She dabs her eyes with the napkin then looks at him. His voice and tone are sincere when he says, “You look like a raccoon,” and she bursts into laughter. She uses the napkin to wipe underneath her eyes and looks at him again. He makes a face and quickly shakes his head. “You might actually be making it worse,” he says, watching her rub away mascara and smear her eye shadow.
“Stop! I’m trying!” she says, laughing.
“First you ran away from me. Now I’ve made you cry. We’re never going to get past the awkwardness to an actual first date.”
She looks at him and her eyes are puffy and red and smeared with traces of black mascara. “You want to go on an actual first date?”
“Yes, if we could ever get past the running and the tears and the coffee shop filled with hipsters that make me feel awkward.” She giggles as the waiter brings their food and sets it in front of them. “Well, would you actually go out on a date with me somewhere? Anywhere except this coffee shop?”
She laughs and nods, picking up her sandwich. “Yeah. I actually would.”
“And would you pick up the phone and call Stacy or Miss Glory and let them know that you’re alive and coming back to Grandon?”
She covers her mouth as she replies. “I’ll tell them I’m alive.”
“And that you’re coming back to Grandon?”
She nods, chewing. “I was getting to that! And that I’m coming back to Grandon!”
Some things may never change but other things can be so completely different that they make the things that don’t change bearable. Somehow, that’s just enough to get her into tomorrow.
TWENTY-TWO
Miriam walks into the office at Glory’s Place and sets the box she purchased at Thrifty Seconds on the desk. She had wanted to show it to Gloria last night but she and Marshall were at an employee Christmas party for Wilson’s Department Store. She is taking off her coat and hat when she hears a scream behind her, making her jump, clutching her chest. “What is wrong with you, Gloria? You should never walk up behind someone and scream!”
Gloria is holding the box and staring at Miriam. “Where did this come from?”
Miriam straightens her sweater and brushes off her slacks, still annoyed at Gloria. “I bought it yesterday, hoping it could be a replacement for the one that you lost.” Gloria crosses to Miriam and grabs her face, kissing her on the forehead. “What is wrong with you, Gloria Wilson!”
“This is Cassondra’s box. The one that was taken to the dump. Where did you find it?”
“I found it at Thrifty Seconds. Another woman was looking at it and it caught my attention. As a matter of fact, she bought it and donated it to the auction.”
“You were in a thrift store?” Miriam nods her head in annoyance. “You always said that you felt like you were contracting hepatitis when you touched used merchandise.”
Miriam ignores her and points to the box. “This is the exact box?”
Gloria lifts the lid and looks inside the box, smiling. “Yes! It had this L scratched into the wood and this same verse on top.” She shakes her head in awe. “It wasn’t taken to the dump. It was taken to the thrift store!” She looks at Miriam. “Miriam, I didn’t think I would ever say this but you are an angel.” Miriam rolls her eyes. “It’s true! All this time I thought you were acerbic and pompous and really not much good for anything but I was wrong! You have single-handedly saved the auction for Cassondra. You are truly heaven-sent.”
Miriam puts up her hand and walks to the door. “Charm does not suit you, Gloria! All you had to do was say ‘thank you’.”
Gloria sticks her head out the door and yells after her. “Thank you, Miriam! You’re my hero!”
“That doesn’t work for you, either!”
Gloria laughs and yells for Heddy, waving her into the office. “Look what Miriam found!”
Heddy’s eyes are huge. “Where did she find it?”
“Okay, steady yourself … in a thrift store.”
“Miriam was in a thrift store?”
“That’s what I said! Yes, she was! This is the same woman who has never worn a used article of clothing on her body in her entire life or gone to a garage sale, but somehow she felt compelled to go to Thrifty Seconds!”
“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Heddy says.
They burst into laughter, and from outside the door they hear Miriam yell, “That’s more like you, Gloria!”
They laugh harder as Gloria hands the box to Heddy. “Take this home and guard it with your life!”
