“No. Don’t be. Are you ready?”
She nods and keeps her eyes on the road ahead as he pulls away.
He parks in front of Betty’s and she lifts her bag onto her lap before opening the door. “Thanks so much.”
He watches as she steps out onto the sidewalk. “I hope it helped in some way.”
She looks over the hood of his truck and then back at him. “It did. I can’t explain it but it did.”
His hands are clasped on top of the steering wheel. “Great. Maybe next time I can actually drive you someplace fun. I mean, if there is a next time, and I hope … I mean … well, glad it helped.”
She smiles. He flounders as much as she does. “Thanks again.” She closes the door and watches as he pulls away, fully believing that she’ll notice every black truck just like his from now on.
SIXTEEN
Several children take their seats at Glory’s Place for rehearsal and Lauren turns to look for Cassondra and her brother, Aidan. Cassondra is talking with Miriam, her hands fluttering in the air like butterflies. Lauren smiles watching her and crosses the room to hear what she is saying. “When I saw Miss Glory I got the idea that she should have the box for the auction!” Lauren groans, listening. “I hope it sells for hundreds of dollars!”
“I could think of a few people who would love to pay hundreds of dollars for your box,” Miriam says.
Lauren opens her eyes wide and looks at Miriam, shaking her head, trying to send a signal to her.
Cassondra reaches both arms high into the air. “Maybe even a thousand dollars!”
“That’s right,” Miriam says, fist-bumping Cassondra. “Let’s shoot for the stars!”
Stacy claps her hands to get the attention of the children and the final stragglers run and make their way to the chairs. “There is no box,” Lauren says, whispering to Miriam.
Miriam lifts an eyebrow. “Yes. The box that Cassondra gave Gloria and you took to Larry.”
“And the one that Larry’s wife accidentally took to the dump.”
Miriam grabs her head. “You must be joking!” Lauren shakes her head. “And I just told that sweet child that that box might bring in a thousand dollars!”
“We haven’t had a chance to tell her about it. I’ll tell her today. Larry is making another box for the auction.”
“And it will no doubt be a better quality box but it sure won’t have the heart.”
Stacy begins leading the children through “The First Noel” and Lauren walks behind the children to listen. Casey, a little boy around ten, fidgets in his seat and Lauren leans down to him, asking, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?” He nods and she taps him on the shoulder, releasing him to run for the restrooms. Six-year-old Livvy’s mouth forms a perfect O as she sings and Lauren smiles at how serious she is each time they practice. Jackson and Antoine need to be separated again and Lauren points to an empty chair for Jackson. He scowls at her and slumps toward the chair. Violet struggles to read the lyrics and Lauren kneels next to her, pointing at each word and helping her read them.
In just a short time Lauren has discovered the personality of each of these children and she marvels at how much she loves being around them. David’s infectious laugh makes her laugh every time. Nobody gives a bigger hug than Isaiah. Callie looks at everything as if the glass is half empty while Lillian is grateful for the rain or snow and never minds losing a game. Kate is always in the middle of acting out a story from her imagination as Jarod acts out imaginary football plays. Each day Gracie is busy keeping the younger children in line and Marcus finds somebody new each day to tease. The names and ages of each of the rest of the children are as much a part of Lauren’s life now as eating and breathing.
Collin raises his hand and Stacy pauses before moving on to the next song. “Yes, Collin?”
“Yeah. What do we wear to this thing? Do we dress like elves or something?”
Stacy laughs. “No. You don’t have to dress like an elf. Since it will be cold, you will all be wearing coats and you can just wear what you want.”
Grayson raises his hand and Stacy smiles at him. “Can we just wear a sweatshirt or something?”
There’s something in his voice that makes Lauren wonder why he asked that question. As the children are picked up Lauren watches as Grayson leaves. He doesn’t retrieve a coat or jacket from his hook as the others do and Lauren steps in next to Heddy. “Does Grayson have a coat? This is the second time I’ve seen him leave without one.”
Heddy watches as Grayson makes his way out the door and to his mother’s car. “He might have left it hanging up.”
“It’s not there,” Lauren says, stopping Heddy from running to the line of hooks.
“He must have forgotten it today. Each child who didn’t have a coat received one at the beginning of November. We start our coat drive in October each year.”
Lauren helps other children into their coats and makes a mental note to watch for Grayson tomorrow as her phone buzzes inside her jeans pocket. Someone has sent a text, but they will just have to wait until all the children have been loaded into cars. She is helping Stacy stack the chairs when she remembers the text and pulls the phone out of her pocket. Looking at her phone she gasps.
“Are you okay?” Stacy asks.
Lauren is staring at the phone. “My mom just contacted me.” She hands the phone to Stacy.
I’m coming through Whitall tonight. I’d love to have dinner with you. Can you make it? Stacy reads. She looks at Lauren. “How long did you say it’s been since you’ve seen her?”
“Seven years.”
She hands the phone back to Lauren. “Do you want to see her?”
Lauren feels sick to her stomach. “I don’t know anymore.” She sits on a chair and looks up at Stacy. “What should I do?”
