Page 34 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Beth felt obliged to say.
Logan glared back at her.
In return, she ignored the sarcastic look and smiled sweetly.
One of the small tables in the cafeteria area was available. Logan stood and claimed it before anyone else could.
Once Olivia collected the supplies from her newfound friend Kevin, she joined her father, taking the seat next to him, intent on showing him how good of an artist she was.
With a hard lump of pain tightening her stomach, Beth’s gaze focused on father and daughter. When they’d first happened upon Logan, she’d been overwhelmed. It’d been so long since she’d last had more than a brief conversation with her husband.
Foolishly, she’d been filled with hope that somehow Christmas would work its magic and they would find a way to overcome their problems. Apparently, miracles were in short supply this year.
That Logan would disappoint Olivia over Christmas broke her heart. Beth didn’t know if it was in her to forgive him again, not when her parents had been willing to look past the hurt he’d caused and welcome him into their home. Perhaps it was time to move forward and accept that their marriage was over. Shehated to admit defeat. Making a go of it, though, with Logan’s attitude, would be impossible.
Logan and Olivia sat at the table working on their drawings. Every now and again, Olivia would let out a laugh and shake her head. At one point she grabbed Logan’s paper and ran to show Beth.
“Look at what Daddy drew,” she said, her expression full of joy. “Isn’t he silly?”
The sketch was of a reindeer face on a man’s body.
Beth did her best to smile. “Your daddy is silly, isn’t he?”
“He draws good, too.”
“Yes, he does,” Beth agreed.
Logan and Olivia sat together for several minutes longer. While the pair were occupied, Beth decided to fill her mother in on this latest development, this latest hurt.
Logan glanced up and noticed she had her phone to her ear. He seemed to know exactly who she’d called. Her mother answered quickly, and after a short exchange of greetings, Beth said, “I don’t think Logan will come for Christmas after all,” she murmured, talking past the lump in her throat.
“He won’t?” Surprise came with the question. “Whatever happened to change his mind?”
“I . . . I don’t know. Olivia was so excited. This news is going to crush her.” Beth was convinced even the iPad her parents had purchased for her daughter wouldn’t take away the sting of Logan’s decision.
“Would it help if I talked to him?” her mother volunteered. “I’m sure he’s hesitating because he thinks it will be uncomfortable with him here. If I could reassure him your father and I hold no hard feelings, perhaps he’ll change his mind.”
If she thought it would do any good, Beth would agree. “I appreciate the offer, Mom, but Logan has already made up his mind.”
Her mother sympathized. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“I am, too.” She didn’t bother to hide her pain. She wanted to cry and shout at Logan; he needed to know how much it hurt. He filled them both with such hope, only to dash it all away in a single moment. It was like he had no heart. Not even at Christmas.
They talked a bit longer and then disconnected. A stray tear rolled down Beth’s cheek. It all felt so hopeless. All these months she’d lived with the idea that perhaps she and Logan could manage to find a way back to each other. She hadn’t filed for a divorce, claiming neither one could afford an attorney. The time to be realistic was long past due. Nothing was going to change as badly as she wanted it to, as much as she desired for them to be a family again. She brushed away the tear before Olivia saw that she was upset.
Eager to show her mother her artwork, Olivia ran to her mom and Beth forced a smile. “Show me your picture,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice light and airy.
Her daughter handed her a sheet with several reindeer faces along with a Christmas tree and a wreath. “Good job,” Beth praised Olivia’s efforts.
“That’s what Daddy said. He did good, too.”
Beth nodded.
With her shoulders drooping, Olivia added, “Daddy said he wanted to sit over there instead of here with us now.”
“Okay,” Beth said, not the least bit surprised. “Stay here and watch our things. I need to tell your dad something.”
“Okay,” Olivia said. “Will he come sit with us again, do you think?”
