The Patricia Kiyono Christmas Collection

by Patricia Kiyono

  The angel had been collecting dust in her corner hutch, and Helen didn’t even remember where it came from. Still, she wasn’t going to let it go for nothing. She walked over to examine the angel. Elsie had a habit of squeezing every dime until it howled in pain. She gave herself a mental shake to clear her head and scowled at her old friend.

  “How much do you think it’s worth?”

  “Hmm. The paint is a little chipped over here. How about a dime?”

  Helen frowned and stared until the woman squirmed. “Okay, maybe a quarter.”

  Helen shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  “Fifty cents, then.”

  Helen crossed her arms and glared. “Did you see the name printed on the bottom?”

  Elsie tipped the figurine over. “I don’t recognize this. Is it supposed to be something famous?”

  “You’ve never heard of this store? It’s in the mall. Very exclusive.”

  “Oh, all right. Seventy-five cents. That’s my final offer.”

  “Make it a dollar and we have a deal.”

  The elderly woman pouted, but she pulled a twenty dollar bill out of her wallet. “Do you have change?”

  The morning had been quite busy. Oddly, Helen hadn’t experienced any of the sadness she’d expected at letting go of her things. Instead, she’d felt energized and empowered. Her closets and drawers looked neater now that they weren’t stuffed with things she never wore. When she’d finished with the bedroom she’d found furniture and other things she didn’t need or want any more. End tables, lamps, pictures, an extra artificial Christmas tree — it was amazing how much she’d accumulated. It had been difficult boxing up Joe’s books on horticulture and some of his mysteries, but she’d never read them. Best for them to go to someone who wanted them.

  “It’s not really about making money,” Bonnie told her. “It’s about clearing out our stuff so we have room to breathe. And it’s kind of a social thing, too, because everyone comes over to check out your things, and maybe go home with one or two. In the meantime, hopefully we’ll have enough extra cash for a little treat.”

  The way things were going today, they’d all be able to afford a nice treat. Neighbors had been coming and going all day long. Some came just to browse, but many left with items. Nancy kept a detailed list of everything that sold and who the money went to. They’d color-coded the price tags to make the job easier. Helen’s items were labeled with a yellow sticker, Nancy’s with green, and Bonnie’s with red.

  Sophie Gardner arrived. “Good morning, Helen,” she called.

  “Good morning, Sophie. Do you have the weekend off?”

  “I do. We start rehearsing for the new show next week.”

  A tiny blonde peeked out from behind Sophie. “Hi, Mrs. DeGroot.”

  “Well, hello there. Are you Sophie’s helper today?” Helen cast a smile at Angie Carson, who remained close to Sophie’s side. Angie’s father Mitch and Sophie had been dating for about a year, and Helen was among those who guessed they would soon make an announcement.

  “Angie and I are spending the day together,” Sophie answered. “Her father is busy with Christmas photos. He’s running a Christmas card special.”

  “I’m glad he’s keeping busy. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a photographer in town.”

  “We thought we’d see if you had anything I could use for props in the show we’re doing next month.”

  “I hope so. What are you looking for?”

  Sophie pulled a notebook out of her purse and flipped to the page she needed. “I need a rocking chair, a lamp, and a couple of thick books.”

  “I think I can help you with all three.”

  Ten minutes later, Sophie had the items she needed. “It’s a good thing I brought Mitch’s SUV with me instead of my little car,” she said as she paid for them.

  “Let me help you take them out to the car,” Helen offered.

  “No, let me help.” Mike appeared suddenly and picked up the rocker. He helped load everything into the SUV.

  “Looks like you have a great crowd,” Mike observed when he came back into the garage. “You picked a great day to have your sale.”

  Helen fought to avoid staring with puppy dog eyes. She felt like a teenager every time she looked at him. Hopefully she didn’t act like one.

  “Yes, it’s been busy all day. I hope we’re not making too much noise for you. I know you have to get your writing done.”

