Champagne for Christmas

by Joachim Jean

  “Only you and me left, darling,” she said, resting her hand on his bicep.

  Clint turned. She grinned. Heat crept slowly into her face as she gazed at him. He poured a glass for her then for himself. “You’re flushed. How many have you had today?”

  “Dunno. Not keeping track.”

  “Maybe we should start.”

  Nina glanced at her watch. “Time for the turkey.”

  Clint took the heavy bird out of the oven, and Nina replaced it with casseroles of sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and green beans then closed the oven door. The turkey sat uncovered, and the delightful aroma of the roasted bird wafted through the apartment. Several guests glanced at the kitchen. Warm pumpkin and apple pies cooled by the window. Nina smiled at their hungry looks. Everything is perfect.

  She tucked her arm through Clint’s and rested her hand on his forearm. They joined the other guests. Happy sounds of people talking, laughing, nibbling, and drinking filled the air. Nina left Clint by the French doors, where he got roped into conversation with Arnie about football. A secret smile of pleasure graced her face.

  Fran sauntered over. “You didn’t waste time last summer, did you? Moved right in on him. He’s pretty impressive.” She nodded toward Clint.

  “He is, isn’t he? Not only his looks, Fran. You have to get to know him.”

  ‘He’s a school teacher, right?”

  Nina nodded.

  “How’s he dealing with your lifestyle?”

  “He’s adjusting. I hope.”

  “Hell, I’d be intimidated, too.”

  “I didn’t say he was intimidated.” Nina sipped her champagne.

  “Don’t split hairs. Who wouldn’t be?”

  Nina shifted her weight.

  “I should shut up,” Fran said, patting her friend’s arm. “I don’t mean to throw cold water on you. Enjoy it for however long it lasts.”

  I want it to last forever. Is that possible? Nina’s smile disappeared.

  “Damn. I didn’t mean to ruin your mood, sweetie.” Fran gave her friend a hug. “Let’s talk about something else. Loved his play. How’s he feel about the changes I suggested?”

  Nina sighed. “He resisted at first, but I think he’s coming around.”

  “Are you taking it to Norman?

  “I am.”

  “Only about the play?” Fran cocked an eyebrow at Nina.

  “Those days are over. Norman and I are friends now. Only friends.”

  “Norman never gives up a woman…willingly.”

  Nina’s back straightened. “I’ve walked away.”

  Sara wandered over, and Nina gave her a hug. “When are we eating? I’m starved.”

  “Right now. Come on,” she answered, walking swiftly to the kitchen, her hand in Sara’s, pulling her along.

  Fran coaxed the men to stop giving their opinions about the next Superbowl champion by describing the steaming platters of delicious food waiting. Clint was recruited to carve the bird while everyone sat down and passed around the vegetables, stuffing, and condiments. More champagne was poured. Before eating began, Nina stood up, and in her best stage voice, addressed her guests.

  “Wait, everyone. Wait! Since we have new guests this year…” Nina looked pointedly at Clint and Cory. “I’ll explain our tradition. Every year before we eat, we go around the table, and each person reveals at least one thing in their life they are thankful for. I’ll begin. I’m thankful to have Clint in my life, and now Cory, too, and all my wonderful friends.” Nina sat down and looked to her left. “Fran?”

  “I’m thankful to have Herb, my health, and Clint’s new play.” Fran raised her glass.

  “I’m thankful to have Fran, my health, and this wonderful meal,” Herb followed, making a sweeping gesture over the food.

  “I’m thankful to have Nina, who still considers me family, though Henry is gone,” Lena said, her eyes welling.

  “I’m thankful for Lena and Viagra,” Arnie announced, cracking up the whole table.

  “I’m thankful to be here, have my health, and have Shady in my life,” Sara said.

  “I’m thankful to be getting laid regularly…uh…I mean, to have Sara in my life.” Amid the laughter, Sara blushed deeply and elbowed Shady in the ribs.

  “I’m thankful Shady is Sara’s boyfriend and not mine!” Lark piped up.

  That brought another round of giggles.

