Appointment at Christmas Bay

by Chase, Diane

  “I’ll show you.” Juliette aimed her steps for the flagstone pieces that led to the back porch. “I need your opinion.”

  “About what?” Lexi called out.

  “You’ll see.” Juliette left the backdoor open and went on to the library. She turned on the ceiling fan lights and a floor lamp and stood by the curling masterpiece until Lexi finally sauntered in.

  “Skipper wants to stay outside,” she said at the doorway.

  “Good. The thing’s coated with enough dog hair. Look at this.” Juliette waved her hands over the three-by-six foot hodgepodge. “Give me your general impression.”

  “Huh?” She shrugged at Juliette. “It’s confusing all taped up like that.”

  “I know. Use your imagination. Take it all in. What do you see?” Juliette went to the kitchen to fill her coffee cup and called out. “What’s it saying?”

  “What’s it saying?” Lexi laughed. “That reminds me. Who were you talking to outside? Michelangelo?”

  Juliette joined her in the library. “Just pretending.”

  Lexi gaped and shook her head. “So you were? That’s lame.”

  “Lame is asking a twelve-year-old’s help on a dissertation.” She chuckled and rubbed Lexi’s neck.

  The girl’s shoulders dipped, and she looked down at the painting. “Mom wants me to call her tonight.”

  “Wow, really?” Juliette sighed and tried to imagine Lexi’s unspoken heartache. “I’m sure she misses you.” They stood several minutes in silence. Interesting she juxtaposed calling her mother with Juliette’s request for help. Juliette cleared her throat.

  Lexi scratched her head. “Anyway, what are you asking?”

  “Just for general impressions if you’re up for it.”

  “Like what? I mean, that’s Jonah.”

  “Okay, good start. Just let your eye wander.” Juliette moved to the adjacent leather chair and sipped her coffee. “Keep this in mind. At first, the Pope commissioned Michelangelo to paint the disciples, just twelve guys.”

  “I know how many disciples there are.” The girl cocked her head side-to-side with her hands on her hips, inched along the floor, and looked up from the other end. “Maybe twelve people wasn’t enough.” She held her hands out full-breadth then crossed the air like an umpire. “You know, not enough people or enough time. All this, it’s from the beginning. See, God’s reaching out. There’s Adam, right? Even back then it was about Jesus.” Abruptly, she shuffled toward the door.

  Juliette followed her to the kitchen and leaned against the doorway. “Very cool. Where’d you get all that?”

  Lexi rooted through the pantry. “Uncle Asher’s talked about it a little.” She emerged with a carton of oatmeal.

  “Would you rather have eggs on your first day of Teen Mania?”

  “No, I’m fine.” A sadness crept into the girl’s voice and movements as she measured out the oatmeal.

  “Is it too late to make enough for two?”

  “No.” Her face brightened as usual when some domestic chore came up.

  “Let me nuke some turkey sausage to go with our oatmeal.” Juliette put the sausage in the microwave and poured two glasses of orange juice. More and more she gathered the kid led a lonely, independent life.

  During breakfast, Lexi talked about the girls who helped Pepper Burke last week with preparations and some of the kids who stopped by. Her voice gradually shed some of the heaviness it had when they first sat down.

  Afterward, Juliette settled at the computer and decided on a noon deadline for generating a significant, provocative question, the firepower behind most dissertations, although for her purposes just a provisional idea to get the committee to rally behind her.

  Pumped full of caffeine, she searched the university database for titles of relevant journals, scholarly papers, lecture transcriptions, and book excerpts. She jotted them down to review later. About nine-fifteen, Lexi shuffled through the pocket doors dressed in pink denim shorts and a print blouse. “Can we go? I want to get there early.”

  “Good idea.” Juliette closed out the database and slipped on her sandals. With the dog, they headed to the church. A few cars dropped off kids at the side entrance. She restrained Skipper in her arms while Lexi unhooked her seatbelt.

  “Call if you need anything. Otherwise, I’ll see you here this afternoon.” The idea of a day without Lexi hit her. “Have a great time.”

  “I will.” She got out and tilted her head at the dog. “Bye, princess.”