  “Not at all. I thought I’d go for a walk and saw all the people shopping in here. I just stopped to see if you need any help.”

  “I don’t think so—”

  “Mr. Sikkema? Could I ask you to help me carry this bed and end table to Mrs. Crawley’s van?” Bonnie waved him over. Another of Helen’s neighbors beamed, apparently the proud new owner of the furniture from Helen’s guest room. Helen wanted to hug the woman — now she’d be able to have a nice sewing room. Until she had to move, that is. Her excitement suddenly deflated.

  “Of course.” Mike obliged, and Helen hoped her gaze at the man’s backside wasn’t noticed. He’d certainly kept himself fit. How did he do that if he worked in an office?

  Nancy stared at her, her lips curved in a knowing smirk. She gave an enthusiastic thumbs up before helping the next customer. Helen’s face burned. Good grief, she must look like an adolescent. Pining away after a man — a younger man, no less.

  She took a deep breath then busied herself straightening the items remaining on the tables.

  ~~~~

  Mike had come outside intending to go for a walk, but the sheer number of people coming to shop in Helen’s garage made him stop and offer to help. He recognized Bonnie from when he had come to look at the apartment. The other lady handling the cash box must be the older son’s wife. She seemed to have that under control.

  For the next few hours, he helped people take things to their cars, held dogs and even babies while their moms shopped, and chatted with the general public. The people of Zutphen Community Church had been quite welcoming when he’d first arrived, and they were equally as friendly in this setting. Everyone knew everyone else, and conversations sprang up in all corners of the garage, as well as up and down the driveway and along the street. Now and then a neighbor would haul in something they wanted to get rid of, and Nancy would accommodate them by labeling it with the seller’s name and asking price. By the time the ladies decided to call it a day, it seemed there was as much as when they had started, but the full cash box and five pages of notes told of a successful day. They would begin again the next morning.

  He’d always wondered why people bothered having these sales. His friends who lived in suburban Chicago would sometimes hold them. It seemed like a lot of work for the few dollars they might bring in. But here in Zutphen it was more like a community event. People didn’t come merely to shop — they came to socialize. Some possibly came to find out what Helen and her daughters-in-law were getting rid of or to get a bargain. But most came with genuine smiles and chatted as they browsed. It was a good feeling.

  Like coming home.

  Had he found a place — and a woman — that would remain in his heart for always?

  Chapter Eleven

  Helen finished rearranging her curios above the wooden valance in her kitchen. The little porcelain figurines had been in the cabinet that she’d sold in her garage sale. These pieces, given to her by her Oma so many years ago, were all that were left of the collection she’d started as a girl. She couldn’t part with these. But now that the cabinet was gone, she needed to find a new home for them, and this would work — for now.

  Maybe the kids had been right about the clutter. Her closets weren’t quite so full anymore, and several rooms seemed more… roomy. Still, she didn’t feel ready to leave.

  Her phone rang just as she got down from her step stool.

  “Hello?”

  “Helen, this is Donna VanDoorn. Did I call at a bad time? You sound out of breath.”

  “No,
I just got down from a ladder. What can I do for you?”

  “Helen DeGroot, what on earth are you doing on a ladder when you’re all alone? What if you fell and couldn’t reach the phone?”

  “Relax. I was on a two-step step stool. Nothing high. I’m just fine.”

  “Hmpf. I still think you need to get those boys of yours to help out more. Good thing you’ve got the pastor’s brother there to help around the yard. It was looking pretty dismal.”

  Trust Donna to call it like she sees it. “Yes, he’s very helpful. Now, is there something I can do for you?”

  “Oh! Yes, I want you to come to Mackinac Island with me this weekend.”

  “Goodness, a trip to Mackinac in October? Isn’t it a little late in the year to go there?”

  “No, it’ll be fun. There won’t be so many tourists clogging up the shops and the horse and buggy rides. Besides, there’s ballroom dancing and a Murder Mystery party.”

