by Mary Carter
“It’s pretty out here,” Faith said, not bothering to get up. She wrapped her legs around Hope’s leg and started to tug.
“Hey,” Hope yelled. Faith tugged harder and Hope fell to the ground beside her. The snow muted her fall, but Hope still cried out. Faith laughed. Hope smacked her, then lay down next to her. All she could see was the darkening sky, and darker forms around it that she knew to be trees, and little flakes pelting her face.
“Are we having fun yet?” Faith deadpanned.
Hope started laughing and then couldn’t stop. Finally, Faith joined in. Hope snuck her gloved hand out until she found Faith’s and took her hand in hers.
“Let’s do something Christmas-y tomorrow. Anything. What do you want to do?” Faith asked.
“I think we should look for the perfect Christmas tree.”
“I love it. We’ll do it tomorrow. If we can ever get up.” They lay there for a few more seconds until Mr. Jingles came barreling down the path toward them. Faith tried to get to her feet, but Mr. Jingles was faster. His big droopy jowls and large pink tongue dangled life-threateningly close to her face.
“Help,” Faith said. “Get him off.”
Hope grinned. “Is this a good time to tell you what I want for Christmas?”
CHAPTER 19
The entire gang gathered around the crackling fire in the log house, including Austin. Faith whipped up hot chocolate and Hope saw to the popcorn. Outside, the decorations glittered in the darkness. Hope couldn’t believe she could now look out onto the grounds and see a sleigh framed in white lights, led by mechanical deer, also aglow. Standing at the helm was a mechanical Santa who actually waved. Beside them, two pine trees were swathed in colored lights. The angel shone its lights onto the snow, and glittering stars hung from the trees. A big bowl of popcorn sat on the coffee table awaiting eager hands.
Yvette and Harrison were playing Scrabble. Yvette had her tongue poking out of the side of her mouth. It was cute. Brittany was drawing a Christmas scene on a blank canvas.
“Where’s Josh?” Austin said.
“In his room,” Faith said. “You know teenage boys.” Hope started to laugh and then caught the look on Austin’s face. He looked worried. He’d said earlier that Josh reminded him of his brother. Was that why he had that look on his face? What had happened to his brother? Maybe she should go up and find Josh, see if she could talk him into joining them. Would that turn her into the annoying aunt instead of a beloved one? It had been a really long day. Maybe it was better to just let him have some peace. Peace on earth. She’d settle for it in her own family. At least tonight everyone was relatively calm, and Hope might even dare say festive.
“Hurky?” Harrison said. “What kind of a word is hurky?”
“You just used it twice in a sentence,” Yvette said. “Triple score.” Harrison panned the crowd, trying to see if he had any support.
“Her house, her rules,” Austin said. “Her house, her rules.”
Harrison nodded; then a big smile broke out on his face. He laid down his tiles with a flourish. “Boom!”
“Holla?” Yvette yelled. “What is holla?”
“You’re doing it, Granny,” Joy said.
Yvette’s eyes narrowed. Austin got her attention. “If you ask me,” Austin said, “he’s getting a bit too glitty.”
Everyone looked confused but Yvette. “Indeed,” Yvette said. She turned to Harrison. “I’m pulling out all the stops now.”
Harrison opened his arms. “Bring it, Mrs. G. Bring it.”
* * *
The next day after a hearty breakfast, they commenced the search for the perfect tree. Yvette was feeling weak, so she stayed back with Harrison and Joy. Harrison was still sleeping and Joy had morphed into Florence Nightingale, fluttering around their grandmother, trying to soothe her. Austin showed up as the group headed back to the woods. Roger took the lead with an axe.
Hope kept glancing back to the house. She hoped Joy truly liked Yvette and wasn’t just trying to ingratiate herself because of the inheritance. “You’re obsessing on Joy,” Faith said after she came up alongside her.
“She’s using our grandmother. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“First of all, she’s making her tea and keeping her company. Second of all, don’t think for a second that that woman isn’t smart enough to see through Joy.”
