Southern Fried Christmas

by Marian Merritt

  Denny navigated his cousin’s boat, with his in tow, down the bayou he knew like the back of his hand. Chelsea and Kelly huddled next to him in an attempt to keep warm in the boat’s small cabin. As they cut through the murky waters of Bayou Labourche headed toward home, white flakes floated on the deck and vanished. “Chelsea, come here. Look.” He pointed toward the bow.

  His daughter stepped toward him then he lifted her to peer out the small window.

  “It’s snow! Kelly, look. It’s snow! God answered my prayers! I asked Him to give you a white Christmas.”

  Kelly approached the window. A beaming smile covered her face. “It is snow. Chelsea, how about that?” When she turned to Denny, her eyes glistened, and he suspected it wasn’t due to the cold air.

  Quatorze

  Kelly wrapped Chelsea in her arms and hugged her tiny frame. “This is the best Christmas present.”

  Chelsea pulled away. Her eyes wide with excitement. “There’s another present for you under the tree at Mawmaw’s.”

  “There’s a few under there for you, too.” She rubbed her forehead against Chelsea’s.

  Denny called his mother when they got within cell phone range. When they approached the dock, a bundled-up Eula waited with the golf cart. “I’m so glad y’all made it OK.”

  Denny looped the rope around the piling then extended his hand for Chelsea, then Kelly. “Be careful, the dock is slippery.”

  Both took careful steps to the frosted grass where Eula waited with the cart.

  ****

  As the sun set on Christmas Day, the Labouve family settled around the tree to open presents. A fire crackled in the seldom-used fireplace while Carroll and Denny sat on the brick hearth. Kelly saw the same sparkling eyes and uneven smile on both. The eyes were definitely Eula’s, but their smiles must be from their father.

  Sherry and Chelsea sat on the floor amidst the discarded wrapping paper while Eula and Mameré watched from the couch. Thank you, Lord, for not letting me be alone on Christmas. Kelly treasured this time. It was more than just being with others, she’d actually been accepted by this family.

  Chelsea scampered to the tree and returned with a gift she handed to Kelly. The shiny paper failed to cover the entire box and scotch tape filled in the remaining area. “This is from me.”

  It took Kelly a few minutes to pry the tape from the gift and peel back the red paper.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s OK.” She kissed Chelsea’s blushing cheek. “I’ve done the same thing when I’m short on paper.” She opened the box then winked at Chelsea. “It’s the same snow globe I looked at the other day. I love it!”

  “I got the blue one because you said that was your favorite color. And I wanted to give you a white Christmas.” Her clear blue eyes reflected the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree. “But…” She smiled. “Guess, God already did that.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged Chelsea and whispered, “Yes, He did, but I can take yours home with me.”

  Kelly reached into her pocket and retrieved Chelsea’s gift. “This is for you.”

  “Really. For me?” Chelsea tore into the gold paper then held up the best friends chain. “I’ve always wanted one of these!”

  “You can give one half to your best friend.”

  “Thank you, so much.” She fumbled with the clasp. “I’m wearing my part today.”

  The remaining gifts were opened and the evening filled with comfortable laughter and conversation. Sherry proved to be a delight, and Kelly enjoyed getting to know her. As Sherry and Carroll walked toward the door to leave, Carroll leaned toward Kelly. “Come by the paper tomorrow. I’ll show you around.”

  “OK, I’ll get directions from Denny.”

  Sherry linked her arm through Kelly’s. “We can have lunch tomorrow.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Denny, Chelsea, and Kelly stood on the back porch with Mameré and Eula as Carroll and Sherry loaded their car. Each waved good-bye as the car backed out of the drive.

  “I believe I’m going to turn in. It’s been a long day. Bonsoir.” Mameré Milla walked into the house.

  “I’m right behind.” Eula followed her.

  Chelsea slipped into the door before Eula. “I want to see the rest of A Christmas Story.”