  “How are you getting there? Do you have reservations?”

  “Yes, Sandy Ettema and I have tickets with the Senior Bus Tours out of Holland. It leaves on Thursday and comes back on Saturday. The bus picks us up in Zutphen at the high school, so it’s really convenient.”

  “A bus trip? Day after tomorrow?”

  “Right. I know it’s short notice, but Sandy just called and needs to cancel. Her mother is having emergency surgery and Sandy needs to fly out to Iowa tonight.”

  “How awful for Sandy. But I really can’t afford it.”

  “Sure you can. Sandy already paid for the seat, and she said she’d only get half of her money back from the travel agency. If you take her place, she said she’ll be happy if you just give her the other half.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Look, you’ve got a new renter, and you just had a huge garage sale. Spend some of that extra money on yourself, for goodness sake!”

  The woman had a point. It had been a long time since she’d traveled, and even longer since she’d done anything for fun. Could she do it?

  “Come on, Helen. It’ll be fun.” Donna cajoled. “We leave on Thursday morning, so you won’t miss your rehearsal at church on Wednesday night. We’ll get back on Saturday evening. There’s no reason why you can’t go. Sandy said she’d even wait if you can’t pay for it right away.”

  Helen hesitated. The bus trip to Mackinac Island sounded like a great time. As Martha pointed out, the popular tourist destination wouldn’t be quite as crowded in October as it was in the summertime. And the Murder Mystery Weekend sounded like fun.

  “Let me think about it, okay? I’ll call you back later this afternoon.”

  “All right. I hope you can go.”

  Maybe she should ask Paul if it was a good idea…

  As soon as that thought crossed her mind she discarded it. Paul would talk her out of it, whether she could afford it or not. Howard Tillema, her financial planner, would be a better choice. Joe had chosen him to handle their finances when he’d retired, and he’d done well by them. She hadn’t seen him in quite some time, other than to go in and sign papers now and then. Yes, she’d call Howard. She looked up his number and dialed. Luckily, Howard answered on the second ring.

  “Heritage Financial Services.”

  “Howard, this is Helen DeGroot. How are you?”

  “Helen, it’s good to hear from you. What can I do for you today?”

  “Well, I have a chance to join a bus trip to Mackinac Island later this week and I want to know if I can afford it.”

  “You can afford it.”

  Helen laughed. “Howard, I haven’t told you how much it costs yet!”

  “Doesn’t matter. You could go on a cruise, a European tour, or an African safari and it wouldn’t make a dent in your standard of living.”

  “You’ve got to be joking. I know Joe didn’t make that much money. He was always saving for a rainy day.”

  “And that’s exactly why you have more than enough money to go anywhere you want.”

  “I asked Paul if there was enough for me to buy a new couch last spring. He said I needed to be careful or I’d run out.”

  Howard muttered something about Paul, but Helen didn’t quite catch what he said.

  “So you’re saying if I take a thousand or so out I’ll still be all right?”

  “Absolutely. Take an extra couple hundred with you — the prices there are high, and you’ll want money for souvenirs and fudge and whatnot.”

  “Really? You’re sure there’s enough?”

  Howard sighed. “Helen, don’t you look at those statements I give you when you come in to sign your papers?”

  “No, not really. I just send them home with Paul for safekeeping.”

  “And he doesn’t discuss them with you?”

  “No. But then, I don’t really ask.”

  “Helen, do you have some free time this afternoon? Say around two o’clock?”

  She checked her calendar. “I think so.”

  ~~~~

  A few hours later Helen sat in Howard’s office, her mind reeling with the numbers Howard showed her. Was it true she had this much money in the bank?

  “You can take these copies with you,” Howard explained. “I can always access your accounts online. But these are the totals right now.”

  “But… but that’s impossible,” Helen insisted. “How can I get this much each month? That sounds like so much money. Paul must be right. The house costs way too much money to upkeep. I should move to a smaller place so I can have more fun money.”

