Homecoming for Christmas

by Ciara Knight

  “Still, I promised you Paris, France and gave you Tiny Town, Montana.”

  “I love Christmas Mountain.” Mom threw a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth.

  I watched them together in a way I never had and realized what Ms. King had been trying to tell me all these years. “You guys love each other and us.”

  Dad arched a surprised brow at me. “Yes, of course.”

  I set the bowl down and studied the kernels for a moment. “I’m so sorry. I was a horrible child. You worked so hard and instead of helping I stayed away. I…I thought you didn’t come to any of my activities because you were disappointed in me. Because you didn’t like me.”

  Dad shrugged. “We had to work.”

  Mom put a hand to his arm as if to hush him.

  “I know that now,” I said. “But that wasn’t true all the time. I remember something else now.” Something I must have pushed aside all those years ago. “The night before the Christmas extravaganza you didn’t go to work, did you, mom?”

  “It was so long ago, I couldn’t possibly remember.” She turned toward the old tube TV. “What are we going to watch?”

  Now who was avoiding? “When I came home from rehearsals I was upset because I didn’t have a costume like the rest of the girls. I stomped upstairs yelling how unfair it was being part of this family. I was mad we weren’t rich like some of my friends.”

  Tears escaped my control. “I slammed my door and didn’t come out the rest of the night, but I had heard some noises down stairs as late as the early morning hours. I thought it was someone sneaking into the kitchen to eat, but the next morning a red skirt was on the kitchen table. All this time I assumed one of the girls, or Ms. King dropped it off for me. There was no note and it never occurred to me…” The realization was both horrifying and heartwarming. “It wasn’t anyone else, was it, Mom? It was you.”

  “Yes.” Dad said, while hugging Mom into his side.

  Mom shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now.”

  Dad squeezed her tighter. “Your mom called into work and stayed up for hours making that skirt for you. She was devastated when she couldn’t take off the next night to go see you at the extravaganza, but she was told she’d be fired if she left. There weren’t a lot of jobs here, so she had no choice but to stay and work.”

  My heart cracked and peeled with worn judgments and false thoughts until I thought it would dry up, but instead it overflowed with regrets and love. “Mom, I don’t think I’ve ever said this, but thank you. Thank you for everything you did while I was growing up. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now there are more important things than money. I can see that now, looking at you both.”

  “Love is powerful,” Mom beamed.

  At that moment, I faced the truth of my life for the first time. I’d spent most of my time avoiding what mattered like family and friends and love in order to peruse things I thought were important. I stood and headed for the stairs.

  “Where’re you going? I thought we were going to watch a movie?” Dad asked.

  I looked at mom. “I’m going to quit my job, so I have more time to spend with family because my mom sacrificed so I could afford to have an adventure. I’ve decided what my next adventure will be, and it won’t be in the Keys. It’ll be here, in Christmas Mountain.”

  Mom hopped up and hugged me tight. “I’m so blessed to have you as my daughter. I hope you know I love you.”

  “I do, now.”

  We stood swinging back and forth hugging each other for several seconds before she released me and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

  I cleared my throat and lifted my chin. “I’m going to tell that partner of mine he can have the business because I have bigger and better plans.”

  Dad reclined his chair and smiled. “If I know my daughter, nothing will stop her. She’s a Brooks.”

  Fifteen

  I spent the morning cleaning house, hoping to surprise Mom when she got home from work. An hour into my work, my phone rang. I held my breath figuring it was Brent, but it wasn’t. He still hadn’t called, but he was due home today. To my relief, though, it was Clint.

  “Hello, Clint,” I said in a frustrated tone. Even with my decision to sell the company, I still didn’t like how he’d gone about trying to take it from me.

  “Hi, Ash. Listen, I’m sorry I freaked out and that it took me so long to get back to you. I found out that Barbra’s pregnant and I went a little crazy.”

  “A little?”

