by Rita Hestand
The pie looked like something out of a bake shop. Lori forgot how her aunt loved to cook. "I wish I could cook like that." She popped off.
"Don't you worry; you stay long enough you will." Her aunt cackled.
Lori glanced from her to Mark, and she turned a bright pink. Her aunt had no idea she had come to stay.
Mark started to head for the door, but Judy pulled on his sleeve, "You sit yourself down, have some coffee and warm up a bit. You can't run off so soon. Lori doesn't know a soul in this town and she needs to make friends, and who better than you?"
Mark shot her a reprimand, but he sat down anyway.
"Aunt Judy, I hope I’m not imposing on you." Lori began.
"Not at all child. I only hope I can convince you to stay with me a while." Judy smiled at her.
"Well actually," Lori took a breath and stared into her aunt's eyes, "since you brought it up, I was aiming to stay with you…" She said tentatively. "For a long while."
Judy's mouth fell open and for a second she didn't say anything, then she grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm so glad. I couldn't be happier child. I was kind of hoping that might be the case, but I was afraid to say anything."
Lori let out a breath. "I know this is short notice, but well, when I left New York, I left it all behind me." She explained. "The job the boyfriend, everything. And I don't intend going back."
"Good. You are home now."
"Yes, but I've still got to find a job, I don't plan to live off of you, you know." Lori announced.
"We'll worry about that later. I'm just so happy, I could cry." Judy said the tears started rolling down her cheek now.
Mark tried to leave, but Judy fussed at him. "Don't you dare up and leave. This is a celebration. Besides, your pie hasn't cooled enough for you to take it home. You better take that jacket off and stay for supper. Lori and I will have something in no time."
He smiled, "You win. I know when I'm licked."
Judy got up and took a colander from under the sink and a sack of potatoes and told Lori to peel them while she began chopping veggies for a salad.
Lori felt undaunted by the chore and pitched right in. Mark made note of that.
"Good." Judy laughed. "It's Saturday and you don't have to work, so I want you to join us."
She had a pot of coffee on the counter and she poured them both a cup and sat down with them at the table.
Lori glanced around the old house and smiled as she tackled the potatoes. She loved it here, it was just so homey. The kitchen was big and the table could accommodate twelve, although she doubted her aunt ever needed a table that big.
"Is there any particular reason you left New York for good?"
Lori chuckled, "Plenty of reasons, but the biggest was loneliness."
"But there is so many people in New York, how could you possibly be lonely there?" Judy eyed her a moment.
"There's a lot of people, but they all have their own lives to lead. It's very different than here. People aren't quite as friendly there, Aunt Judy. I mean you bump into someone and they can be very rude. It's like mice, everyone scatters for their own little corner of the world. No one stops and talks to you for ten minutes on the streets there. It's hustle and bustle. It's so different, I'm sure you can't imagine. No one knows anyone else's business."
"Well you certainly are painting a good picture." Judy smiled warmly at her, her hand reaching to cover hers.
"I mean, I knew five people on the plane coming to Texas, going to New York, I hadn't actually met one."
Her aunt laughed. "The only difference is we are just noisier than most folks."
"I know, and I miss it, especially this time of year. Like Jason, he didn't want to put up a Christmas tree this year, said he only had one day off and what was the use. Not an ounce of Christmas spirit."
"Jason was your boyfriend?"
Lori blushed, "He was. He said Christmas was for children."
Judy smiled and shot Mark a glance.
"Mark helps the city decorate every year."
"Really, that must be a lot of fun." Lori glanced at him.
"It's a lot of work, but I enjoy it." He smiled warmly at her now.
He seemed so at home here, it made Lori feel just a tad left out. But that was just her emotions overloading. It had been a long trip and admittedly she was tired. Yet when she thought about it, she supposed she didn't belong here, she was an outsider. That was her problem, she wasn't sure where she belonged. She'd felt displaced since her folks died and no matter how hard she tried, she didn't seem to fit anywhere. She hoped it would be different here.