  “I don’t understand why your costs are so high. Your house isn’t that large, and Joe installed new insulation and a new roof before he died. You don’t have a pool, and your yard isn’t that big. There should be plenty left over after the bills are paid.”

  “I’ve been cutting back on extras — cable television, lawn care and snow removal, the land line phone, membership at the gym, my road service—”

  “You gave up road service on your car? Why would you do that?”

  “Paul said it was another thing I could cut back on. Thank goodness Mike Sikkema came along when I ran out of gas last week.”

  Howard muttered under his breath. “Helen, some of these are things you should not have to do without. While I think it’s wonderful that your sons are helping you, it’s your money, and you should know where it’s going. Something is eating up your budget, and I want to help you find out what it is. If you want me to.”

  “I would love it if you could help me. I don’t think I’m poor or anything, but if I’m being wasteful somehow I’d like to know.”

  “Can you bring your bank statements here sometime next week? We can go over them together. Maybe we can figure out why you’re running short. Honestly, Helen, I know how much you get each month. Your house is paid for, so there’s no mortgage. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be plenty left over for whatever you want to do, within reason.”

  “I… don’t have the statements. I always give them to Paul without opening them. He takes care of it all and gives me cash for my spending money each week.”

  Howard frowned and bit his lip. Was he going to reprimand her for being so clueless about her own finances? Finally he sighed. “Can you get the statements from Paul?”

  “I think so. Wait, he’s out of town for a few days.”

  “You can get them from the bank. They’ll print them out for you.”

  “Really? That’s good to know. If I can’t get them from Paul on Sunday, I’ll go to the bank and ask. When would you like to go over them with me?”

  “I’ve got some time next Thursday morning. How about ten o’clock? I’d like to get this cleared up. I don’t like the thought of you going without because of money shortage. I promised Joe I’d see to it you were set financially. He was a good friend, and I like to keep my promises.”

  Helen couldn’t speak for a while she was so overcome with emotion. Her Joe had been an honest businessman and loyal friend, and that inspired loyalties
in his friends. She couldn’t have had a better husband. “Thank you, Howard. I’ll get those statements from Paul on Sunday, and if he doesn’t have them, I’ll stop at the bank. Thank you so much!”

  “You’re welcome. Have a great time.”

  She left, happy she’d be able to repay Sandy for the trip and eager to start taking more control of her own affairs. The extra withdrawal from her investments wouldn’t come for another week or so, but since Sandy had already paid for the trip, she would go and then pay Sandy back when she got the check.

  How had she gotten to this point where she didn’t have any idea of her finances? It had been a gradual thing, she supposed. Joe had taken care of them, but he always discussed things with her. She knew how to write checks and balance the checkbook. She knew how to budget. After Joe died suddenly, she’d been in a haze and her bills had gone unpaid, simply because she hadn’t had the presence of mind to open her mail or respond to emails. Finally, Paul had taken her to the bank to have himself added to her account, telling her that he would take care of her bills so that she wouldn’t have to. She’d agreed simply because it was one less thing for her to worry about. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to let go of that power.

  She spared a moment to wonder where her money was going. Was Paul right in that she was being too extravagant? The house was kind of big for one person. But she’d spent the past thirty years there. She’d chosen every piece of furniture, every nick-knack, and every paint color. How could she leave it all? Well, with Mike moved into the apartment, she had more time to make arrangements to move. If she really needed to.

  She got home to find her new tenant making himself useful. Mike was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt and was cutting the hedges along the side of the house.

  “Good afternoon. I don’t remember grounds keeping as part of our rental agreement, but I’m very grateful for your help.”

  Mike laughed. “I enjoy working outdoors. I’m not much of a gardener, but I noticed the shrubs are getting a little large. If I cut them back, then I won’t brush against them when I’m heading to my apartment.”