A Cherry Cola Christmas

by Ashton Lee

  Emma looked somewhat surprised by the request as she wiped her mouth with her paper napkin and then threw it into the plastic trash can. “Well, where do you wanna walk?”

  “Oh, just up and down Commerce Street. I’ve been doing it a lot lately, trying to keep an eye on things like the sheriff asked us to. Haven’t spotted anything yet, though. Have you?”

  Emma’s expression went from surprised to uncomfortable. “Uh . . . no. But I always go home to Leonard straight from work to see how he’s doin’. I really don’t have time for much else.”

  “Anything new to report from home?”

  “Wish there was. But things are about the same. Leonard, he’s doin’ the best he can, I guess.”

  “And I’m sure you are, too. But come on now. A little walk in the fresh air will do us both good,” Maura Beth added, leading the way out of the break room. She stopped briefly at the front desk to inform Marydell of their plans, and soon they were out on the sidewalk, facing a light, “sweater weather” breeze as they headed down Shadow Alley toward Commerce Street.

  “It’s such a shame we’re going to be losing more of these downtown stores,” Maura Beth observed, as Cherico’s busiest street came into view. Even though it didn’t look that way at the moment. Perhaps it was just a random snapshot, but no one else was out on the sidewalk on their lunch hour, and there was nothing approaching traffic congestion in the street. “Things really are dead in Cherico these days. Somehow, we’ve got to turn it around. During all my wedding hoopla, I finally got my mother to understand why I care so much about Cherico the way I do, but no matter what, Jeremy and I intend to stay for the long haul.”

  Emma turned her head with a grateful smile. “That’s nice to hear. Of course, me and Leonard, we was born here, so we never had a choice. It’s our home, and I guess we’re just stuck with it.”

  They had reached the cozy wooden bench in front of Audra Neely’s antique store, and it was there that Maura Beth stopped and gestured. “Let’s sit here for a moment, why don’t we? I have something important I want to discuss with you.”

  The alarm clearly registered in Emma’s voice. “You’re not gonna fire me, are ya, Miz Maura Beth? Is that why we’re on this walk? I figured somethin’ was up ’cause you’ve never asked me to do it before.”

  “No, indeed. Nothing is up, Emma. At least not the way you mean it. I hope I’ve made it clear that you have job security. Whatever gave you that idea?” Maura Beth quickly took her seat and Emma followed her lead, nervously rubbing her fingertips together.

  “I don’t know exactly why I said it. Guess you could say I was just followin’ my instincts.”

  Maura Beth reassuringly patted Emma’s arm a couple of times as she continued. “I’m so glad you put it that way. I like to follow my instincts, too. Of course, they told me from the very beginning that you weren’t telling me the truth about stealing those tips from The Twinkle. It was just too out of character for you with the way you feel about going to your Church of Christ every Wednesday and Sunday. And now, I know for sure you didn’t take that money, Emma. You couldn’t have.”

  “But I did, Miz Maura Beth!” Emma insisted, fidgeting in her seat. “Why would I lie?”

  “That’s what you need to tell me now. I promise you that whatever you say, I’ll handle things with Miz Periwinkle and Lalie Bevins. I just want you to tell me the truth so I can put my instincts to bed and things can get back to normal in my brain. I can’t help it, you know. Being so detail-oriented comes with being a librarian. We’re natural-born processors of books and just about everything else.”

  “But why do you say I couldn’t have took the money? You sound pretty sure of yourself.”

  Maura Beth drew herself up, even looking smug about it all. “Because there was something about your little confession that bothered me from the beginning, but I could never quite put my finger on it. Then I went back later and confirmed things with Periwinkle about the timeline that day. I remembered she said those tips were stolen at the end of the lunch service—close to two o’clock—and you said you walked down to The Twinkle on your lunch hour. You know as well as I do that you always take it from eleven to twelve—just like the two of us did together today. So there’s no way you could have taken that money like you said you did. It’s time for you to tell me why you made up that story and where that money you gave me came from. I’m assuming it didn’t come out of your own pocket.”