* * *
Cassondra is the first to spot Lauren when she walks into Glory’s Place and she runs to hug her. “Where have you been?”
“I got sidetracked,” Lauren says, squeezing her.
“Are you on track again?”
“I hope so.” Cassondra grabs her hand and leads her toward the rehearsal area.
“There you are!” Gloria says. “Is everything all right, babe?”
Lauren nods.
“She got sidetracked,” Cassondra says.
“Well, that happens to me on a daily basis,” Gloria says. She nods toward the rehearsal area. “The kids will be thrilled that you’re back.” She leans in, whispering. “You’ll never believe it but Cassondra’s box has been found!”
Lauren is amazed. “How,” she mouths so Cassondra can’t hear.
“A Christmas miracle,” Gloria says, smiling.
Cassondra tugs on Lauren’s hand, leading her toward several children, and they rush to her, giving her hugs. “I missed you guys,” Lauren says. “How have rehearsals been?”
“We still stink,” Caleb says.
“I don’t believe that’s true,” Lauren says. “Let me help Stacy get set up and then I can’t wait to hear how far you’ve come!”
Stacy stops setting up the chairs to welcome Lauren. “I got your message,” she says, hugging her. “We are so glad to have you back.” She crosses her arms, looking at her. “Was it your mom?” Lauren nods. “It didn’t go well?”
“She never showed up.”
Stacy sighs. “I’m sorry. You could have called me.”
Lauren knows that’s true and wishes that she had. “It was just a bad night all the way around.” She sits down and looks up at Stacy. “You’re going to think I’m stupid but I put an ad on Craigslist asking for a family at Christmas.” Stacy sits next to her. “Remember when I asked if you knew Mary Richards?” Stacy nods. “She responded to my ad and so did another lady named Laura. We tried to meet once before but it didn’t work out because I was out trying to find Larry’s house that day. So we set up a different time to meet and it was the night my mom wanted to get together for dinner. I tried sending them both an e-mail but it bounced back to me and when I called Holly at Betty’s she said that they didn’t show up.”
Stacy is quiet as she processes it all. “You’ve been communicating with these two women?”
“Through e-mail.”
“And they seem like honest, decent people?”
“I thought so but I’m not sure. They ask some really weird questions sometimes. They sound kind of crazy and unstable. I just can’t figure out why neither one of them showed up.”
“Have you heard anything from them?”
“They sent an e-mail. They wondered why I didn’t show up. I’m thinking they’re just a couple of stupid kids who are playing games with me. I mean, if they were really going to meet me, then why didn’t they show up? And what’s with all the weird questions? They keep wondering if I’m a murderer!”
Stacy smiles. “Something does sound weird although it is possible they just got the time wrong.”
“I don’t think so. We made it clear when we’d be there. I just feel stupid because I believed that my mom would show up and I believed that those women would show up. I’m embarrassed I told you. I should keep that to myself.”
“That’s not embarrassing!” Stacy thinks for a moment and looks at Lauren. “If I had seen your ad I would have responded. M
y kids would love to have another sibling and Lucy always tells me I’m so bossy that I should have had ten kids!” Lauren laughs and Stacy pats her leg. “You are officially invited to our house for Christmas and I won’t take no for an answer!”
“Thanks, Stacy.”
Stacy hugs her and says, “Who knew a car accident could be such a great thing!” She looks at her. “Are you going to try to get together with the women again?”
Lauren shakes her head. “No. Now it’s just weird.”
* * *
At the end of rehearsal Lauren helps the children gather their things and put on their coats, making a special effort to help Grayson. “Where’s your coat, Grayson?”
He shrugs, pulling the straps of his backpack over his shoulders. “At home, I guess.”
She leans over onto her knees, looking him in the eyes. “Heddy said coats were passed out in November. Where is yours?”
He looks sheepish and keeps his voice low. “Am I in trouble?”
“No! Not at all! It’s just that it’s been very cold and I never see you with a coat. You got one in November, right?” He shakes his head. “Why not?”
