“Are we going to have angel wings?” Kristy Davis asked.
The music had stopped and it was clear that their attention span did as well. Clapping her hands together, she called out, “Okay! Good work today! I’m very proud of all of you. I want you to practice these new steps and be ready to move on next week.” She paused. “Dana? I’m sure Heather didn’t mean to step on your toe. Kristy? We haven’t designed the costumes yet but I don’t think we’ll have wings this time. And Ava? You may go and use the bathroom. Class dismissed!”
There was instant scurrying around the room as the girls ran to their mothers – or to the restroom – and everyone began talking at once. Abby took a few minutes to let the room clear out a bit – mainly killing time until she could talk to Dean about Maya joining the class. It didn’t take long and they actually walked across the room to approach her first.
She immediately smiled down at Maya. “So? What did you think?”
“I loved it! I want to be in your class! Did you see how I learned the steps? Did you see that I didn’t fall?”
Chuckling, Abby nodded. “You did a great job.” Then she looked up at Dean and saw that he looked a little...overwhelmed? Exhausted? Both. “So what did you think?” she asked him.
“Uh...” He looked down at Maya and then at Abby before focusing on his niece again. “Why don’t you go get some water and let me talk to Abby for a minute, okay?”
She nodded and they both watched as she danced across the room toward the water fountain. “She’s certainly enthusiastic.”
Nodding, Dean faced her and sighed. “I really appreciate you letting her participate today. That meant a lot to her.”
“I was happy to do it.”
“The thing is...I just don’t know how I’m going to do all of this yet,” he said quietly, his voice a little low and gruff. “I realize you and I don’t really know each other very well but...Maya’s mother...my sister...”
Reaching out, Abby put a hand on his arm to stop him. “Small town,” she said quietly. “And I think it’s wonderful that Maya has you.”
He nodded again. “Thanks.” Raking a hand through his hair, he continued. “I have to get her registered for school and settled in and...it all just seems so overwhelming. And on top of all of that, I have a job. I haven’t figured out how to handle her school schedule and my work schedule. From what I remember, there used to be afterschool programs for kids whose parents worked. I’m hoping that’s still the case. And that would mean she couldn’t get here for classes.”
Abby knew he was right and yet...she looked over and saw Maya practicing her first position in front of the mirror. The little girl’s face was serious and it was obvious she was determined to master the pose.
She looked back and Dean and hoped she wouldn’t scare him with what she was about to say. “What if I were Maya’s afterschool caregiver?” Before he could respond, she quickly went on. “I mean, like you said, we really don’t know each other, but I know that you have a lot on your plate just from the little bit you shared with me. You can see how much Maya wants to dance and even though I don’t have classes for her age group every day, I think she would get a kick out of hanging out here with me and watching the other classes.” She paused and waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, she added, “And on the days that I don’t have classes I can still watch her. I’ll pick her up at the bus stop and bring her to my place and you can pick her up after work.”
He was staring at her as if she’d lost her mind.
It took a full minute for Dean to finally speak and when he did, his voice was full of uncertainty and hesitation. “I...why would you want to do that?”
Shrugging, Abby gave him a sheepish grin. “I love her enthusiasm and I believe in helping out a friend.”
“We’re not...I mean...we don’t...” He seemed completely at a loss for words.
Her smile grew. “Everyone could use some new friends, right? So what do you say?”
He shook his head and sighed. For a minute, Abby was certain that he was going to turn her down but then Maya called out to show that she had indeed mastered first and second position and did the first three movements of the Christmas dance.
Abby saw Dean swallow hard before he faced her again. “I guess I say thank you and ask when you can start.”
****
Maya chatted the entire way home and it was a welcome distraction. She sounded happy and he knew that – for now – it was all he could ask for. They had so much to do when they got to his house and just thinking about it was enough to freak him out.
Pulling into his driveway, he spotted Josiah’s truck.
And several other cars.
What the...?
It was not even close to six o’clock. What was going on? He parked and helped Maya out and then walked up the front steps. The front door was slightly ajar and he heard voices. Walking in, Dean froze.
People were in his kitchen and from the sound of it, Josiah and a few other people were down the hall by the bedrooms.
“Uncle Dean? Who’s here?”
“Um...some friends,” he said distractedly.
Melanie – Josiah’s fiancé – came out of the kitchen with a big smile on her face. “Hey! Welcome home!” She gave Dean a hug and then crouched down and introduced herself to Maya.
“Um...what’s going on?” he asked.
She stood up and – if possible – smiled even brighter. “Come see!”
In his kitchen was Bev from the diner, Erika from the bookstore, Nikki from the ice cream parlor, along with Shari and Danielle from Doc McGuire’s office. “Surprise!” they cried, all smiling. They all were talking at once but from what Dean could tell, they had food shopped for him and prepared enough meals to get him and Maya through at least a week.
“I...I don’t know what to say,” he stammered, truly humbled by their thoughtfulness. This was more people than he’d ever had in his home and it was a little disconcerting.
“But that’s not all,” Melanie said, motioning for them to follow her down the hall. “I really hope you don’t mind that we took the initiative here, but...”