  “Be nice I’m calling to grovel.”

  “No need, I figured it had something to do with Barbara. Let me guess, she told you that it was time for you to grow up and own the company outright or you’d never be able to afford having a baby. If not, she’d take the baby and go.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Because I know Barbara. She hasn’t liked me since the day she met me two years ago. How did you keep us separated for so long anyway?”

  He chuckled. “It wasn’t easy. Listen, you think jealousy was bad before, add pregnancy hormones and you get nuclear melt down.”

  I wanted to tell him he’d really made his life a mess now, but I wouldn’t. Clint was a man of honor and if Barbara was having his baby, he was never going to leave her. I only hoped that with me gone she’d calm down and they could have a happy life. “Congratulations.”

  “Really? You’re not going to yell at me and tell me I’m an idiot for knocking Barbara up?”

  “No, believe it or not, I am truly happy for you. You’ll make an amazing father, Clint. And once I’m gone things should be easier for you.”

  He cleared his throat. “That’s why I called: I’m going back to being a silent partner. I’ll take out a loan for the new business, but I’ll have to put my part of the business up for collateral.”

  “No need. I’ve decided to sell you my half of the business. I’ll be staying in Christmas Mountain.”

  “Ash, you don’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but I want to. Barbara will be happy because she’ll be your new partner. Not just having a baby, but in business and in life. You’ve kept one foot in the ocean and one on land for so long. It’s time for you to man up, buddie. Let’s face it, Barbara has had reason to be jealous. Not of me, but of you not fully committing. If you’re gonna do this then go all the way. You have enough to buy me out, right?”

  “Yes, but you didn’t want to sell. I’m not going to force you to give up your part of the company.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I think it’s time that I went after my next chapter in life. I’m thinking outdoor sports in Montana. Hiking, snow skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, tubing, and anything else I can come up with to offer tourists.”

  “You’re the best, Ash. You’ll be awesome at that.” Clint extended an olive branch, and since he’d given me a chance when I first arrived in Florida, I wanted to repay the favor.

  “Thanks, take care. I’ll come down after the holidays to pack up my stuff and settle the paperwork.”

  “Sounds fair. Enjoy your Christmas.” Clint said, and the phone went dead.

  I felt free for the first time in years. I’d spent so many hours building the company and working that life had slipped away. For a second, I thought about texting Brent since I was so excited to tell him about my plans to stay in Christmas Mountain, but I wanted to see his face when I gave him the news, so I’d wait and tell him when I saw him.

  I looked around at my fair job of cleaning, but I wanted to do more for my parents to show them I really appreciated all their sacrifices. If they came home to a nice dinner, they could enjoy each other instead of working more, but I was a disaster in the kitchen. Instead, I dialed Prancer’s Pancake House.

  “Hey, can I place an order, and could someone deliver it to the Brooks home?”

  “Sure, I can run it over there. What ya want?”

  “Steak and potatoes for my dad, and salmon, vegetables and rice for my mom.”

>   “Cash or credit?”

  “Credit” I rambled off my number.

  “Okay, be there in about twenty minutes.”

  “Perfect, thanks.”

  I slid my phone in my back pocket and decided to set the table. I found cloth napkins, candles, and even put out the special plates.

  The front door opened, and I stood in front of the table. “Hi mom.”

  “What’s going on here?”

  “I cleaned some. I’m sure I didn’t do it as well as you do, but I tried. Oh, and I also ordered dinner for you and Dad. It should be here in twenty minutes. I think it’s time you two had a night off. I’ll disappear to my room for the evening.”

  She scanned the table behind me and shook her head. “Who are you and what did you do with my daughter?”

  “I told her to get over herself. From what I understand she’s selling her share of the company and going to start one here in Christmas Mountain. I’m thinking an outdoor excursions business to bring back tourists. I’ll need some help. What do you think about quitting your job at the grocery store and going on an adventure with me?”