"So tell me about you, Aunt Judy. What have you been up to?"
"Not much, same old things, but I'll be doing a bunch of baking soon for the bazaar we usually have before Christmas. And of course there is the choir at church I'm a part of. And my sewing circle meets twice a month, this month it will be here at my house. I'm just so glad you are here dear. I've been wanting to start decorating the house and I'm not sure I can do it alone."
"You have no problem now. I'll be glad to help you Aunt Judy."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Judy laughed.
"Good. I'm also looking for a job and Mark suggested my seeing someone called 'Frances'."
"Oh, my yes, she could use you about now. With the holidays coming up, she is so busy and only has one part-time girl to help. I'll bet she'd put you on in a minute." Judy's eyes seemed to team with ideas now. "And you always were good with hair."
"I am hoping so. I need work, and I want to help you too Aunt Judy. That's another reason I came, I've missed you so. I know I've told you in my letters I'd come for a visit soon, but I kept putting it off. And then one day I thought about it and decided I didn't want to visit. I wanted to make a home with you if you'll have me."
"I'll have you dear!" She leaned and kissed her cheek. "I'll have you."
Mark didn't talk much now, letting them rejoice a little and Lori appreciated it, but she couldn't leave him entirely out. She could tell this man was important to her aunt and she had to let him know that she understood this too.
"I guess I have you to thank for seeing about my aunt so much. The way she's talked about you in her letters, I feel as though I know you already." Lori looked straight at him. His smile widened, and Lori realized exactly how gorgeous he was. "But I'll admit, I expected you to be middle aged at least."
They all laughed.
"So, do you have a wife and children?" She asked.
"No, I'm afraid not." He smiled, indulging her.
"Why not?" She blurted.
He shot her a bit of a frown, then explained. "When you grow up in a community where you know everyone, if you don't pair up early, you lose." He told her.
"Well surely you are in a relationship?" She asked so bluntly he nearly made another face at that.
"He's been sweet on Heather Marcus for twenty years and it has done him absolutely no good. She doesn't see him and she's engaged to another man from out of town."
"Well, in New York the only way to get someone to notice you is find someone else." Lori blurted.
"Say now, that's an idea. I bet Lori would help you out." Her aunt volunteered.
Lori glanced at her Aunt and narrowed her eyes on her, "What are you getting me into."
"You said it yourself. The only way to get someone to take notice, is to find someone else. If Mark dated you a while, she'd probably really perk up."
Lori opened her mouth to protest, "Aunt Judy! I can't believe you'd suggest such a thing."
"You haven't said why you and Jason broke up?" Her aunt looked at her.
"Christmas!" Lori said simply.
"Christmas?" Mark repeated.
She blushed and smiled. "Yes, Christmas. I know that sounds kind of shallow, but honestly it isn't. He doesn't believe in Christmas. For the past two years, I've had no Christmas because of Jason. He wouldn't put up a tree, he wouldn't exchange presents. It was just another day with him. I can
't live like that. I won't sacrifice the one time of year when people become human. I need Christmas." She said and meant it. "All he wanted to do was watch a football game and drink beer. He didn't even care if I cooked or not."
Mark stared at her strangely but he couldn't stop the grin.
"I guess it sounds funny to you, but last Christmas was so terribly sad and lonely. Jason took one day off for the entire holiday. He was a grump, all he wanted to do was watch football and eat. Oh, we went to a few parties and he wanted to drink at them. He has absolutely no Christmas spirit. I wasn't going through that this year. I know it will sound odd to the two of you, but I missed Christmas last year and I wasn't going to do the same this year. Besides, you know you can get in a rut going with someone like that. I wanted out of the rut. So, I left. The relationship was more comfortable than a good one."
Mark seemed to study her, "Actually, I get that."
"You do?" Lori stared.
"I've dated a few girls the same way. They didn't bother with decorating, or cooking or anything. It was dull to say the least. What's the use of having a party if you don't know what you are celebrating?"
