The woman nods and reaches for a notepad. “Give me your name and number and I’ll have one of them call you back.”
Lauren had wanted to have this taken care of before she saw Gloria again, but she gives the information to the woman, hoping that one of the ladies will call her back soon.
Before heading for home she orders a sandwich, chips, and a glass of water at Betty’s and watches as snow falls outside. She feels stupid for running away from Travis and guilty for suggesting the sing-a-thon. What if it can’t happen inside the gazebo? Snowflakes leave frosty patterns on the window and she watches as one lands on the glass and then slides to the ledge, piling up with the others. Her head throbs with the thought, Why did I run away? She didn’t even come face to face with her dad, just his shadow as it passed through this town. Who runs from a shadow? Stacy must wonder what happened to her. She considers calling her but doesn’t want to explain herself. She doesn’t want tears in her eyes when the waitress arrives with her food but there they are anyway. The waitress sets her sandwich and chips in front of her as a tear makes its way down her cheek.
“Are you okay?” the waitress asks. She’s in her mid-twenties with shoulder-length blond hair that she has pulled back into a ponytail.
“Yeah, thanks.” Lauren swipes away the tear and reaches for the sandwich.
“Can I bring you anything else?” Lauren shakes her head and the waitress walks away. She is used to this … being alone. In a house full of foster children she could always find a corner or a front porch step where she wouldn’t have much fuss from anyone. It was there, observing the cracks between the wall and baseboard or the patch of dry grass at the edge of the sidewalk, that she became aware of a loneliness that no person would ever fill. It was something she could not name or put her finger on.
“You’re lonely for home,” her last foster mom, Lori, had said.
“Which home?” Lauren had asked.
“The one you wanted to grow up in.” Lori was kind. Lauren had known a few kind foster mothers and fathers. Others seemed to be working in the system for the wrong reasons, but Lori did it because she cared about kids. There are moments when Lauren wishes she had not left Lori and Jim’s home so abruptly.
“Hey, I don’t mean to be nosy but…” Lauren looks up at the waitress. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Lauren puts a chip in her mouth and looks out the window, hoping the waitress will go away.
The waitress sits across from her at the table and Lauren turns to look at her. “You’re my last table. I never do anything like this but I hate to watch you cry alone. I’m Holly, by the way.”
Lauren avoids eye contact while pushing the sandwich into her mouth. “Lauren.”
“Is there anything that I can help you with? Like is your car broken down or something?”
Lauren stares at what’s left of her sandwich and shakes her head. “No. Just old stuff.” Holly is quiet, not wanting to pry. “I just found out that my dad used to live here in Grandon.”
Holly leans her arms onto the table. “And you didn’t know that because…”
A couple leaving at the next table attracts Lauren’s attention and she watches as they put on their coats and grab their packages before leaving. “Because he left when I was little. I live in Whitall. I never knew where he was. I just assumed that he was hundreds of miles away. I had no idea he was only an hour way with a brand-new wife. Maybe some kids. I don’t know. But, true to form, he packed up and left them, too.”
Holly sighs, watching the customers around them. “He’s an idiot.” Lauren looks at her and Holly shrugs. “He is. You might want to believe that life would’ve been better with him in it, but it sounds like it would have been worse. He couldn’t stay then. He can’t stay now. He couldn’t be a dad then. He can’t be a dad now. And now there might be other kids like you who are going to be wishing that he’d stuck around, but he’s incapable of sticking around because he’s an idiot!” Lauren finds herself grinning and Holly jumps on the opening. “Deep down you know it’s true even though deep down you also want him to be different—but that’s never going to happen. There is no going back and changing anything, especially him! He’s the one who missed out and not just on watching you grow up. He’s missed everything in life.”
“Did he miss out on eating this turkey and bacon club sandwich?”
“I bet he did!” Holly says. “He’s strictly a fast food guy because he doesn’t know anything about what good food is!” She points her finger at Lauren. “And he never once looked out this window to see that gazebo all lit up at Christmastime!”
Lauren tries to hide her smile and takes a final bite. “So he missed sitting here at this booth and getting yelled at?”
Holly laughs. “Yes, he did! Nobody takes the time to yell at customers at Taco Bell. Only at Betty’s Bakery.” She leans forward, resting her chin on her hand. “I’m really sorry that he was your dad.”
“I am, too.”
“If it helps, you can share my dad. He’s a horrible dresser and, no matter what he tells you, he is awful at impressions, but other than that he’s a good dad.”
“Thanks.”
“Why are you in Grandon, anyway?”
Lauren pushes her plate away and pulls her water glass in front of her. “At first I was brought here to identify a guy in a lineup, but now I’m helping with a Christmas fund-raiser for Glory’s Place.”
“That’s kind of wild. How’d you go from a lineup to a fund-raiser?”
Lauren shakes her head. “I’m still not sure.” She opens her purse and pulls out her wallet.
“It’s okay,” Holly says. “I’ll get this one today.” She taps the table. “And that’s another thing your dad has missed out on!”
As Lauren slips her wallet back into her bag she realizes that Holly doesn’t mean that her dad missed out on free food, rather the generosity of others who help people feel less alone.
