“Good luck finding any room in the oven. She completely invaded my kitchen, and God only knows what she has roasting in the oven now. We had an agreement that she’d be done by the time I woke up this morning. Clearly that didn’t work out.”
The doorbell rang.
“You two go ahead and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll get the front door.”
In the living room, Ethan had everyone fully engaged in a game of Charades. It seemed to be our family “go to” game every time we gathered. Mainly because we could act silly and laugh over just how ridiculous everyone looked. The moment we stepped in the living room everyone pointed above our heads and cheered us on to kiss under the mistletoe. It was a new addition to my parents’ Christmas decorations this year.
“Plant a big one on her, Cole!” Ethan yelled.
Cole and I kissed, feeling somewhat silly with such a big audience watching.
Jolene was highly amused by it all. “Ahh, so you like the mistletoe idea. Looks like you needed me around to spice things up around here. Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from,” she said.
“That’s what worries me most,” Abby announced.
“Come here and give your big sister a hug,” Abby said.
Afterward, Cole disappeared into the living room to talk to Wyatt and my dad.
“Payton, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the other day. Did you take another test or go to the doctor?” Abby whispered.
“I scheduled a doctor’s appointment,” I said. It was the first thing that came to mind.
“There they are. The Bobbsey Twins are at it again. You haven’t been together for five minutes and you’re already whispering and sharing secrets among one another.” Rebecca interrupted.
“And Merry Christmas to you, too, Rebecca. Please tell me the evening isn’t going to be filled with another one of your ‘nobody pays me any attention’ episodes,” I said.
“I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, Payton. All I know is I was coming over to wish you a Merry Christmas, but as usual, you and Abby are doing your own thing.”
“We’re not doing our own thing, Rebecca.” Abby tried to convince Rebecca but her words fell on deaf ears.
“Never-mind, it’s no big deal. I’m going to check on John William. It’s time for him to wake up from his nap.”
Rebecca walked off with a chip on her shoulder, which had become the norm for her these days. It amazed me that even on Christmas she couldn’t lay her selfishness aside for just a little while, so everyone could enjoy themselves.
I turned to Abby.
“We need to have a sit down with her once and for all.”
“She’s all yours, Payton. I have enough on my plate to deal with. I love Rebecca, but she has a severe case of spoiled brat syndrome, and I have zero tolerance for dealing with that right now.”
“She’s not a child anymore, Abby. If you have an issue about something, the proper way to deal with it as an adult is talk it out.”
“Payton, unfortunately some people never grow up. Our sister just might be one of those people.”
Just then Mom announced Helen and Stanley’s arrival.
“Look who’s here, everybody.”
Cole’s face lit up the room at the sight of his mother’s arrival. Not only was this our first Christmas as a married couple, but it was the first time we gathered all the family under one roof for the same holiday in a while. I brought my camera along to capture every moment from beginning to end.
While Cole went over to say hi to his parents, I snuck over to see my dad.
“Merry Christmas, Dad.” I pulled up a chair next to his favorite recliner.
“Merry Christmas.” He repeated.
“I see you and Cousin Jolene are keeping each other company over a glass of eggnog.”
“That’s right. What’s Christmas without a little nog.” Cousin Jolene interrupted.
“Did you spike the eggnog? You know Dad can’t drink anything that’s going to interfere with his medication.”
“Payton, I worked as a nurse for over thirty years. I was a pretty darn good one, if I may say so myself. I have all the awards and accolades to prove it. Do you think I would give your father something he’s not supposed to have?”
“I was just checking, that’s all.”
“Mmm. If it will make you feel better, sniff the glass. It’s one hundred percent eggnog. Now, my glass on the other hand is mixed with the good stuff. I plan on having a good time tonight.”
Again, the doorbell rang.
“And here comes my idea of a good time, right now. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to answer the front door. Payton, you should help yourself to a glass. Loosen up a bit, honey.”
When Jolene was out of sight I jokingly pleaded with my father, hoping I could get him to give me some feedback about Jolene.
“Daddy, I know you, you don’t like to make a fuss, but it’s okay for you to admit if you’re ready for Jolene to go back to Jacksonville. I wouldn’t blame you one bit. That woman is as crazy as they come.”
My dad didn’t say much, but he smirked.
“Payton, do you have a minute?” Mom bent over to whisper.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I probably should’ve called you ahead of time to give you a heads up.”
“About what?”
Jolene walked into the living room just as Mom was speaking. A gentleman was standing behind her with a cowboy hat on. As soon as he removed his hat, I had to do a double take just to make sure I was seeing right. I wondered why David Stonewall was standing in my parents’ living room. Had Cousin Jolene invited him to dinner?
“Are my eyes deceiving me?”
“No, your eyes are working just fine. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. She’s been spending time over at the inn and apparently she made a new friend.”
“Okay, I’m all for making friends in the community. We’ve even been over to the inn to have dinner since we sold it, but he’s the last person I’d expected to see at the dinner table today.”
“Tell me about it. Jolene said that he’s spending the holidays alone, so she invited him over. We’ll just put on a smile and deal with it for a couple of hours, that’s all. I already gave the others the heads up.”
