Guests started arriving shortly after, many faces new to Laura, others very familiar. Tears of happiness almost spilled over when Poppy and Jane came together. Hugs were exchanged along with cries of joy as the girls declared how much they had missed Laura and wanted to know if they could come “home” before Christmas. It was too much, the tears rolled down her cheeks unabashed.
“Your room is upstairs just waiting for you.” She told them.
She had hurried the renovations along in the hopes of being done before Christmas which was only a week away. For Laura, there would be no greater gift then to spend the holidays in her own home, surrounded by those she loved. Her heart shone at the unexpected realization that the girls were her family now, they always would be. No matter if their faces changed from month to month, Laura realized these girls needed her. Out there were lost young souls who needed to be loved. With a start, she knew she had plenty of love to give. She needed those girls, it seemed, as much as they needed her.
Ignoring the annoying null occupying the other half of her heart, she took a deep sigh of contentment and sat back listening to the music playing over the old turntable on her father's stereo. Embellishing on such things as the latest compact discs, Laura could not afford, so her father's collection from the seventies and eighties made do for the night. However at that moment, her heart sang along with Gloria Gaynor’s lyrics to “I Will Survive”, and she was quite happy with the moment.
The evening flowed nicely along and far too quickly in Laura's opinion. Everyone sang along with the music and even moved some furniture to create a dance floor. Faces smiling and laughing filled the small house. Adell's husband even showed up later in the evening for he had been sustained back at the office.
Walking over to the buffet table where she laid out sandwiches, vegetables and other delicious finger foods, Laura picked up a triangle-shaped sandwich of pink salmon. Leaning back against the table she watched Adell and her husband float onto the dance floor, arms encircling each other, their faces glowing of love and adoration.
Something painful pierced her heart and she recognized it immediately as envy. She hated the way she felt especially toward a woman who had only been caring and supportive toward her. But she couldn't stop the emotion. What Adell had, Laura craved with all her being. Someone to love her with such depth and sincerity, for just being her.
She smiled as they danced passed her. Adell was the sweetest most wonderful person she ever met, if anyone, she certainly deserved to have love like that.
She raised her hand and was about to bite into her sandwich when she froze. Standing across the room, under a colorful streamer, Dexter stood staring across at her. Her heart stopped beating until she noticed the angry glare in those hazel eyes of his. Not sure she wanted to find out where his anger was directed this time, she turned her attention elsewhere. This was, after all, her night; no one would ruin it for her, least of all Dexter O'Reilly.
In a few long strides he shortened the distance between them, brushing angrily at a balloon in his path. Laura decided it might be best to remove herself from his path of vexation. She headed quickly for the kitchen, her footsteps moving faster as he swiftly moved in closer. Too late, he gripped her arm and spun her around.
“What the devil is going on?” he barked, his eyes spitting flames of angry darts.
Her back stiffened. “We humans call it a party?”
He ignored her snide remark. “Dammit, Laura, when will you start to listen?”
“What are you talking about?” She attempted to free her arm, unsuccessfully.
“What does it take to get through your thick head? Another fire, maybe this time not so easily fixable.”
“I'll ask you to mind your own business.” Again she attempted to shrug her arm free. “Since it seems to be the only thing you're good at.”
He clamped his lips firmly in a straight line, as he took her insult with rancor. “If you turn your home into a shelter again, you're asking for more trouble than you think you already have.”
“Words of wisdom from a man who claims he doesn't give a damn.”
Her foul language must have startled him, for he went silent. It surprised Laura as well. Normally, she did not reduce herself to that degree of anger, but where Dexter O'Reilly was concerned lately, it only seemed appropriate.
“Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll get myself some punch.” This time she was successful as she freed herself and made her way into the kitchen.
Undeterred, he followed, and along with him came the lyrics from a Marvelette’s song playing on the turntable. “I don't want nobody who don't want me.”
“If you took the actual time to use the brain you were given—” he spat at her.
“I don't love nobody who don't love me.” The song kept taunting her.
“When you begin loosing again, don't come crawling to me.”
“Because there too many fish in the sea!”
Laura's spine stiffened at last, and she spun on him with determination. “Why don't you just stay out of my life?”
Her voice had risen over the music, stunning both Dexter and the surrounding gathering.
They stood staring at one another, on the verge of another verbal battle when his mother and Norton approached. “Dexter, what are you doing here?”
“Trying to knock some sense into this woman's head,” he barked, thrusting an angry finger in her direction.
The temptation to bite it off was too great; Laura clenched the edge of the kitchen table and bit down hard on her lower lip.
“Dexter, don't be angry,” his mother pleaded. “Be happy, this is a wonderful thing Laura is trying to do—”
“Happy?” He sounded incredulous. “She's digging herself another money pit. Because that's what will happen. And guess who has to bail her out yet again!” This last sentence he spat at her, slamming his chest in exaggeration. Laura’s eyes narrowed in fury.
“Don't worry, Adell.” She attempted to control the anger in her voice. “Dexter doesn't know what the word happiness means. He's been against my shelter from the beginning. He would do anything to see it fail. Including crashing the opening party.”
