The Christmas Layover

by Robert Tate Miller

  Where we love is home—home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

  “Ally?” She looked over at Noel. She was holding up the phone. “Brian wants to see his daughter.”

  When she finally crawled back in bed at Peggy’s, Ally scarcely slept a wink. Surprisingly, she missed having Noel in bed beside her. She was still amped up from the excitement of winning the bake-off, a first kiss, and the arrival of Chelsea Rose.

  She slept less than an hour, then rose early on Christmas Eve morning to find that Peggy had made her a breakfast of waffles, eggs, and orange juice. They watched the TV on the kitchen counter as newscasters speculated if, perhaps, they might be able to reopen the airports Christmas Day. Weathercasters gave it a fifty-fifty chance. Peggy sat at the kitchen counter with Ally and reminisced about what it was like growing up in Bethlehem. She talked of how she met her husband when they were both three years old, how he first proposed to her at six, and then again at least once a year until she finally said “yes” when they were eighteen.

  “It was graduation night,” Peggy said. “The graduation dance. And we weren’t even dating. I was with David Doane. David was heading off to college in the fall, and I was going with him. He was such a catch. Was going to be a lawyer. And then Charlie Nelson walks up to me and asks me to dance.”

  “And what did David Doane think about that?” Ally asked.

  “He didn’t even know. He was out behind the gym, drinking with his buddies. He was so sure he had me in his hip pocket. He got a little cocky. So, Charlie walks up, a boy I’d known most of my life, and I say ‘if you’re going to propose again, Charlie Nelson, you can just forget it. I’ve already decided I’m going to marry David Doane.’ Well, Charlie just gives me that grin of his and says ‘I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last girl in Bethlehem, maybe the whole damn state.’”

  “Wow,” Ally said. “That’s a little harsh.”

  Peggy smiled. “I knew he was still in love with me. It was written all over his face. I told him that he was being rude and to please leave me alone. And he said that he’d just come over to tell me that he couldn’t wait until I left town, that it would be cause to celebrate.”

  “He must have really loved you,” Ally said with a smile.

  Peggy laughed. “I said ‘thank you for your kind words, Charles. Have a nice life.’ He turned to walk away and suddenly ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ by Frankie Valli came on. That was our song. We had our first kiss to that song when we were fifteen at the freshman dance. So, we look at each other, and I can’t help but smile. Charlie says ‘One last dance? For old times’ sake?’”

  “Sounds pretty romantic,” Ally said. “Like a movie.”

  “Yes,” Peggy said. “It was. So, Charlie takes my hand and leads me out onto the middle of the dance floor. And, right when they got to the part that goes Oh pretty baby. Don’t bring me down I pray. Oh, pretty baby… The lights go out. Some prankster no doubt was responsible. Well, then I felt Charlie move in until his face was right up next to mine. And then—he kissed me. It wasn’t like the little peck he gave me when we were fifteen. It was a real kiss, and I don’t want to be crude, but, as he pressed against me, I could feel how much he really liked me.”

  Ally gasped, a little surprised at Peggy. “And? David Doane?”

  Peggy laughed. “He was history from that moment on. Charlie and I left together, and I didn’t even think about my date until later. We walked all over town, ended up climbing the old water tower at the south end of town. We watched the sun come up, and Charlie told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. That was in May, and we were married three weeks later.”

  “Wow,” Ally said. “That’s some story.”

  Peggy sighed. “Yes. We were married over forty years, had Tina and Jake. Quite frankly, the best kids ever. Jake reminds me so much of his father, except he’s a bit more reserved. I just hope—when the time comes—he doesn’t let true love fly away without at least telling her how he feels.”

  Ally gave Peggy a look. She wished the same for Jake. He was a good man. He deserved to find true love.

  After breakfast with Peggy, Ally was feeling a little stir-crazy and wanted to head down to Doc Baker’s to check on Noel and baby Chelsea. The late morning air was invigoratingly cold. As she made her way into town, Ally counted back how many days she’d been in Bethlehem. Had it really been only four? It seemed like she’d been there at least a month, and in a good way. As she walked into the square, people called out to her as they passed. She was surprised how many people she knew already, how many names she remembered.

  “Morning, George.”

