Fourteen
June
Spending the night in jail was not as terrible as June first imagined. The cots in the holding cell were surprisingly comfy, everything was clean, and the other ladies were pleasant to talk to. It was comforting to know that she and Ellie were in it all together. For her part, Ellie wasn’t nearly as distraught as June thought she would be. She handled the whole thing admirably. June was proud of her.
Sheriff Bryant must have felt at least a little sorry for them, or maybe even a little guilty, because he ordered them all pizza and bought them coffee before heading home. At around ten the next morning he came back, with Jeff, Henry, and all the kids in tow.
June had seen herself as a crusader for justice through this whole ordeal, but looking at Henry and the kids’ shocked and confused faces brought her straight back down to reality. Her cheeks flooded with heat, and her heart sank. How could she have done this to them? To Ellie?
Ellie and June endured a hundred rapid fire questions from their families. Once those were answered, they endured a fair amount of teasing and laughter. June wondered how everyone could be so glib. It would certainly cost money to bail them out, and then they faced all kinds of legal trouble afterwards.
Sheriff Bryant walked up to the cell with his keys, then unlocked and opened the door.
“As I’ve already explained to your family, you’re free to go,” he said, his small blue eyes twinkling.
“What?” asked June.
“Mr. Krantz has dropped all the charges.”
“Really? Why?”
The sheriff lifted up his hat and scratched his head. “Well, as it turns out, you were right. That snowman was a hazard. Shortly after you were arrested, it burst into flames on Mr. Krantz’s lawn. The fire department came and put it out, and the fire chief told him that if it had still been on the roof, his house would have burned down. And since a business trip he was supposed to be on got cancelled last-minute, he would have gone up in flames with it. He said you saved his life, and he couldn’t very well let you sit in jail.”
Ellie gasped, and June stared at him, shocked. “Why didn’t you let us out sooner, then?”
“Well, I felt it necessary to teach you a lesson.”
“Fair enough,” said June. Then she walked out of the cell and let her family hug her.
Fifteen
June
It was a long car ride home. June was very grateful to see her house again so soon. As they walked up to the front door, she noticed the kids poking each other, laughing, and whispering conspiratorially. She wondered why, but fatigue had set into her bones, and she had no energy to investigate.
She glanced over at Mr. Krantz’s house and saw the charred crater that had been Sparky the Snowman. She smiled to herself.
Henry opened the door, and June walked in to find her mother standing in the front room.
“Mom!” she said, too surprised for any other words.
Her mother smiled. “You weren’t expecting me?”
June’s stomach dropped. In all the chaos, and all the planning, and all the neighborhood drama, she had forgotten that her own mother was flying in that day.
The kids burst into laughter. “Did you see Mom’s face?” they asked each other.
Henry spoke up, his mustache twitching. “I picked her up from the airport early this morning, like you asked me to a week ago.”
June turned to her mother. She looked exactly like she always did—like she always had, since the late sixties. Hair done up in a bun, nice blouse, a button-down jacket, a flared, pleated skirt, a hat, sensible shoes. Her gray eyes were the same, too—warm, kind, full of life. She stretched out her arms.
“Come here, my little jailbird.”
June walked over obediently. Her mother clasped her into an embrace, and her smell of talcum powder and roses enveloped her. “Mom,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
June and her mother sat across from each other at the breakfast table. Her mother had insisted on making her breakfast and coffee. June took her coffee mug in both hands and breathed in the fragrant aroma. She took and a long sip. It was delicious—better than any concoction June had ever come up with.
“Mom, how did you make this?”
“Ah, ah! It’s a secret,” her mother said, smiling.
June laughed. “Okay. Now my challenge is to get it out of you somehow.”
“I know how persistent you can be!” She furrowed her brow. “Now, June bug, tell me. What is going on with you?”
June sniffled, then poured out the whole sad story—Pinky, the Christmas party, jazzercise, mean old Mr. Krantz, the evil snowman, jail. Then she sighed in relief. It felt good just to talk about it.
“Oh, June! What a lot you’ve had on your shoulders! I’m sorry that you’ve struggled so much.”
“But?”
Her mother sighed. “But I’m a little disappointed.”
“I know, I let my temper get the best of me.”
“No. You let your pride get the best of you. And you have made yourself miserable.”
“What?”
“You’re chasing ghosts, June. You’re trying so hard to achieve this unattainable vision of perfection in your mind that you are missing what’s real, and right in front of you.”
“But I—”
“And it seems like you took all of your frustrations out on this neighbor, this Mr. Krantz.”
June stared at her. “You’re taking his side?” she asked incredulously.
“Of course not, he’s horrible. But he’s also clearly suffering. Did you reach out to him? Return kindness for his harshness?”
“I did! I mean, I tried. He didn’t want to be neighborly.”
“Were you neighborly?”
June’s chest tightened. “I was! I told you what happened.”
“It sounds to me as though you were only nice as a means to an end—to get something you wanted. Not to try and extend him friendship or help.”
June’s cheeks burned. “I never thought about it that way.”