"Exactly." Lori agreed.
"Back to making Heather jealous now!" Her aunt reminded them.
Chapter Three
When Mark was leaving that evening, Lori walked him outside.
It was rather chilly and she pulled he sweater closer as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"Hey, I just came out here to tell you, you don't have to go through the dating thing with me. Aunt Judy means well, but as you can see she gets a little too involved."
Those golden-brown eyes pinned her now and a grin formed on his handsome face. She noticed the little crinkles around his eyes, that told her he smiled and laughed a lot. The funny thing was, she felt relaxed around him and didn't understand why. She's just met him today.
"You don't want to help me out?" He countered, his face screwing up in a mock frown.
"No-o, it's not that. I just don't want to intrude. I mean, granted I did stick my foot in it, but I didn't mean to." She apologized. "I mean, if you really think it will help, okay, I'll do it. I just didn't want you to feel trapped."
"Really? You'd help me out?" He challenged.
"Really." She smiled.
"You're on. I'll see you Monday morning, unless you go to church."
"I do, with my aunt." She half turned to the house.
"Then I will see you in church, tomorrow." He told her and smiled getting into his truck.
"Okay…" Lori shook her head. What have I got myself into now?
She went back inside after he took off and shook her head. He really was a nice man, very friendly.
"What's the matter dear?" Aunt Judy asked seeing her strange face.
"He wants me to go through with it." She mumbled.
"With what dear?"
"He wants me to date him." She said dully.
"Why that's wonderful dear. Don’t you think?"
"Aunt Judy, I just don't know." She shook her head and helped her aunt do the dishes. "I mean I don't really know him. And I've just arrived. Just coming out of a relationship. I hope he didn't think I was forcing myself upon him."
"I'm sure he didn't. You know speaking of that, you surprise me."
"Oh, how?" Lori asked drying the last dish in the sink as they washed up the supper dishes.
"I expected you to be upset, crying even over the boyfriend, but you seem so well adjusted."
Lori paused in mid-air with a dish."I wasn't in love with him. I realized that this winter. I'd been dating him just to have someone to hang out with, be with. That's how lonely I was. He wanted to live together, but I refused that. He thought me way too old fashioned. And I guess I am, but before I'd do that, I'd have to be committed to him. I'm just not into casual sex. I might be twenty-five years old and a virgin, but I'm holding out for the whole nine yards. I want marriage, and children in that order."
"That's to your advantage. You've got a good head on your shoulders. There aren't many young girls like you left my dear."
"I know, that's what's so hard about it. In New York, most couples live together and marriage comes either after they get pregnant, or years down the line. Some don't even believe in marriage anymore. I can't give up all those old fashioned principles I was raised with."
"You stick with them, honey. Mark's not at all like your Jason. You'll find that out soon enough though."
"My Jason isn't my Jason any longer. I'm done with Christmas poopers!" She giggled.
Judy smiled really big at her and she looked at bit puzzled.
"I'm so happy you've come to live with me." She almost cried.
Lori grabbed her, "Best thing I've done in years. I know I was being presumptuous to come here with the intention of living here, but I somehow thought you might need me as much as I need you."
"You don't know how much I need you, dear. I would have suggested it sooner but I was afraid I'd be butting into your life in New York."
"That's the problem, Aunt Judy, I had no life if New York. I hung out with Jason's friends, did what Jason wanted all the time, and then one day I realized it wasn't at all what I wanted in my life. He was always on me for not having a real career. He said a beautician wasn't a career. Well, I enjoy the work, except for standing on my feet all the time. And I'm a firm believer in people doing what they are good at, not something they aspire to be good at."
"I’m so glad Mark said something about Frances to you. I know she'll put you on."
"That's a relief. And he also suggested I get a bike. I never thought of that. In New York, though, a bike wouldn't be that good, too much traffic and too many people."