“But I'm sure he didn't mean too.” Adell's eyes began to grow with concern.
“Oh, I'm sure he did.” Her anger was well out of control. “There's a few hard facts you should know about your son, Adell. He's a callous man lacking in normal human feelings and emotions.”
“Laura, stop, you don't understand.” His mother tried to interfere.
“The only emotion he carries is a heartless attachment to money. He doesn't care who he hurts or misuses as long as it benefits his bottom dollar.”
“Laura, please don't.”
“I sicken at the stomach from the simple reminder he once held my regard.”
“Oh Lord.” Adell closed her eyes.
Dexter remained stone silent until that moment. “Then, I take it I know longer hold your esteem?”
She snorted. “Not if the Pope himself made you a saint.”
“Then at least I have accomplished some good tonight.”
Laura winced inwardly. “Then, for the first time in your life, Dexter O’Reilly, you must be very happy.” Her sarcasm had the right amount of sting to it. “Because you certainly have accomplished that.”
He paused, then without another word, turned and left. Just like that he was gone. And this time, Laura was fairly certain it was for good. Taking a deep breath, for she hadn't realized she had been holding it, she looked at Adell. For the first time, she noticed the horrified look on her face, and suddenly felt intensely horrid. Her anger was directed solely at Dexter, but inadvertently she had wounded her friend.
“Oh Adell.” She reached out to her, but the woman turned away.
“Laura you shouldn't have said those things.” Her large hazel eyes, identical to Dexter's, looked painful. “You didn't really mean them, did you?”
She opened her mouth but nothing came out. S
he felt miserable inside.
“Norton, get my coat. I suddenly don't feel very well.”
“Adell, please,” Laura begged, pleading for understanding. “Please.”
When the other woman looked up, her eyes too pleaded with their own type of understanding. “I'll call you tomorrow.”
And like her son, she was gone. Laura stood there feeling every ghastly emotion rip her heart apart. With a cry of despair, she ran for her bedroom where solitude awaited. She collapsed on her bed and allowed herself to cry her heart out. She hated Dexter O'Reilly even more. Why had he drawn her anger? He had said himself he accomplished what he came to do. But why?
The answer came swiftly. He wanted her connections with Adell to be severed. And he knew exactly what to do. She remembered the words spoken the night when she first laid eyes on him. “He was a man only his mother could love.” Adell loved her son dearly, faults and all. Dexter knew it and allowed Laura to step right into his scheme.
* * *
The following day showed no sign of contact from Adell, which hadn’t surprised Laura too much. Considering the hateful words she had spat at Dexter, she wondered if Adell would ever come to forgive her. Appalled at her behavior the night before, she wanted instantly to call her and apologize. No matter what her feelings toward the woman's son, she should have considered Adell's feelings. All she had done for her came from the core of the woman’s sincere heart. She never had a truer friend than Adell Cameron and how did she treat her, with disgrace.
For that matter, Laura conceded grudgingly, she owed Dexter an ample reserve of gratefulness as well. Whether he acknowledged his part in the restoration of her family home or not, Laura understood the significance. She wouldn’t have her home back if it weren’t for Dexter. Evidently, she required to express her regrets and sorrow not only to Adell, but her son as well.
At the reminder of the words she spat at him, she wondered if he even wanted to ever see her again. Today was a new day to put faults behind and make amends. First thing first, she would call Adell and apologize. As soon as she found a moment’s break during the day, she did just that.
“Hello? Cameron residence.”
“Adell, it's me Laura.” She plunged on, in fear the woman would hang up. “I want to apologize for last night. I was way out of line and I shouldn't have said what I said.”
“Laura, I'm glad you called.” She sounded earnest. “We need to talk but I'm afraid right now is not a good time. I’m hosting a Christmas Eve party on Friday night for a few close business acquaintances of Norton's. Come and I'll find some time we can escape somewhere private and have a talk.”
Christmas Eve? Already? She could hardly believe it had snuck up on her so quickly. She had been so busy with reopening the shelter, she hadn’t even had the time to wallow in self-pity at the prospect of spending it alone.
“Yes, that sounds fine.” She stopped and bit her lip. “Will-will Dexter—?” Knowing she had to apologize did not make interacting with the man any better. She would pay her apologies, then hopefully, stay out of his life for good.
“No,” she quickly assured her. “He never makes an appearance at Christmas functions.”
“All right then, I'll see you Friday night.”
They bid farewell and hung up. Laura felt slightly better having talked to her older friend, but she could hardly wait till Friday night. She would feel a lot better.
* * *
She wore the only dressy outfit she owned to the party; the red jump suit would have to make do for another evening. Thankfully, her mother's jewelry had not been damaged in the fire, allowing Laura to wear her most treasured piece. An eighteen-inch gold necklace formed into rows of miniature hearts and matching earrings.
Nervously, she twisted her hair into a sophisticated braid against the back of her head then applied a bit of makeup. She wasn't sure why she felt any anxiety. Adell was an understanding and caring individual. Her heart was too forgiving to hold any grudges. Being honest with herself, Laura realized the gnawing at her stomach was due to her shameful behavior from the other night. She was almost too mortified to show her face in the woman's presence.
