by Thomas, Anne
"You got the car packed and ready, including Jake?" Molly asked weakly.
"I do. All it needs is us. You need some help?" Without awaiting her reply, he wrapped his arms around her and helped her walk down the long airport halls and in to the parking lot.
"From one hell to another." Harrison whispered once they were driving down the street.
"You love mom and dad. And Aiden will be there." She countered, staring suspiciously at him.
He just shrugged and looked straight ahead. "I'm not quite in to the Christmassy spirit of late, that's all."
"I'm sure Candy could have helped you with that." She winced, not meaning to say that. But it was ignored, and instead, he kept his peace and sped up.
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Night had well fallen and blanketed the little town, nestled in the foothills of nowhere, Vermont, by the time Harrison and Molly finally pulled in to the drive way that was in between the two houses. Molly's was on the left, Harrison's was on the right, but both of their families were mingled together in waiting.
"You ready?" Harrison asked with a smirk.
"To be out of the car with you? Yes. Perhaps this year we could stick to our family homes and that might create less...frustration for me."
"In other words," Harrison said with a roll of his eyes, "You don't want to see me anymore than you already have coming here and you think if your parents don't see me, they won't ask. Well, my friend, your wish is my command...as usual."
Molly nodded, grabbing her suitcase and backpack that carried her essentials and stood up in the cold winter air. She walked over to her Mother, who looked anxious to get back inside.
"You're late, Molly! You're always late. Your father has been up for an hour later than he usually is and you know how bad his health is. Can't you two ever make it on time? Think of your father!"
Harrison was right behind her, heading towards his house when her mother started the ranting. It was Molly's plan to steer clear of him as he had agreed, but his memory wasn't too good at times. He stopped, looking over her shoulder at Mother Dearest.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Radcliffe, it was my fault. Jake," He shook the leash that was connected to his dog's collar, "he gets a loose bladder when he flies. We had to stop quite a few times for him."
Actually, that wasn't true. They had to stop for her because she threw up again on the way and not long after that, she grew pale and very dizzy, so Harrison pulled in to a quick mart to buy her something to settle her stomach. Jake had been a perfect dog since they left the airport. As much as she didn't want to admit it at the time, this was classic
Harrison getting her out of scrapes.
"Oh, okay then. I know that old dog must have a few problems with such." Her mother excused, then took Molly's arm and led her in to her childhood home.
It hadn't changed a bit. Still clean and pristine, looking like age could never touch a single thing in it. Except it's people, however. Her father sat with his eyes fluttering in a wheelchair by the side of the sofa. He was trying to stay awake, just for her.
Dropping her luggage, she ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "Hi Daddy!" She whispered in his ear.
He softly patted her back, leaning his head against hers. "Welcome home, Girlie. I've missed you so." His voice was full of warmth and meaning it's what always made her yearn for home. His genuine love and sadness over her absence.
Her mother clapped her hands together, signaling love time over.
"So Molly, how is everything going in Nevada? Still a public school teacher?" Before Molly could confirm or deny, her mother went on. "And how about where you live? Did you get out of that little hole of an apartment yet? And how are you doing with Harrison? Obviously I see you're still friends anything closer?"
Molly rubbed her forehead that was starting to throb already. "Still a teacher. Still in the same apartment. And still just friends with Harry."
"Things don't change much with you, do they? I thought after two and a half years of being there that surely you would have moved up a little. Been a bit more successful. Can't you ask Harrison for a raise so you can get out of that apartment? It's so small no man shall ever marry you if he sees that thing. It shows that you have no money at all."
Molly walked over to her luggage, picking it up again and heading towards the stairs. "I don't have any money at all. And I don't need to showcase false wealth. I'm not looking for a husband at the moment. And no, Harrison cannot give me a raise just because he's my friend." And with that, she walked up to her old room. There was plenty of time for her mother to continue on about how she was a failure and that her life was quite meaningless and void.
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Molly's parents were asleep by eleven. The whole house was dark and silent while Molly was wide awake. With the urge to see Momma Redford and sleepless from jet lag, she snuck down the stairs in her comfy white pajama bottoms, a little red spaghetti strap night shirt and bare feet.
Bare feet was a problem. She wrapped her winter coat around her to keep at least most of her skin from freezing off, but her toes cried in anger of her stupidity. She ran across the lawn, up to the neighboring porch and pounded upon the door.
It was answered by Mrs. Redford, who quickly ushered her in before enwrapping Molly in a bear hug.
The aging woman was of a plump size, warmth radiating off of her. "That goodness you made it. Harrison was telling me you probably wouldn't make it over but I refused to believe him. Such a silly boy as if my Molly wouldn't make it over to see me!"
Molly smiled, giving the woman a kiss on the cheek before falling to the floor in surprise.
"Sam Swayze, come here boy!" She gushed when she spotted the black cat that her friend so despised. Even with two years gone, the old cat still remembered her, dragging his limbs across the carpet and purring once he managed to climb in to her lap.
"Yep, that cat missed you crazy when you went away. Has a good memory too. Wouldn't dream of forgetting who you are."