NINE
Gloria stares at the computer screen on her kitchen table and reads. Dear Mary, I am not a murderer. I’ve never even had a parking ticket. I would never hurt you or anyone. I have never had a normal Christmas and I would like one very much. I have never had a normal family and I would like one very much. You don’t have to lecture me on how no family is normal because I know that. I have been in lots of foster homes so I know what homes and families are like. But what you may see as frustrations—dirty dishes, laundry, trips to the grocery store, cooking dinner, unloading the dishwasher, cleaning house, going to baseball games and soccer matches, walking the dog, cleaning out the car, and sweeping the garage—all sound pretty good and normal to me. If you want to meet somewhere that’s great, but don’t worry if this whole thing sounds weird to you. I’ve never done anything like this before and it sounds pretty weird to me right now, too. Kelly
Gloria’s heart beats inside her ears. She wonders if she should tell Marshall about this and knows beyond certainty that she cannot tell Miriam. She wonders if Kelly feels as frightened and unsure as she does. She thinks for a moment before replying. Dear Kelly, I would love to meet you! I cannot imagine life without my family or life without Christmas with my family. No one should be alone at Christmas because Christmas is for the lonely. I would love to meet you, and after that, if you think that you would like to join my husband and me and our families for Christmas (we are a big, blended bunch with a nosy neighbor thrown in as well), then I would be honored to set a plate for you at our table. We live in Grandon. Just set the date and time and I can meet you at Betty’s Bakery.
Gloria looks at the e-mail and contemplates signing her real name this time but decides against it. I look forward to hearing from you. Your friend, Mary Richards
She clicks send as Miriam walks through her front door. “Any word on the risers yet?”
“It wouldn’t kill you to say good morning, you know!” Gloria says, closing the computer. “Have you had your coffee yet?”
“No, I haven’t,” Miriam says, p
ulling out a chair at the table.
“That might explain the rudeness this morning. Now we just need an explanation for all the other hours of the day.” Gloria pours Miriam a cup of coffee and sets it in front of her. “As a matter of fact, I have found some risers that will work. The church has a small riser that will work just great.” She sits down and folds her arms, looking satisfied.
“No need to look smug, Gloria. There is still so much work to be done.” Miriam scowls, pushing a crumb off the red place mat in front of her. “What is this that you and Marshall ate for breakfast?”
“It was a spinach and cheese quiche. Would you like some?”
“It would help the coffee go down.”
Gloria sighs, standing back up. “Why don’t you just say you’ve got a gnawing in your stomach and need something to eat?”
“Because no one would say that, Gloria!”
Gloria cuts a piece of quiche and warms it for a few seconds in the microwave before setting it in front of Miriam. They make small talk about the weather and sales at Wilson’s before Gloria says, “I’m headed out in a few minutes to find more items that we can auction off.”
“Where are you going? The travel agency? Restaurants? Jewelry stores?”
Gloria pours herself another cup of coffee. “To the church rummage sale.”
Miriam stares at her. “To the rummage sale?”
“Yes! All the money goes to that orphanage in Haiti.”
“Gloria! We need high-ticket items for the auction, not dog bowls and knickknacks.”
Gloria waves the words away. “I found a whole set of relief glass there last year. Remember? That alone sold for two hundred dollars. Don’t pooh-pooh my rummage sales.”
“I’m not pooh-poohing anything. I’m not entirely sure what that even means. I’m just saying—”
Gloria won’t let her finish. “I promise to wow and astonish you when I get done shopping there. I will find the most valuable gift of all.” She raises her finger in the air and Miriam leaves it at that.
“What did you do about that Craigslist woman you mentioned?” Miriam asks.
Gloria is surprised and hopes Miriam doesn’t catch her eyes bugging out. “You told me not to do anything!”
Miriam finishes the quiche and picks up her coffee. “I know what I told you but what I tell you to do rarely coincides with what you actually do.”
Grabbing her napkin, Gloria twists it around one finger and then does it again. “You are absolutely right. That woman could have been a murderer.” She stands and picks up her coffee cup, taking it to the dishwasher. “I want to be first in line at the rummage sale so I better go.”
Miriam walks to the dishwasher and places her dishes inside. “Sometimes you surprise me, Gloria! I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“Apology accepted.” She walks Miriam to the door and can feel the wintery air as she opens it. “I’m off to buy something truly great now!” Miriam opens her mouth to say something else but Gloria closes the door, breathing a sigh of relief.
* * *
Gloria cringes as she walks by a table in the Grandon Community Church lobby with not one but three ceramic dog bowls on it. She finds it so annoying when Miriam is right. The bric-a-brac is mostly broken and there’s not a sign of relief glass anywhere. A painting of a barn by Grandon’s former mayor holds promise for the silent auction but it’s not in a frame. Buying a frame for it would cost more than the painting is worth. In the end, she walks away from the rummage sale with a stack of classic literature books dating as early as 1923. She looks at her purchases as she loads them into her car and realizes there is nothing that will “wow and astonish” anyone. Why did she have to use such highfalutin words with Miriam?