Stacy sits next to her and shakes her head. “I don’t know what you should do. If it was me I would want to see her. I would want to know if there’s any chance that this could open the door for a relationship.”
Lauren leans onto her knees and puts her face in her hands. “Are you okay, babe?” She raises her head to see Gloria wearing a green sweatshirt covered with gingerbread boys and girls.
“My mom’s driving through Whitall and wants to meet me for dinner.” She says it almost as a question and not a statement.
Gloria sits on the other side of her and pats her leg. “Hard things. I know.”
“Just when things are going smoother in my life she has to show up.” She leans back in her chair and looks up at the ceiling. “She always knew how to ruin things. Of course she did it close to Christmas so she could ruin it.”
Gloria and Stacy exchange looks. “It is close to Christmas and she is family,” Gloria says. “She may not be ruining anything.”
“Right,” Stacy says. “How do you know she’s ruining your Christmas? This might be the first of many Christmases together.”
Gloria pats her on the back and moves to Heddy who is calling her from across the room, while Stacy returns to stacking chairs. “I’m supposed to have a couple of meetings tonight,” Lauren says.
“Meetings can be changed,” Stacy says, stacking the lyric sheets into a neat pile. “Mothers only drive through town once in a blue moon.”
“But this will be the second time these meetings have been changed.”
Stacy smiles and slips on her coat. “Well! Third time will be a charm.” She slips the lyric sheets into a manila folder and sighs. “I need to pick up my son from work. See you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here.” She can hear Stacy’s footsteps behind her as she looks at her phone, texting. I can be back in Whitall by 6:30. Does that work?
It only takes a moment for her mother to reply. Yep! Where do u want 2 eat?
Jake’s BBQ is new and just off the highway. Sound good?
Her phone buzzes in her hand and she reads, Sounds great! I’m sooooo excited 2 c u! I can’t believe my baby girl is all grown-up. It’s followed by seven smiley f
aces.
Lauren grabs her coat and her bag and heads to the front doors. “Have you decided?” Gloria asks.
She nods, pulling her bag onto her shoulder. “I’m meeting her.”
Gloria hugs her, squeezing the back of her neck. “I hope this dinner will bring you some peace of mind, babe.”
Lauren takes a step toward the doors and then turns back to Gloria. “What if she hasn’t changed?”
“What if she has?” Gloria waves, and Lauren pushes open the front doors, an icy blast hitting her in the face. What if her mother has changed? What if they can build a new life together? Lauren wonders if when she sees her mom the years of disappointment and anger and frustration will fade.
The hour back to Whitall goes quicker than she remembers and as she spots the flashing sign for Jake’s BBQ in the distance she realizes she hasn’t called Holly or e-mailed Laura or Mary Richards. Her heart races as she pulls into a parking spot and dials the number for Betty’s Bakery. She’s able to talk with Holly but makes the conversation quick, hurrying so she can find the e-mails for both Laura and Mary. She types, Dear Mary, I’m so sorry but I can’t come tonight. Something has come up that I didn’t know about until today. Can we please reschedule? She copies the e-mail before sending it to Mary and then pastes it into an e-mail for Laura and sends that one off, too.
Her heart is racing as she looks at herself in the rearview mirror and puts on lip gloss. She steps out into the wind and closes the car door. It’s 6:25 and time to look for her mother.
SEVENTEEN
Gloria spots an empty table at Betty’s and waves at Holly. “Better make it decaf,” she says, pushing the coffee cup toward the edge of the table. “Full lead would keep me up all night.”
Holly fills the cup and checks the creamer pitcher to make sure it’s full. “What are you doing in here this late? Is Marshall coming to meet you?”
Gloria stirs the cream into her coffee, shaking her head. “No. He’s finishing up some things at the store. I’m meeting someone here.”
Holly rests the coffeepot on her hip. “Do you want to wait to order?”
“I think I’ll just stick with coffee.” She pauses for a moment and leans over in her seat, looking at the bakery case. “You probably don’t have any of those chocolate cream cheese pastries left at this hour, right?”
“I actually think we do. Would you like one?”
Gloria crosses her arms, shaking her head. “No. I haven’t had my supper.” Holly steps away from the table when Gloria adds, “Warm it up just a bit before you bring it to me.”
* * *
Jake’s BBQ has filled up fast. Lauren checks the time on her phone: 6:30. She texts her mom, saying, I’m in a booth against the back wall.
As Lauren takes a sip of Coke her mom replies, Be there in just a couple of minutes.
Each time the front door opens Lauren turns to see who is walking into the lobby. Although it has been seven years she is convinced she would still recognize her mom. So far the people who’ve arrived are in pairs or groups, none are by themselves. To settle her nerves she reaches for her phone and checks e-mail, discovering that her e-mails to both Mary Richards and Laura have bounced back to her. She sends them again only to receive a bounce-back notification. She looks to the front door and wonders if she has enough time to call Holly at Betty’s. She looks back on her phone log and redials the number, hoping that Holly will answer. “Betty’s Bakery.”
It’s Holly’s voice! “Holly! It’s Lauren.”
“Hey! Are you meeting your mom?”