Molly looked up and smiled. "I'm glad."
"So, Harrison has been catching me up on a few things that have been going on. Is it true that you started dating again?"
Molly rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Harrison has been here for little over an hour and you already covered the romance portion of my life?"
"Well, from what it seems, it's a very small portion."
"Not exactly my fault when said boyfriend goes back to wonderful, beautiful exfiancé."
Mrs. Redford made a sour face. "Tough break, sweetie. But come, we'll talk more on that later. I have a fresh apple pie I made today. Harrison is in the kitchen eating some now."
Her hand being tugged from its socket, Molly was forced to follow in the kitchen to find Harrison seated upon one of the red stools, digging in to about half the pie.
"Big appetite." Molly mumbled.
"Hmm? Oh yes, my boy sure does love my home cooked foods. Especially the pies and cakes. Honey, I have a double chocolate oreo cake in the refrigerator if you still have room."
Molly looked at Harrison accusingly. Why was he so unwilling to come here when he was treated like a king?
"God, get that horrid cat out of here. Damn thing scared Jake so badly the poor pup won't come out of my room." Harrison grumbled, looking at both Molly and the cat with an accusing look.
"You two are such pampered princes! Sam is a sweet cat that loves everything." Molly replied, picking up the black cat and holding it close to her. It started purring again and rubbing the top of its head against her jaw as if he knew he was being slighted.
Suddenly she felt a presence behind her. Turning around, Molly saw a sight for sore eyes it was Harrison's little brother Aiden, now all of twenty four years old. He was still very thin and weak looking, but as handsome as ever.
She walked over and gave him a careful hug. "Hey Aiden, I missed you!"
She said, plopping a quick kiss on his cheek. She knew better than to ask him how he was it only sprouted bad things.
"Molly! I was hoping you'd come home. I wanted to show you these. Prove to you I could one day beat up my big brother." He smirked, then slid his sleeves up to reveal a slight bulge of muscle in his upper arms. It was less than what a normal woman had, but it was great improvement to Aiden.
"Wow, that is impressive! One of these days I'm going to hog tie Harrison and ship him up here just for you to deal with. It's not quite polite to beat up boys myself. Ladies are to be more dignified than that." She winked.
Harrison snorted. "Please! You're the furthest thing from a lady I ever saw!"
"You say that only because you remember a few times my temper slipped and you got the receiving end of it."
Aiden's eyes lit up. "Slapped or punched?"
"A little of both." Molly giggled.
Despite Aiden's interest in beating on his brother, the two really were very close. Harrison had already proved that if anything happened to Aiden, he'd drop his whole life to help him out. She always thought Aiden would die if anything happened to his idol. "I think Dad is dismayed you didn't come see him yet." She said to Harrison, who had gone back to eating. Somehow, his mother had managed to get the pie plate away from him long enough to cut a slice for Molly, which was now thrust in her hands.
"I didn't get a chance. As your mother pointed out, we arrived a good deal later than what was planned. I'll visit him in the morning."
"Of course you will." Mrs. Redford said with jolly. "We're all having breakfast over there. Your mother hired a team of cooks to help out with Christmas Eve. But tomorrow night is my turn for dinner. It'll be nice to have the two families whole again. First time in four years." She gave a hinted glare over to Harrison, who hadn't visited since he moved away. It wasn't really his fault, it just never occurred to him to visit with all the women he was seeing each year invited him to their family's homes. Molly shook her head and took a bite of pie. As always, it was great tasting. Momma Redford knew how to bake her way around the kitchen.
Aiden took Molly's hand and spun her around in a circle. "Damn girl, you keep getting better by the year. You sure are droolworthy by now. I can't understand how those Nevada men can keep their hands off of you...or how my brother hasn't snatched you up and married you by now. Isn't the age of your pact coming up soon?" Aiden hinted.
Molly's eyes grew wide. "I'll be seeing someone before it does." She said confidently with a smirk of defiance cast towards Harrison's way as Aiden led her in to the living room.
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Molly awoke with a big yawn and the sun shining in her eyes on Christmas Eve. Vaguely, she remembered falling asleep in the Redford house and Harrison carrying her back here.
A slight blush rose on her cheeks as her feet hit the floor. According to tradition, today would be the day that they'd pick out the Redford Christmas tree.
She pulled on a pair of jeans, a heavy sweater, wool socks and black boots, suitable for stomping in the snow.
Hurrying down the stairs, she saw her mother was coming up.
"I was just about to come get you. What on earth possessed you to sleep so late?"
She checked her watch and saw it was ten o'clock. If her mother thought this was 'so late', she didn't want to see Molly on a Saturday morning. "Sorry, I guess I just overslept."
"Well everyone is downstairs waiting. And good Lord, what are you wearing?"
"Clothes. To go Christmas tree hunting in."
Her mother's nose wrinkled. "Well couldn't you have worn something nicer for breakfast?"
It was a question not to be answered, so she didn't and just peacefully followed her mother in to the dining room, where indeed, everyone already was.
"Overslept again." Her mother announced to everyone before taking her seat.
Harrison laughed. "As usual. You should try being her boss."