As she hurried through the front sitting room, her eyes fell on a tiny cottage perched on her fireplace mantel. Stopping, she smiled to herself as she took the piece into her hands. It arrived earlier that day via courier. Wrapped simply in beige courier paper within a huge manila envelope, she found the small parcel engulfed in bubble protection. After unwrapping it, she gasped in delight to find a hand-made sculptured cottage. She was instantly reminded of the cottage she shared her first experience in love-making, then swiftly brushed the memory aside. She would not allow herself to think about that night. His rejection still stung.
A closer examination of the miniature cottage, determined it was actually a beautiful replica of an English cottage, hand-painted in fine detail. The rooftop was covered in a blanket of white snow, and a tiny pine wreath on the front entrance gave it a distinctive Christmas look.
It reminded Laura of the cottages her mother had collected over the years, and which had been mercilessly destroyed in the fire. The reflection brought a tug to her heart and with remorse she brushed the memory aside. Looking at the tiny cottage again, she knew instantly it came from Adell. The woman's recollection of her trip to England came back to Laura.
She ought to give the gift back. It didn't feel right. The woman was always so giving, and Laura could never give back. Someday, she vowed she would repay this woman, bit by bit. Apologizing to Dexter O'Reilly would make Adell happy. She sighed, if repayment meant Laura had to belittle herself, then so be it.
However, she couldn't quench the tiny fear gripping her heart. It seemed the more she extended her heart, the more he broke it. She should remain firm and hold steadfast to her decision to keep him out of her life. She couldn't afford to be hurt anymore. And once she paid this debt to Adell, she would do exactly that.
As she slipped into her tweed coat, the telephone shrieked from within the kitchen. The last few days had been busy contacting the shelters from where her teens were temporarily dwelling. The phone had rung off the hook all day long and Laura considered ignoring it so she would not miss her bus to Adell’s. At the last minute, she made a dash for the kitchen and the phone.
“Hello?”
“Miss Witherow?” An unfamiliar voice greeted her on the other line. “This is Mr. Jenkins returning your call. I’m sorry to have taken so long.”
She scratched her memory trying to recall the name. Recollection came instantly. She had been attempting to set up an appointment with the insurance broker to purchase house insurance. That was one mistake she vowed she would never make again. “Yes, I left some details with your assistant. Did you receive them?”
“Hmm.” She could tell by the sound of his voice that he was overlooking the information as they spoke. “It seems we have all we require. Now, Miss Witherow, bearing in mind the unfortunate circumstances after the fire, I highly recommend you have the premiums paid from a pre-authorized payment account. It will be one less bill to forget about.”
This last sentence she was glad he was unable to see the mortification blush her cheeks. It was a lack of funds rather than memory which caused her to miss the premium payment. However, he had a valid point. “Certainly, I will drop off a void check tomorrow.”
“Well then, that is all we need. I’ll get the forms submitted and a detailed contract will be mailed to you outlining the coverage and the premiums as they were before.”
Laura paused. “As before?”
“Yes, there may be a slight difference to reflect the annual increase, but, otherwise, you shall be right back on schedule.”
Laura frowned, perplexed. “I don’t understand. Wouldn’t my premiums have gone up in price? I fully expected them too.”
“Why would that be?” He sounded nonplussed.
“Because of the claim on the fire damage and the cost of renovation.”
There was a moment’s pause before Mr. Jenkins said, “Miss Witherow, you do recall we declined your claim due to the unpaid premiums.”
“But he said he was able to pull some strings.” The stunned tone to her voice only increased.
“He?”
“Dexter O’Reilly.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of him.” Then when the phone went silent, he said, “If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your policy, I’ll only be too happy to help. Please do not hesitate to call.”
She mumbled something in the affirmative, her mind still in a muddle, then hung up the phone. If the insurance company did not pay for the cost of the renovations, who did? And most importantly, why? What was Dexter keeping from her, and why had he lied?
Needing so many questions answered, Laura closed her eyes, now was not the time to dwell. Adell was expecting her and if she did not hurry she would miss her bus.
Adell? It came so suddenly to Laura she nearly tripped over her own feet as she hurried out of the house. The woman was overly generous, with a heart of gold and a wealth of love to distribute; this act of kindness would not seem out of character. Was it possible Adell Cameron had anything to do with this benevolent deed? It certainly would explain a lot, including Dexter’s abhorrence to the shelter and her relationship with his mother.
Thankfully, she reached the bus stop the same moment the bus pulled up along the curb. She quickly climbed on board with her thoughts anywhere but on the act of dropping the required coins into the slot, or taking her seat against a back window. Pulling herself out of her stupor she looked around the nearly empty seats. The bus lines stopped running shortly before midnight, reminding Laura she would have to leave the party in enough time not to miss the last bus. Hiring a cab was a luxury she could not afford. Smiling at her reflection in the window, she felt slightly like Cinderella needing to leave the ball before midnight. Except no prince charming would be at her ball waiting to sweep her off her feet and promise her a happy ever after.
Misfortune: Christmas With Scrooge Page 16