Christmas in Icicle Falls

by Sheila Roberts

  “You would have survived,” Muriel said, wanting to make him feel better.

  Arnie wasn’t big enough for football. He’d made the track team, but sadly for him, that didn’t have the same sex appeal as football. Anyway, Arnie’s smarts were his claim to fame. His friends already had him pegged for valedictorian when it came time for their class to graduate.

  “I sure would have,” Arnie said and smiled at her.

  As usual, his smile was filled with adoration, and she found herself wishing she hadn’t complimented him. He had been trying to get her to go on a date with him all summer. She’d managed to put him off, always with excuses about doing something with her girlfriends or having to work in the Sweet Dreams candy shop, but it was getting increasingly hard to hold him at arm’s length. Arnie was a nice boy, but she thought of him only as a friend.

  “I saw Bill talking to you in the hall today,” Olivia said to Muriel and gave her a playful nudge. “Were you flirting with him?”

  “No. We were just talking about our classes.”

  “Uh-huh. And maybe about homecoming? Did he ask you to the dance?”

  Muriel was aware of Arnie walking next to her, anxious to hear her answer.

  “Well,” Muriel hedged. She wished she could say he had. She’d been hoping he’d ask. They’d been running into each other in the hall a lot lately, and only the other day he’d asked her if she had a boyfriend. That had been after he’d seen her and Arnie leaving English class together, laughing about... What had they been laughing about? She couldn’t remember.

  “He probably will,” Olivia said. She shook her head. “Honestly, Muriel, you get all the cute guys after you.”

  “That’s because she’s cute,” Arnie said.

  “Well, all the best guys can’t have you. You should share,” Olivia said.

  “Whoever goes out with Bill is going to have to share,” Pat predicted. “He’s a huge flirt.”

  “I wish he’d flirt with me,” Olivia said. “Who are you going to the dance with?” she asked Pat.

  “Gary, if he ever gets around to asking me. Sometimes it just doesn’t seem right that we always have to wait for the guys to ask us.”

  “Except for Tolo,” Olivia reminded her. “But that’s not until February. By then everyone will be all matched up.”

  “Not all of us,” Arnie said, bitterness bleeding into his voice.

  “Well, if we’re not matched up by then, let’s go together,” Olivia said to him. “Okay?”

  Muriel could feel his gaze on her. “Okay,” he said reluctantly. “But don’t worry, Olivia, I’m sure you’ll have a boyfriend by Valentine’s Day.” That was Arnie, always gallant.

  They got to Olivia’s house first and said goodbye to her. Then Muriel, Pat and Arnie continued on, and Arnie brought up the subject of the dance again. “You never said. Did Bill ask you to the dance?”

  She hated being put on the spot. “Not yet.”

  “I suppose you’re waiting for him to,” Arnie said, looking none too pleased.

  “There’s not a girl in the whole school who isn’t hoping,” she said.

  “I saw him walking Cindy Clark to biology,” Arnie reported.

  Cindy was a cheerleader. Cheerleaders and football players went together like cookies and milk. Still... “That doesn’t mean anything,” Muriel said. At least, she hoped it didn’t. She really wanted Bill to ask her to the homecoming dance.

  “You shouldn’t wait for him to ask you,” Arnie continued. “You should go with someone who really wants to take you—someone who’s wanted to ask you all along.”

  Oh, dear. She knew where this conversation was headed. Now they were at Pat’s house. If she let Pat go in, it would be just her and Arnie and he’d ask her for sure. She didn’t want to have to hurt his feelings. Stalling was her best option. She’d stall until Bill asked her to the dance. Then she’d have a perfect excuse for turning Arnie down when he invited her.

  Pat started to turn in at her front walk and Muriel grabbed her by her jacket sleeve. “You’re coming over to my house. Remember?”

  Pat looked puzzled. “I thought you had to work at the store this afternoon.”

  “No, that’s tomorrow,” Muriel lied. She turned her head so Arnie couldn’t see and gave her friend a pleading look.