"That's another wonderful idea." Her aunt beamed. "He's got a lot of wonderful ideas. Mark's a lot like you in some ways, he's a real professional handyman. And his mother is always on him to get a career, go to college. Mark has no interest. And you might find him lacking ambition, but it's not the case. He's happy doing what he's doing. He good with his hands, and the local Home Depot keeps his card handy to call when someone needs something, although, he doesn't need it. Most people around here know him and know to call him."
"And his mother doesn't like him being a handyman?"
"No, all her kids went to college but Mark. Mark knew after he got out of the Air Force that he wanted to work locally and not commute to Dallas. And because he could fix almost anything, Fred down at our Home Depot suggested he work as a contract handyman. It's worked out well, because almost everyone in town has employed him at one time or another."
Afterward her aunt showed her where she could move in, the back bedroom. "I know it doesn't look like much, but you can could fix it up like you like." Her aunt smiled.
"It's just fine, Aunt Judy. I hope I'm not putting you out."
"Don't think a thing of it dear. I will love having you here. Now the chest of drawers is empty, and the closet has a few hangers, if you need more just let me know. But I've got to clean out the top and bottom though."
"Thanks auntie," She cried and hugged her all over again. "I'll make out just fine."
"Maybe I can get Mark to put these things in the storage out back." Judy suggested.
"I can help with that." Lori told her.
"I'm so glad you are here. It's been lonely here, too, dear." Judy said and kissed her on the cheek.
"How could you be lonely? You've got Mr. Gorgeous coming to fix everything, your sewing club, and the choir. I can't imagine you missing me." She told her. "I'm sure you have a town full of friends too since this is your home town."
"You think he's gorgeous, do you?" Aunt Judy chuckled.
"Oh no…I meant cute!" Lori laughed. "Please don't take everything out of context Aunt Judy, I just meant he seems like a nice guy, and he's cute."
"I think you are on to something."
Lori rolled her eyes, "He's in love with someone, Aunt Judy."
When she started unpacking she looked at her
Aunt.
"I think he's more like you than you know. He doesn't know what real love is yet."
"Look, I'll help him make her jealous, and I'm sure in no time at all, she'll be beating a path to his door."
"I don't think so. She's going with a really rich young realtor and they are starting to make plans, according to her mother."
"Don't tell Mark that," Lori frowned. "No use hurting his feelings."
"I wouldn't." Her aunt beamed.
"You know I've been lonesome for family. Especially at Christmas time. I wasn't sure I could handle decorating this year alone and you know how much I enjoy the holidays. I'm usually in the kitchen cooking up a storm. I know what I said about Jason sounds frivolous, but some things are important in life. Since my folks died, I've wanted to build some traditions for myself, and Christmas is one of them. I remember all the great holidays we used to have. I want that for myself, and for you too. We can have a lot of fun together, Aunt Judy."
Lori went to hug her again, "I'll help you decorate, cook, anything you like. We are family, and we are all we have."
"That's okay honey, we will be enough." Judy cried.
"You bet!" Lori went to finish unpacking.
Half the night they talked and her aunt seemed to get younger by the minute. She realized quickly that she was good for her aunt. That fed her hungry soul.
Taking a bath, she relaxed just before bed. She let all her troubles fade away as she contemplated her life here. The difference of here and New York stood out. People were just friendlier here. And she needed friendly.
The next morning, she got up early because she knew her aunt would be going to church. She got dressed and came out of her room looking for her aunt.
Judy was in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Well, don't you look nice," her aunt smiled when she saw her pouring coffee at the counter.
"Thanks, I figured we'd go to church together." She smiled brightly.
"Oh wonderful, I didn't want to ask because you just got here, but I'm so glad you want to go." He aunt beamed.
"I have to confess; I haven't been since I went to New York. But I'm thrilled to go. Most of the churches downtown are so big, and I don't know, it's just not the same. I tried to go with Jason once, but he's Catholic and I just wasn't comfortable with it. It's a beautiful religion, but, when you are brought up Protestant, it isn't familiar."