  As Kelly turned to follow, Denny grabbed her arm. “Wait.” He extended his hand toward her and resting in his palm was a wrapped package. “For you.” His lips curled into his unique lopsided smile. The one that gripped her heart.

  “But I didn’t—”

  “Shh.” He placed his index finger on her lips. “Open it.”

  When she opened the box, she caught her breath. A gold, candy cane charm hanging on a golden chain—blurred from the tears marring her vision. “Oh, Denny, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  She stood on tippy toes and brushed a kiss on his cheek.

  His smile spread, further taking her heart with it. “My pleasure. Something for you to remember your Christmas in Caneville.”

  “Believe me. I’ll never forget this Christmas.”

  “I hope not.” He leaned in close to her. Close enough for her to get a whiff of his cologne. A clean woodsy scent.

  She tilted her head to meet his gaze and found herself drowning in the warmth of his eyes. As though she’d fallen into a pool of milk chocolate. Mere inches separated their lips and the heat of his breath warmed her skin.

  No.

  She couldn’t.

  If she kissed this man, she’d never forgive herself. She couldn’t lead him to believe that there was a possibility for them. They lived over a thousand miles apart. And his disappearance last night still caused doubt to shadow her thoughts. Besides what would happen to her heart if she kissed him. Her whole body shivered from the thought.

  She stepped back. “Er…um…I guess we should go in. It’s actually cold out here.”

  Disappointment clouded his eyes, but slowly his lips spread, then he nodded. “Yeah, it really is and I need to get home. I have to work tomorrow.”

  He reached around her and opened the back door. As she walked past him into the quiet of the kitchen, a deep ache filled her chest. Like her heart had become an anvil. Cold, hard, and heavy.

  ****

  Denny swallowed back the pain of rejection. Had he gone too far with Kelly? The scent of her shampoo engulfed him as she brushed past him to enter the house. Could he ever forget this Christmas? Or her? She would leave for Denver in a few days and take his heart with her.

  Although he’d only known her for a short time, he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life getting to know her better. If only she felt the same.

  “Time to head home. C’mon, pumpkin. Tell everyone good night.”

  “I’ve already told Mawmaw and Mameré. They went to bed.” She clicked the remote and the television went silent. “Good night, Miss Kelly.” She squeezed Kelly around the waist. “Thank you for the present.”

  Kelly knelt next to Chelsea. “Good night, honey. I love the globe and will think of you every time I look at it. Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Oh, I’m not coming here tomorrow. I’m spending the day with my friend, Susie. Daddy’s dropping me off at her house.”

  “Oh, I’ll miss you, but I hope you have fun.”

  “Thanks.”

  Denny shuffled Chelsea toward the door and turned back to Kelly. “Good night, Kelly. I hope you had a good Christmas.”

  She smiled toward him but kept her gaze averted. “Good night, Denny. I love the charm. I’ll treasure it.”

  He trotted across the damp grass to his empty house with Chelsea on his back. His gut twisted with regret. Why had he tried to kiss Kelly? Surely, he’d blown any chance of winning her heart. Just because he was convinced she was the woman for him, didn’t mean that she believed the same.

  Quinze

  December 26

  “Your editor has told me many things about your work.” Carroll leaned back int
o the wooden chair.

  “Has he now? And exactly what has he told you?” Kelly smiled and leaned forward over a mound of papers on Carroll’s desk.

  “He tells me that you’re a hard worker and could easily move into an editor’s position. Which is what I’d like to talk with you about.”

  “An editor’s position?”

  “Yes, my father-in-law’s heart attack got me thinking that maybe I need help around here.”

  Had she understood him correctly? Was he offering her an editor’s position here in Bazet? The thought of working at the small town newspaper near Chelsea and Denny made her pause. Could she leave her beloved mountains and move here? Did she want to?

  “Are you offering me an editor’s job?”

  “I am.”

  Kelly took a deep breath. “Carroll, this is quite unexpected, but I don’t think—”

  He lifted his hand. “Don’t give me an answer today. Think about it. I know you’re flying home in a couple of days. Keep my offer in mind and let me know, say, in a week?”