“But she’s weak, and sick.”
“She’s still a Garland, isn’t she?”
“I just hate to see Joy being so manipulative.”
“She has the least good memories of all of us.”
“I know. I know. But at what point does a person have to stop being a victim and start taking responsibility for his or her life?”
“Do you remember how Mom’s face would light up whenever Dad was in a good mood?” Faith asked.
Hope remembered. She also remembered how every Christmas their father lifted them up to place an ornament high on the tree, how their tiny apartment filled with the smell of popcorn, how the Christmas carols played so loud that eventually the neighbors pounded on the walls. How they went to bed, beyond exhausted, filled with popcorn, and icing from making sugar cookies, their father’s laughter still ringing in their ears. So young. He was younger than Hope was now. Nobody ever told them these were all the years they would get. Death was a thief forever stealing the moments you should have had.
After they’d left the west coast and their father, Christmas in Florida was always depressing. Once their mother had given up on their father ever returning, she never fully embraced Christmas celebrations again. Oh, they went through the bare minimum motions of celebrating, but there was no sparkle in their mother’s eye, no sounds of laughter, and no more stringing popcorn, spontaneous singing, or decorating sugar cookies with colorful icing.
“That’s why we have to make this the best Christmas ever,” Hope said. “Let’s give Joy something really great to remember.”
“You got it. Although . . .”
Hope heard the hesitation in Faith’s voice and wished she could sweep it away. “What?”
“Don’t you think it’s kind of insulting that our grandmother would agree to celebrate because of Roger, but not because of us?”
“Think about it. Dad is the one who caused the accident. Roger is brain-damaged for life. She feels guilty. That’s why she lets him live here, and that’s why she’s willing to celebrate Christmas.”
“I wonder how much he understands. It’s hard to tell.”
“He looks happy. That’s easy enough to tell.”
“I have an urge to shave his beard and hair off and see what he really looks like.”
“He’s a mountain man all right.”
“Like Austin?” Faith had a devilish glint in her eye. Hope could feel her face heating up. Faith noticed it, too, for she cackled. “I don’t blame you. He’s hot.” Austin glanced over and made eye contact with Hope.
“Not another word,” Hope said to Faith under her breath. Faith just batted her eyelashes.
Roger had just stopped underneath a giant pine tree. It was tall and lush, and its branches were reaching out, a peacock spreading its tail.
“This,” he said, gesturing to the tree. “Ours.”
“It’s perfect,” Hope said.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful tree,” Brittany said.
“I have to admit,” Austin said. “This one could win contests.”
“Can I chop it down?” Josh asked.
“No,” Faith said, but Roger gestured for him to come forward. Josh stopped and looked to Faith for permission. Faith glanced at Hope. Roger continued to gesture for Josh to approach. Faith finally relented. “Just be careful.”
Josh approached and from a distance they watched Roger gesture and imitate how Josh should swing the axe at the base of the tree.
“He’d be killer in Gestures,” Hope said. It was true. He clearly conveyed which way the tree would fall, and everyone gave it a wide berth. Josh followed hi
s instructions and after a few awkward swings Josh finally got in a few good ones. He drove the axe into the base of the tree with steady, violent strokes. Soon he was sweating and out of breath. “More,” Roger said. Josh nodded, then with a startling look of determination attacked the tree again. Soon the sound of wood splitting rang out into the woods and the giant pine tree fell. They cheered. Roger actually beamed. Josh grinned. Hope realized with a start that this was the first time since they arrived that she had seen Josh smile. And out of all of them, it was Roger who coaxed it out of him. Talk about “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” She’d underestimated Roger. They all had.
Austin informed them that he would drive the truck back so they could load the tree into it. He asked Josh if he wanted to join him. Josh looked at Faith and this time she didn’t hesitate.
“Go for it.”
“Can I drive the truck?”
Faith laughed. “That depends on whether or not Austin wants to live dangerously.” Everyone glanced at Austin.
“Always,” Austin said.
“Yes!” Josh said. The two headed off. Brittany took Hope’s hand. Roger smiled and began to walk away.