  “Morning, Ally.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  “How are you, Mrs. Wilkins? Love the hat.”

  “Thank you, Ally.”

  Ally paid a visit to Noel and heard all about Chelsea’s first day of life. The new mom said she’d been on the phone with hubby Brian most of the morning.

  “You need to get yourself one of these,” Noel said, smiling at her sleeping newborn.

  Ally laughed. “Maybe I’ll order one on Amazon.”

  “I’m serious,” Noel said.

  “Think I need a baby daddy first,” Ally said. “Unless Brian has a friend.”

  Noel laughed. “All Brian’s friends are idiots.”

  “So,” Ally said, “what does Doc say about when you’re getting out of here?”

  “He said I can leave later today,” Noel said. “I’m ready. This bed is pretty uncomfortable. Oh, and I heard we all might be able to get out of here tomorrow.”

  “We?” Ally said. “I don’t think so, kiddo. You’re not quite ready to travel.”

  “I know,” Noel said. “But it’s okay. I’ve kind of grown to love it here. I’ll sure miss Brian, though. I guess FaceTime will have to do for now. We can celebrate a late Christmas when Chelsea Rose and I finally get home. Right?”

  “Of course you can,” Ally said. “A late Christmas is better than no Christmas.”

  Noel laughed at Ally’s quip. “Oh, and Ally, just so you know. People are saying things.”

  Ally narrowed her brow. “Saying things? About what?”

  “Jake…and you.”

  “Jake and me? There is no Jake and me. What do you mean?” Looks like news of the kiss spread like wildfire, Ally thought. Small towns.

  “Well,” Noel said, “almost everyone who’s stopped in to see me has said that Jake hasn’t seemed this happy in a long while. They all think it’s because of you. Oh, and they’re talking about a kiss. Did you kiss him?”

  Ally gave herself away with a sheepish smile. “Wait a second,” she said. “Everyone who’s come to see you? Who all’s been visiting you and talking about Jake and me?”

  “Lots of people,” Noel said. “There’s Libby and Robbie from the diner, and Doc Baker’s wife Bertie. Tina and Maddie were by earlier. Peggy came really early this morning while you were still in bed. Jake, too. He brought me a muffin. It’s been like a revolving door. And it’s been great. Makes me and Chelsea feel so loved.”

  “Wow,” Ally said. “I had no idea. So, they really said that about Jake? That he seemed happier?”

  “They sure did,” Noel said. “They’ve noticed that he’s got sort of a new skip in his step, and they’ve been watching you two. They think you guys look good together.”

  Ally could feel her earlobes glowing. She wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

  “Okay,” Ally said. “I’m going to go, but I’ll be back to check on you and baby Chelsea later.” Ally leaned down and gave Chelsea a kiss on the head.

  “See you later,” Noel said. Ally started for the door. “Are you going to Charlie’s?”

  Ally hesitated in the doorway. “Yes. Why?”

  Noel smiled. “No reason. Tell Jake I said hello.”

  Ally shook her head and gave Noel a little wink. “Will do.”

 
…

  It was a little after eleven thirty, and a few snow flurries were dancing about when Ally crossed the street from Doc Baker’s clinic to Charlie’s Diner. Just as she reached the front door, it opened and Amelia stepped out, carrying a to-go bag. She looked wholesomely collegiate in her Colorado State pullover sweatshirt. She smiled at Ally. “Merry Christmas, Ally, and congratulations on winning the bake-off.”

  “Thanks,” Ally said.

  “Also, I heard Noel had her baby. That’s so cool.”

  “It is pretty cool,” Ally said. “You can stop by and say hello if you like. Everybody else has.”

  Amelia giggled. “Maybe I will. Well, bye.” Amelia smiled at Ally and started up the sidewalk.

  “Amelia?” The comely coed stopped and turned back.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I speak to you for a second?”

  “Of course.”

  Ally moved over to her so as not to be overheard. “I just wanted to say that I think Robbie’s a really cool guy.”

  “Robbie?” Amelia appeared a little confused.