  “Bye.” Juliette laughed.

  “Ha ha.” She took a deep breath. “Bye, Juliette.”

  Back home, Juliette got right back to work. She came across a journal article on Antonio da Correggio and his fresco in a Benedictine church titled Vision of St. John the Evangelist on Patmos.

  Unsure how to funnel the information into some category other than just Bible prophecy, she took notes, and looked for other articles on the topic. When she stopped to make a tuna sandwich, a phone call from Eric Lin, Lexi’s father, came in.

  “Lexi started Teen Mania today, but I’m sure she’s got her cell phone.”

  “I know. I wanted to talk to you privately,” Eric said. “I’d like to pick her up Wednesday evening. I’ve been thinking the last couple of days. Here I am in New York, practically right around the corner.”

  Juliette’s pulse raced. “Pick her up?”

  “Yes and take her back to Brussels. My teaching assignment extends to early August.” His business-like tone lifted, but he still seemed like a no-nonsense kind of guy. “I’ve already reserved a flight and will arrive in Galveston about six.”

  His words left her too stunned for tears. “I see. She’ll be so surprised.”

  “Yes, in fact, that’s exactly what I wanted to do, surprise her. If you could find a subtle way to get her things together, I’d appreciate it. Of course, if it’s too much to conceal, I’ll help her pack when I arrive.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” She trembled and lifted Skipper to her lap in the kitchen chair. What if Lexi didn’t want to go? She chose to stay in Galveston rather than with her mother’s friend and got her way.

  “I appreciate everything you’ve done for my daughter,” Eric said. “But this is a delicate time. She needs to be with family.”

  “Probably, so.” She kept her curiosity about Connie to herself.

  “Thanks again, Juliette. If we don’t talk before then, I’ll see you guys in a couple of days.”

  “Oh, Eric. Would you like to stay overnight Wednesday? We’ve got plenty of room.”

  “I’ve already reserved a suite at the Hilton in Houston,” he said. “But thanks.”

  Lexi said he had an apartment in Houston, but maybe he wanted their time together to be special. She hung up and tears washed down her perspiring face. Once again, life flipped like some nightmarish, theme-park ride. But they’d had some good times and for that she was grateful.

  Now, the girl would make her exit the very day Juliette’s career might fry. She’d be meeting with Dr. Cabot and the rest that same morning. There’d be no fooling that bunch. Maybe she’d just ask for a research extension and omit an explanation.

  Juliette returned to the library, rolled up the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and tidied the desk. For now, it all had to wait. What mattered more was Lexi.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Peggy Golightly was pruning the star jasmine on the wrought iron fence they shared and waved her garden sheers. The instant the door opened, Skipper spotted her and dashed off the porch. About to bust with the news, Juliette hurried across the lawn and arrived at the fence with a long exhale.

  “Oh, dear. What is it?” Peggy waved some of the vine back to step closer, her eyes wide in alarm.

  Her compassion lifted Juliette’s sadness. “Lexi’s leaving on Wednesday for Belgium. Her dad just called.”

  Peggy’s shoulders dropped. “Oh, my lands. Great for her and her father, though.”

  “Yes.” Juliette brushed away the
no-see-ums nipping her ankles. “What if we had dinner tomorrow night?”

  Peggy cinched her lips. “Are you busy? Come on in, and let’s put our heads together.”

  Juliette scooped up Skipper and carried her next door. The Golightly’s home always felt serene. During the day, the blinds were half-closed, and sunlight filtered through the lacy curtains in the front windows.

  Peggy steered them to the sitting area of the dining room and pointed to the sofa.

  “I’ll get us some tea.”

  The backdoor closed, and Asher ambled in from the backyard where he had a workhouse, as Peggy called it. She stood with him in the kitchen doorway.

  “Oh, honey, our little girl’s leaving tomorrow.”

  His bright eyes narrowed, and he peered over his glasses. “Where are you going?”

  Peggy elbowed him. “Not her, Asher. Lexi. Her dad’s taking her to Belgium. Can you imagine?” She disappeared into the kitchen.

  Asher barely sat down in his leather recliner when Skipper jumped on his lap. He stroked under her chin. “He’s a chemist, you know. Quite outstanding in his field.”