“June, you have always strived for excellence, and that’s wonderful. You achieve it most of the time. But I want you to try and look at things with a new perspective. It’s Christmas, so let’s talk about Christ. Do you think he was born so that two thousand years later you could throw perfect Christmas parties, have a spotless house, and bake flawless cookies?”
“No.”
“No. he was born to give us grace and mercy and forgiveness. To show us he loves us most, even when we deserve it the least. We make the season beautiful, and warm, and bright for him. Not for ourselves. And we show people grace, and mercy, and forgiveness so we can offer hurting people a little touch of heaven here on Earth.”
June’s heart squeezed painfully, and tears escaped her eyes. “Oh, I feel so awful.”
Her mother shrugged. “Maybe it’s not your finest moment,” she said. “But none of us live a life full of finest moments. No self-pity, now. We don’t look backward when we’ve done wrong. We look forward to figure out how to make it right.”
June nodded.
“All right,” her mother said. Get me an apron, and we’ll bake some cookies.”
For the next half hour, June served as her mother’s baking apprentice, just like she had as a kid. It was so good, so right, to be back in the kitchen with her again, creating something new together.
When the cookies had cooled, June’s mother set one aside one for each child and one for Henry. Then she wrapped up the rest.
“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go make amends.”
“But it was my mess. I should clean it up.”
Her mother smiled at her. “You don’t have to do it alone. Let’s go quickly, so we can put this behind us and focus on having fun. The kids want to decorate the tree today. I can’t wait!”
June approached Mr. Krantz’s house with all the dread of a woman heading to her doom. She rang the bell, the plate of cookies resting unsteadily in
her trembling hands. She glanced back at her mother, who gave her an encouraging smile.
Mr. Krantz opened the door. The moment he saw her, his eyes flashed with a mixture of contempt, guilt, and frustration.
“Hi, Mr. Krantz.” June said uneasily. “I’ve come with a peace offering. A real one this time.” She handed him the plate, and he took it. “I know that I am partly to blame for how things have gone between us,” she continued. “Instead of listening to you, I got angry and made things worse. So, I hope you’ll forgive me. For that, and for trespassing, and for taking down your snowman. I hope you have a merry Christmas. And, so you know, I’m having a Christmas party on the twenty-third. Six o’clock. I hope you will come.”
Mr. Krantz’s features softened, and he looked at the plate of cookies. “You came to apologize to me?”
“Yes,” said June, bristling a little.
“And you brought me cookies, and invited me to your party.”
“It’s not anything fancy,” June said, looking down at her hands. “Just a neighborhood party. But I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“You did all this, in spite of the way I treated you?”
“Well, yes.” June shrugged. “Nobody’s perfect.”
Then June saw something she’d never thought she’d see.
Mr. Krantz smiled at her.
Sixteen
Ellie
Ellie took a sip of June’s delicious punch and sighed happily. “The party is a hit so far,” she said to Jeff.
“Looks that way.”
“I mean, at first, the only thing anyone wanted to do was talk about was the arrest.”
“Well, can you blame them?”
Ellie frowned. “I know you found the whole thing hilarious.”
“It amused me to no end. I can’t deny it. Life with you is an adventure.”
“You don’t like adventures.”
He took her hand. “I like the kind you take me on. Life with you is never, ever dull.”
Ellie smiled, and her face heated up. “That may be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said.”
“You could take a picture to remember the exact moment I said it.”
Ellie laughed. “I didn’t bring my camera. But I should have.”
Ellie looked around the room at the party guests. Once the novelty of the arrest story wore off, things went back to normal. Now everyone was dancing to Christmas classics, kissing under the mistletoe, and posing for photos in front of June’s giant Christmas tree.
The tree was lit with the usual large, colored light bulbs—the kind that had to be replaced every couple of years because the paint began flaking off, or one bulb didn’t light, making the whole string worthless. It had a large assortment of ornaments, from hand-painted ceramic horses, to common shiny glass balls, to antiques handed down for generations.
But it was also draped in popcorn strings. Ellie, Granny Jo, and all the kids had crowded into June’s house to make them, while watching Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life. They tossed tinsel on the tree until it sparkled from every angle and draped the popcorn strands around it as a final garnish. When they were all done, June’s mother treated everyone to pizza. It was a perfect day.
So far, this day was even better. The food alone was amazing—there were two long tables lined with delicious treats: mini-quiches, deviled eggs, potato skins, spinach dip in a bread bowl, seven-layer dip served with tortilla chips.
Everything was served on beautiful platters Ellie had picked out. Everything, that is, except for the green bean casserole, which was served in one of June’s blue and white flowered Corningware dishes, and the Swedish meatballs, which were still simmering in June’s brown and tan slow-cooker.
Ellie was particularly proud of the Swedish meatballs—she had made them herself, for the first time ever, and they came out right on the first try.
The doorbell rang, and a moment later, June appeared. “Ellie, come see who’s here!” she said.
Intrigued, Ellie followed her to the front door and peered out the window. Frank, Anna, and Adam stood at the front door.
“Did they come together?” Ellie whispered.
“I don’t know.”
