Page 129 of The Blessings of Christmas
Apparently Spencer didn’t want any beans. “None for me, thank you. I’m a meat and potatoes man.” He patted a stomach that was probably very fit. “I'm in training. Marathons.”
“Running is so in now, isn’t it?” her mother said while Mrs. Hutchinson nodded.
“Mama, I think it's always been popular.” Imagining Derek in running shorts, sweaty with his hair crazy as he stood in the clinic kitchen, Victoria had to remind herself to breathe.
“I suppose so.” Mama was staring at Daddy, as if asking for help with this conversation. But Daddy was pouring more gravy from the silver gravy boat. He knew his wife would never cause a scene about his diet in front of company.
“Victoria why don't you tell Spencer about your new venture?” Mama threw her an encouraging smile.
“You mean the clinic? Happy to.”
“What clinic?” Mama frowned.
Daddy jumped in. “I believe your mother’s referring to your pantry, Victoria.”
Time to switch direction. “Oh, I’d hate to bore you with Victoria’s Pantry. Just more wonderful cookies and coffee. That kind of thing.” She paused for a dramatic effect. “Lately I've been volunteering at the free clinic over in Amblebury.”
Sputtering, her mother put down the water glass. Daddy’s chewing slowed. His eyes swung toward her with a blank look, as if they’d just been introduced and he was trying to figure out who she was.
“Free? What are they giving away? Vitamins?” Spencer thought he was being clever.
He was the type of young man she used to date. The realization hit Victoria with crushing force. Spencer was Lance. A guy who had everyone’s attention. But why? All he planned to do with his future was follow up on his father’s contacts and make a lot of money.
Not that there was anything wrong with Spencer’s career plans. They’d probably work out great for him. But Victoria saw things so differently now. And she was excited by that broader view that included people she didn’t even know existed months ago. She wanted to help.
“Health care needs. Appointments with a doctor, medicine, if needed. And a hot meal.” She smiled. If only they could see her in a hairnet. Her mother might faint into the mashed potatoes.
Daddy had stopped eating. “Is that the facility run by the doctor from the urgent care center, Victoria? The one you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes, Dr. Darling runs the clinic.”
“You’re kidding me, right? That’s really his name?” When Spencer snorted, Victoria wanted to rub potatoes in his hair.
“Yes, that really is his name. Derek Darling is happy taking care of people who can't afford to see a doctor. In the evenings he works in the urgent care center. Any free time is spent callingon other physicians and pharmaceutical companies asking for freebies.”
“Who’s ready for dessert?” Picking up the tiny gold bell next to her plate, Mama rang. The conversation had made her mother uncomfortable. Maybe her parents would always be out of touch with the real world.
Maribelle's son appeared and whisked away the dishes. From what she could recall, Luther was in college now. Soon Maribelle entered carrying an enormous coconut cake on a crystal pedestal. Her mother knew how to do Christmas entertaining right. Victoria wasn't hungry for dessert. “None for me, thank you. The roast filled me up.” How much longer would she have to sit here? Maisy had mentioned the Advent tree lighting. Hungry for Christmas spirit, she wanted to be there.
“I'll take some.” Spencer had decided to bury himself in food. His father and Daddy took enormous chunks. Mama and Mrs. Spencer picked at token slivers.
Looking at the glorious tree standing next to the fireplace in all its glistening beauty, Victoria couldn't help but think of the tree at the clinic––so simple with its cardboard cutouts and the hopeful Christmas wishes. And of course her tree at the shop wasn’t any more glamorous. Her mother might call that a hodge podge but Victoria loved it.
“Feel free to stop by Victoria's Pantry and see our tree.” But she decided not to go into the decorations.
“Did you find the ornaments you wanted up in the attic, dear?” her mother asked, picking at her miniscule piece of cake. Poor Mama counted every calorie, although she was slim as a stick of peppermint.
“I found the green felt bell that I made in fifth grade.”
Her mother seemed to be searching her mind. But Daddy's face lit up. “Why, Bitsy, I remember that.”
Victoria caught the smirk on Spencer’s face at hearing Daddy’s pet name for her. How she wished Daddy could see that she wasn’t Bitsy anymore.
“Has it been lost in the attic all this time?” His eyes swung to Mama, who did not look up.
Poor Daddy. “I found the ornament tucked away in a big tub marked Old Decorations.”
By this time Mama had heard enough. Doubtlessly, she had an agenda for this dinner with the Hutchinsons. “So Spencer, your mother tells me you plan to be in Palm Beach this Christmas season?”