“Merry Christmas, everyone!” David nodded his head and held up a bottle of wine.
“I brought a few bottles of holiday cheer as a thank you for having me. Who here likes wine?”
Ethan and Wyatt gladly went over and shook his hand and welcomed him. Cole gave me a look of confusion from across the room, to which I just shrugged my shoulders in response.
The fixings were all set on the dining table and the final touches looked picture worthy. Mom extended the leaves to her farm-style table and placed several decorated mini tables around the room for the desserts. I don’t know how she managed to pull off such a grand display, but she did. Before sitting down to say grace, we all posed for a family photo.
“Alright, everybody grab the hand of the person sitting next to you. Wyatt, if it’s okay, I’d like to pass you the torch and give you the task of saying grace.”
“Sure, everybody, please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we thank you for blessing us with the meal before us, those that prepared the meal, and with every person seated around this table. May the love and blessings you share with us continue to surround us all this Christmas and through the New Year. Amen.”
“Amen! Dig in everybody.” Mom couldn’t be more thrilled.
“Eh em. I’d like to say a few words while everyone fills up their plate. I’m sure you all noticed some non-traditional items on the table this year.”
“I thought we weren’t going to say anything, Jolene.” Mom interrupted.
“Helen, hush for a moment. I think you’ll be pleased with what I’m about to say.”
Mom sat back in her chair and pouted as if she had been scolded.
“Anyway. I was about to say that Helen was
gracious enough to allow me to share some of my traditions as well. Most of you know that George and I were as non-traditional as they come. Therefore, there was nothing abnormal about having a spaghetti dinner, or pulled pork with barbecue sauce, as long as we were together and happy. I initially challenged Helen to a cook off. But, seeing how tradition is so important to you all, I thought better of it. If you’re willing to try my food, enjoy it. If not, I’ll understand that, too. Merry Christmas, everybody!”
“Cheers! Thank you, Jolene. And, Merry Christmas. Now can we eat?” Mom said.
“You don’t have to ask me twice. Dig in!”
“Good. Okay, everybody, over here we have my famous apple and cranberry dressing, your grandma’s cabbage recipe, oh and don’t forget about the corn pudding. And, let’s not forget, Jolene’s Texas barbecue. To my surprise, it truly is to die for!”
“To your surprise? Helen, I told you I can cook!”
Everyone ate and passed around the serving dishes to one another. For a tiny moment in time it felt like we were a picture perfect family straight out of a scene from the Brady Bunch.
“Wow, Cousin Jolene and Mom are actually getting along for a change! I was starting to wonder if my eyes were deceiving me. It’s like you’ve suddenly become two peas in a pod,” Rebecca said.
I should’ve known whatever hopes of peace I envisioned for the day were about to dissipate as soon as Rebecca opened her mouth.
“Rebecca, of course we’re getting along. It’s Christmas. Mind your manners, sweetheart,” Jolene said.
“Mind my manners? Hmm, that’s an interesting comment to make. You weren’t minding your manners the last time I was over here to visit.” Rebecca picked up her glass of wine and took another huge gulp.
Somehow all the cheer and laughter started dwindling as everyone shifted their attention to Rebecca’s end of the table.
“Rebecca, maybe you ought to lay off the wine for a little while,” Mom said.
“It is the finest wine we have in stock. I figured I couldn’t show up with the cheap stuff. Only the best for the Matthews!” David chuckled.
“Thank you, David. It’s delicious. I’m on my third glass and I feel like I could have another. But could we all just sit back for a moment and address the pink elephant in the room? Surely I’m not the only one who sees it,” Rebecca said.
“Rebecca!”
“No, Momma, please, allow me. We have David sitting here having Christmas dinner with us, which is fine and all.” She turned and look at David.
“Nothing personal, David, I love the wine, keep it coming. Anyway, no one has explained how this came about. Last time I checked, he wasn’t on Mom’s list of favorites, and now here he is! Who’s coming to dinner? Oh, just the new owner of the inn. You know, the guy who fired all the old staff and the guy who Mom can’t stand. And, as if that weren’t enough, we have Mom and Jolene.”
“That’s Cousin Jolene to you,” Jolene said.
“Excuse me. Mom and Cousin Jolene pretending to get along when the entire world knows you’re usually at each others’ throats. And, finally, you have my sisters who are walking around keeping secrets, as if they’re the only ones who are privileged to know anything.”
“Rebecca, that’s enough. You’ve had too much to drink. Go upstairs and cool off.”
“Looks like I’m not the only one who spiked their eggnog.” Jolene snickered.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be sent to my room like a little girl.”
Ethan picked up John William, who was getting a little fussy at the table.
“I’ve been keeping everything bottled up inside long enough. The women are always putting on airs in this family, pretending to be oh so perfect, but that’s just not the case. And, whenever I try to step in and help or simply be there for you, I’m the one who ends up getting chastised.”
Alice and Stanley stopped eating. Abby and Wyatt had a slight frown on their faces while Rebecca continued to ramble.
“I know the real deal about each and every one of you, and unlike yourselves, I don’t go around pretending. I’m a realist. I’ll bet I can go around this table and tell you everything you’ve ever tried to keep from me starting with you, Miss goody two shoes, Payton.”