  Juliette knew the chemistry professor part, but apparently Lexi talked more positively about him to the Golightlys. “She’s been pretty put out with him. Maybe they’re on the mend.”

  “That’s good,” he said, his eyes fastened on the dozing Skipper.

  Peggy carried in a tray loaded with floral cups of steaming tea, a plate of croissants, a tiny crystal dish with strawberry jam, and another with butterballs. She had a knack for making simple things so beautiful.

  Taking one of the teacups, she said, “We could have dinner here Tuesday evening before your Bible study. She loves my fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and okra.”

  “Me, too.” Asher rustled Skipper resting in his lap.

  They visited a little longer and asked for suggestions for a gift to give Lexi. Juliette wasn’t sure. She, too, wanted to give a gift. She maintained a small cash reserve, money from her parents and meager earnings as a teaching assistant. She also had a credit card. But the bill went to her parents. They’d ask questions, find out Connie went to Shady Acres, know Lexi stayed behind, and there’d go the fun of it.

  Peggy strolled with her to the sidewalk, and Juliette headed to the house barefoot on the sizzling sidewalk. Back home, she decided to sew Lexi a vintage-styled dress like the ones she wore. All the patterns disintegrated from overuse, but it’d be fairly simple to create one from newsprint.

  Long and lean, the girl didn’t have an angle in any direction. One fifties-era design, sleeveless with a v-neck and lightly gathered skirt, would look beautiful in a cotton print she was reserving for a special occasion. Creamy alabaster with rosebuds, it’d flatter the girl’s long, black hair.

  The fabric bins and sewing machine they picked up in Houston still sat in the backseat of the car. Juliette set up shop in her parents’ room. While the material washed, she made a pattern from Lexi’s top and skirt. The fit could be easily adjusted if needed. As she worked, she mulled over ideas for the Wednesday meeting and for every one of them imagined Dr. Cabot’s scowl.

  By three-thirty, the bodice was finished. She folded the dress pieces into the fabric bin in case Lexi wandered in later. Finishing up should take a couple of hours in the morning which left time to work.

  Juliette headed to the church. A number of parents waited in their cars, and before long, the kids filed out, all manner of size and shape, Lexi smiling among them. It seemed ashamed to uproot her from such a great group on her very first day.

  “Where’s Skipper?” she chipped as she slipped in the car.

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t think to bring her.” Juliette pulled behind several cars leaving the parking lot.

  “What’s wrong?” Lexi was staring at her. “Are you mad about something?”

  Juliette patted her knee. “No, no. Well, your father phoned today.”

  “Is Mom okay?” Lexi’s gripped the dashboard, her posture erect.

  “Yes, she’s fine. Settle down.” It didn’t seem right to keep leaving a secret as Eric suggested. She’d call him later and freely admit to letting the cat out of the bag.

  “Then what is it! Tell me!” Lexi’s temper flared more than it had in awhile.

  “It’s good news, Lex. Your dad wants to take you—”

  “To Brussels sprouts? That’s crazy. I’m not going there.”

  “It’s the right thing to do.” Juliette felt more certain than ever that it was.

  Lexi sank against the seat and closed her eyes. Her lips quivered like she had a fever. “When?”

  “He’s coming into Galveston Wednesday afternoon. What do you think about eating at the Golightly’s tomorrow night and then going to Bible study? Listen, we’ll do whatever you want, a movie maybe? And what about Teen Mania? Do you still want to go tomorrow?”

  “Yes!” Lexi said in a panic. “I love it! I don’t want to leave!” She took her phone out of her shorts pocket.

  “Wait.” Juliette took a right at the next street. “Can you consider an outsider’s viewpoint, here?” She waited as Lexi’s fingers relaxed around the phone. “This is a tender time. Your dad needs you and you him. You’ve been through a lot this summer. Some pretty big changes, right? Your new faith, making new friends, being away from your mom.”

  Lexi leaned her elbows on her knees and rubbed her face. “I shouldn’t let him down. Is that what you mean?”

  “Partly.” Juliette sighed and let the idea sink in on the rest of the drive home.

