He pays his bill and leaves while I’m in the back. When I get to the counter to clear his glass and napkin, there is a hundred-dollar bill on the paper place setting.
I hear, “Looks like someone has an admirer.”
I look over my shoulder; Bill is refillin’ his drink. Bill has been the cook here ever since I can remember.
“I’ll be right back.” I make a dash for the door and hope Abel Lee is still within hollerin’ distance. I’m happy when I see him openin’ his truck door.
“Hold up,” I yell, wavin’ the hundred-dollar bill in the air. He pauses and waits for me to catch up with him. “What’s this?” I demand.
“Your tip.” He looks confused.
I try to soften my scowl. “I can’t take this!”
He looks at me and I think I see hurt and sadness in his big brown eyes. “Savannah Mae, it’s just a tip. It’s not a big deal.”
I take a step closer and say, “This is not just a tip. It’s way too much.” I slip the money into his open hand. “Thank you, but I honestly can’t take it.” I want to explain that this is an insult, but I don’t. I’m hurt that he even did this.
He watches me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“It’s okay.” I try to smile. “Don’t do it again.” I turn and walk away, leavin’ him standin’ near his truck.
I prayed to God for good tips, but I don’t want a tip I didn’t earn.
Abel
I stand at Pop’s truck I borrowed, holding the money I left Savannah Mae for her tip. I watch her walk into the diner. My mouth hangs open and I’m speechless. I swear, I only had good intentions. Now I feel as though I’ve offended her. That was never my intent. I just wanted to lighten her load a little for the holidays. I pull my truck around back and park beside her car. I need to clear this up. But how? “Sorry, I never meant to insinuate you couldn’t make it on your own.” Or, “Sorry, I didn’t mean for this to look like a handout.” I’m such an idiot!
From the pickup I watch as she and the cook lock up and exit the back door of the diner. I get out of my truck and lean against the truck bed waiting for her. The cook sees me first. He whispers something to her and she nods. I hear her say, “It’s okay, you can leave.”
Still leaning against the pickup, I watch as he cautiously walks to his truck and drives away.
“I thought you would be home by now.” She pulls out her keys and unlocks her car door.
I push off from the truck and stand taller than I normally would. “Not until I resolve this misunderstanding.” I slowly walk towards her, almost expecting for her to hit me. If she did, I’d have to say that I was deserving of it.
She leans against her car and pulls her coat tighter around her. “You think this is a misunderstanding, Abel?”
She called me Abel. I think she’s mad. She only calls me Abel Lee. “I do. I thought I left you a one-dollar bill.” I crack a smile, but quickly try to hide it.
She giggles and her smile lights up her face. “You did not.”
I want to say I did, too, but it would be a lie. “I wish I did, but I didn’t. I didn’t mean to insult you either. I was just trying to help you.”
“By giving me money I didn’t earn?”
I watch her and I want her to understand. “By trying to do something nice for you.”
“Abel, some people might like and appreciate a tip like that. But to me, it’s an insult. Almost like a handout.” She stops, and I give her a minute. I think about what she is saying. “If you want to do something nice for me, bring me flowers, or bring me firewood, or buy me a drink or something.”
“Really? Firewood?” I want to laugh, but I want to smooth this over more.
She smiles and it makes me smile. “Maybe not firewood.” She thinks for a minute and says, “Coffee would be nice. A normal tip would be nice. A slightly bigger than normal tip would be nice. Polite conversation might also be nice.”
I hold up my hand in surrender. “Okay, I get it.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, I do, and I’m sorry,” I say, honestly.
“Good, apology accepted. Abel Lee, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my son from his daddy’s.”
I hold her car door open and she smiles as she gets into her car.
“Be careful driving home.”
She replies, “I will, thank you.”