  She shook her head. “Carroll, you can’t be serious.”

  “As serious as a heart attack.” His right eyebrow arched and the lopsided smile—similar to the one that tugged at her heartstrings—appeared on his face. “There’s a one-bedroom apartment above the paper that’s empty. You’d be welcome to it.”

  Kelly met Sherry for lunch and spent the afternoon getting to know her. She found that they had a lot in common. Sherry encouraged Kelly to consider Carroll’s job offer so they could spend more time together.

  Driving back to Eula’s house Kelly played all the possibilities through her mind. Working here in Bazet close to Chelsea and Denny would be great, but what if Denny wasn’t interested in a serious relationship?

  ****

  Denny reviewed the last of the job reports. His task took much longer than usual because his thoughts wandered to Kelly. She seemed distant after Christmas Eve, and he scoured his brain to figure out why. His actions last night had not helped any. Way to go, Labouve. He was sure that any chance he’d had of winning her heart had been squelched by that bone-headed move. Maybe giving her the necklace and candy cane charm had been too personal and sent the wrong message. He vowed to talk with her about this tonight before she left, to set things straight. Lord, give me the words. Show me what to do and say. Father, if Kelly is the person You want for me then orchestrate the steps, Lord. You know what a lousy job I’m doing.

  He lowered his head and returned to his paperwork, but he lacked his usual focus.

  Earline rushed into his office. “Denny, pick up the phone. It’s the rig—about Antoine. Something’s happened.”

  Denny’s gut tightened. He knew his plans for tonight were about to change.

  Seize

  Kelly sat in the red and beige room contemplating her new option. Could Carroll’s offer be the answer to prayer? Lord, what would You have me do? Guide me. She prayed for the right door to open and for the wrong ones to close. And also, for the ability to let go and let God direct her steps. She folded her clothes and placed them into her opened suitcase. She would walk over to Denny’s house in a few minutes, the first time she’d actually gone to his house, for a small gathering, a going-away party, in her honor. Her heart swelled at his generosity.

  Less than two weeks ago she was a stranger to these people, today it was as though she would be leaving her family. She marveled at how close she’d become in such a short time. She’d grown to love them and their culture and had flourished in the warmth of their acceptance. Why few people from South Louisiana ventured away from the comforting circle of family started to become clear to her.

  Her thoughts turned to Denny and Chelsea. Their place in her heart caused more confusion than anything. Well, not Chelsea. She loved the young girl. There was no question or uncertainty there. Denny was another matter entirely. He had her head and heart at odds with one another. He seemed everything she hoped for in a mate. Someone who loved family, was a good father, had a good work ethic, was well-respected, and above all, was a Christian and let God lead his life. But the issue with his disappearance Christmas Eve cast a heavy shadow on everything else. The words she’d used to comfort Chelsea played in her head. He probably had a good reason. Was it fair to judge him without knowing the truth? She would have to figure out a way to ask him tonight before she returned to Denver.

  ****

  “Miss Kelly, look. I made these just for you.” Chelsea carried a platter of chocolate chip cookies to the marble-topped counter. Denny’s home kitchen was just as elegant as the one in his office.

  “Mmm, smells heavenly.” Now Kelly knew why Chelsea hadn’t run over to her Mawmaw’s house when she’d returned from playing with her friend. She’d been here baking cookies with Mameré Milla.

  “Kelly, we have loved having you here, and we will miss you. I feel like one of my granddaughters is leaving.” Mameré Milla cupped the side of Kelly’s face. The tips of her wrinkled fingers lay smooth against Kelly’s skin. Her gentle touch and the tenderness of her gaze warmed Kelly’s heart.

  “Thanks, Mameré I feel the same.” Kelly brushed a kiss on the elderly woman’s cheek. Addressing Camilla as grandmother felt right.

  “See, Miss Kelly. I told you everyone calls her Mameré.” Chelsea’s I-told-you-so look sent both Kelly and Mameré into fits of laughter.