  Lexi shuffled to the house and scooped up Skipper, kissing her neck and ears as the pair went upstairs. Juliette called Pepper Burke who was coordinating the Teen Mania and let her know about Lexi’s last day. When Pepper suggested an impromptu party with the kids, Lexi’s last day at the church was sounding more bearable.

  ****

  The next morning, Juliette finished up the dress and dropped off six dozen cupcakes at church for the Teen Mania going away party. Then she worked in the library until she had to pick up Lexi.

  The afternoon drifted by awkwardly quiet between them, and even the early, fried chicken dinner at the Golightlys lacked the usual playfulness. When Lexi opened her gifts, the moment seemed bittersweet. The Golightlys gave her preaddressed postcards and a new backpack. When Lexi opened the dress Juliette made, her eyes widened in surprise. She examined the stitches, tested the zipper, and folded it back in the box.

  When the girl headed home with Skipper, Juliette remained with Peggy and Asher on the porch. “It’s going to be so lonely without her.”

  Asher’s blue eyes crinkled in a soft smile. “Peg and me are still here, you know.”

  His words washed over her. Yes, they were, thankfully.

  She caught up with Lexi at home. “Are you sure you want to go Bible study on your last night?”

  “Yeah. Do we have to go right now?”

  “We have a few minutes. I still need to get my things together.”

  Upstairs, the floorboards creaked like Lexi was running around. The kid was so fiercely independent, Juliette hadn’t thought about checking her progress with packing, but she probably should. She was loading a few dishes in the dishwasher when Lexi bounded into the kitchen wearing her new dress.

  The girl twirled and smiled broadly. “See, I told you it’d fit.”

  “Not too long?”

  “It’s just right. You know, like the ones you wear. It’s not suppose to be really short.”

  “You look so beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she said shyly. “I mean thank you for the dress, too. And guess what?” She looked up, her face shining.

  “You’re not charging me tonight for Bible study.”

  Lexi laughed and practically fell into her arms. “How did you know?”

  “Oh, just a wild guess.” She gave her a hug and inhaled the floral fragrance of the girl’s shampoo. “You know what?”

  “Huh?” Lexi leaned back and pushed up her glas
ses.

  “When I have a little girl, I want her to be just like you.”

  The dog hopped between them, and Lexi laughed. “When I have a little girl, I want her to be just like Skipper.”

  “Ha, very funny,” said Juliette. “Come on, Cinderella. It’s time for your free Bible study.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The alarm blared the next morning at six, an unfortunate but necessary hour due to traffic into Houston. Juliette dressed quickly in gray slacks and a rosy, short-sleeved blouse with an uncomfortable tie at the neck. She gathered her notebook and a folder, and in a last minute decision, the Sistine Chapel ceiling rolled beside the desk.

  Why not?

  A half hour later, she headed out the backdoor, ample time to make the nine-thirty meeting. Peggy offered to drop Lexi at Teen Mania, and if Juliette wasn’t back by one, pick her up and oversee the last of the packing. Knowing the kid was in good hands eased her mind.

  On the freeway, vehicles clipped by as she puttered in the slow lane, thinking. The page of notes she assembled included a reference to a journal article written by a Cambridge scholar a decade earlier—Biblical Prophets Portrayed in the Italian Renaissance. Even so, she still lacked a hypothesis or theme to present to the professors. Not one to think well on her feet, she’d survive best by being vague and quiet as possible.

  The traffic picked up close to Houston. Juliette pulled into a Starbucks drive-thru on the feeder road, and by the time she rejoined the commuters, the freeway was gridlocked. Dark clouds swirled in the gray clouds, and a mist accumulated on the windshield. Good thing she allowed extra time.

  At the interchange of freeways, she followed an oil tanker west and in awhile exited onto congested neighborhood streets leading to the university. A little after nine, she pulled into a parking lot near the art history department.

  On this portion of the sprawling campus, massive trees and crepe myrtles with pink and white blossoms shaded buildings dating from the 1930s. A few students hurried in the light shower down the wide walkway. Juliette found an umbrella in the backseat and dashed to the building carrying a canvas bag with a notebook, folder, and the rolled ceiling.