I watch as she drives off and I think about what she said. Bring me firewood or coffee. I get in my truck and drive past her house. The street is sparsely decorated with Christmas lights. Some homes have their Christmas trees in the front windows. Savannah Mae’s house is dark. No lights, no electric candles burning in the front windows, and no Christmas wreath on the front door. I drive by, looking in her window, and I can’t see a tree. Her house is small and I have a good view of the entire living room. I know what to do, so I drive to the farm.
Savannah Mae
After I pick up Sawyer Jackson, I pull up at my house and I’m surprised to see Abel Lee sittin’ on the wooden rocker. I get out of the car as he walks off of the front porch.
“Hi,” I finally say as I open the passenger side door to get a sleepin’ Sawyer Jackson out.
Abel Lee is right behind me, looking into the car. “I’ll get him for you.”
Steppin’ out of the way, I wait for him to unfasten the seatbelt. I watch as he carefully picks my son up.
“Thank you.” I close and lock the car door behind us.
We both remain quiet, careful to not wake Sawyer Jackson as we walk into my house. Abel Lee follows me and I lead the way to Sawyer Jackson’s room. I pull the Thomas the Train covers back and watch as Abel Lee gently lays my son on his bed. Once his coat and slippers are removed, I kiss him and pull the covers up to his waist, the way he likes it.
Abel Lee is leaning against the doorframe, watching. I follow him out into the livin’ room. “What brings you here?”
“I forgot to tip you.” I can see a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Are you back to that again?” I walk into the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m okay. I have to run out to the truck, I’ll just be a minute.”
Before I fill the glass with water, he’s gone. I walk to the front door and watch in surprise as he removes a live Christmas tree from the bed of his pickup. He is wearin’ a grin of a five-year-old. I have to smile as I open the door as wide as I can for him and for the tree. He holds the tree up in the middle of the living room floor.
“What in the dickens is that?”
He smiles, revealing that single dimple in his cheek. “Savannah Mae, that is called a Christmas tree. See the long pine needles.”
I have to laugh. “Abel Lee, I know it’s a Christmas tree, but what is it doin’ in my house?”
“It’s your tip.” He smiles even bigger, revealin’ a beautiful boyish grin. “You said to bring you firewood or coffee. I had one of these lying around the barn and thought you and Sawyer Jackson could use it.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You just so happen to have a tree in the barn you weren’t usin’?”
“Sure did.”
“Abel Lee, does your Momma know you be tellin’ lies?”
He places his hands over his heart and acts as if he’s wounded. “Savannah Mae, did you just call me a liar?”
I try to hide my toothy smile. “I may be from the country, but I ain’t plumb dumb.”
“Whoa, I never thought you were.” He readjusts the tree and says, “On Thanksgiving, we cut a few trees, one for us, one for the church, and this one here is for you and Sawyer Jackson.”
“Really?” I tilt my head and squint my eyes.
“Really.”
I smile. “In that case, I reckon you should put it over there.” I point to the area between the window and the fireplace.
I get the tree stand from the basement and the tree fits in it perfectly. Abel Lee and his daddy even had the bottom of the tree cut and trimmed to
make it fit into a tree stand. He holds it in the corner and looks at me. “Here?”
“Nope, it’s crooked. Turn it again.”
He lifts the tree and turns it. “Here?”
I pretend to be inspecting the tree. I raise my hand and twirl my index finger around to indicate he needs to spin the tree again. “Nope, bare spot.”
He repeats his action and turns the tree before settin’ it down again. “Here?” He leans back to try to get a view of the tree.
“Nope, spin it again.”
He looks at me and then the tree. He looks at me again and says, “Savannah Mae, are you pulling my leg?”
I laugh out loud. “Nope.”
Smilin’, he sets the tree down and walks over to where I’m standin’.
“It looks pretty good to me. Are you sure it’s uneven?”
I tilt my head side to side. “Musta been seein’ things, it looks pretty good now.”
He turns to look at me. “Savannah Mae, do you lie to your momma with that mouth?”
“Abel Lee,” I laugh, “there’s a big difference between a lie and a…”
“White lie?” he interrupts, laughin’.
