No Silent Christmas

by Barbara Goodwin

  “Before you go I have one thing to say,” Mike said.

  “Go ahead. Everyone’s all ears,” Scott replied. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Maggie’s parents. He was both curious and anxious about their reaction to this phone call.

  “Maggie Ingram. Welcome to the family. You’re gonna love us and we already love you,” Mike said.

  Scott watched tears pool in Maggie’s eyes. “Well, this is the strangest way to meet my future family, er, by talking to them in the future. What year is it there?” She looked at her father.

  “2005,” both Mike and Shauna said at the same time.

  Maggie’s parents cried out with disbelief and John Ingram muttered, “Impossible.”

  “No, Mr. Ingram,” Shauna said in a soft voice. “It’s not impossible. It’s happening.”

  Ingram looked at Scott then Maggie then at the BlackBerry. His eyebrows lowered and his eyes turned to slits.

  “Well, my family,” Scott said. “It’s time to wrap up this mess.” His eyes bored into John Ingram’s when he said that. “I love you both and will be waiting for your call.”

  “We love you too,” Shauna said.

  “We’ll keep in touch, bro,” Mike said.

  There was a distinct click and the line went dead.

  No one spoke. A clock ticked in the bedroom and a siren sounded on a nearby street. Scott waited until both of the Ingrams looked at him, yet he said nothing.

  Finally John Ingram said, “What kind of magic trick was that rubbish?”

  “No trick,” Scott said. “This is a telephone of the future. It’s also a time travel device. I come from the year 2005 where I live in a small town called Bend, Oregon. I’m a firefighter. That was my brother and his wife on the phone. Shauna came from the year 2110, originally.”

  John Ingram gaped at Scott for a full minute before he guffawed. “That’s the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard.” He turned to his wife with a red face. “Did you hear that shit, Violet? Maggie’s going to marry a madman!”

  Violet Ingram sank to the nearby sofa. Tears streamed down her face. She stared at Scott then Maggie. Scott thought she looked as if she’d shriveled up right before their eyes. “John, shut up! And quit swearing.”

  Maggie started. “Mother! I’ve never heard you speak to Father like that before.”

  “I know dear,” her mother said through her tears. “But I fear I’m going to lose my precious daughter and right now I don’t care what your father thinks.” Violet Ingram gave her husband a hard look.

  “When you were born I was so happy, Maggie. We had a beautiful, healthy baby girl.” Violet glared at her husband. “But John had wanted a boy. He ignored you until he could no longer do so. You grew up to be a lovely young woman.” Her mother sighed. “Overnight he decided to marry you off to Roger Morgan and blend their two empires. All he ever wanted was more money, more power. I argued with him to no avail and this is the result. My daughter’s leaving me and I’ll never see her again.” Violet wrung her hands in despair. “You’re telling the truth, aren’t you, Mr. Forrester?” Violet Ingram asked.

  “Yes.”

  “You come from the future, that…that…black box is a telephone and we just heard your brother and his wife talk to you from the year 2005.”

  “Yes,” Scott said. Violet’s voice was monotone. Scott knew she believed him, but the shock hadn’t worn off yet.

  “You really love our daughter, Mr. Forrester?” Violet asked in a small voice.

  “I truly love her, Mrs. Ingram, and I’ll take very good care of her,” Scott said. He clasped Maggie’s hand and pulled her into a warm embrace.

  Tears streamed down Violet Ingram’s face and she hiccupped. “I’m going to lose my little girl,” she cried into her hands. A moment later she turned on her husband. “It’s all your fault, John. You never loved my beautiful Margaret and you never loved me! You only wanted alliances, not love and family.” Violet wiped away her tears. Scott saw her square her shoulders, take a few deep breaths and calm herself. “I’m so sorry for neglecting you, Margaret. If I could take it all back I would. I really wanted to be a mother to you but was intimidated by John. He hired the nannies, he hired the cooks, he told me to do charity work.” She glared at John then said in a tiny voice, “I’m so sorry.”

  Maggie rushed to her mother and threw her arms around her. Tears coursed down her face. “Oh, Mother. If I’d only known. I love you. I’ve always loved you. I just didn’t think you loved me.” The two women rocked back and forth sniffling and hiccupping.