  “I’m thankful to be here with my dad and have my health,” Cory said.

  “I’m thankful to have Nina in my life, Cory with me, and my health.” Clint reached over and took her hand in his.

  Everyone applauded and then began to eat. The sounds of silver knives and forks clinking together blended with the hum of people talking and eating. When Fran and Lena got up to serve the pie, the phone rang. Nina picked up her cordless and disappeared into the bedroom for privacy. She knew who was calling.

  “Darcy, my darling, how are you?”

  “Fine, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving. Do you have a big crowd this year?”

  “Only ten of us. How about you?”

  “Helen isn’t ready for big crowds, so we went to her mom and dad’s.”

  “That’s lovely. When you come here next year, I’ll show her how to make Thanksgiving for a large group.”

  “Ten isn’t many for you. Good news…”

  “Oh? Tell me!”

  “We’re coming for Christmas, if that’s okay with you.”

  “You are! Fabulous! Of course, that’s okay…it’s fantastic!”

  “I told Helen how great New York City is at Christmas, and she wanted to come. Her parents are coming, too, but they’ll stay in a hotel.”

  “Marvelous, dear. That’s such good news. You can meet Clint and Cory.”

  “Who?”

  “Haven’t I told you about him?” Nina pushed to her feet and paced.

  “No.”

  “He’s my…uh…boyfriend, I guess.”

  “Boyfriend? At your age?”

  “I’m forty-eight. Not so old. Not over the hill…yet.” She chuckled.

  “Mom, you’ll never be over the hill. So, who is this guy and is he good to you?”

  “He treats me like gold, Darcy. You’ll love him.”

  “We’ll see. Tell him if he hurts you, I’ll break his neck.”

  “Oh, Darcy,” Nina said into the phone, grinning.

  “I’ve gotta run. We’re flying in on December twenty-third, Mom, and leaving before New Year’s.”

  “Any time with you, dear, will be wonderful. Can’t wait to see Helen again, too, and her parents. We’ll have such a wonderful time! I’ll start planning tonight!”

  “Take it easy, Mom. Don’t have a heart attack or anything.”

  “Darcy Alexander Wells, don’t you get snide with me,” Nina joked in a serious tone.

  “Gotta go. Love you.”

  “See you soon, my love,” Nina said, before clicking off the phone.

  She slowly sank down on the bed, lost in thought, until a knock brought her back from her reverie. The door cracked open, and Clint poked his head in.

  “Everything all right?” he asked.

  “Darcy and Helen are coming for Christmas!” She clapped her hands together and smiled.

  Clint chuckled. “Guess it’s going to be a full house.”

  “My favorite thing. This is the best Thanksgiving ever,” she said, as Clint pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

  ****

  Instead of being exhausted the morning after Thanksgiving, Nina awoke full of energy. She slipped quietly out of bed at eight, leaving Clint sleeping, donned her silk robe, and padded into the kitchen to start coffee.

  With the scent of the fresh brew permeating the air around her, Nina curled up on the sofa with a pad and pen. There was so much to do for Christmas with Darcy and company coming.

  At nine o’clock, Cory came out of the guest room, yawning and scratching his head. He flopped down on the sofa next to Nina. “What’s the list for?” he a
sked, belting his robe tighter.

  “Christmas. My son and his wife are coming to visit, and there’s so much to do. I hope you’ll be joining us, too.”

  “Don’t know what my mother’s doing yet.”

  “Oh, of course. I hope you can come with your father.”

  “I beat the next two scenarios,” he said, changing the subject.

  “Wonderful! Does that mean you have a little time to help me out this morning?”

  Cory eyed her with suspicion.

  “Not cooking or doing dishes. I need you to help me pick out and bring home a Christmas tree. Maybe decorate it, too. Would you like that?”

  The boy nodded, a small smile stealing across his lips.

  “Mom doesn’t believe in Christmas trees. Says they’re bad for the environment.”

  “So, you don’t have a live tree? An artificial one, maybe?” Nina put her list down on the coffee table.