“I kept waiting to see if one had Spider-Man on it but none of them did. Then they were just all gone and I felt stupid and didn’t tell anybody.”
She puts her hand on his shoulder and squeezes it. “Grayson, Miss Glory would never want any of you to feel stupid. She would have had a coat in here the very next day if she had known.”
He lifts his shoulders. “It’s no big deal.”
Lauren remembers being given coats or boots or gloves through local ministries and organizations when she was a kid and feeling awkward and ashamed. She looks up and smiles at Grayson. “It looks like your mom is here.”
Several children hug her and wave good-bye and for a moment she can’t remember sitting alone in a booth at Jake’s BBQ and waiting for her mother. She just remembers the warmth of being loved here and the joy of tiny arms wrapped around her waist.
TWENTY-THREE
“Well, how is she?” Gloria asks, stacking chairs on top of tables at the end of the day.
“I think she’s okay,” Stacy says. “Her mom didn’t show up that night for dinner and that threw her into a tailspin.”
“Poor lamb,” Miriam says, wiping down the next table and spraying it with Lysol.
Stacy stacks chairs onto the table as Miriam moves to the next one. “On that same night she was supposed to meet two women for coffee at Betty’s Bakery but they never showed up. That didn’t help matters.”
Gloria freezes and Miriam gasps. “What do you mean, ‘she was supposed to meet two women’?” she asks.
Stacy moves to the next table and reaches to take the rag out of Miriam’s hand. She bends over the table, scrubbing it. “Lauren put an ad on Craigslist looking for a family at Christmas.” Miriam gasps again and her hand flies to her mouth. Stacy glances up at her. “I know. It’s heartbreaking to think she was that lonely and desperate for a family. Makes me sad to think about it. She’s so embarrassed and doesn’t want anyone to know so please don’t mention it.” She picks up a chair to set it on top of the table. “But two women answered her ad. Somebody named Laura.” Miriam makes a squeaking sound in the back of her throat like air being slowly released from a balloon. “And a woman named Mary Richards.” Gloria hangs her head and shakes it. “They told Lauren they showed up but they never did.”
Gloria hasn’t moved from the spot she was frozen in moments earlier. “How does she know that?”
Stacy stacks the last chair on the table. “Holly told her.” Gloria and Miriam stare at each other bug-eyed. “Lauren thinks it was some kids just playing a cruel joke on her.”
“No!” Miriam shouts. “I’m sure it wasn’t that!” Gloria pinches her arm and Miriam jerks it away.
“Who knows? It doesn’t matter now. Lauren said they seemed kind of crazy and unstable. Kept asking if she was a murderer.”
Gloria glares at Miriam. “I’m sure they’re not unstable,” she says.
“At least one of them isn’t,” Miriam says. Gloria pinches her again and Miriam pulls her arm away with a yelp.
Stacy puts the Lysol into the storage cabinet and closes it. “What do you mean?”
“We are—”
Gloria steps in front of Miriam, cutting her off. “Devastated for Lauren! I think we need to encourage her to set up another coffee with these ladies. Don’t you think that would be a good idea, Miriam?”
Miriam looks ashen; her mouth is gaping open. “Oh, yes! I think that’s a fabulous idea.”
“She said she doesn’t want to try to get together with them again,” Stacy says.
“But it’s Christmas!” Gloria says. “There could have been any number of reasons why they weren’t there. Uh, plumbing issues or charity work or late-night choir practice.”
“But they were there,” Miriam says. Gloria turns to Miriam, screwing up her face. “In spirit! I just know they were there in spirit. I’m certain of it. I mean, I feel it very deeply that they were there in spirit and would want to meet with Lauren again. They would definitely want to be there in person.” Gloria rolls her eyes and looks defeated.
Stacy crosses her arms, thinking. “You really think I should encourage her to try to get together with them again?”
Gloria raises her hand before Miriam can speak. “I do! I really do! She set out to find a family at Christmas and I truly believe that those two ladies are sincere. A bit daffy maybe—”
“Obnoxious,” Miriam says.
