“Not since lunch, but I suspect she’s in her room. Everyone seems to take naps after lunch.” He shook his head in a gloomy way. “It’s sure not easy being stuck here with a bunch of worn-out old people.” He smiled. “But now you’re here. Want to play a little rummy?”
“Not unless you have a little rum to go with it,” she teased.
He shook his head. “We’re not allowed to imbibe here. Darn shame too. I think some of these folks might brighten up with a nip of something good in their Ovaltine.”
“You’re probably right.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Catch you later.”
“You won’t have to run too fast to catch me,” he called as she took off toward Nana’s room.
When she arrived, she knocked eagerly on the door.
“Why, Kendall,” said Nana as she opened it. “What are you doing here? I hope you’re not going to beg for money, because Kate told me to tell you no.”
“I just came to say hello,” said Kendall. She flopped down on her grandmother’s love seat and smiled.
Nana eased herself into her recliner and narrowed her eyes, studying Kendall carefully. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she finally said.
Kendall shook her head. “No. Nothing’s wrong. But I had hoped to make it here in time for lunch. I’m starving.”
“I’ve got some graham crackers in the cupboard,” said Nana. “And a few other things. Help yourself, although it’s not much. I haven’t been to the store in a while.”
Kendall found what was left of the graham crackers and took a bite. “Oh, Nana,” she said in disgust. “These are stale.” Then she got an idea. “Why don’t I take you to get some groceries?”
Nana looked surprised. “Right now?”
“If you want. I could pick up some things too.”
“Well, I usually take my nap, but I wouldn’t mind getting out.” Nana pushed herself up out of her chair. “What are we waiting for?”
Before long they were cruising the aisles of a nearby Safeway. With Christmas music playing in the background, Kendall happily filled the cart with all kinds of things that Nana seemed to want. Of course, Kendall knew these wouldn’t fit into Nana’s cupboards, but Kendall could relieve her of the surplus.
“Goodness,” said Nana as they waited in the checkout line. “How did we manage to gather up all that?”
“I guess we just like to shop.” Kendall laughed. “Or maybe you’re planning to entertain over the holidays.”
“Your sister Kate invited me to her house for Christmas.” Nana made a face. “But I don’t know that I’ll go.”
“You could come to my house,” offered Kendall. Although she felt fairly sure that Nana would decline this invitation too. “We’re having a Christmas Eve party.”
Nana seemed to consider this. “A Christmas Eve party? At my old house?”
Kendall nodded.
“I’d love to come.”
“Well, okay then.”
“I’ll have to remember to sign up for shuttle service,” said Nana as the clerk began to ring up their purchases. “Unless you want to come get me.”
“Oh, shuttle service would be nice,” said Kendall. “I mean since I’m helping with that party. I should probably stick around, you know?”
Nana smiled. “A Christmas party at my old house. I think I’ll enjoy that.”
“With real eggnog,” said Kendall.
“I hope I can find something festive to wear,” said Nana. Then, without even looking at the total, Nana handed the cashier her debit card. Kendall was actually surprised to see that groceries cost so much. But then she didn’t usually shop for them herself.
She felt slightly guilty as she loaded the bags into the car. But then she rationalized that she’d done Nana a favor by bringing her to the store. Surely that was worth something in return.
“Oh, look at the cute doggies in the window,” said Nana as they were about to get into the car. She pointed to the pet shop next to the grocery store. “I just love little dogs, don’t you?”
Kendall looked over to see a brown Chihuahua along with another small dog—a white fluffy one that looked kind of like Kendall’s bedroom slippers, but not pink. She paused with her hand on the car door, staring at the dog and trying to figure out why it seemed familiar. Then she remembered Heidi Hardwick’s little white dog, the one with the blue rhinestone collar. “Want to go look at the dogs?” she asked Nana.
“Oh, could we?” Nana sounded like a little girl now. But then Kendall knew that Nana had always loved dogs and cats. One of the hardest parts of moving to the nursing home was leaving her pets behind. Kendall didn’t like to think about that. Part of the deal for taking on her grandmother’s house had been to look after the last of Nana’s pets, an old cat named Clara Belle. But Clara Belle had a serious incontinence problem and, after numerous accidents, Kendall took her to the vet and was informed that Clara Belle had some kind of kidney disease. The kindest thing, it seemed for both Kendall and the cat, was to put her down. Naturally, Kendall didn’t tell Nana about this until months later. She reasoned that it would only make Nana’s transition to the nursing home more difficult. When she finally told her about Clara Belle, she said the cat had died in her sleep. And wasn’t that true?
“Oh, you little darlings,” gushed Nana when the pet shop girl put the two little dogs down in a contained play area where they could look at them. “Oh, I’d take both of you home with me if I could get you past the security guard.”
“She lives in a nursing home,” explained Kendall. Then she reached down and picked up the white fluffy dog. She was surprised at how soft the dog’s coat felt. Sure, the dog smelled kind of funny, but it probably hadn’t been bathed recently. “What kind of dog is this?” she asked the girl.
“Maltese.”