“No, I was going to say fib.”
“Same difference.”
Abel Lee builds a fire in the fireplace. He also offers to stay and make sure the Christmas lights from last year still work. They do. He also helps me carry up the boxes of decorations from the basement.
“Sawyer Jackson is gonna be so excited about this. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
I stand beside him and admire the tree. “It fits that corner perfectly.”
“I need to get going. Momma won’t be happy with me keeping a beautiful woman up this late.”
I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I walk him to the door. “Then you shouldn’t disappoint your momma.”
“Good night, Savannah Mae.”
“Thank you again, and good night, Abel Lee.”
Abel
I go home and think about Savannah Mae. In fact, she’s all I can think about. When she was telling me to adjust the tree, I could see the mischief in her eyes. She’s beautiful. I haven’t allowed myself to have a serious romantic relationship since college. I couldn’t. Not after what happened. I push those memories aside and try to think of something else. Nothing else comes to my mind but beautiful, sweet Savannah Mae.
Momma is in the kitchen making food for the community meal at the church. She is making a huge pot of beef stew and some homemade biscuits.
“Something hot and hearty will sure make some people mighty happy,” Pops says, sampling the stew from the pot.
“Bud, don’t,” Momma says, swatting Pops’ hands away.
He laughs and drops the empty spoon in the sink. Mia pulls the last tray of biscuits out of the oven. Once they are cool, she’ll place them with the others in the wicker breadbasket.
Momma stirs the pot one last time, before turning off the stove. “Levi, would you go to the basement and get that box of hats, scarves, and mittens.”
“What are you going to do with those?” I ask. I watch as Momma removes her Christmas apron.
“Been buyin’ ’em at Goodwill and other thrift shops, all year. Thought the good people of the church could use ’em.”
My momma, who doesn’t spend the money I give her, shops at Goodwill for the needy. She cooks and donates her time for the sake of the community. I feel so blessed to have been raised by this woman, but I wonder where I went wrong. Have I even thought about homeless people or starving people since I left? I have made millions in my boxing career, and what have I done with it? Nothing. Banked it and invested it. I surely didn’t give it to the church, or to the schools, or give it to any worthy causes. Did Momma’s goodness and kindness skip me? Did Levi get the good genes from my family? God, I hope not.
“We best be leavin’ or we’ll be late,” Momma says, gathering the large basket of hot biscuits.
The truck is loaded down with the Christmas tree, a few boxes of decorations, and the food.
We arrive at the church and there are just as many people there as were here two weeks ago. Savannah Mae and her son are already here.
Sawyer Jackson runs up to me and jumps excitedly. “Thank you for the Christmas tree. It’s really, really big,” he says as he tries to show me with his hands how tall and wide the tree is. He is wearing a red Santa’s hat, his cheeks are rosy, and his smile lights up his green eyes.
“You’re welcome, Buddy. Did you get it decorated?” I follow behind him into the building.
“Sure did with the different color lights. It looks berry good.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Savannah Mae is standing at the doorway with her arms folded across her chest. Our eyes meet and I can’t look away. Her long blond hair is in a high ponytail. She is wearing jeans, a red and white flannel shirt, and a pair of rubber duck boots graces her body. Nothing fancy, but she sure does look good in it. As we approach the door, she takes a step back.
“He’s a little excited about the tree, I see.”
“A little? He’s berry excited about the tree,” she teases, using his own words.
We quickly set the food out, and Pops and I put the tree in the corner of the room. Sawyer Jackson helps and scoots the boxes of decorations nearest the tree. I watch everyone as they line up for their hot meal. It smells delicious. Savannah Mae brought a large pot of white rice to go with the beef stew, and some assorted cookies for dessert. As soon as the last person gets their plate, we all fill our plates and sit down to eat. Just like last week, there is plenty of food for everyone.
I take the last seat; it’s beside Larry and an older woman named Pearl. Pops and Momma are sitting across from us. Everyone raves about the food and is very appreciative.