They stopped at the door to his guest room and beside him, Maya gasped. “Is this my room?”
“It sure is!” Melanie said. “I hope you like princesses!”
Maya nodded enthusiastically. “I do! I do! I really do!”
Dean stared in awe at the transformation. When he’d left for Pennsylvania two weeks ago, this room had bare walls that were painted a dingy white. There was no furniture or carpeting in that room and it held boxes and stuff that he just didn’t feel inclined to put into storage.
But now? Now there were pink walls and crisp white trim and curtains on the windows. He stepped further into the room and marveled at the artwork on the walls of several Disney princesses and the pink chandelier that hung from the ceiling.
He looked over at Josiah and...words escaped him.
As if sensing that, his friend walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “We thought you could use a hand. I didn’t want to say anything to you because I knew you’d try to talk me out of it and tell me that you didn’t want – or need – the help. But now, well...it’s just a few less things for you to think about.”
“I...I’m overwhelmed,” Dean said, his voice thick with emotion. Looking around the room he saw several of his friends standing there smiling, being supportive. “The whole ride home I thought about how much work it was going to take to give Maya a room that would make her feel at home and...and...”
“I know you’d do the same for me,” Josiah said quietly. After a quiet moment, he called out to everyone. “Now let’s get the trailer unloaded so these two can settle in.” Then he looked at Dean and smiled. “Pizza’s on the way too.”
And in that moment, Dean was incredibly grateful for the community of Silver Bell Falls. It felt good to be home.
Three
It was Maya’s first day of school and Dean was alread
y exhausted. Thinking about the long supplies list Maya’s teacher had handed him and the fact that it was only two weeks until Thanksgiving had Dean questioning how he was going to survive.
After his conversation with Abby on Thursday, they arranged for Maya to stay with her after school. The plan had been for Dean to pick his niece up before six. Looking at the clock, he saw it was after seven and he groaned. True, he’d texted Abby and let her know he’d been detained at work, but this certainly wasn’t the best way to start off this arrangement.
And there was still the school supplies shopping list and dinner and probably homework to get through.
How did people – parents – do this? He wondered, not for the first time today. And single parents in particular. It was as if you had to be at least two different people! No, make that three. You had to be mother and father and then you had to be yourself – the person who works and pays the bills and tries their best to hold onto their sanity.
Dean knew he was losing that battle for sure.
Pulling into Abby’s driveway, he felt himself sag with relief. He was here. Finally. And somehow, they’d get everything done. Maybe it wasn’t the best or the most organized way, but he’d be damn sure that Maya’s needs were met.
And then he would fall into bed and sleep.
And it would be glorious.
Wearily, he made his way up the front steps of Abby’s home and swore he could hear music and...laughing. There was a large picture window to the right of the doorway and he took a chance and stepped over to see if he could see inside. The sight before him made Dean feel like his heart was squeezing.
Abby was doing some sort of...spin. Twirl. Something. One leg was straight out in front of her and she was going around and around and around. Beside her, Maya was doing her best to mimic the move and she was smiling and laughing and...he sighed happily. She looked like a happy, carefree child rather than one who’d just lost her mom and had her entire life uprooted. She had on a pink leotard, ballet slippers and a tutu. Dean frowned slightly because he knew he hadn’t had a chance to purchase any of that yet. Maybe Abby had extras and lent them to Maya.
Deciding he was late enough, he stepped back over and rang the doorbell. The music instantly went off and before he knew it, Abby was opening the door with a smile on her face.
“Hey,” she said. “Come on in.”
Was her voice always that soft? Husky? He wondered. Clearing his throat, he thanked her and walked in.
“Uncle Dean! Look! Look!” Maya cried as she ran over to him. She stopped right in front of him and then spun around. “Look at my tutu! And my tights! And my leotard! And the slippers! I got everything!”
Crouching down, he smiled at her. “You sure did and you look just like a ballerina.” It was clearly the perfect thing to say because her entire face lit up with joy. “Did Abby lend these to you?”
Maya shook her head. “Uh-uh. She gave them to me! As a present!”
Dean made sure to keep his smile in place even as he glanced up at Abby. She blushed and immediately began moving around the living room picking up what he assumed were some of Maya’s things.
“A present, huh?” he asked his niece. “That was very nice of her.”
Maya nodded. “She said it was to welcome me to Silver Bell Falls!”
“Maya, why don’t you go and get changed back into your clothes and then we’ll get your school stuff packed up, okay?” Abby asked.
“But I want to stay in my ballerina clothes! Can I? Please?”
Dean was about to tell her that it wasn’t polite to argue, but Abby stepped over and responded like a pro.
“Our dance uniforms are just for that – dancing. If you wear them all the time, they won’t last as long and you risk spilling something on them and ruining them.” She paused and smiled as Maya seemed to be contemplating her words. “And you don’t want to ruin these already, do you?”
“No,” Maya said, her tone serious. “They’re too pretty. I’m gonna go change.” And just like that, she scampered off.
Dean stood as soon as Maya was out of the room. Facing Abby, he slid his hands into his pockets and smiled. “I’m impressed.”