“Overbearing and clueless,” Gloria says, looking at her. “But sincere.”
Stacy walks toward her locker, opening it. “You may be right. After all, they responded to her listing and have been e-mailing her. It seems like a really far-fetched thing to be a joke from young kids. Don’t you think?”
“Absolutely! Definitely not a joke,” Gloria says.
Stacy puts on her coat and zips it up. “I need to run and pick up Ben but I’ll see you tomorrow!”
As she walks toward the door, Gloria yells after her, “Don’t forget to talk to Lauren!”
“Let’s make that meeting happen!” Miriam adds.
The door closes behind Stacy and Gloria turns to Miriam, throwing her arms in the air. “What is wrong with you?”
“I was very confused!” She rubs her arm. “And by the way, I am not a pincushion.”
Gloria walks to her locker and begins to gather her things. “And I am not obnoxious!”
Miriam slips on her coat and pulls the collar up around her neck. “Why didn’t we just tell Stacy the truth?”
“Because Lauren needs to know that someone saw her Craigslist ad and responded to it in all sincerity. You heard Stacy. Lauren is embarrassed and doesn’t want anyone to know. If she knew that we knew all about this then she would know that Stacy told us. If a meeting was set up she would think that we showed up out of pity just because Stacy told us.”
Miriam pulls on her gloves. “So why can’t Stacy know that we’re Mary Richards and Laura?”
Gloria puts her hand on her hip, sighing. “Because when she tries to set up the next meeting it might come across as too forced. This way, she’s a total innocent. I don’t want Lauren to think that any of it was a setup.”
“But it is a setup,” Miriam says, slipping her purse strap over her shoulder.
Gloria pulls her hat on her head. “Of course. But nobody knows that except us. We simply must make her believe that we are her family!”
There have been no birthdays or holidays celebrated together, no track meets or soccer matches or dance recitals attended, but they are family. Lauren’s happiness is fused with their happiness and her peace and joy are fused with theirs. Gloria and Miriam’s joy cannot be complete until they share it with those who have no happiness or joy or peace. If they can’t share their hope and love with someone at Christmas then why bother celebrating at all? To them it’s what Christmas is all about and as simple
as that.
TWENTY-FOUR
Gloria and Miriam sit at her kitchen table and stare at the computer screen. “Okay, now let’s get this right,” Gloria says. “How should we start it?”
Miriam nods, thinking. “Dear Kelly.”
Gloria waits for more. “That’s it? I could’ve come up with that.”
Miriam pats the air in front of her. “Just hold on. I’m getting something good.” Gloria keeps her fingers on the keyboard, waiting. Miriam nods. “We are not crazy people and would very much like to meet you.”
Gloria shakes her head. “Just saying that we are not crazy people proves that we are crazy people!”
“Well, what is your idea?”
Gloria begins to type.
We are so sorry that we missed you again. Our hearts are in the right place and we truly would like to meet you. We can tell by your e-mails that you are a bright and sincere young woman.
“Oh, I like that,” Miriam says. “That’s good. Ask her if she can find it within herself to try one more time.”
Gloria nods, typing again.
Christmas is our favorite time of year and we would be so honored if you would share it with us. We are not perfect people (as you are by now well aware), but we do have a lot of love to share, especially at Christmastime. Please forgive us for messing this up.
“Technically, we didn’t mess it up, Gloria.”
“We need to eat some crow and fix this.”
Miriam sighs. “I’ve never understood that expression. Sounds repulsive.” She points to the screen. “Ask if she’d like to set the next date.”
Gloria glances at her. “Good idea. We need to see if she really wants to meet. She shouldn’t feel pressured to do it.”
“But we do need Stacy to pressure her to set a date?”
“Absolutely.”
Miriam shakes her head. “This is still very confusing to me.”
“All of Grandon shakes its head at that revelation.” Gloria finishes the e-mail.
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