Page 67 of Sean
“Hey, sorry I missed you yesterday.”
“It was nothing important.I just needed a good long run and thought you guys might like to join me.”
“I would have loved that, but I was tied up with something, and by the time I got finished, it was too late to call you back.Are you ready for the big night?”
“I don’t know, Sean.”Doubt seeped into her voice.“Wouldn’t everyone have a better time if it were just family?”
They’d had this conversation numerous times over the last few days.She was moping because of her failure to raise the funds for her event.He could put her out of her misery right now, but he had a plan to reveal what had happened when it came time to open presents tonight.“We talked about this.We all want you there.If I let you bow out, Mom will skin me alive.”
“I don’t think the ramifications would be quite that drastic.”
“You’ve not seen your pastor’s wife in full mother mode.She raised two of the orneriest boys in the state of Oklahoma.It wouldn’t be the first time she handed me my hide.”
“Oh, all right.”
The words came on a sigh of resignation, but he’d take what he could get.“I’ll pick you up at six.”
“I can drive myself.”
No way was he giving her the means to make a brief appearance and leave.He’d never force her to stay where she wasn’t happy, but she needed to stay long enough so that he could spring his life-changing surprise.“A gentleman always picks up his date.”
Monica released a small giggle.“Whatever.What’s your second favorite dessert?”
“Uh...second favorite?”
“I know your favorite is coconut cream pie.I figure your mom will make that at some point over the weekend, and I’m not in the mood to compete.I need something to occupy my day, so...?”
Sean was sad that the merriment in her voice hadn’t lasted more than a few seconds.He was sorely tempted to share his surprise ahead of time, but he wanted to tell the whole family together about the events of the day before.This wasn’t just a surprise for Monica.The fact that he’d rededicated his life and planned to return to the ministry would be the best Christmas present he could give to his parents.“Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.I do love the pie that Mom makes for me, but I have to admit, cookies are my kryptonite.”
“Then you shall have cookies.I’ll see you at six.”
Sean swiped the call closed.He didn’t need anything to keep him occupied.He had more than enough to do.While he was unpacking the last half dozen boxes, he needed to think of a good way to wrap an announcement.
***
MONICA PUT THE PHONEaside, leaned back in the sofa, and crossed her arms over the long T-shirt she’d worn to bed last night.
She needed to get up and get dressed, though she didn’t see the point.She would change before Sean picked her up, but she had hours.
She needed to pick up the clutter in her apartment.It amazed her that someone living alone could generate such a mess.The top of her desk bore a pile of to-do lists and mail she’d been putting off.There were three pairs of shoes by the front door.A coat and a sweater hung over the back of the chair.The floor hadn’t been vacuumed in several days.
She needed to find a recipe for the cookies she’d promised to bake for Sean.
Instead of moving, she toppled over onto the couch cushions.She’d managed to get through Monday and Tuesday at work with a smile pasted on her face, holding the demise of her January event close to her chest.She didn’t know what she was going to do, but she knew she’d have to come clean to Nicholas and Kate as soon as the Christmas holiday was over.Would they fire her?They’d be justified if they did.
She buried her face in a throw pillow and struggled to hold back tears.How could her good intentions have gone so terribly wrong?Her dad would be so ashamed of her.
But it wasn’t her dad’s voice echoing in her ears, it was Bobbie’s, reminding her that trying to do it all was going to catch up with her eventually.Her friend’s words had been prophetic.If only she’d listened.
Monica pushed herself up from the sofa and stood.None of this was doing any good.Despite Bobbie’s advice, she was a doer, and it was time to get doing.She started with her desk.
It took her five minutes to sort through the mail, tossing the bulk of it into the trash.
The to-do lists were a little harder.She piled the ones related to the event out of the way.She’d deal with those later.There was a list for a Girl Scout bake sale she was helping with, and another for a library event she’d volunteered to chair.Neither of those would get any attention this week.
The toy drive she’d helped organize was finished, so she threw the list in the trash.
Then she stared at that crumpled list, her fingers itching to reclaim it.There might be some piece of information she could use next year.