  “You know who I mean.” Amelia blushed and looked down at her Uggs. “Listen, I know you’ve probably got your choice of boys,” Ally continued, “and maybe you’ve never really thought of Robbie as more than a friend, but, in my experience, the best guys are often the shy ones. It’s obvious he’s smitten with you, but he’s just too scared to tell you.” Amelia looked at her, and Ally wished she could read the girl’s mind. “Anyway, I have a feeling you might feel something for him, too. So, if I were you, I wouldn’t give up on him.” Ally waited for Amelia to respond, but the girl just stood there with a whimsical smile on her glowing face. “So, that’s it,” Ally said. “Merry Christmas.” Ally headed inside the diner, not sure if her little talk had done any good or just made things worse.

  …

  As always, Jake looked to the door at the sound of the chime. He felt a smile crease his lips when he saw Ally. He’d been looking at the door all morning hoping she’d come through. He’d kept replaying that kiss again and again in his mind and wondering when and if he’d get the chance for another. He wondered what Ally had been thinking. Had she enjoyed it as much as he had, or was it just a spur-of-the-moment thing? Had the kiss meant something to her, or was she just caught up in the euphoria over Chelsea Rose’s arrival?

  Ally was in black jeans and a green turtleneck sweater, both of which framed her lovely body perfectly. Her dark russet hair fell loosely down to her shoulders, and she tugged on the sweater sleeves with her fingers as if she was trying to stretch it out a bit more.

  Ally lit up when she saw him. “Hey,” she said. “The sign says you serve the best burgers known to man.”

  “We do,” Jake said. “But I thought you were a vegetarian.”

  “Yeah, there is that,” Ally said, smiling. “You don’t have a veggie burger, do you?”

  “Shhh,” Jake said. “You trying to get me killed?”

  “Hey Ally!” Maddie came barreling out of the kitchen and threw her arms around Ally as if they were old friends.

  “Hi Maddie. You working today?”

  “Sort of,” Maddie said. “Mostly just hanging out. Robbie sent me out to see if Amelia had gone yet.”

  “I think the coast is clear,” Ally said.

  “Okay, I better go tell him. He’s hiding in the walk-in fridge.” Maddie headed back to the kitchen.

  “Mind if I take a booth?” Ally asked Jake.

  “Sorry,” Jake said. “They’re all nailed down.”

  “Ha-ha.”

  Jake smiled. “Take your pick.”

  “Thanks. Can you join me?”

  Jake looked around, checked out his customers. “Sure.” Ally slid into one side of a window booth, and Jake into the other. Libby headed over, gave them each a glass of water.

  “Hello Ally.”

  “Hi Libby.”

  Libby looked at Jake. “Boss? You need to see a menu?”

  Jake smiled. “I don’t think so. I’ll have a Charlie’s Special. And how’s the veggie burger today?”

  “Best one known to man,” Libby said. Jake looked at Ally.

  “I’ll have it, please,” Ally said. “With a side of fries. Oh, and coffee.”

  “Coffee, boss?”

  “Sounds good,” Jake said.

  “I’m on it,” Libby said and headed off.

  Ally cocked her head at Jake. “So, you do have a veggie burger?”

  “Oh, yeah. We’re a very progressive diner. How’s baby Chelsea?”

  “You should know. I hear you brought a muffin.”

  Jake smiled. “She’s pretty cute, huh?”

  Ally nodded. “Yeah. She’s coming home today.”

  Jake raised an eyebrow. “Home?”

  Ally smiled. “You know what I mean. Peggy’s.”

  “Well, I’m glad it feels like home,” Jake said.

  “It does,” Ally said, “thanks to your mom. And just in time for us to leave.”

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “I did hear something about that. Apparently, Christmas Day is the best time to fly.”

  Ally laughed. “As if we have a choice.”

  Libby brought the coffee. “So, Ally,” she said, “what does it feel like to dethrone the cookie bake-off champion?”

  “Amazing,” Ally said with a wink at Jake. “But there was never any doubt.”

  “Ha,” Libby said. “I like your confidence.” The waitress headed off to another table as Ally noticed Robbie loading up a bus pan.

  “Hey Robbie,” she called out. He stopped what he was doing and looked over. “Can you come over here for a minute, please?” Robbie left his bus pan on the empty table and headed over. Jake scooted over, and Robbie sat on his side of the booth.

  “Yeah?” he said.