“Are you going to let our guests in, or what?” asked Henry. He walked speedily to the door and opened it. “Hi, guys!” he said exuberantly. “Come on in!” They all greeted him with equal excitement. Henry had that effect on people.
They stepped into the house, and Cynthia came flying up to meet them. “You’re here, you’re here!” she sang out.
“We all know she only really cares about Adam,” Frank said, laughing.
“No, I care about you, and Miss Simmons, too!”
“My dad brought Miss Simmons as his date,” Adam told her.
Cynthia’s eyes widened. “No way”
“Yes, way,” said Frank. “I took a chance, and she said yes.” He looked at June meaningfully.
“Well, I was already invited, so . . .” Anna’s eyes sparked mischievously.
“A yes is a yes,” said Frank. “I’ll take it.”
“Seems wise,” said June, nudging Ellie discreetly with her elbow. Ellie grinned.
“So, Henry, I joined the Polar Run,” said Frank. “You’re going to have some competition!”
“Excellent,” said Henry, rubbing his hands together.
Anna turned to Cynthia. “Oh, guess what? I made the sketches for the backdrop today! Are you excited to start rehearsals in January? You totally nailed that audition for the fairy ringleader.”
“I am so psyched!” said Cynthia.
“And you have a pretty cute leading man over here,” said Anna, gesturing at Adam.
Cynthia giggled. “I’m so glad I dragged him to the tryouts!”
“Me, too,” said Anna. “He was the only boy who auditioned.”
“What?” said June. “When did all this happen?”
Movement outside caught Ellie’s eye, and she peeked out the window curiously. Then she grabbed at June’s velour sleeve.
“June, June! You’ll never guess who it is!”
The doorbell rang shortly after, and June opened the door to find none other than Mr. Krantz on the other side. He had a small gift bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other, and he stood there awkwardly for a moment, seeming unsure whether say hello or run away.
“Come in!” said June happily. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Mr. Krantz walked through the door hesitantly, and June shut it behind him. Then, following June’s lead, everyone greeted him warmly.
Anna stared at him in astonishment, then walked up to give him a hug. “It makes me so happy that you came, Uncle Harold” she said. “Aunt Sophie would be happy, too.”
He smiled at her fondly. “Thanks for looking out for me, kid.”
Anna smiled back at him. “You’re welcome, you old coot.”
Mr. Krantz cleared his throat and handed June the wine. “For you,” he said. Then he reached into his bag and pulled something out. “And, for your cat.” He handed her a small box.
June opened it to find a pretty cat collar inside with little silver pawprints on it.
“It has a bell,” Mr. Krantz said sheepishly. “To warn the birds in my yard.”
“Thank you,” said June. “Thank you so much.”
Mr. Krantz turned to Frank. “I was hoping you’d be here. I have something for you, too.” He reached back into the bag and pulled out a book. “Here,” he said. “It’s a signed copy of book one in the Jack Danger series. I heard you were a fan.” He winked at Anna.
Frank’s jaw fell open. “Wow, how did you get this?”
Mr. Krantz rubbed his chin. “It was pretty easy, seeing as I wrote it.”
“Are you telling me you’re . . . no way.” He looked at Anna for confirmation, and she nodded, laughing. His eyes grew wide. “Holy cow!” he shouted. “This is amazing, thank you!”
“It was the least I could do, after . . . well, you know.”
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br /> “Really decent of you,” said Frank. “Thanks again.” He extended his hand, and Mr. Krantz shook it.
“Mr. Krantz, I have something for you,” said June.
“For me?”
“Yep! Hold on one minute.’ She went to the Christmas tree and pulled a gift bag from underneath it. Then came back and handed it to him. He peeked inside and began laughing. Then he reached in and pulled out a snowman lamp.
“It’s not a giant lawn ornament,” said June. But it’s something.”
“That it is,” Mr. Krantz said. “That it is.”
“So,” June said. “Let me take your coat, and I’ll show you around.” He took his coat off and handed it to her. She hung it up on the coat rack, then winked at Ellie and gestured for her to come along.
They walked through the house, and past the food tables. “There’s plenty to eat,” said June. “My mom will help you out with anything you need.” Granny Jo waved at Mr. Krantz, smiling. “There’s plenty of seating, too,” June continued. “Make yourself at home anywhere. In fact, I think I see an open space right over there.”
Mr. Krantz and Ellie both looked where she was pointing—to an empty spot on the sofa right next to Vivian, the mail lady.
As soon as she spotted him, a broad smile spread across Vivian’s face. She waved, and he waved back. Then he glanced around, and after hesitating for a second, he went to sit down next to her.
“Well,” said June. “I would call this party a rousing success.”
“Agreed!” said Ellie.
“We made a good team,” said June. “What do you say we do this together every year?”
“I think that would be just perfect.”
Seventeen
June
June sat next to Henry on the sofa, sipping coffee from the brand-new, somewhat misshapen mug Jase had made her in art class as a Christmas gift. Mitch had given her new slippers, and Cynthia had made her a necklace out of gum wrappers, which was actually quite pretty, and so well-crafted that June was tempted to consider wearing it sometime.
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