  “Nah. We usually go skiing. She says a tree is a waste of money.”

  “Is it okay to help me with one?”

  “Yeah. She’ll never know.” Cory sat forward, clasping his hands together.

  “Let’s get some breakfast and get started.”

  He turned instinctively toward the bedroom. “Where’s Dad?”

  “Still sleeping. “

  “Is he going to work on the play today?”

  “Probably.” Nina pushed to her feet.

  “Not if he doesn’t get up,” Cory said, rising and moving toward the bedroom.

  “Cory, wait!” She reached out to him, but he was too far away.

  The boy entered the room before Nina could stop him.

  He took a dive onto the bed, landing next to his father, who awoke with a start. Cory was laughing and hitting Clint with a pillow. Clint’s face clouded at first then he snatched another pillow and pummeled his son, who was laughing too hard to fight back. Then, Clint grabbed him and hugged him, so Cory took the pillow and batted his father in the back of the head.

  Nina stood in the doorway, watching them wrestle. They’re so cute together. He’d be mad if I called him cute…but he is! “I thought Cory could help me with a Christmas tree while you work on the play.”

  “Good. You two go off and do that. I’ll get to work. I think I can wrap it up in about five hours.” Clint rubbed his hand over the two-day stubble on his chin.

  “We’re going to get the biggest tree we can find!”

  The boy’s eyes lit up. Nina turned toward the kitchen with Cory right behind.

  “Turkey omelet?” Nina asked over her shoulder, hiding her smile.

  “Oh, gross!”

  “Just kidding!” Nina pulled out a pan and fried up some eggs.

  By eleven o’clock, Nina and Cory had returned, interrupting Clint working in the living room. A rush of cold air swept over him, bringing his attention to the open front door, where the twosome were hauling in the biggest Christmas tree they could carry.

  “Where did you find that behemoth?” he asked, rising from the sofa and joining them.

  He took over Nina’s end and hauled the nine foot tree into the apartment. Cory put down his end and opened a bag he was carrying. “The stand,” the boy explained.

  Nina made hot chocolate for the three of them while the men set up the tree. When they were done, they lounged on the sofa to watch the branches slowly fall into position.

  “Some tree,” Clint commented.

  “Never seen one like it,” Cory added.

  “It’s magnificent. While the branches are settling, we need to haul out the ornaments and maybe shop for some new ones. Would you help me Cory?”

  “Sure.”

  The day passed quietly, with Clint working in the bedroom on the play, and Nina and Cory preparing to decorate the tree. Nina fondly recalled days spent with Darcy doing the same thing. Don’t get attached. He won’t, he can’t, be part of your Christmas, and Darcy will be here.

  But she couldn’t help feeling drawn to the boy. Although not very talkative, Cory took his time, thinking about where each ornament should go. Together, they unwrapped and connected string after string of lights into one absurdly long rope of the hundreds of lights necessary to cover the monstrous tree. She put her Bing Crosby Christmas album on and sang along with his rendition of “White Christmas.”

  Family ornaments she’d owned for twenty years stirred emotions in her. Tears pricked at her eyes several times, as she unwrapped ornaments from Darcy’s youth or special ones Henry had given her over the years.

  There was the white and silver glittery star Henry had gifted her on their first anniversary. Then, she found the box with four Steuben glass animals. Those had been for their fifth. One had broken, but the other three were in good condition. There was a smiling Santa face she had bought for Henry one year, when he was feeling grumpy because the stock market was down.

  So many memories were living in that dusty, cardboard box housing the exquisite and delicate balls, stars, and creatures that hung proudly every year. There was an ornament for every five-year anniversary and for every year of Darcy’s life until he turned seven and objected to the “baby” ornaments with his name on them.

  Unwrapping the decorations brought reminders of happier times, of another era, when she was a wife and spent her days caring for her child. Will Clint and I be building memories for a future together or only for today?

  Nina left the room more than once, retreating to the kitchen to hide her tears. Cory never said a word about her fast exits.

  “Time for a break,” she said, carrying a dish piled high with turkey sandwiches. “Would you get your father, please?”