  Ally looked from Jake to Robbie. “So, Robbie, I just spoke with Amelia.” Robbie’s eyes widened. “And I think there’s interest on her part.” Robbie looked stunned. He took a sip of Jake’s water.

  “What?” His voice cracked. “What did you say to her?”

  Jake leaned back in the booth. “Yeah, what did you say?”

  “Just the truth,” Ally said. “That I thought you were a catch.” Ally watched Robbie flush crimson.

  “And what did she say?”

  “Not much. Nothing, actually, but I could tell.”

  “Tell what?” The question came from Jake, but Ally kept looking at Robbie.

  “That she’s into you.” Robbie took a long breath and leaned back in the booth. Ally thought he looked pale as paste. When he spoke, he stuttered a little.

  “How…could you…tell she’s…into me?”

  “Just women’s intuition. And my instincts are usually spot-on in that department.”

  “It doesn’t matter anyway,” Robbie said. “She’s with that airplane guy. Dustin.”

  “Justin,” Ally corrected. “She’s with Justin because you won’t give her the time of day. And Dustin will be leaving soon anyway. We all will.” Ally shot a look at Jake on the last line. He looked away from her, out the window. Just the reaction she was hoping for. Does that mean he’s going to miss me? she thought. “Listen, Robbie. A girl looks for three things in a boy. Number one, someone to make her smile when she doesn’t feel like smiling. Two. Someone to tell her she looks beautiful when she knows she looks her worst. And, three…” Ally leaned in close. “And this is the most important, so listen very carefully. Someone who’s honest with her. She looks for a boy—a man—who’s not afraid to tell her just how he feels.” Ally shot a glance at Jake. His eyes were locked on her. “If you love her, you’ve got to let her know.”

  Ally could see the puzzled look on Robbie’s face and wondered if he was getting it all.

  “Should I be writing this down?” he asked.

  “I think you can remember it.”

  Robbie leaned back in the booth. “But Amelia’s going back to college soon. I don’t have time to be all those things.”
/>   Ally sent a wink in Jake’s direction. “Sure, you do,” she said. “Tonight’s the Christmas Eve Dance: the perfect time to make your move.”

  “Move?” Robbie said. “What kind of move?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Ally said. “As long as you do it with confidence. Women like confident men.” Robbie sat for a moment, and Ally could see his lips moving like a newbie ventriloquist as he silently reviewed everything she’d said. Then, he just nodded, got up, and went back to work.

  When he was out of earshot, Jake looked at Ally. “Wow, you really know your stuff.”

  Ally laughed. “It’s the yogi in me.” She noticed Jake was fiddling with a straw, and she could tell he was thinking something over.

  “So,” Jake said at last, “speaking of the dance tonight.”

  “Yes?”

  “You going with anyone?” Jake asked, and this time he looked her right in the eye. Ally left him hanging in the balance for a torturous few seconds while she gathered her thoughts.

  “Wow, I’ve never been asked to a dance the day of before,” she said. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted.”

  Jake laughed. “Well, these are special circumstances. Didn’t know if you were going to still be here.”

  Ally smiled at Jake. “I have nothing to wear,” she said.

  “Well, I was thinking that you and my sister are about the same size.”

  Ally thought it over. “All right then,” she said. “I guess you’ve got yourself a date.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You look amazing.”

  Noel’s voice cracked a little as she said the words, as if seeing Ally descend Peggy’s stairs in that green dress was almost too much for her. Tina and Maddie followed her down like royal attendants. Ally felt a little like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club, taken off to be transformed into a babe worthy of the popular table. Her lips were bright red with Burberry Kisses lipstick (she couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn lipstick), her come-what-may chestnut hair pulled up in a perfect bun on the top of her head. Tina had rejected the idea of loaning Ally a dress and asked her friend Kay (owner of Kay’s Women’s Wear in the town square) to provide a loaner for the occasion. Kay had liked the idea so much, she’d offered last-minute loaner dresses to any and all female passengers from Flight 1225 who were going to the Christmas Eve Dance. Ally wore a dark green V-neck floor-length chiffon bridesmaid dress with ruffles. Tina happened to wear the same shoe size and also happened to have a pair of gold satin pumps that fit Ally perfectly.