Page 172 of The Blessings of Christmas
Thank goodness Josie was there with her friends. It looked as if they were having lunch and she waved them over.
“Mother, I want you to meet my...boss,” Malcolm said.
“How lovely,” she said as Josie nodded and said hello. Josie quickly introduced his mother to the other girls and their babies. And it surprised him to see how taken Josie was with the two babies. For once, Bryn’s little boy was awake, staring at thelights on the Christmas tree. And Emily's little boy was trying to cram a cookie into his mouth. Crumbs were everywhere.
After a few polite comments, his mother turned to the Christmas tree. “Look at all these gifts.”
Joining his mother at the tree, Josie begin to explain how the Christmas Wishes worked. He could see his mother bend her head, listening to every word. Heads together, they kept talking. He came closer. One look at his watch told him that his extended lunch hour was over, and Josie seemed to realize it too.
“Time to get back to work,” she said, turning to him with a bright smile. At that moment, his mother was looking like the cat who ate the canary. That was one of her favorite phrases and it fit this moment perfectly. “Why don't I introduce your mother to the ladies in the front before I head back to the library?” Josie said. “Emily's neighbor, Charlotte Whipple, is there. I think they’ll get along great.”
Introductions were made and before long his mother was sitting at the table of older women. When Josie and Malcolm disappeared out the back door, he saw his mother look up and nod good-bye. She looked in her element. Malcolm felt so relieved.
That night when he got home, he discovered a note on his kitchen table. “Some of the ladies are showing me about town. Will be back soon.”
Well, she seemed to be getting along just fine. What a relief. When he went into his bedroom, a small blue velvet box sat on his dresser. He flipped it opened and smiled to see his grandmother’s ring. So his mother had been true to her word. He brought the ring out to the kitchen table and set it down. While he was rummaging through his refrigerator, the apartment door opened.
“Anybody home?” his mother called out.
“I'm here in the kitchen.”
When his mother appeared, she looked amazingly perky, considering that she’d been up since dawn to catch her flight. “So where have you ladies been? Did you have fun?”
Sliding into one of the kitchen chairs and crossing her ankles demurely, she nodded. “That Charlotte has lived here all her life. So she told me all kinds of things as we drove around. Very historical, this town.”
He settled back, wondering where his mother had stopped. He could be wrong but she seemed a little tipsy. Brandy was her favorite drink, but only on special occasions.
“Yes, Sweetwater Creek is historical. I know that New York has a lot of history to it but it’s quieter here. I hope tomorrow you’ll let me show you around the library.”
Her eyes sparkling, his mother tilted her head to one side. “Yes, I would love to see where you and Josie work.”
What was this? The tone in her voice got his attention. “Okay,” he said slowly. “Then we'll do that.”
Her eyes fell to the little blue box. “Good thing that I brought the ring.”
“Really?” What was she talking about? “Okay, I'm glad you brought it too.”
She leaned closer. “When were you going to tell me?”
What was this? “Tell you what?”
Spreading her hands on the plain kitchen table, his mother smiled. She wore the strangest expression––defiant and victorious at the same time. “I can't wait to see the expression on Lucille Hightower’s face.”
“Okay, I lost you.” Now he was really confused.
“When were you going to tell me about you and Josie? Obviously Darcy didn't ditch you, as her mother is fond of phrasing it at the club. You and Josie, you know. Why, I hearyou're both crazy about each other.” Her eyes went back to the ring and everything slotted into place.
“Oh no. You've gotten the wrong idea. It's not like that.”
And she gave him the same look she’d worn when he insisted that there was a Santa Claus and she had to break the news to him. “Son, it's very clear to me, watching the two of you together. And then Charlotte confirmed my suspicions. Why, the whole town is waiting for the news.”
Jumping up, Malcolm began to pace and it was a very small kitchen. “The whole town?” Did that include Josie?
Pushing back her chair, his mother got up. “And now, I'm starving. I'd like to go back to the Comeback Inn for dinner. Such an interesting place. So much great energy.”
“Gobackto the Comeback Inn?” She must have had a busy afternoon. His mind darted from one comment to another. Things began to come together.
“Yes, of course. Charlotte said that she and her gentleman friend might be there tonight. Apparently the restaurant has great burgers.” Mom said that with great relish. “Such town spirit.”