“I found some things lyin’ around the house I thought you might be able to use,” Momma says, taking a bite of her rice and stew.
Pearl sits up a little straighter. “Miss Nelly, you do so much for us already.” Her skin is discolored and it almost looks transparent in some places.
“Oh, fiddlesticks. It’s not much and there’s no sense in havin’ things just layin’ around the house, when someone could be gettin’ some good use out of them.” Even Momma tells a fib every now and then. She bought those items; they weren’t just sitting around the house. Well, maybe she didn’t tell a fib — after she bought them, they were sitting around the house.
“Miss Nelly, we sure do appreciate your kindness. You and Mr. Bud, you both are such good people.”
Pops says, “God is very good to us and in return, it’s only fair that we help others. We can only do what He allows us to do.”
And just like that, it hits me. I know what I need to do. We finish eating, clean up, and decorate the tree with lights and ornaments. Savannah Mae and everyone sings Christmas carols. It brings a smile to everyone’s face. A smile is still a smile, no matter how temporary it is.
“Would you mind if I come over tonight? I have an idea about the people who attend the community supper, and I wanted to see what you thought,” I whisper to Savannah Mae.
She looks at me with concern. “Is everything all right?”
“It’s fine.” I scan the room and watch Sawyer Jackson as Larry makes him a snowman from balloons. “I just want to get your input on something, and see what you thought.”
“Sure, Sawyer Jackson goes to bed at 8:00. You can come over whenever you want. You sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine, I’ll see you around 9:00.”
“I’ll make some coffee.”
I arrive at Savannah’s just before 9:00. When I enter her house, I smell the coffee she promised. The lights are dim, the fireplace has fresh logs burning, and the tree is lit with all sorts of colorful lights. A few candles are lit on the stone mantel.
I sit down and excitedly share my ideas with Savannah Mae.
“Abel Lee, I mean no disrespect, but where is this money comin’ fr
om? You ain’t dealin’ no drugs, are ya?”
I hide the laugh that threatens to come from deep down. “No, I don’t sell drugs and I’ve never done drugs. I’m a retired boxer. I invested my money over the years.” I have millions and I want to do this. I’m not sure she would be able to comprehend the amount of money that I am actually worth. For a long time, I didn’t either. Early in my career, but after I had started to make big money, I called my accountant and told her to bring my money over so I could see it and be sure it’s real. She had to explain to me that it was invested. Also, that it would take several suitcases to carry that much money, assuming that a standard attaché case can hold approximately $1.2 million in $100 bills. Too bad. Too often, savings and investments are just electrons on a computer screen. Until I got used to that, I wanted something I can see. “This is something I want to do. I just wanted to see if you thought it was a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea.”
I set my empty coffee cup down on the cork coaster. “So you’ll help me?”
She smiles and mocks my movement. Leaning up on the edge of the couch, she clasps her hands together. “I’ll do whatever I can.”
Savannah Mae
I meet up with Abel Lee, Nelly, and Mia at K-Mart in South Zanesville. Bud and Levi made some excuse why they couldn’t come. Everyone is excited and in a good mood. “Nothin’ like spendin’ other people’s money, huh, Abel?”
He looks at Mia and she smiles. “As long as it’s for the benefit of the cause.” He slides Mia a shopping cart and she excitedly takes it. Nelly takes a cart, I take a cart, and Abel Lee takes two. We all have our lists and go in different directions in the store. I watch as Abel goes to the customers help desk in the front of the store.
I get everything on my list, but I’m concerned if it’s correct. I double-check it and it’s right. I shop for a few other items from the list and soon my cart is overflowin’. I head towards the front of the store where Mia and Nelly are standin’. Some full carts are lined up along the wall. “This seems like a lot of stuff,” I say as the employee takes my cart from me and pushes it next to the other ones.
“Does he have enough to pay for all of this?” Mia whispers.
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