  The back door swung open and Denny’s broad shoulders filled the doorway. He rushed in and planted a quick kiss on the top of Chelsea’s head then turned to Kelly.

  “I am so sorry. Mama’s going to cook the supper. There’s been an accident at one of the job sites, and my driver’s been hurt. I’m on my way there now. I may not be back until tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got to pack.” He darted toward the back of the house.

  When he returned a few minutes later, he knelt in front of Chelsea and gave her a hug. “Honey, be good for Grandma and give Kelly an awesome going-away party, OK?”

  “I will. Daddy, will you be OK?” Her widened eyes tore at Kelly’s heart. She sensed the child’s fear and wondered the same thing.

  “I’ll be fine. Mr. Antoine had some pipe fall on his leg. Daddy needs to be there for him and to make sure the job gets finished. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

  His gaze locked with Kelly’s, sending her heart into a heightened rhythm. A patter that resembled the rain on the tin roof of Eula’s house. His eyes connected to a place in her that no one had ever reached.

  “Would you walk me to my truck?”

  She swallowed. This would be their good-bye. “Sure.”

  Denny pecked his grandmother’s cheek on the way out the door. With a duffel bag draped over his shoulder, he held the door for Kelly.

  “This was not how I wanted our good-bye, but such that it is.” He chucked the duffel into the backseat. “I would like to keep in touch with you, call, e-mail, whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “I’d like that. I’ll leave my number and e-mail address on your counter.” She paused. “I was serious about showing you and Chelsea the mountains.”

  “Plan on seeing us.” He scribbled on the back of a business card. “My work e-mail is on the front and my home phone and e-mail are on the back. Guess this is good-bye for now.”

  His closeness made her realize that after tomorrow she wouldn’t see him again, wouldn’t smell his comforting cologne, wouldn’t be able to swim in those warm brown eyes. The realization saddened her more than she would have imagined. “Good-bye for now.”

  He slipped behind the wheel and before he closed the door, she stood on the running board. “Denny, thank you for showing me your world. I’ve grown to love everything about this place.” She smiled. “Well, almost everything. I’m not sure I’ll ever love this humidity.”

  He grinned. “I loved sharing with you Kelly. It was certainly my pleasure.” He slid his hand into hers. “You are welcome here anytime. Anytime.”

  She squeezed his hand and brushed a kiss on his cheek befo
re she stepped away from the Suburban. “Thank you, Denny Labouve. Now go. You’ve got to get to that site.”

  “I pray that Antoine’s all right.” He started the engine. “Kelly, call my cell phone when you get home so I’ll know you’re safe. Take care of yourself.” He closed the door and locked his gaze on her before he pulled away.

  She stood in the driveway until she couldn’t see his vehicle any longer.

  ****

  Denny allowed the sight in his rear-view mirror to emblazon in his memory—Kelly standing at the end of his driveway while he drove off. If only she could be standing there when he returned. He rubbed his cheek where she’d kissed him. Another memory he’d hold on to.

  Dix-Sept

  December 27

  Kelly glanced at the illuminated numbers on her microwave. Less than two hours. Somehow being home didn’t bring the happiness she’d expected. Instead, her heart ached for the activity she’d had the past week and the people she’d grown to love.

  She fingered the pendants hanging from her neck, the other half of Chelsea’s heart pendant and the gold candy cane from Denny. The teary good-byes from the airport came to mind. Eula, Mameré, and Chelsea had seen her off and the sight of Chelsea’s tears had torn her heart in two. And when the young girl handed her the half of the best friends chain, her emotions had spiraled over the edge. Downward like a kite that had lost its wind. And that’s exactly what she felt. Like the gusto for the life she enjoyed had suddenly disappeared.

  Chelsea had talked non-stop on the way to the airport as though she had to tell Kelly as much as she could before she left. When she’d told Kelly that she’d gotten straight A’s on her report card and that if she continued to do so, she’d be honored at the year-end banquet, Kelly promised to fly back to see her get her award. Could she wait until the end of May to see them again?