Songs of Christmas
Page 31
“Not all the time. I did need some extra sleep.” Lillian shrugged.
Bonita and the children had come in, and she was helping them take their coats off. They had knapsacks and two small suitcases, and Jorge had his soccer ball. Lillian practically winced at the sight, but restrained herself.
As if reading her mind, Estrella said, “Mama, please bring the children upstairs. They can start their homework. Mr. Morgan will be here soon, and we’ll unpack.”
“Thank you, Estrella. Good idea,” Lillian agreed.
“Well, I’m delighted to see you all, no question,” Ezra said to Estrella. “But I’d still like to understand how this all came about.”
Lillian felt it was her place to answer. “Emily helped me find them. I visited this morning and . . . we talked things over.”
“You apologized, you mean?” Ezra said, catching her eye.
“In a manner of speaking, I suppose I did,” she finally admitted. “Estrella was . . . very gracious,” she added, glancing at the younger woman. Lillian folded her arms over her chest. If he thought he was going to get any more mealymouthed admissions from her, he was mistaken.
They heard another knock, and Lillian saw Sam’s truck parked in front of the house. “Here’s Sam with your things,” she announced, opening the door and glad of the chance to change the subject.
“Well, hello, everyone.” Sam was cheerful, as ever. “Shall we bring this all upstairs?”
“That’s right. Please wipe your feet,” Lillian added to Sam and her two grandsons, who traipsed in carrying boxes and big black plastic bags.
“I will go up and help them,” Estrella said. She smiled at Lillian and then Ezra. “Then I will help you with dinner, Mrs. Elliot.”
“Oh, you take your time. We can manage.” Ezra smiled back, practically beaming. When he looked back at Lillian, they were alone in the foyer. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Lillian . . . my head is spinning. I don’t know what to say.”
Lillian shrugged. “What is there to say? They’ve come back. You should be happy.”
“I am happy. But you tricked me.”
“I know. But it seemed necessary. I didn’t want you to be disappointed if they wouldn’t return.”
“I see. But why did you do it? For me? Because I was angry with you?”
Lillian considered his question. “I thought that was why I was doing it. At first. But when I saw her, I knew that wasn’t the entire reason. And the place they were living . . . all four of them in a dreadful little motel room. Well, I am not perfect, Ezra, God knows, but I do know when I take a misstep. This one was . . . well, a doozy, as they say. I suppose I needed to do the right thing. Or, at least, to know I tried.”
Ezra listened, his head bowed a bit. He slowly nodded, then reached for her hand. Lillian was so moved by the small gesture, she felt as if she might cry. “You did well, Lily.” He had not called her that for weeks now, she realized. “I must say, I’m proud of you. You’ve reminded me why I love you.”
Lillian lifted her chin, her vision blurred by sudden tears.
“I will admit, that’s what I hoped you would say.” She squeezed his hand a moment. “And now I don’t believe we need to speak of this dismal chapter anymore,” she added quickly. “Let’s carry on, as we do. Another year together, God willing.”
Ezra agreed with a nod of his head and a familiar light in his eyes. All things considered, that was enough for her.