  “Well, that’s a lovely scene, John Ingram said in a droll voice. “Violet, if you’re done mewling it’s time to go. Margaret’s chosen her life. We have to get back to ours.”

  Violet reared off the sofa and rounded on her husband pointing her finger in his face. “I’m done with you. I refuse to listen to your drivel any longer. Money and power aren’t the most important things in life. Go.” She waved her husband off. “Go back to your steel and your meetings and your mistresses. I want a divorce.”

  Everyone in the room gasped. A divorce in 1925 was rare. People were ostracized for it and in Violet Ingram’s circle she’d be an outcast.

  “Mother! You can’t,” cried Maggie.

  Violet stood tall and firm. “I can and I will.”

  John Ingram seemed to shrink in the face of his wife’s defiance. He looked at his daughter for a long moment. His eyebrows lowered. He glared at Scott. Scott glared back.

  “Well, if you’ve decided then, Violet, I’ll be leaving.”

  “I’ve decided, John. Goodbye.”

  John Ingram studied his daughter for a very long moment then turned and left the apartment.

  Chapter Ten

  Scott sank to a chair near the kitchenette and put his face in his hands. The only sounds in the room were sniffles and snorts. Maggie and her mother hugged but didn’t say anything.

  What a mess. He had envisioned a romantic proposal to Maggie after they’d finished the picture. Then he’d pictured a long discussion about where they’d live. Actually, when. Scott was prepared to tell Maggie he’d stay here in 1925 with her.

  But now he wasn’t so sure. John Ingram’s tentacles were far-reaching and could have disastrous effects on them.

  Scott waited for the women to come to terms with their reconciliation and was happy for Maggie. She might have lost a father but she’d gained a mother. Scott knew a little about not having parents. His mother had died when he was small and his father had withdrawn, too torn with grief to care for two young boys.

  The apartment phone rang interrupting the sniveling sounds. Maggie rose to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Margaret Ingram?” a female voice asked.

  “Yes. Who’s calling?”

  “This is the operator for Sid Goodman’s office. Please hold.”

  Maggie turned to Scott. “It’s Sid Goodman’s office.”

  “Wonder what he wants.” Scott shook his head. Why did trouble always come all at once?

  “Margaret? Goodman here. You missed your call time for scene thirty with Chambers.”

  Maggie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry, Mr. Goodman. My parents unexpectedly came into town and I-I…forgot. I’ll be right there.” Maggie hung up the phone and said, “I missed my call time for the scene with Carey.” She looked frantically around the room. “I-I’ve got to go.” Maggie grabbed her purse and ran out the door. Scott and Violet Ingram followed suit.

  Maggie was desperately trying to start the car but her hands were shaking so badly that Scott took the keys from her and said in a soothing voice, “Scoot over.” He put the key in the ignition and backed the car out of the lot.

  The car was huge by 2005 standards. A brand new 1925 Packard Touring car. Only the best for John Ingram’s little girl. Scott had only seen Packards in pictures. The twelve cylinder engine roared as they hurtled down Sunset Boulevard. Scott loved the feel of the luxury car. The interior was a gorgeous cre
am leather with walnut trim. The steering wheel, double the size of a modern one, was beautifully crafted. The exterior was black with silver trim. Scott ran his hands over the smooth wood marveling at the technology of the day that could make a beautiful machine like this one.

  Scott pulled up to the building that held the set for The Gunslinger’s Wife and let Maggie out. She ran inside. By the time Scott parked the car and he and Violet walked in, Carey Chambers was lambasting Maggie a new one.

  “Where’ve you been, Maggie darlin’,” he slurred. “Couldn’t get outta bed so early?” he laughed at his own malicious joke.

  Maggie’s face mottled. “I had a family emergency, Mr. Chambers. I’ll get into my costume and be here as soon as possible. Are you ready to shoot the scene?”

  Scott was proud that Maggie stood up to Chambers. He knew she was still reeling from the confrontation with her father.

  “I think I’ll have a little swig to ready meself first.” Chambers pulled a flask out of his costume and tipped it up to his lips. A thin dribble of liquid ran down his mouth and chin and Chambers wiped it with the back of his hand.