She looked at him quizzically. “With what?”
“You got her to do what you wanted to do – even though she didn’t want to. How did you do that?”
“Ah,” Abby said, chuckling. “She’s going to be testing her boundaries with you for a while, I’m sure. But I’m not a parental figure, so I have it a little easier.” She turned and walked into the kitchen. Dean followed.
“So...um...how much do I owe you for the dance clothes?”
Without looking at him, Abby grabbed some potholders and opened the oven. Pulling out a covered roasting dish, she placed it on the counter before responding to him. “You don’t owe me anything, Dean. Like Maya said, they were a gift.”
“Abby,” he said softly, not wanting Maya to overhear them, “You’re already doing enough for us. You helped me out today and I’m sorry that I got here so late. I’m sure you have your own life to live and it looks like we held up your dinner.” He muttered a curse. “We’re not off to a very good start, are we?”
She considered him for a moment and motioned toward her kitchen table. “Why don’t you have a seat?” Dean did as she requested. “Can I get you something to drink?”
He shook his head. “We really should be going. I still have school supplies to get and dinner to make.” Hanging his head, he shook it again. “It’s going to get easier, right?” Dean heard the desperation in his voice and hated it.
Abby didn’t answer. Instead she moved around the kitchen and it took a minute for him to realize that the table was set for three and that...wait a minute. “Did you make dinner for us?” he asked incredulously.
Taking the seat beside him, Abby leaned in close to him. “Look,” she began quietly, “I grew up with a single mom. I know how hard it is. And yes, it’s going to get easier. But it’s going to take time. So if I can help, I’m going to.”
“Abby,” he said, surprising himself when he reached out and covered her hand with his, “I’m never going to learn if I never have to do anything. I can’t rely on you to take care of it all.”
Her smile was sweet and compassionate and...damn but her eyes were green, he thought. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? As a matter of fact, why hadn’t he noticed a lot of things about Abby before? He’d eaten at the diner enough that he knew a little about her – like that she was sweet and friendly and pretty. Dammit, he knew he was staring but...he couldn’t seem to make himself look away. She was beautiful.
Breathtaking, really.
“I’m not taking care of it all,” she replied, interrupting his thoughts. “I’m merely helping you get your bearings.”
“Abby...”
Slowly, she pulled her hand from his and stood up. “Okay, so the ballet clothes were a gift because Maya was going to need them for class today. I wanted her to feel good and fit in. And dinner because...well...I knew you were going to be late and I thought it would be nice. It’s not good to eat dinner late, especially for a child. And the school supplies...”
“Wait...you bought her school supplies?” he asked, a hint of indignation in his voice.
Unfazed, Abby began making their plates. “I did. After class, I had to go and look at something and we went to the store and got some supplies because Maya mentioned that she had homework. She was worried that she didn’t have the right paper or crayons so...” She shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
He jumped up and stalked over to her. “Well it’s a big deal to me! A very big deal! I know I got behind today, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m doing or that...that...I need someone bailing me out! Maya’s my responsibility, not yours, and I can damn well go and get her school supplies if she needs them!”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized he was overreacting. The correct response would have been to thank her – she
helped him out and he needed it. Raking a hand through his hair, he moved away and paced a little.
“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “I guess...this is all just overwhelming.”
Amazingly enough, Abby didn’t seem to be bothered at all by his outburst. “How about I’ll let you bail me out when I’m overwhelmed the next time?”
Dean noticed the smirk on her face and couldn’t help but smile. “Now you’re making fun of me.”
She laughed softly. “Maybe. Just a little.”
Clearing his throat, Dean relaxed a bit. “What did you have to go look at?”
Abby looked over her shoulder at him as she continued to make up their plates, confusion on her face.
“You mentioned going to look at something after class. What was it?”
Her shoulders sagged a little as she turned back to their dinner plates. “I’m trying to find a place for a real dance studio. Millie Taylor’s helping and today I went and looked at a building over on Second Avenue.”
“Was it any good?”
She shook her head. “I’m telling you –I don’t think I’m asking for much, but I can’t seem to find a building anywhere in Silver Bell that meets my criteria.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m just being too picky.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
With a shrug, she turned and began moving their plates to the table. She called out to Maya and within minutes the three of them were seated around the table.
“Uncle Dean, I helped Abby with dinner! I put the carrots and potatoes in the pan and Abby said I did a great job!”
And there it was again, that squeeze around his heart.
“...but Abby did all the work with the chicken,” Maya continued. “I thought it felt weird and I didn’t want to touch it. But Abby said it was okay.”
Looking over at Dean, Abby smiled. “I hope you like chicken.”
“I love it and I love it even more when I don’t have to cook it. Or when it’s not in a casserole,” he said with a wink.
“Ah...you got a bunch of food brought over, I take it,” she said.
“How did you know?”
Abby chuckled. “I work with Bev and she heads up the committee. Whenever there’s a family in need, there’s a group of ladies who make food – casseroles – and bring them over. It’s kind of sweet, really.” Then she paused. “Unless you don’t like casseroles.”
Christmas On Pointe (A Silver Bell Falls Holiday Novella) Page 4