  Her eye brows rose on her face and her mouth opened wide, stretching her skin nearly lineless. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

  Dad closed the front door and came up behind mom. “Say yes.”

  She lunged forward and threw her arms around me. “Yes.”

  Two weeks ago, if someone told me I’d be hugging my mother, offering to work with her, making plans to remain in Christmas Mountain, I’d think they were crazy. Now I couldn’t wait to dig into a new business plan, a new life.

  “You two enjoy, I’m going to go hideout in my room for a while. Tomorrow I’ll go into town and find out what the rent will be in one of those abandoned storefronts. Right now, I’ll go research gear and start a business plan.” I kissed my mom’s cheek and then my dad’s then raced up stairs to get started. A half an hour into looking at climbing equipment, kayaks, and innertubes I noticed my phone had a text. I must’ve been so busy that I never heard the ding. It was from Brent. A jolt of happiness caused a fluttering in my chest.

  Did you disappear on me yet?

  I picked up the phone to text him back, I’m still in town. Where are you?

  Headed back. I’ll arrive late tonight. Can I see you tomorrow?

  I’ll come by the knitting store tomorrow night after you close.

  See you then.

  I waited a moment to make sure he wouldn’t text anything else before I set my phone down at my side. I’d never been so excited to see someone before. I couldn’t wait to tell him I would be staying in Christmas Mountain. The thought of him sweeping me into his arms and telling me how happy I made him drove me to refocus my efforts on making Christmas Mountain my permeant home.

  That night I worked on my business plan, it was bold and a huge risk. It was easy to start a boat charter company when there are tons of tourists flocking to the area already but establishing a business in a town suffering from lack of tourism wasn’t going to be easy. For once, I was glad I wasn’t alone in this, but Mom lacked the business experience and the marketing ability.

  I worked until I couldn’t keep my eyes open and leaned my head back against the wall. Before I knew it, sunshine flooded in through the small window of my bedroom pouring warmth onto my skin. I shot up and looked at the time. I’d slept the morning away.

  Mom and Dad were already gone, so I showered, dressed, threw on my hiking boots, jeans, sweater and coat. I wasn’t able to find the realtor on line, so I hightailed it to town, dialed the number on the front window and left a message.

  I needed to stall my scouting hike since cell reception was bad in the mountains, so I headed to Prancer’s Pancake House for a morning pick-me-up. When I reached the parking lot, I checked my phone again willing the realtor to call, but nothing.

  “Ashley?” A voice from the past jerked my attention from my crazy business idea and I looked up through a time tunnel to find my friend, Emma Winters. Same perfect pale complexion, shocking blue eyes, shiny dark hair and model frame. At her side was an almost equal amount of perfection. A man who looked straight out of one of those sappy romantic comedies Emma used to make us watch in high school. He wasn’t Brent perfect, but he was something, as equally shocking and beautiful as Emma.

  I realized my crazy brain had taken me on sabbatical and the pause even made the stranger offer an uncomfortable half-smile.

  “Emma,” I said.

  She opened her arms but kept a few inches of distance between us for a stranger hug. “It’s nice to see you.”

  “You, too.”

  Her quick side glance with that, wide-eyed, you’ve-got-my-heart-forever look locked onto the man. And he reciprocated. Of course, what man wouldn’t?

  I held out my hand to him. “Hi, I’m Ash Brooks, an old friend of Emma’s.”

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Adam.” He had a firm grip and an air of confidence. Perfect for Emma.

  Emma also wore confidence like a second skin. She was always dressed better than the winner of the Queen of England versus CEO of Prada smackdown. We were opposite with her black dress to my jeans, classy heels to my functional hiking boots. For the first time in my life I didn’t want to be someone else, though. In that moment, I realized I had accepted me and all my epic crazy. Heck, it would take Man on the Moon epic to make my business plan work in Christmas Mountain.