  Scott saw the disgust on Maggie’s face and watched her walk up to Damon Westerly. “He’s drunk. I’m not doing the scene with him.”

  “Yes he is and yes you are,” Maggie. “The scene calls for William to be drinking when you confront him about your feelings for Alex.”

  “But he’s not supposed to have real liquor. It’s supposed to be apple juice. He’s really drunk and I won’t put up with him in this condition.”

  “You have to deal with the fact that Chambers has had more to drink than necessary for the scene because we’ve been waiting for you. I don’t know or care how he gets his supply. We have to finish this movie. No one will know he’s drunk when they see the movie.”

  Maggie wrung her hands. “I’m sorry for being late, Damon. It won’t happen again. Let’s get to it.” She gave Carey Chambers a fearful look. “I’ll just get into costume and be right back.”

  When Maggie came back Westerly roared, “Makeup!”

  A woman ran over and dabbed on some Max Factor face makeup, quickly rimmed Maggie’s eyes in black kohl, darkened her eyebrows, rouged her cheeks and reddened her lips. “She’s ready, Mr. Westerly.”

  “Everyone. Take your places.”

  Maggie moved into position for the scene that would be taking place in the den of the ranch house.

  “Quiet on the set. Music. Cameras. And…Action!”

  Susie confronted her brother William. “I know what you think of Alex. But you’re wrong. He’s changed. He deserves a chance.” She leaned toward him and pointed her finger in her brother’s face.

  William staggered. “My darlin’ sister,” he slurred. Even though she was acting, Maggie was glad that the theater-goers wouldn’t be able to hear Carey Chambers’ drunk voice. “I will never change my mind about your precious Alex, and I don’t have to give him a chance.” Chambers waved his arm in the air to punctuate his actions and stepped to the side losing his balance. He fell forward knocking over a chair and accidentally shoving Maggie out of the camera’s view.

  “Cut!”

  “Wha’d you do that for?” Chambers blamed Maggie for the ruined take. He glared at her as he struggled to stand.

  “You tripped, Mr. Chambers. I didn’t do anything.” Maggie turned to the director. “Damon, this is a waste of my time. When Mr. Chambers is sober, then I’ll be back to do the next take.”

  Chambers reared up and stumbled to the departing Maggie. “Leaving so soon, darlin’? Off to jump in bed with your lover?”

  Everyone in the room gasped. A few men choked on their cigarettes and cigars. All heads turned toward the verbal combatants.

  Scott had had enough with the drunken actor. He walked into the middle of the set and said in a very loud voice, “Are you going to listen to a drunken lout? Carey Chambers has no credibility. He’s angry that Miss Ingram was late and upset that I am taking her out, not he.” Scott looked at every man in the room. “Chambers is a pitiful man and is tarnishing Miss Ingram’s reputation for no reason other than to be spiteful.” He waited for a few moments while he stared each and every man down. After they’d all looked away he left the set.

  * * * * *

  Later that evening Scott, Maggie and her mother ate dinner at a popular diner. Mrs. Ingram said she wanted to eat there because she knew she wouldn’t run into John. He’d never stoop so low as to eat at a diner.

  No one spoke until the waitress had served their meatloaf and mashed potato dinners. After a few bites of the mouthwatering meat Violet Ingram said, “Maggie, darling, will you tell me about this time travel thing of Scott’s?”

  Maggie glanced at the nearby tables. “Shh, Mother. People can hear you.” She grabbed Scott’s hand for support. The zing that ran up her arm almost felt normal now. She treasured the physical connection they had. If her mother weren’t here she’d have slipped closer to Scott in the red vinyl booth and kissed him into oblivion.

  “I’m sorry, darling.” Maggie’s mother pushed her potatoes around her plate and mixed her peas into the mess. “But—”

  Scott leaned forward. “Mrs. Ingram. I’ll explain everything I can when we get back to Maggie’s apartment.”

  “But—” Mrs. Ingram said again.

  “Mother, please. I’m only just coming to terms with this situation,” Maggie pleaded.