“Thank you,” Hope called after him. He did not stop or turn around, but he lifted his hand in a wave as he disappeared.
* * *
Everyone agreed. The tree was indeed the most gorgeous thing any of them had ever seen. Tall with lush branches that spread out like wings taking flight. It stood in the middle of the cabin out far enough so that you could walk completely around it and take in its glory. They’d purposefully waited until early evening to decorate. Yvette sat on the sofa with her spiked tea, while the rest of them sifted through boxes of decorations. Austin had already strung the colorful lights on the enormous tree. It was magazine-perfect. For once, Hope felt as if they all were in sync, ready to enjoy the holidays. Everyone except Roger. They’d done everything they could to get him to come inside and help decorate, but instead he stood outside, gazing at it from the window and once in a while gesturing to Austin to readjust a light or hang an ornament in a different location. When he was satisfied with the tree, Roger disappeared, most likely off to hide in his cabin.
“Wait,” Yvette said. “There’s one more.” She smiled at Austin and pointed to a paper bag on the floor. Hope dug into it and found an ornament that said JOY. She gave it to her sister. Joy’s face was still for a moment as she considered the ornament; then she broke out into a genuine smile.
“That almost got me gored by a rolling pin,” Austin said, pointing to the ornament. Hope looked at him. “Long story.” He winked. Joy stalked the tree like she was a lion and it was prey, painstakingly looking for the perfect place to hang it. Faith and Hope shared a look and a smile. Finally Faith swooped in, grabbed Joy by the waist, and lifted her up.
“Hey,” Joy said.
“Just hang it,” Faith said. Joy laughed and plopped the ornament onto a branch.
Hope asked Yvette if she had a radio they could turn on. Instead, and even better, she had an old stereo and a Bing Crosby Christmas album. Soon his rich voice filled the room.
“We need cocktails,” Hope said when they were several minutes into decorating.
“Yes!” Josh said.
“Shirley Temple for you,” Hope said, ruffling his hair.
“Make that two Shirley Temples,” Austin said.
“Three!” Brittany said.
“I’ll take another shot of Johnnie Walker,” Yvette said.
“I’ll have a martini,” Faith said.
Hope wanted to ask her if she was sure she should be drinking with Xanax. She’d seen her sister sneak at least two pills today. Was she abusing them? Things were finally starting to go relatively well; Hope didn’t want to mess things up. She made a mental note to make Faith’s drink light on the vodka.
“In Europe kids my age drink wine,” Josh said.
“And go to boarding school,” Brittany said.
“Don’t tempt me,” Faith said.
“You’re tempted to give us wine?” Josh asked.
“No, I’m tempted to send you to boarding school.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Brittany said. “I want one in the French Alps.” Hope laughed.
“I just want a cocktail. Or a glass of wine,” Josh said.
“You’re already full of whine,” Faith said.
“I hate this place.” Josh got up and headed for the stairs.
“Come on,” Faith said. “We’re having fun for once. You didn’t really think I was going to let you have a drink, did you?”
“I’m not drinking,” Austin said.
“I’m not having fun,” Josh said.
“Why don’t you go outside and play?” Faith said.
“In the dark and cold?” Josh said. “Some mother you are.” He stomped up the steps and soon they heard the slamming of a door.
“Josh?” Hope yelled up the stairs. “We’ll all have Shirley Temples!”
“Just leave it,” Faith said. “He’ll come back down when he’s ready.”
“I just wish he was having a better time of it,” Hope said.
“I suppose that’s my fault,” Faith said. “Everybody blames the mother.”
“Where’s my Johnnie Walker?” Yvette said. Joy jumped up to get it for her.
Hope glanced upstairs. “Maybe if I go up and talk to him—”
“I said leave it,” Faith said.