I drew my head back in disbelief.
“Rebecca, I thought I asked you…” Mom started to reprimand her again but I wanted to hear more.
“Oh, no, Mom. Don’t stop her now. I’ve had just about enough of Miss sassy pants over here. Let’s hear what she has to say. Whatever it is, I’ll bet there’s no truth to it, anyway.” I welcomed Rebecca’s remarks.
“Why don’t you just go ahead and tell everyone that you’re pregnant and get it over with?”
“You little…” She was lucky there were children in our midst.
Everyone’s expression turned to shock around the table, including Cole.
“You already told Rebecca that we’re expecting?” he asked.
“No, babe, she only suspects that’s the case because she walked in on Abby and I taking the test the other day. I never said a word to her or anyone else for that matter.
“Rebecca, how did you find out?” I asked.
“I’ve had my share of tests with mixed results. Plus, you just confirmed it by hardly putting anything on your plate. I’ve seen that nauseated look on your face before.”
“That’s pretty low, Rebecca.”
She swallowed some more wine before continuing.
“Low? Low is what Mom did when I tried to defend her from Jolene’s insults. Low is what Abby does every time she puts me down, like I’m a little child.”
“That’s because you are one. You’re acting like one right now, even in front of our guests. You just can’t seem to help yourself.” Abby rolled her eyes.
“Rebecca, did it ever occur to you that I didn’t need you to defend me from Jolene? I know how to defend myself. We were just two grown women having a minor disagreement. Do you think I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I asked her to come live with me? She was drunk as a skunk that night. Who’s to say there’s any truth to anything she says when she’s been drinking.”
“Excuse me?” Jolene sat upright.
“Oh, Jolene, you know what I mean. How many times do you and I go at it and then forget about it the next day like it was nothing? It’s happened so many times I’ve lost count.”
As I looked around the table, Dad, Stanley, and the kids were the only ones still eating. Everyone else was too distracted by Rebecca’s performance to finish their meal.
“Okay, here we go pretending again. We’re just going to blame it all on Cousin Jolene who had way too much to drink and there’s no truth to anything she said that night. Look out everybody, here comes the pink elephant again.” Rebecca was in rare form.
“What on earth are you talking about?” Mom asked.
“Mom, whatever it is, now is not the time or the place. Clearly she’s had too much. I don’t see why we would sit here and listen to one more minute of this.” I tried to intervene.
“Rebecca. I’m waiting. What are you referring to?” Mom said.
“Cousin Jolene referred to you having another love interest in your early days of being married to Dad.”
The room fell silent, except for the kids who had just left the table.
Jolene leaned over and spoke in a low voice.
“David, pass me some more of that eggnog and brandy over there. It’s going to be a long night.”
Rebecca continued.
“I know she was telling the truth because I had a nice long conversation with John Murphy during my visit to Savannah. You didn’t want me to know the truth. That’s why you hushed me up that night,” she added.
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, I envisioned myself hurling the entire dish of green bean casserole right at Rebecca’s face. Thankfully, Cole gripped my hand under the table. It was almost as if he could read my mind.
Mom slowly backed
her chair away from the table and rose up. She looked angry enough to let Rebecca have it. Before she could speak we all heard a loud scratching sound coming from the record player in the living room. Dad managed to slip away from the table without being noticed. He gently put the needle down again and the sound of Elvis’ I’ll Be Home for Christmas filled the cottage. It was Mom and Dad’s favorite Christmas song as young lovers. He returned to the dining table and extended his arm to mom for a dance.
Mom slowly began to light up with a smile, completely leaving behind all the words exchanged at the table.
“It’s our favorite Christmas song. William Matthews, you never cease to amaze me. You remembered it all by yourself, darling. You remembered.”
She laughed.
“You remembered!”
Mom cried tears of joy while slow dancing with Daddy. It was a big deal, if only for a moment, that he remembered something so near and dear to Mom’s heart. It made us all a little teary-eyed. Abby and Wyatt joined my parents for a dance, and even Alice and Stanley nestled a little closer at the dinner table.
Rebecca slipped out of the room. I’m sure the embarrassment was more than she could bear.
Cole tapped me on the shoulder and spoke softly in my ear.
“I think there’s room on the dance floor for two more, don’t you?”
“I sure do. But first, Cole, I’m really sorry about the way things came out today. I promise I didn’t say anything.”
“I know, babe. Not to worry, let’s join the family and have a good time. Besides, they still don’t know the best part yet.”
“Should we announce it now?” I asked.
“Why not? They all could use a little uplifting news right about now.”
I giggled uncontrollably.
“You go ahead and announce it, Cole.”
“Right now? Okay. Hey, everybody!” Everyone looked over at Cole.
“In effort to keep the good cheer going, Payton and I have some news to share.” Cole looked at me and we both yelled together.
“We’re having twins!”
Everyone cheered and joined us in a group hug. What could’ve been a terrible end to Christmas dinner turned out to be the best evening imaginable.
Christmas At Pelican Beach (Pelican Beach Book 4) Page 11