  Violet looked around the room. No one paid them any attention. She heaved a sigh and said, “Well, then. How’s the picture coming along?”

  Maggie groaned. “It’s terrible, Mother. I’m not cut out to be an actress.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Carey Chambers is very difficult to work with. Besides having a movie star complex, he’s a drunk.”

  Violet Ingram gasped. “No!”

  Shaking her head Maggie said, “Yes. He’s late to the shoots, is argumentative with Scott and the director,” Maggie gave Scott a blinding smile and squeezed his hand, “and treats me like a trophy or a doll.” The minute Maggie said that she’d wondered why she’d found Chambers attractive in the first place. His smiles all seemed insincere now, his breath smelled of alcohol and his hands were clammy whenever he touched her. Maggie shuddered.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Scott asked. He untangled their fingers and ran his hand along her arm. He could feel the goose bumps run up her arm after his light touch.

  “I’m fine. Just thinking about the scenes I’ve done with Carey.” Maggie leaned closer to her mother. “I wish this film was finished. Then I’d never have to see Carey again.”

  Her mother sipped some coffee for a minute. “Then what will you do, darling?”

  Scott answered for her. “We’re going to get married, Mrs. Ingram. We’d be honored to have you at our wedding.”

  Tears pooled in Violet’s eyes. “Oh, I’d love to be there. Have you decided what kind of wedding you’re going to have?”

  “Not yet,” Maggie said. “Everything’s happened so fast.”

  Scott signaled the waitress for the check. When she brought it he glanced at it with a look of wonder on his face.

  “Is something the matter with the check, Scott?” Maggie asked.

  He shook his head as if to clear it. “I still can’t believe how cheap everything is now.” He waved the check in the air. “Three dinners at a local diner and the total is only four dollars.” Scott dug in his pocket and pulled out the money. He added a dollar for the tip.

  “That’s a very generous tip, Scott,” said Mrs. Ingram.

  Scott laughed. “In my time I’d be snarled at by a waitress if I left only a dollar. A dinner like this would run upwards of forty dollars.”

  The two women gasped. “What?”

  “Everything is very expensive. But we’re paid more to compensate for it.” He rose from the table and put out his hand for Maggie. “Come on. It’s time to tell your mother who I am and where I really come from.”

  * * * * *

>   “So that’s my story,” Scott finished. “I’m just waiting for Shauna to fix her BlackBerry then I can go back.”

  Both women wore stunned expressions on their faces. He knew the world he’d described frightened and fascinated them. He’d told them about transportation, business, world politics, wars and, of course, modern-day Hollywood. He also told them that Ingram Steel Corporation was still the largest in the nation, although the steel industry had fallen apart in the 1980s and that Morgan Paper Industries had been king of the paper companies until the 1960s when they went bankrupt.

  No one spoke for a long minute. Then Scott shifted on his chair and casually asked, “So, Maggie, would you and your mother care to travel to the twenty-first century with me and live in my time?”

  The two women gasped.

  Mother and daughter had identical expressions on their faces. Open mouths, wide, staring eyes. They grabbed hands and clung to each other.

  “Oh, we can’t!” Maggie blurted out.

  Scott’s heart turned over. He knew in that moment that he’d have to stay here with Maggie if he wanted a life with her. A sharp pain ripped through him at the thought of not being able to see Mike and Shauna. In that instant Scott knew how much he’d wanted Maggie to live with him in 2005. He hadn’t admitted it to himself until now. Scott ran a hand through his hair and slowly rose from his chair. “Well, I think I’ll go back to my trailer. I have a lot to think about.”

  “Oh, Scott, no.” Maggie cried running to him before he could get out the door. She grabbed his hand and held it to her cheek. “The question was so sudden. Mother and I haven’t had any time to think about such a thing.”

  “It’s okay. I know you have to discuss it.” Even though he felt disappointment and hurt he walked over to Maggie’s mom and gave her a big hug. “It’s nice to have met you, Mrs. Ingram. I’m sorry it was under these circumstances, but rest assured. I love your daughter and would never hurt her.”

  Scott turned to Maggie and said, “I love you, sweetheart.” He gave the women a weak smile and left the apartment.