  “Oh. Oh, yeah. I forgot.”

  There. Girlfriend armor safely in place. Surely Arnie would be too self-conscious to ask her in front of Pat. She sneaked a look his direction. He wasn’t happy. She hoped he hadn’t figured out what she was up to, but given how smart he was, it was a distinct possibility. If only he’d fall for Olivia.

  Once they’d said goodbye to Arnie and gotten inside Muriel’s house, Pat said, “You do have to work today, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Muriel admitted. “But you know Arnie was going to ask me to homecoming.”

  “He still is. You can’t stall him forever.”

  “I don’t need to stall him forever, just until after Bill asks me.”

  “And what if he doesn’t? Will you go with Arnie?”

  Muriel shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fair.”

  “You know, Arnie’s an awful nice guy.”

  Muriel shrugged. “He is. But he’s no Bill.”

  “A guy doesn’t have to be a gorgeous football player to be a good catch, you know,” said Pat.

  Muriel blushed. “I know.”

  Pat cocked an eyebrow.

  “What?” Muriel demanded.

  “It’s just that... Oh, never mind.”

  “No, what?”

  “Muriel, Arnie’s one of the nicest boys in school. Plus, he’s smart, he’s thoughtful. He’s friendly. Everyone likes him.”

  “Of course they do. What’s your point?”

  “Just that he’s a really great guy. And there are plenty of girls who’d be happy to go out with him. Like Olivia.”

  “She can have him. I’m not trying to hog him.”

  “I know, but he’s hooked on you, anyway.”

  “That’s not my fault. You know I never encourage him.”

  “I know. But maybe you should. Look, I’m not saying you have to like him just because he likes you. But you’re always going after cute football players who can barely hold up a conversation. Or who wouldn’t even open up a door for you, never mind do any of the sweet things Arnie does for you. These guys you date, they never end up being much of a match for you. And they’ve never treated you the way Arnie does. But you’re so distracted by their looks that you don’t really see Arnie.”

  “I do see him,” Muriel insisted, though she knew Pat wasn’t far from the truth. Still, she was young and just wanted to have fun and enjoy high school. These boys she was attracted to—they were fun! Maybe they weren’t the smartest or the most thoughtful, but what did it matter, anyway? It wasn’t like she was looking for a husband. “We’re just friends. Arnie just doesn’t make my heart race.”

  Pat nodded. “Obviously,” she said in a superior tone.

  “Oh, look who’s talking. You’ve had your share of crushes on cute boys,” Muriel said in her own defense.

  “And I’ve gone out with boys who aren’t so cute. And I’d take Arnie in a heartbeat. He’s going to make something of himself, you wait and see.”

  “And I’ll be happy for him when he does. But I’ll bet Bill’s going to make something of himself, too. And he’s really cute.”

  Pat shook her head. “You know what your problem is, Muriel? You’re a man snob.”

  “A what?”

  “A man snob. A guy has to look like a movie star for you to be interested.”

  “That’s not true!” Muriel protested.

  Pat cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “Are you honestly going to ma
ke me feel guilty because I want to go to homecoming with Bill?”

  “Only if you ditch Arnie to do it. You know, most everybody has already asked someone. How do you know Bill hasn’t?”

  “I’d have heard. Everyone would have heard.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t be holding my breath if I were you,” Pat said. “Go with Arnie. He really cares.”

  “Bill cares,” Muriel insisted. He was interested in her, she was sure of it.

  “I’m betting all Bill cares about is how many girls he can make fall in love with him. Arnie’s worth ten of him.”

  “I can’t help it if I’m not interested in Arnie,” Muriel said.

  “No, I guess you can’t,” Pat agreed. “Poor Arnie.”

  But the next day it was more like poor Muriel. By third period her hope of being asked to the homecoming dance by Bill Bernard was crushed under the news that he’d asked not Cindy Clark, the cheerleader, but her best friend, Ellie, who was also on the cheer squad. Ellie and Cindy currently weren’t speaking.