  She bit her lip the way she did when I knew she had a secret. “This may sound weird, but I was hoping I would run into you.” Her attention only remained on me for a second, but then magnet man had it again. “I’m headed to work, but I would love to catch up.”

  “Can I call you? I’d like to chat.”

  Emma nodded and rattled off her number. I typed it into my cell and as quickly as Emma popped into my life again, she strutted back out, but this time I wouldn’t let her go. Friends, even one’s you hadn’t seen in eight years, still deserved respect. I wanted to talk to her about Brent the way we used to talk about boys, find out what her life had been like the last eight years, and to make a connection that would mean we’d stay in touch this time. Call it the power of the Friendship promise or the magic of Ms. King, but friendship was a gift. The words of our promise echoed in my head.

  “I promise to always be there for you.”

  Sixteen

  After finally tracking down the realtor and hearing the bad news that there were already multiple offers on the more affordable, smaller storefront space I wanted to rent for the recreation shop, I walked to my second choice. I wasn’t sure how far my money would stretch for the larger space and anything less than six months of operating costs and living expenses would be unrealistic to allow long enough to reach a black line before folding.

  I stood at the storefront window and decided it was time. Time for me to face my greatest fears in life and stop hiding. I eyed the knitting store and watched the ladies pour in for their afternoon knitting class. The thought of Brent teaching these ladies had been a funny thought when I’d arrived. He was always strong and fit, but I hadn’t realized how soft and kind he was, too.

  The thought of confessing my feelings to Brent made my pulse hammer against my neck and my breath freeze in my lungs. I needed a pep talk, a friend talk. The one person who knew Brent as well as I did was Emma. With shaking hands, I pulled up Emma’s number and hit send. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the abandoned storefront at the edge of Main Street and closed my eyes.

  One ring

  The glass cooled my forehead.

  Two rings.

  The phone clicked. “Hello.”

  “Emma, hi, it’s me, Ash. Is this a good time?” I held my breath, hoping to reconnect with the friend I once trusted with all my secrets except this one. I never told her how I felt about Brent. It was about time.

  “I’m at work, but I have a few minutes. How have you been?”

  “Fine.” I took a deep breath but couldn’t quite find the words
yet. “Have you seen Miss King?”

  “Yes.” Her voice sounded as heavy as my heart.

  “She won’t tell me what I can do. Except—”

  “Except sing at the Christmas Extravaganza this year?”

  “Right. At first, I thought the rest of you could do it without me. I mean, after what happened graduation night, I didn’t think any of you would want me around.”

  “Why?” Emma asked, her voice taking on an inquisitive tone even though I was stating the obvious.

  “You were all arrested because of me. It sounds silly now, but I thought you all hated me after that.”

  “None of us hated you. We all knew what we were doing. You might have led us all to the pigs, but we gladly followed you. You were like the energy of our group. The thing that kept life exciting.”

  I wanted to tell her that was exactly what Morgan said, but I remembered she didn’t want anyone knowing she was in town. I grabbed at the strand of friendship possibilities and tugged it. “Then you think the rest of our group will sing at the Christmas Extravaganza?”

  “I know Ms. King has asked all of us, so we will see. Have you spoken to any of the others yet?”

  I was careful not to mention Morgan, but there was no reason not to mention Lexi. “I ran into Lexi.”

  “Really? How is she?”

  “I only spoke to her briefly at the Christmas Decorating event over a week ago. I hope to catch up with everyone soon.”

  “I’m not sure how long you’ve been back in Christmas Mountain, but if it’s been longer than two seconds, my name has probably come up. I’ve had a falling out with my family that bubbled over into the town. That’s why I haven’t been around.”

  I aimlessly traced the letter ‘S’ on the sign with my finger. “I know all about running away.” I heard the pain in her voice, and I understood how she felt. I thought about asking more, but it seemed invasive somehow.

  “It usually doesn’t work out all that well, does it?”

  I half chuckled. “Not in my experience.”