“Maltese?” Kendall considered this. Was that anything like the Maltese Falcon? She had really liked that movie but couldn’t quite make a connection between the dog and it. “Boy or girl?” she asked now.
“Female. She’s about six months old, and she’s already had her shots and been spayed.”
“Spayed?” Kendall frowned.
“That means she can’t have puppies,” said Nana as if Kendall should know this.
“Yes. The breeders have a policy. They will only sell us dogs that can’t reproduce,” explained the girl. “To keep the competition down.”
“Oh.” Kendall nodded like she understood. But the truth was she’d never owned a dog or a cat besides Clara Belle.
“I know, I know,” said Nana. “I will get the dog for you for Christmas.”
“Really?” Kendall considered this. She imagined herself walking this dog down the street with a rhinestone collar. Not blue, of course, but pink. And, okay, if she couldn’t be Matthew Harmon’s wife, she could at least have a dog like Heidi’s.
“And you can bring it to the nursing home to visit me,” continued Nana. “And I can come visit her.” She rubbed the dog’s head. “Wouldn’t you like that, little puppy-wuppy? Wouldn’t you like to go home with Kendall for Christmas?”
And so, just like that, Nana bought Kendall the little white dog.
“Thanks,” said Kendall.
“I’m tired,” said Nana. “I need to sit down and rest.”
“Do you need anything for the dog?” asked the girl. “Do you have dishes or toys or a bed?”
Kendall considered this. “Well, yeah, I guess I do need those. And a collar, too. Do you have anything in pink rhinestones?”
“You go ahead and get what you need,” said Nana in a weary voice. “I’m going to wait in the car. My feet are killing me.”
So Kendall unlocked the car for Nana, then returned to the pet shop to pick out all sorts of cute things, including a pink rhinestone collar and matching leash, as we
ll as a little pink raincoat and several other doggy outfits. By the time the girl rang up the purchases the total came to a little more than $250. Kendall handed her the only credit card that wasn’t maxed out and prayed that it wouldn’t go over. Fortunately it didn’t. Then she loaded all these things, including her dog and the adorable pink carrying case, into the backseat of her car.
“What are you going to name her?” asked Nana as Kendall drove back to the nursing home.
“I’m not sure yet,” said Kendall. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“I always liked Clara Belle,” said Nana wistfully.
“But that was your cat.”
“Yes, but it was a very nice name.”
“Uh-huh.” Kendall had an unpleasant flashback to cleaning up the carpeting and not being able to get the smell to go away.
“You could just call her Belle. That’s a pretty name.”
“I could.” Still, Kendall wasn’t convinced.
“Suzie Belle? Cora Belle?”
“How about Tinkerbell?” said Kendall.
“Tinkerbell!” exclaimed Nana. “From Peter Pan.” She clapped her hands. “Yes, that is perfect. Little white Tinkerbell.”
So it was settled. Kendall wondered what her housemates would think of this new addition to the family. If nothing else, it seemed that Tinkerbell might be a good distraction for them. Instead of focusing on Kendall’s messed-up life, they would have a little dog to talk about. Yes, Tinkerbell would make a perfect smokescreen.
Twenty-five
Megan
“Stinkerbell has done it again,” declared Megan as she came into the house to find a petite pile of dog poop by the front door.
“Done what?” demanded Kendall as she emerged from the kitchen with her little white pooch cradled in her arms like a baby.
“That,” said Megan pointing to the little pile.
“Oh, Tinkerbell,” scolded Kendall. “You didn’t tell me you needed to go out.”
“Well, she did it by the door,” said Megan. “Maybe she was trying to tell you, but you just weren’t listening.”
Kendall frowned. “Having a puppy is harder than I thought it would be.”
“And expensive, too,” said Megan.
“Thank you for pointing that out—for like the hundredth time.”
“Just saying.” Megan checked the floor carefully before walking across the living room. Last night Lelani had stepped into a puppy puddle with bare feet. Eeuw. “Did you get the puppy potty pads like Anna told you to do?”
“I haven’t been out of the house today,” said Kendall.
Not a surprise. Kendall was still in her bathrobe. Even so, Megan was trying to take it easy on her. Lelani had told her how upset Kendall was after the California incident. And then she’d hidden in her room all week. Really, Megan knew she should be more patient.
“Tell you what,” said Megan. “If you let me use your car, I’ll run to PetSmart and pick the pads up for you.”
“Really?” Kendall brightened.
“Yes. My treat, since I got paid today.”
“Hey, thanks, Megan. I’d appreciate that.”
Megan wanted to add that everyone in the house would appreciate it. Especially if Tinkerbell could actually learn how to use the pads. But she didn’t want to sound too negative. She was actually relieved to get away from the house for a little while. Not just to escape the yippy little dog with needlelike teeth that liked to chew on everything, including people’s ankles, but Megan hoped to avoid her housemates for a while as well. It was Friday night, but there wasn’t much chance that Megan would be going out. Marcus hadn’t called, and she didn’t expect him to. For that matter, Anna would probably be spending the evening at home too.
