Page 12 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance
SURPRISE, SURPRISE, IT snowed overnight. A two-inch blanket of white covered the ground. In the early morning light, with the first rays of sun caressing the snow, everything was pristine and beautiful. As I continued to stare out the window, memories surfaced. As youngsters, my siblings and I loved playing in the snow. We loved making snowmen. But there’ll be no snowmen today. Sunshine was forecasted, and another warming trend was moving in. The snow will probably vanish by mid-morning.
Perhaps it’s just as well. Lots of people in the neighborhood started their outdoor decorating the day before, and they’d want to continue today. Stanley is one of them. Nice weather would be better for getting his outdoor projects done.
As for me, I had plans for late morning. Mom felt fine again, and I was going to visit her. We were anxious to reconnect over lunch. Mom also invited Stanley’s mother to join us.
With a little coaxing from Stanley, his father agreed to come over and help with putting up the outdoor decorations. I hoped it would be a neutral activity for the two of them. However, the troubles began about two minutes after Stan Sr. arrived. An argument started over how to string the lights on the porch railings. When I came outside, they both quieted down and approached me. It seems I was the one to decide on who’s idea was the best.
Stan Sr. presented his case first. “Gloria, dear, your husband is making this project too complicated. If he’d simply lay the lighted garland on top of the banisters, we’d have enough left over to wrap a column or two.”
Stanley gave his father an indulgent smile and spoke up next. “If we swag the garland along the length of the porch, the effect will be much more festive, and we won’t have to wrap the columns.”
I looked at each of their expectant faces and had a sinking feeling. No matter who’s idea I chose, someone would be disappointed. I made a quick decision. “Either idea will work beautifully, but I’m going to be late for lunch at my Mom’s house.” As I delivered my announcement, I started down the porch stairs. Without pausing, I continued down the walk.
“But Gloria,” Stanley called out. “I thought you wanted something that’s as festive as possible. That’s why I thought a swag style was best.”
Stan Sr. added to his argument. “Gloria, please tell my son that the porch columns need to be wrapped. There won’t be enough of the garland left if he has it his way.”
I knew better than to look back at the two men. If I did, I’d be pulled into an argument I didn’t want. With little Ben onhis leash beside me, I walked down the sidewalk feeling a bit flustered. My best bet was to ignore the comments of father and son and be on my way. Ben was happy to be going for a walk, and his plumed tail picked up the wintery breeze.
As I strolled along, I couldn’t help but think about my sweet Stanley. He’s usually a person who avoids confrontation. He’s always been one to find common ground when two parties have differing outlooks. But when he presented his idea, the look on his face was a resolute, determined one. It told me that his father brought out a side of him I didn’t recognize.
By the time I got to my Mom’s house, I felt a little disheartened. I liked Stan Sr. and the last thing I wanted was to see him warring with his son. As I walked up to the porch, I noticed Barbara Bickerman’s car in the driveway. I hoped she wasn’t as upset as she’d been the day before.
Mom answered the door with a strained look on her face. She tried to cover it up with a happy greeting, but I knew that look. Something was upsetting her. I had to wonder if it had to do with Barbara Bickerman.
When I handed Mom my coat to hang up in the closet, an unpleasant memory came to mind. The past couple of years, I’d been the one who brought dissention to the holiday season. This year, I haven’t any pressing emotions to vent except for wanting our baby to avoid a Christmas birthday.
That worry didn’t seem very important after thinking about the future of the Bickermans. When next Christmas arrived, they might be divorced. It was a distressing thought. I wanted our little one to have happy grandparents. I wanted family gatherings to be joyful occasions, but maybe that was too tall an order. Father and son couldn’t even hang Christmas lights without arguing.
I walked into the living room and saw Barbara. Her eyes were red and she was clutching a tissue. Like Mom, she tried tosmile when she saw me, but her sadness seemed to make it an impossible gesture. Ben was quick to run over to her with his tail wagging and a happy smile on his face.
Barbara reached down and petted him. “Stan never wanted a pet,” she said with a sob. “He said we were too busy.” She looked up at my mom, then me. “Now, I have no one. Not even a sweet little dog.”
Mom hurried over to where Barbara was sitting on the sofa and sat down next to her. “I know how you feel,” she said. “It’s very hard to be alone.”
I took a seat in a nearby chair. “But Mom, you’re not alone. You have your children.”
Mom looked at me with a wistful look that I hadn’t seen since she and my dad got a divorce. “I know, and I’m blessed to have you, but with Adam gone—”
“Mom, did you break up with him?” I asked.
“No, but we haven’t spoken hardly at all since he left.”
Barbara gave my mother an understanding smile. “Grace, from what I know, you’ve been very happy with your fellow.”
Mom nodded. “I thought so too, but now, I just don’t know.”
Ben must have heard the unhappiness in Mom’s voice. He turned and pawed her slacks. Mom noticed him and picked him up.
“Glory, did you know your little pup is a therapy dog?” Mom asked.
I shrugged. “What do you mean?”
“I know he doesn’t have any training,” Mom said. “But he does seem to naturally know how to comfort us when we’re upset.”
Barbara nodded. “Little Ben is a lot more sensitive than the man I married. If Stan was half as aware, I wouldn’t be sitting here crying.”
I watched as Ben settled down in Mom’s lap and knew she was right. He’s a natural when it comes to comforting a person in distress, and he makes it look so easy. If only I knew how to do the same. Instead, I could feel myself getting upset.