  Maura Beth had not expected Emma to break down, but she did—tearing up as she turned her head away. Then she started sobbing quietly, and Maura Beth had to wait until Emma had gotten it all out of her system.

  “Take your time, dear. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I didn’t know about the money at first,” Emma began while sniffling. “I mean, I heard people talkin’ about it, but that’s all I knew. Then one day I was puttin’ Leonard’s sock drawer in some kinda order—it was just too messy for my taste and you know how organized I am at the front desk—and there the money was just as plain as could be. So I went to Leonard, and said, ‘Where did this come from, honey?’ And he says to me, ‘That was supposed ta be a surprise. It’s my birthday money for you. I’m gonna spend it all on your party.’ ”

  Maura Beth was squinting now, trying her best to follow along. “Your birthday party?”

  Emma exhaled with a great deal of force and continued patiently. “Don’t you remember I told you how Leonard was carryin’ on about my sixty-fifth birthday and singin’ to me all the time?”

  “Oh, yes, now I do. You said he was driving you crazy.”

  Emma managed an odd little chuckle as she glanced at the overcast sky. “You don’t know the half of it. Anyhow, I asked Leonard where the money come from, and he says, ‘It was left behind.’ ‘Left behind where?’ I says to him. And that’s when it all come out. Oh, Miz Maura Beth, he’s so confused all the time—I can’t blame him for what happened. But I wudd’n gonna let him take the blame for it, neither. It was one of those times Leonard got out of the house and wandered around without a thought in his head. He told me he walked all the way down to Commerce Street and back, and at one point he just happened to look in the window at The Twinkle, and that’s when he saw that money just settin’ around on the tables. ‘I’ll just go in and take it for my Emma’s birthday party,’ he says to me.”

  Emma briefly broke down again but steadied herself more quickly this time. “He didn’t really know what he was doin,’ Miz Maura Beth. He told me he figured no one needed the money since they just left it there. It’s his brain, ya know. It’s just on the blink, and there’s nothin’ the doctors nor anyone else can do about it. I sure wish I could snap my fingers and make it go away.”

  “I understand,” Maura Beth said as soothingly as possible, putting her arm around Emma’s shoulder. “Although I have to say that this wasn’t the explanation I was expecting. Well, to be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I was expecting, but I would never have guessed you were covering for your Leonard. I just knew you weren’t telling me the truth.”

  “But you believe me now, don’tcha? I swear I’m not makin’ any of it up. It took me by surprise as much as I bet it did you just now.”

  “Of course, I believe you. Now that I think it through, it’s the only explanation that makes any sense.”

  “Well, that’s why me and Cissy have been keepin’ such an eye on him now. He’s liable to wander off anywhere and do anything if we don’t. But I hope you see why I didn’t say nothin’ to you about Leonard when you first come back from your honeymoon. I didn’t know he’d done it then. I found out later, and that’s when I decided to give you the money and take the blame and ask you to help me out with Miz Periwinkle. No way was I gonna let my Leonard go through havin’ to deal with the law. He’s no criminal—no way. So, no—I didn’t steal nothin’. But I did break me another commandment when I lied. I hope you don’t think I’m a bad person doin’ what I did. It weighed heavy on my heart.”

 
Maura Beth took her arm from around Emma’s shoulder and then gently squeezed her hand. “There’s no way I could ever think that about you. A good wife and mother always protects her own.”

  “I’m glad you put it that-a-way. That’s exactly why I did it. I’ve always been fierce as a lion when it comes to my family.” There was a thoughtful pause. “So, are you gonna tell Miz Periwinkle everything?”

  “I’ll handle it, and I’m sure she and Lalie Bevins will understand about what Leonard did. Nobody would ever hold that against him.”

  “But whadda we do about the law? Won’t the sheriff and the police keep tryin’ to solve it?”