  Cory got up and went to the bedroom. “Come on, Dad. Food.”

  “Okay, okay, let me finish this sentence,” Clint said.

  “Clint…come eat!” Nina called from the living room.

  “All right, all right, I’m coming,” he responded.

  Nina placed the tray on the coffee table along with a small bowl of sour pickles, celery, and carrot sticks. They each took one and a plate.

  “Did you fit the grandma in?” Nina asked, before bringing her sandwich up to her mouth for a bite.

  “I did. She’s very funny. When’ll you be done here? I’d like you to go over the pages.”

  “Why don’t we make a switch? The top of the tree is too high for me, so I’ll go over the pages while you and Cory finish.”

  “How tall are you?” Cory asked.

  “Five three.”

  He laughed. “Dad is almost a foot taller than you.”

  She cocked her head at Clint.

  “The boy’s right. I’m six one.”

  “So, will you help out this short lady and do the top of the tree?”

  “Deal.” He leaned over to kiss her between bites of his food.

  ****

  Clint pulled a stepladder out of a closet. Nina made herself comfortable on the bed. While the men worked, their conversation was occasionally interrupted by peals of laughter from the bedroom.

  Cory took the lights to the top of the tree and wound them loosely down until the last bulb was in place.

  “Guess your comedy idea worked,” Cory remarked, stepping back to examine his effort.

  “Not necessarily. Nina likes everything I write. Nice job.”

  “Thanks. So, you’re saying she isn’t a good judge?”

  Clint stepped on the little ladder while holding a glass ornament from Tiffany’s in his hand. “I’m not saying that. It’s like, you know, when someone loves you, they aren’t completely impartial.” He placed the ball on a limb at the top.

  “I get it. That should be over to the left more, Dad.”

  “Good,” Clint said, relief evident on his face as he carefully placed the ornament where Cory suggested.

  Nina came out of the bedroom with the play under her arm, chuckling. “I love what you’ve done with the grandmother. It’s priceless.”

  “Any suggestions,” Clint called out, his back to
her.

  “A few.”

  He stepped down the ladder. At the bottom, he turned to face her. “A few?”

  “You know I always have to put my two cents in.”

  “Half this play is your two cents…or intuition...”

  “Or experience,” she put in.

  “I have a scenario I’m working on if you two want to work,” Cory said, backing toward the guest room.

  “Fine, son. Promise I’ll be done here soon.”

  After an hour of discussing, arguing, laughing, and compromising, Clint had made his final changes to the play, with Nina’s approval.

  “Why don’t you take Cory out to eat tonight?”

  “Only Cory and me?”

  She nodded. “Guy time.”

  “Our other Thanksgiving tradition is to see some raunchy R-rated comedy together. I think there’s a Harold & Kumar movie playing. I know he’d like to see it. Don’t worry, there’s nothing there he doesn’t already know,” Clint said, raising his palms to her.

  “You two can do that one without me. I have some cards to write. I don’t mind eating turkey again. Go out and have fun.”

  Clint called to Cory and made him the offer.

  “No leftovers? That’s the point of this meal, isn’t it? Geez, Dad. Every year we eat out and no leftovers…and now, you want me to ditch the leftovers to eat in some restaurant?”

  “Okay. Let’s eat here then we’ll go to the movie. Nina doesn’t want to go. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Cory said, smiling.

  The three gathered the leftovers from the refrigerator, reheated some in the oven, some in the microwave, and re-created Thanksgiving dinner. Cory tucked into the food and managed to eat more the second time than he ate the first. Nina’s eyes grew wide watching him as she tried to hide a giggle.

  ****

  After they went out, Nina poured herself a glass of red wine and went to her desk.

  In a drawer, she had a bundle of letters and cards. Thanksgiving cards were where the members of her set put their holiday invitations. Although her social life had quieted down considerably since Henry died, she was still on several guest lists. Perhaps it was because of her theater background. A good hostess doesn’t want to have all bankers and business people to their gatherings. They need creative people to bring some uninhibited fun.