her on the
cheek before they left.
The kids went upstairs, no doubt to discuss what to do about their father.
Annabelle slipped to the floor and put the lid on the boxes, folding the tissue and wrapping paper that could be used again. She made a pile of scraps and went to the kitchen for a trash bag.
Now is the time to admit it. I’m afraid. Things will never be the same with Tom around. I may have lost my chance to make things right.
When she came back, the kids were in the doorway. They stepped into the parlor and retrieved their gifts, kissed their grandmother on the cheek and went back to their rooms.
I’d better do something.
Annabelle didn’t know what to say, but knew it would come to her. She straightened her clothing, walking up the stairs to the girl’s room. Finding it empty, she heard their voices behind Tad’s door. She knocked and opened it.
“We need to talk,” she said. The kids were in the center of the bed, so she sat on the edge. “Do you want to go to the hospital to see your father?”
Being the oldest, Peggy spoke for the group. “Yes. If he’s awake, we’d like to give him his present. Nobody should be alone on Christmas. Being in the hospital has to be even worse.”
“I agree. You kids are pretty smart. Let’s go.”
The children nodded then followed her down to get their coats.
A SIX-FOOT CHRISTMAS wreath with blinking colored lights hung on the façade of the hospital building. They saw it a block before they reached it. Everything else looked bleak and gray. They parked in the half-empty garage. When they entered the corridor, the heater blasted their faces. Peeling off their gloves, scarves and coats they marched to the reception desk.
“Tom Malone is in room three-oh-nine,” said the middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses and a mustache. He pointed to the elevators. “Merry Christmas,” he said with a look of sympathy.
There were fewer hospital personnel as well as visitors, but enough to know that it was business as usual in this health care facility. A tiny decorated Christmas tree sat at the nurse’s station, the smell of spiced Apple cider mixed with antiseptic and boiled potatoes filled Annabelle’s nostrils.