  Maura Beth’s expression was determined, her voice brimming with confidence. “I know Periwinkle will explain what happened to the sheriff, and that should be the end of it. It was one of those quirky things that no one could ever foresee. I’m even inclined to think your Leonard wasn’t caught doing it because he didn’t have any malice in his heart. Who knows what his world is really like on a daily basis? He’s bound to see and hear things differently than the rest of us.”

  “Oh, you’re an angel from heaven, Miz Maura Beth!” Emma declared, leaning in for a spontaneous hug. “Leonard’s doctors, they’ve given me all these brochures to read about what to expect and how to deal with it, and you sound just like what I’ve been readin’.”

  “I’m glad to help in any way I can. And I have a great suggestion for you. I want you and Leonard to come to the December book club meeting where we’ll all share some inspirational stories with each other. It’ll do him good to get out, and this time you won’t have a problem keeping an eye on him.”

  Emma hung her head and didn’t speak for a while, and for a moment, Maura Beth thought she was going to be turned down. “I’ve been wonderin’ if I’d be able to get in the Christmas spirit this year with all I’ve been goin’ through. This was about the time last year that Leonard really began actin’ up, and I think I was in denial for too long. So I believe I’ll take you up on your invitation. I know Leonard won’t mind—I’ll just tell him we’re goin’ to a Christmas party at the library.”

  “Well, it is, actually. Maybe a little fancier than most, but we need something out of the ordinary with everything that’s been happening.”

  Just then the front door to the antique store opened and out stepped Audra Neely herself, looking perfectly coiffed and stylishly attired, but also perplexed. “What on earth are you two discussing out here so intently? Are you trying to solve all the world’s problems or what?”

  Maura Beth laughed and stood up quickly. “How are you, Audra? No, we weren’t tackling the world—just a few odds and ends that needed a little attention here in Cherico.”

  The two women embraced warmly, and then Audra and Emma exchanged pleasantries as well.

  “I’ve been meaning to come by and tell you how sorry I am that you’ll be closing your wonderful shop soon,” Maura Beth said, gesturing toward the window display that featured vintage lamps, vases, and even a Chinese cloisonné sideboard. “I think it added so much to downtown, and I kept telling myself that when I could afford it, I’d come down and actually buy something from you. But now that I can finally do that, I find you’re taking off for greener pastures.”

  “No one’s more disappointed than I am, but I’ve been sticking it out as long as I can,” Audra explained. “I thought things might get a little better when there was talk of that cowboy boot manufacturer moving to town. New jobs would bring new blood, and maybe some of it would plunk down their money with me. But that didn’t happen, and I’ve discovered the hard way that this is the wrong market for my antiques. Maybe any antiques. Believe me, I went to every estate sale in Mississippi trying to find a variety of pieces that would fit into every budget. Whenever some antebellum home would go by the wayside in Natchez or somewhere else historic, I was there, ready to bid with a vengeance. But Chericoans just weren’t buying what I was selling. I may try again over in Corinth, but only after I take a little vacation from the business to get my spirits back up.”

  That gave Maura Beth another opportunity to promote her December meeting, and she lost no time explaining everything in detail to Audra. “You absolutely must come. The more the merrier. I’ve just gotten Emma here to agree and bring along her husband, too. If you’ve got any relatives in town, bring them, by all means.”

  Audra brightened considerably while fiddling with the fashionable aqua-colored scarf tied loosely around her neck. “I just might do that. I’m not moving away until after the first of the year anyway. It sounds like a great format for me to say good-bye to all of you.”

  “Oh, I hate the sound of that,” Maura Beth said, pouting slightly. “But if you do open up again in Corinth, I promise Jeremy and I will drive over and check things out. If you hadn’t heard, we’ve moved into Miss Voncille’s old house on Painter Street, and I’ve told Jeremy I think it needs a bit of updating.”

  Audra looked amused. “And I always say nothing updates better than a classic antique.”

  “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

  “Well, I better get back inside in case the phone decides to shock me and ring,” Audra said with a wink, heading for the door.