Lauren keeps her eyes on the door. “She should be here any minute. I know you won’t believe this, but I’m supposed to meet that same woman as before, Mary Richards, and a little later I’m meeting another woman named Laura there. I sent them e-mails but they keep bouncing back to me. If you see a woman waiting by herself would you please tell Mary that I can’t be there?”
“Sure. But I haven’t seen anyone that I don’t know yet.”
“Maybe she’s running as late as my mom. Thanks, Holly!”
* * *
At 6:50 Miriam walks into Betty’s and heads for the bathroom to straighten her hair and freshen her lipstick. When Gloria spots her she lifts a menu in front of her face but it’s too late. “Whatever are you doing here at this hour?” Miriam asks, removing her coat.
Gloria slaps the menu on the table. “Why is it that whenever you see me in Betty’s you always have this accusatory tone in your voice?”
Miriam looks at her watch. “Because by this time of night you and Marshall have already eaten and you are about to put on that pair of ridiculous pajamas that you wear! You are never seen at Betty’s at this hour eating a…” She taps the plate in front of Gloria. “What was that? A chocolate cream cheese pastry? At this hour? Have you eaten ‘supper’, as you call it?”
Gloria wipes her mouth and crumples the napkin, throwing it onto the empty plate. “Could I also say that you are never seen at Betty’s at this hour! What exactly are you doing here?”
Miriam folds her coat over her arm. “Grabbing a coffee.”
“At almost seven?” Gloria points her finger at her. “You’re up to something, Miriam Davies!”
Miriam pulls out a chair and sits down. “I was just about to say the same thing to you, Gloria Wilson! I mean, I know you love pastries but to eat one before your precious supper?” She leans across the table, staring at Gloria. “What is up with you? What are you doing here?”
* * *
Lauren checks the last text she received from her mom: Be there in just a minute. Took the wrong exit.
OK, Lauren had texted back. It’s the same exit for all the fast food chains and the city park.
Turning around. Be there in five.
Five minutes turns into ten and Lauren tries calling. No answer. She texts: Are you close?
Very. Needed gas.
What a stupid time to get gas, Lauren thinks. She thinks of Holly and feels bad for taking up this waitress’s table for so long without ordering. She asks for a barbecue sandwich and fries and a refill of Coke. She decides to text. I just ordered. Do you want me to order something for you?
No. Just about there.
* * *
“You seem disappointed to see me,” Miriam says.
“I was just thinking the same thing about you!”
Miriam presses her elbow into the table and points at Gloria. “You are here to meet that young woman from the Internet!” Gloria’s mouth opens wide as she gropes for words. “Aha! For once in your life you’re speechless so I know I’ve caught you!”
Gloria narrows her eyes looking at her. “You’re here to meet her too, Miriam! You have that little line of sweat on your upper lip that you always get when you’re caught at something.”
Miriam touches her lip, swiping away the moisture. “I told you not to meet her!”
“Since when do I take direction from you? And why are you allowed to meet her and not me?”
“Because I’m more street savvy than you!”
“Street savvy! You use words like ‘collywobbles’ and ‘bits and bobs’! Only someone at the intersection of Piccadilly Circus and Full of Hot Air Street would know what you’re talking about!”
Miriam sighs. “Out of curiosity I checked out her ad on Craigslist and found myself taken by her story.”
Gloria raises both her arms in the air. “It’s a Christmas miracle! Miriam has a heart!”
* * *
Lauren pushes aside her empty plate at 7:40 and reads the last texts between her and her mom.
It’s 7:15. Are you still getting gas?
Talking with the cashier. 2 mins.
7:20. Here yet?
Her mom never replied to the text and Lauren called again at 7:25. Her mom didn’t answer and Lauren didn’t leave a message.
“Would you like dessert?” Lauren looks up at the waitress and wishes for a moment that it was Holly.
“No. I’d just like to get out of
here.”
The waitress lays the bill on the table and says, “I can take it or you can pay at the front.”
She leaves cash on the table and grabs her coat.
* * *
“I can’t imagine what happened,” Gloria says. “She seemed excited to meet.”
“Maybe she looked through the window and saw you waiting in here and decided she didn’t like the look of the merchandise,” Miriam says.
“Or maybe she was running late and by the time she got here you were already sitting here and you looked too street savvy for her, scaring her off.”
Miriam waves her hand in the air, dismissing Gloria. “So now what? Should we explain to her that we know one another and just meet her together?”
Gloria nods. “If she still wants to meet. I’m sure several people responded to her. She might have gotten the times mixed up and was meeting someone else tonight.”
Miriam crosses her arms, looking at her. “So what did you cook for you and Marshall tonight?”
“Pot roast in the Crock-Pot.”
“With the potatoes and carrots in there with it?”
Gloria puts her coat on and ties a red scarf around her neck. “For crying out loud, Miriam! Why don’t you just say you’d like to come eat?”
“That would be rude, Gloria. But if you’re asking I think I’m free.”
Gloria reaches for her purse, shaking her head. “I really need to stop coming in here. Every time I come in to meet potential family members I keep running into you!”
They laugh that deep laugh that only friends can share, then leave together.
The Christmas Town Page 10