On her way home she notices a MOVING SALE sign at the corner of Jefferson Street. She turns onto the street and drives to the end to a modest ranch house where the contents of the home spill out onto the driveway. She recognizes the homeowner and waves. “Maria! Are you moving soon?”
Maria is handing change to a couple who is hauling away a twin bed headboard, frame, and mattress. “In January. I have to get through the Christmas parade first!”
Gloria walks over to her, wrapping her arms around her. “Any job for Craig yet?”
“Nothing beyond his part-time work at Wilson’s. But at least we won’t have a mortgage on our backs. We can get by in a two-bedroom apartment until something full-time comes along for him.”
Cassondra peeks through the window of the garage door and opens it, yelling, “Miss Glory! I have something for you!”
“I know! A piece of my heart, right?”
Cassondra smiles and slams the door, running through the house. Maria shrugs. “I have no idea what she has for you. I’m almost nervous to see what it could be.”
The garage door opens and Cassondra is clutching a wooden box to her chest. “I thought you could sell this at the auction for Glory’s Place.” She hands the box, made of dark mahogany wood, to Gloria, and Maria steps close.
Gloria takes the box and reads the engraving on top. The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’ Psalm 32:8.
“This is absolutely beautiful!”
“I thought you loved that box, Cassondra,” Maria says. “You pretend that it holds dreams.”
The little girl swings her arms and rocks back and forth on her heels. “I think there are a lot of people that Miss Glory knows who need dreams.”
Gloria kneels down and smiles at Cassondra. “Are you sure about this?”
Cassondra nods. “My doctor gave it to me and now it’s time for somebody else to use it.”
“But what about all of your dreams?” Gloria asks.
Cassondra leans in to whisper. “Dreams don’t really go in a box, Miss Glory. I thought you knew that.”
Gloria laughs and hugs Cassondra, kissing her on the forehead. “You know what? Miriam said that I wouldn’t be able to find anything at sales like this and I believe that you have just given me something that is absolutely priceless.”
* * *
Miriam closes the door to the office and sits down at the computer at Glory’s Place. With a few clicks she has logged on to Craigslist and has found the listing for the young girl looking for a family at Christmas. Miriam clicks to send her an e-mail and types.
Needing more information. My greatest concern is that this is a fraudulent listing and that you are a morally corrupt soul trying to take advantage of people’s good intentions. If you are indeed looking for someone to spend Christmas with then I think that you would find me and the town in which I live to be most friendly. However, before we get down to sharing ham and scalloped potatoes I must know some things about you:
Are you a criminal?
Are you currently incarcerated?
Have you ever pulled a gun on someone or caused anyone bodily harm?
These questions may seem a bit odd but surely you understand my need to take precautions.
Thank you for taking time to answer them.
She pauses, thinking it best not to use her real name. She mentally lists some of her favorite TV characters and types in a name.
Laura Petrie
She realizes the last name isn’t necessary and deletes it, ending the e-mail simply with “Laura.”
A knock on the door startles Miriam and she clicks send before closing out of Craigslist.
“Excuse me. Miriam?” Lauren is peeking around the door and Miriam rises.
“I’m all done. Did you need the computer?”
“I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with Travis from parks and rec about the use of the gazebo but I still don’t have an answer.”
Miriam claps her hands together. “Thank you so much for talking with him.”
Lauren steps into the hallway with Miriam and watches as children enter through the main doors. “I actually thought he was a really nice guy. I can’t imagine what he could have done that wou
ld have made you not want to talk to him.”
Miriam holds up her hand. “He knows. Trust me. He knows.”
Miriam takes her place behind the desk and helps sign the children in for the afternoon. Lauren spots Cassondra coming through the doors. The little girl catches her eye and Lauren waves. Her mother signs her in and then kisses the top of her head as she leaves.
Lauren walks to her and kneels down beside her, pulling something from her bag. “Gummy bears,” she says. Cassondra reaches for them and Lauren pulls the bag away from her grasp. “Uh, uh, uh. Remember our deal? I would bring you gummy bears and you would sing?” Cassondra’s eyes are big and brown and Lauren doesn’t know if she’ll have the strength to keep the candy away from her. “Will you sing today?” Cassondra looks up at the ceiling and shrugs. She sticks out her hand and Cassondra holds on to it. “Was that your mom?” Cassondra nods. “Was she headed to work?”
“Yep!”
“Where does she work?”
“At the chamber of congress.”
Lauren stops at the game tables and looks at her. “The chamber of commerce? What’s your mom’s name?”
“Maria.”
Lauren sighs as she watches Maria pull out of the parking lot.
Cassondra pulls Guess Who from the shelves. She opens the box and pushes a yellow tray filled with row after row of illustrated faces in front of Lauren. “Am I playing this with you?” Cassondra smiles and Lauren can’t resist. “I don’t think I’ve played this game before so you go first and you can teach me.”
Cassondra hands her a card but doesn’t look at it. She takes one for herself and places it on the tray in front of her. “Does your person have yellow hair?”
Lauren looks at the card in front of her. “My person does not have yellow hair.” She watches as Cassondra flips down tiles on her tray. “Okay. Does your person have dark hair like us?”
The Christmas Town Page 6