"Hey!" She exclaimed, sending him a glare. "You're supposed to make me look good in front of my parents, remember?"
"Slipped my mind?" He replied with a sly look.
She sat down to her plate of eggs, bacon, toast and orange juice on the side. Her mouth watered even before she saw the stacks of pancakes and English muffins in the middle of the table. "Wow Mom, this looks really great." She said, taking a piece of bacon in to her mouth.
Her mother nodded with her lips in a thin line. Any compliment about food was quite artificial her mother didn't cook. The only food that was good came from the hired chefs.
"So Molly," Her mother started instead, "How is your love life going? You're getting too old to remain single now."
Molly groaned. The food might be delicious, but it would be a very long meal.
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"Here Jake, this way!" Aiden called as the dog started to wander off in his confusion.
Harrison was busy dragging his saw through the snow and passing by all suitable trees without a glance. He liked the tree he cut to be worth something he got the thickest, tallest ones that usually didn't even fit in the house, let alone the front door. But there was no stopping Harry.
He whistled and the dog immediately came to attention. Running back to the group, he let out a few sharp barks to show his excitement. That dog always was easily pleased. And he loved trees. Forests were surely what he dreamed about.
Aiden came walking up beside Molly. "I'm guessing that with your calmness, your mother is still omitting the big event of tomorrow, right?"
She looked over at him with a confused face. "What big event?"
He smirked. It was always that certain smile that made him look so much like a young Harrison. "The dance."
She swallowed. "A...a dance?"
"You're going. So is Harrison. I believe it might be partially in your honor, actually. You know, for finally coming home?"
She felt dizzy. "But I don't want to go to a dance."
"A dance with Harrison, you mean?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Are you sure, Aiden? Sure that there really is a dance?"
"I saw your dress myself. You'll look so delicious Harrison won't be able to keep his hands off of you."
"Oh God, tell me that isn't the intention!" She exclaimed.
"That part I'm not so clear about. I think it might have something to do with you not having anyone so you're going to get one..."
Molly ran to Harrison, grabbing his shoulder and turning him to face her. "Did you know about this dance?" She demanded.
"Dance? No. When?"
She stomped her foot. "The dance my mother is apparently throwing so I can get a man because I can't get one on my own!"
He looked like a deer in the headlights. "She's going to fix you up?" He asked, his voice low.
"She's going to try."
"I'm not very fond of that idea." He mumbled, looking towards the trees again as he walked away.
She didn't chase him. He looked awfully strange, his voice awkward when he said the last.
Aiden appeared at her side again. "Somebody isn't very fond of that idea." He mocked, with a hint of real meaning behind his raised eyebrows.
She sulked against a tree. "I wanna go home."
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It was after supper, Christmas Eve. The tree had been put up and decorated, supper of ham and never ending side dishes were eaten, and the fire was roaring. The Redford family plus Molly were all in the living room, slouched on sofas and chairs, not very excited at the idea of moving any time soon.
"The tree looks very pretty. You all did a great job." Mrs. Redford noted.
Molly looked over at the tree. The top was not pointed, but flat from Harrison having to cut some off of both the top and the bottom. The limbs were awkward from having to make it thinner. And the decorations were over twenty years old Molly remembere
d helping to make them when she and Harrison were mere toddlers. And yet, it did remain with a certain appeal to it.
"I think it looks very well." Harrison replied, looking proud, his saw beside him.
Aiden let out a low snore. He had fallen asleep an hour or so ago he was never one to be able to stay awake after an eventful day. Holidays were always touch on him. Even though he was cured of his illnesses that he had when he was young, he still remained weakened from them.
Mrs. Redford looked at her youngest son with a sad smile. "I'll get him to bed then call it a night myself. Merry Christmas, children."
Molly and Harrison both wished her a Merry Christmas and a goodnight, then were left by themselves.
Her thoughts fell back to the dance the next day. Her mother had confirmed what Aiden had told her. It was meant to be a surprise, and Aiden had ruined it. Molly never loved the boy more. But she was still wary in going. She was never much for a dance, especially when it was put on for her.
"I say we call a truce." Harrison broke in to her thoughts.
She looked at him, thinking she must have misunderstood him. "Excuse me?"
"I said, we should call a truce. If not just until we get back to Nevada. We won't be here for long, let's have fun. Enjoy being here. And you know as well as I do that neither of us will have a good time if we're bickering and not being good friends. You'll need me tomorrow to save you from many a bad partner and I'll need you to keep me from curling up and dying in boredom. So...how about a truce?"
She grinned, holding out her hand. "I say that's a good idea."
He shook her hand in his big one. "Have you heard from Marty yet?"
"No. Have you?"
"Nope. I haven't had a minute to call Joe and find out how things are going."
"We'll have to remember to do that tomorrow."
"Oh yes, they'll both get a big laugh at the thought of a dance thrown in your single honor."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not old, am I, Harry? My mom keeps saying I'm too old to be single. But I'm only going to be twenty-nine this year. I mean, sure, we thought it was old when we were young and that's why we did that thirty pact, but it's not old anymore, is it?"