  “I told you he’s a flirt,” Pat said when they all sat together at lunch.

  “He’s a Neanderthal,” Arnie muttered.

  “Oh, well,” Muriel said with a shrug. “I can live without going to the dance.”

  “If you want to go, I’ll still be happy to take you,” Arnie said. “Just as friends,” he quickly added. “There’s no sense sitting home, right?”

  “Just as friends?” Muriel repeated.

  He nodded. “Sure.”

  Arnie was right. She didn’t want to sit home and miss the dance. She said yes.

  And so Muriel went to the dance with Arnie, but her gaze kept sneaking in Bill’s direction.

  As she and Arnie stood at the punch bowl, she watched Bill say something to his date that made her giggle. Ellie was cute, with red hair and freckles. But Muriel didn’t think Ellie was any better looking than her. Why had he asked Ellie? Maybe because he’d seen Muriel and Arnie together and assumed, in spite of what she’d said, that they were a couple. Darn it all, that was what she got for being nice to Arnie.

  But Arnie actually cared. He had been willing to make sure she got to the dance and had a good time.

  The only problem was, she wasn’t exactly having a good time.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. She turned to see him looking at her, concern on his face.

  He really was a sweet guy, and he’d brought her to the dance even though he knew she wanted to be there with someone else. Surely the least she could do was pay attention to him and try to have fun instead of peeking at Bill all the time.

  “I’m fine,” she said.

  “Sorry I’m not a football player.” Coming from any other guy that comment would have been bitter and sarcastic. But this was Arnie and she knew he was genuinely apologizing.

  And she felt instantly ashamed of how she was neglecting him. “Oh, Arnie, you’re great the way you are.”

  His rueful expression made it plain that he knew she meant great for anyone but her.

  The band started playing a fast song. She grabbed his hand. “Come on. Let’s dance.”

  “May as well,” he said and managed a smile.

  Arnie may not have been a football player, but he was a good dancer.

  It wasn’t the most romantic date Muriel had ever had and it certainly wasn’t the date of his dreams, but they did have a good time. They ended the evening at Herman’s Hamburgers, enjoying burgers and fries and chocolate shakes, and she let Arnie brag about the latest test he’d aced. Then he took her home and told her she’d been the prettiest girl at the dance. And she rewarded him with a kiss on the cheek.

  And as she slipped into the house, she couldn’t help wishing it had been Bill Bernard she’d kissed. Except him she wouldn’t have kissed on the cheek.

  * * *

  And so it had been all through high school—Muriel always dating the best-looking, most testosterone-loaded boys; and Arnie, the one who’d been the perfect match all along, looking on. He’d continued to look on as she’d fallen for and married two other men.

  Funny, now who was looking on? It served her right.

  Back home her little tree mocked her. Not very bright, are you?

  No, she wasn’t.

  Her daughters came over Monday evening to wrap presents and enjoy a potluck meal, and Muriel greeted them, determined to enjoy their time together. Samantha had made a pot of soup, Cecily had concocted a winter salad using squash and pomegranates, and Bailey had, of course, baked, contributing white-chocolate-peppermint cupcakes.

  “I just felt three pounds plaster themselves onto my thighs,” Samantha said as she pushed away her empty dessert plate. “I’m going to have to do a million laps around Mom’s ugly tree to work this off.”

  Bailey grinned. “Have another.”

  “Oh, no. One was enough of a killer,” Samantha said, moving away from the table. “I’m going to start wrapping presents.”

  She moved into the living room and Bailey followed her. Cecily remained at the table with Muriel, pouring them both more chocolate-mint tea. “Is Arnie back?”

  “Yes.” Muriel helped herself to another cupcake.

  “You never have seconds,” Cecily observed.

  “It’s Christmas.”

  “Have you seen him?”

  “Who?”

  Muriel could hear the frown in her daughter’s voice. “Mom.”

  “Oh, Arnie. No, not yet.” He was probably too busy with Dot.