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you on December 6th at the library.” Then Maura Beth turned to Emma. “Why don’t you go on back to the library, and I’ll take care of everything at The Twinkle. You don’t need to explain anything to Miz Marydell, either. Just tell her I’ll be back soon.”

  “I just cain’t thank you enough, Miz Maura Beth,” Emma said, embracing her boss once again. “And I promise, me and Leonard’ll be there for the December to-do. Maybe I can even come up with a story if I think hard enough.”

  “Don’t worry about it. The two of you being there is all that matters.”

  Maura Beth’s intention had been to tell Periwinkle all about the missing money and then hand it over, but she wasn’t able to get a word in edgewise because of her best girlfriend’s unprecedented excitement. “Can you even believe it?” Periwinkle was saying as the two of them sat across from each other in her office. “I couldn’t possibly pay for that kinda publicity, and now it’s just fallen into my lap. Now, I know you don’t particularly like country music, but I definitely want you to be right here at The Twinkle on December 7th. Bring Jeremy along, too. It’ll help me keep my feet on the ground. If you need an extra incentive, dinner’s on me.”

  Maura Beth knew immediately she would have to put it on her calendar. After all, it was nothing short of a coup for The Twinkle. To have a major recording star like Waddell Mack rent out the entire restaurant to feed his band and crew that evening on the way to their concert the next day in Tupelo was the sort of “happening” that sometimes made People magazine. Sure, it would be all fluff and photo ops, but lots of people would scan it in doctors’ and dentists’ offices—not to mention hair salons all over the country. “We’ll be there. I promise you. Maybe I’ll even listen to one of your Mr. Mack’s CDs to psych myself up.”

  “Oh, I could lend you one if you want. And when he’s here, he’ll prob’ly tweet all the time about the food and the good time they’re all havin’. We could even be a regular stop for country music people when they’re on the road and headed this way. Girl, I can’t stop thinkin’ of all the possibilities!”

  “Well, you’re already a huge success story here in Cherico. There’s no reason why the rest of the world shouldn’t know about it.”

  Periwinkle gave her a double thumbs-up. “There ya go. I don’t know when I’ve been so pumped!”

  Maura Beth let it all sink in. It would indeed be a big week for Cherico. She had high hopes for her special inspirational book club meeting on December 6th, the evening before the Waddell Mack invasion. There might even be television coverage from the Memphis and Tupelo stations just because everybody liked stories about celebrities in their hometowns or anywhere nearby. Maybe if she played her cards just right, some field reporter might even ge
t interested in doing a piece on the construction of the new library. Why, she could even go to Councilman Sparks and enlist his help in that department since she believed their relationship had morphed from constant manipulation into semi-cooperation of late! Suddenly, she was the one with all the possibilities swirling around in her head.

  Then a more sobering thought brought her back down to reality: She still had to explain the missing tips to Periwinkle—and hand over the money besides. So she decided not to mince words, straightforwardly recounting everything that had happened from start to finish. “So there never was any threat of a crime spree, you see,” she concluded. “It was just an unfortunate series of events, and Emma hopes you’ll understand and forgive her dear Leonard.”

  Periwinkle reached across her desk and briefly took Maura Beth’s hand. “Oh, of course I do. And I know Lalie will, too, when I explain everything to her.” She paused for a thoughtful little frown that was quickly replaced with a smile. “But I never would have guessed that that was the solution. That poor man. What he must be goin’ through!”

  “I know. Everything I’ve read on the subject says Alzheimer’s is a frightening journey for everyone concerned. But I’ve told Emma that she can think of me and the library as another family member when it comes to support. In any case, she doesn’t have to worry the least little bit about her job.”

  Periwinkle sat back in her chair, her face almost glowing with approval. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: You were, are, and always will be a wonderful addition to Cherico. This town wouldn’t be in the least bit a’ trouble if more of our people were like you. I mean, you really do think outside the box about your library and what it’s for and what it means to our little community.”