Right now Anna and Lelani seemed to be stuck in a silent war. Lelani had tried to talk sense to her, but when Jake broke up with Anna, she blamed Lelani for everything. Finally, Lelani just gave up. Now they avoided each other. Megan couldn’t imagine the strain this must be putting on Lelani’s relationship with Gil.
It was sad seeing everyone so miserable with Christmas less than a week away. In fact, no one had even mentioned the Christmas party lately. Maybe it would be best to simply cancel the whole thing. But she would leave that to Lelani to decide. The party had been mostly her idea anyway.
Megan picked up the puppy pads, then noticed a craft store nearby. In the window a large sign announced that all Christmas decorations were marked down fifty percent. They’d already put up some decorations, but there was room for a lot more.
Megan was inspired by the spontaneous thought that she might be able to get everyone together by bringing home some really great Christmas decorations that they could all put up. And maybe they would bake some more cookies this weekend. Really, it could be fun. Also, it would be a distraction from the fact that Megan’s mom was flying down to Mexico on Sunday, leaving Megan with no family on Christmas for the first time ever.
“You’re really okay with this?” her mom had asked her just today when they’d met for lunch at the deli. Her mom had been running last-minute errands, getting everything all ready for her big trip.
“I’m fine,” Megan had assured her. Like what was she going to say? No, Mom, please cancel your vacation and ruin Louise’s plans and stick around where it’s cold and rainy just so you can stay home and babysit me? Like that was going to happen.
“I just keep thinking I shouldn’t have agreed to this,” said Mom. “I’m worried it’s a mistake.”
“Why?” Megan felt concerned now. “You’re not having any bad premonitions about the flight or anything?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“No traveler’s advisories in Mexico?”
“No. Not at all.”
“Then why are you worried?”
“For you, sweetheart. I hate leaving you … alone. You know. It’s our first Christmas without Dad.”
“I’m not alone, Mom. I have my roommates. And we’re having our big party. Really, it’s going to be a fun Christmas.”
“I hope you’re not just saying that to make me feel better.”
“I’m not.” Okay, that was sort of a lie. But on the other hand, it was also a bit of positive thinking. She was being hopeful. It could be a fun Christmas.
And maybe reindeer could fly too.
Anyway, Megan decided to hit the craft store, and she hit it hard. She would shop the bargains and, like glad tidings of great joy, she would bring home some happy decorations to cheer everyone up. And why shouldn’t she? She loved to decorate and she was good at it. She’d organize a baking party too, and lots of other things. If these women needed someone to pull them out of their doldrums, well, why shouldn’t it be Megan? After all, Christmas was the celebration of her Savior’s birth—she of all people should be ready to go all out.
After about an hour of gathering up decorations and baking supplies, Megan made her way back home. It was nearly seven and she was hungry but thought maybe she would order a pizza that they could all share while they decorated. She could just imagine how great the garland and bows would look going up the banister with battery-operated candles placed artistically along the way. Then more for the fireplace, and all sorts of wonderful things.
“I thought maybe you’d stolen my car,” said Kendall as Megan came in carrying several bags.
“Sorry,” said Megan. “I did some shopping.”
“That’s okay,” said Kendall. “I’m not going out tonight anyway.”
“Great. Because I got some very cool decorations on sale. And I thought we could all put them up for the party.”
“All? As in Anna and Lelani?”
“Are they home?” Megan handed Kendall the puppy pads.
“Oh, yeah, they’re home. In their r
ooms.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you just missed the fireworks.”
“What’s going on now?”
“Anna just blew up. Lelani was trying to talk to her and Anna totally lost it. She called Lelani some really bad names.” Kendall made a tsk-tsk sound. “Who knew sweet little Anna had such a vocabulary?”
“Poor Anna.”
“Don’t you mean poor Lelani?” asked Kendall.
“I mean both of them.” Megan set the bags down on the dining room table. “So maybe it’s not a good night to decorate?”
Kendall shrugged. “Unless you’re a magician and can somehow make those two girls get past this.”
“Maybe we could put Christmas music on and order some pizza?”
Kendall smacked her lips. “Pizza sounds good.”
“Why don’t you call it in while I get the rest of the things out of your car?”
“It’s a deal.”
After Megan brought in her packages, she knocked on Lelani’s door.
“Come in,” said Lelani in a defeated-sounding voice.
“Want to talk?” asked Megan.
Lelani shrugged, and Megan sat down in the chair across from her bed. “Kendall told me about the fireworks.”
“Anna is so angry at me that I don’t believe she can even think straight. It’s like she blames me for absolutely everything.”
“Everything?”
“Well, Jake, for starters. She’s convinced I stole his affections and that they’d still be happily together if it weren’t for me.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“And something at work went wrong and she blamed that on me too.”
“How is that even possible?”
“She said she’s been so distraught over the breakup that she hasn’t been focusing on work.”
“And that’s your fault?”
“Apparently.”
“And now she and Gil are in a big fight—over me.”
Megan nodded. “You are in a tough spot.”
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