  The problem with having a daughter who had a gift for matchmaking was that she was also a mind reader. “They’re not a match.”

  But she wasn’t always prescient. “I think you could be wrong this time, dear.”

  “Call him and tell him how you feel,” Cecily urged.

  She could, of course, deny how she felt. But what was the point? She shook her head. “That wouldn’t be fair to Dot. Anyway, I had my chance. I took the poor man for granted for years.”

  “Maybe you weren’t ready.”

  “Maybe I just couldn’t see. Either way, it’s too late.”

  “I still think you should call him, Mom.”

  “No. I’m going to let Arnie finally have a life of his own.”

  It was a noble vow, but not an easy one to make. She hoped she could keep it.

  “Cec, come see what I got for Serena,” Samantha called.

  “Come on, Mom,” Cecily said and left the table.

  Muriel took the last bite of her second cupcake and joined the girls in the living room. She’d eat another later. Maybe she’d eat all the rest of them.

  “You haven’t turned on the extra lights on your tree,” Bailey said and plugged in the pinecone lights Muriel had pulled out specially for her little tree. “There, that’s better. It sure turned out pretty.”

  “Speaking of ugly trees, we have news,” Samantha said. “Cec matched up Prissy. She had her first date with one of our sales reps and it went well. She came into the shop all smiles and actually bought a box of candy. Boom. From ugly tree to human being. Shocking, huh?”

  “Not so much,” Muriel said. “There’s always more to people than we realize.” The only problem was that some of “us” realized it too late.

  “I guess it just goes to show you it’s never too late for someone to change,” Bailey said. “Look what you started, Mom.”

  Yes, look what she’d started.

  She almost didn’t answer her phone when Dot called her later. But her curiosity got the better of her.

  “Can you come by the restaurant tomorrow morning? I have a present I forgot to give you.”

  It would be nice if Dot would give her back Arnie. “More presents? You shouldn’t have.”

  “I know, but this was pretty and
it’s right up your alley.”

  Muriel was still recovering from Sunday. “I’m a little busy tomorrow. The book,” she added. It was a poor excuse, but it was the best she could do on short notice.

  “You’ve got to eat,” Dot argued. “Come by around ten after the breakfast crowd has cleared. That way we can have a nice long yak.”

  Muriel had yakked about as much with Dot as she cared to for a while but she agreed, and the next morning found her walking into Pancake Haus. She met Beth Mallow, who was just coming out and was happy to stop and visit.

  So was Muriel. Anything to postpone having to hear more about Dot’s fabulous time with Arnie. “Are you all ready for Christmas?” she asked.

  “Just about. We’re going to have a houseful this year. Colin and Mia and the baby and Dylan’s girlfriend and her daughter and grandson will be joining us, too.”

  Dylan had been seeing the new owner of Lupine Floral and it looked like things were getting serious.

  Beth confirmed it when she added, “I suspect he’s going to propose, if not on Christmas Eve, then for sure on Valentine’s Day. I caught him at Mountain Jewels scoping out rings the other day.”

  “I’m glad. He deserves to be happy.”

  “Yes, he does. It seems like everyone has mistletoe fever these days.” Beth nodded toward the back of the restaurant. “Looks like something’s brewing between Dot and our old pal Arnie. They’ve got their heads together and are laughing like a couple of teenagers.”

  Arnie was here, too? Muriel didn’t know whether to be happy or miserable.

  “I’d better get going,” Beth said. “I’ve got a ton of baking to do.”

  Muriel was tempted to turn around and leave with her, but she made her way to the booth where Dot and Arnie sat side by side with their phones. Beth had been right. They were acting like teenagers. They were probably texting each other.

  “Hi, you two,” she said and slipped in across from them.

  Arnie looked up and beamed at her. “Hi, Muriel. You look—” he gave a grunt, a sure sign he’d just been kicked under the table “—uh, festive.”

  Barely a couple and Dot was already acting possessive. Poor Arnie couldn’t even compliment another woman without getting in trouble.