Hope regretted that she’d brought up the cocktails. She had made it sound kind of fun. Why didn’t she tell them she could make great nonalcoholic ones? She didn’t know Josh was going to want a cocktail. Faith was right—she didn’t have children, and she didn’t know what constituted a good role model. She should have waited until the kids were in bed. Then again Josh didn’t ever seem to sleep. Some nights she heard him sneaking through the house. Did he have insomnia, or was he snooping on something in particular? Hope had come out one evening to literally see him tiptoeing down the stairs. Maybe he was already sneaking drinks. Either way, she’d already offered so she set about making Shirley Temples and candy cane martinis. She could hear Austin asking Faith about Josh, wondering if he had any good friends back home. It was hard to be a kid. Even at Christmas. Hope was standing in the kitchen, regretfully making the drinks, when Austin joined her.
“I think your instincts are right,” he said.
“To throw myself over a bridge?” Hope said. Then she remembered what Austin did for a living. “Oh my God. I didn’t mean to joke like that.”
“It’s okay,” Austin said. “I knew you were joking.” He placed his hand on the small of her back for a tiny second. She felt a warm tingle up her spine.
“I forgot what an awkward time it is,” Hope said, glancing upstairs. “Being a teenager.”
“I’m worried it could be more than that,” Austin said.
“What do you mean?”
“Would you just—leave this where Josh—only Josh—can find it?” Austin slipped her a folded-up piece of paper.
“Sure,” Hope said. She glanced at it.
“Would you mind not reading it?” Austin said. “It’s just between us guys.”
“Sure.” He was passing Josh a private note? Was that sweet or weird? She was dying to read it. But Austin had been good to her. To all of them. She would honor his wishes.
“Thank you.” Austin searched the counter. “Show me how to make those Shirley Temples,” he said with fake enthusiasm. Hope laughed and the two of them began making drinks. The folded-up piece of paper in her jeans pocket actually felt warm. What did it say? Was Austin right to be so worried? Should Hope be doing something? Did Austin know that the cologne he was wearing was driving her slowly insane?
“Try this,” Austin said, handing her a drink.
Hope looked at the sparkly red drink. “Is it with or without alcohol?” she whispered.
“For you?” he said, leaning in with a grin. “Definitely with.”
His eyes were bright, almo
st gleaming. Every time she was around him she felt a little bit like a kite rising into the air. Another spark passed between them. She smiled. “Cheers to you,” she said. They clinked glasses.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“For what?”
“It feels like Christmas,” he said, his hand sneaking over and touching hers. “For the first time in a very long time, it feels like Christmas.”
CHAPTER 20
The next day the Garland Girls agreed to spend the morning doting on Yvette. Hope rose early to feed Mr. Jingles and give him some attention. He seemed perfectly happy sleeping in the mudroom at night, and was eager to return to the outdoors, no matter how cold. They also left a portion of the barn open for him so he could curl up in the hay whenever he needed a break. Once Mr. Jingles was taken care of, the mission was breakfast in bed for Yvette. Hope was the first to wake and she ventured into each of her sisters’ rooms and roused them. Faith practically bounced out of bed, which made Hope hate her just a little, but Joy reacted like a drunk who had just passed out. She flailed and moaned, and threw a pillow over her head. Faith yanked it off, grabbed her feet, and then began to pull Joy out of bed. There was a lump under the covers beside her. “If you don’t get up I’m telling Granny that Harrison is sleeping in your bed.”
Joy cursed underneath her breath. “Okay, okay. Stop. I’m coming.” Hope figured it was a rare day that Joy was up before the sun—yet another reason she should reconsider her coffee shop—but she trudged downstairs with them nonetheless. Hope immediately set to finding a bowl to mix the pancake batter, and Faith grabbed a frying pan and bacon. “ ‘I can bring home the bacon,’ ” she started to sing.
“ ‘Fry it up in a pan,’ ” Hope joined in.
“How’s the rest go?” Faith said. “ ‘Never ever let you forget you’re a man.’ ” She sang into Hope’s wooden spoon and swayed her hips.
“ ‘Cause I’m a woman,’ ” Hope crooned, joining in on the dance as well. Faith and Hope exploded into laughter, and then they shushed each other.
