To Fall in Love Again

by David Burnett

  ***

  “Good,” Amy sighed. The empty parking space was next to the curb, so she could open her door all of the way and maneuver her crutches though it. She reached across the seat and grasped the handle of her briefcase, then she pulled herself up. She held both the briefcase and one crutch in her right hand, put her weight on the other crutch, and took a small step.

  It was difficult to boost herself onto the curb and she winced when she put weight on her ankle.

  “Let me help you.”

  Amy choked in surprise as Barb jogged over and reached for the briefcase.

  “Heard about your accident. Surprised to see you today.”

  Amy shook her head. One thing she had learned was that, in her office, there were few secrets.

  “I spent yesterday thinking about all of the work I needed to do and how far behind I was falling.” She inched her way toward the building.

  “I would have done the same thing.” Barb held the door for Amy to enter. “So, tell me, you slipped on a patch of snow when you were in the mountains on Saturday? You weren’t up there all by yourself, I’ll bet.” A sly smile played across her face. “Weekend with your boyfriend?”

  Amy resisted a sigh. Barb was being nice to her, so she couldn’t blow her off, but she didn’t want to recount the story, not to Barb anyway. If she did, everyone in the office would hear it within the hour. On the other hand, since she had guessed this much, Amy probably should get her version out before Barb made something up.

  “If you must know, Drew and I drove up on Saturday.” She placed the crutch on the curb and boosted herself up.

  Barb’s eyes brightened. “Tell me.”

  Amy took a deep breath and let the air rush out. “We drove up for the day, Barb. Drew has a cabin, south of Asheville.”

  “He owns a house below Broad and a cabin in the mountains?” She shook her head. “When you are rich, you have it all. I work every day of my life and I can’t afford a simple house, much less a log cabin too.”

  “Not a log cabin, Barb. It’s bigger than my house.”

  “I suppose cabin depends on your perspective.” Barb held the front door open so that Amy could maneuver through.

  “So it would seem.”

  “House at the beach too?”

  “His sister has the beach house.”

  “Wow.” Barb raised her eyebrows.

  “Anyway, the cabin had been rented out over the summer and he was going to check on it. I asked to tag along.”

  “Good move.” Barb nodded.

  “Well, it began to snow. We were getting ready to leave, going inside one last time, and I slipped, passed out, awoke on the sofa.” She paused as she gathered strength to make it down the long hallway. “I couldn’t believe Drew could get me up the steps and into the house by himself. He said he picked me up, but he must have dragged me.”

  “Did he carry you out to the car?”

  “No. I felt better the next morning. He helped, but he didn’t have to carry me.”

  “So you did spend the night.” Barb’s eyes lit up.

  “Yes, Barb, we ended up spending the night. There were four inches of snow on the ground, I couldn’t walk, and it was late.”

  They reached the door of the office and Amy hoped the conversation would be over.

  It wasn’t. Barb continued with a barrage of questions, now even more interested than she had been. “Did the lights go out? Did you have to snuggle together for warmth? Did you…you know?”

  “I slept on the sofa, with ice on my ankle, so don’t even start.”

  Barb opened the door. “One invalid coming through,” she called as Amy hobbled through the door.

  “I know how that goes,” Barb leaned over and whispered. “I broke my ankle once. It was in a cast, and my boyfriend came over to nurse me back to health.” She gave a wicked laugh. “Remind me to tell you about it.”

  Holidays

  Amy awoke on Christmas morning, thinking about Drew. In November, before the ball, they had gone shopping for Christmas presents. She was giving Cathy a necklace and Elaine a bottle of the French perfume that she especially liked. Drew had purchased a bicycle for Lucas and a topaz necklace for Jennifer, similar to, but more lavish than, the one Cathy would be getting.

  She imagined Jennifer would be excited when she opened her gift, but knew Lucas would be even more so. She could picture him squealing and jumping around when he discovered his surprise—a small bike, but a two-wheeler—beside the tree.

  Amy wondered if Drew remembered their shopping trip, too. It had been the weekend before Thanksgiving. Each wanted the other’s opinion on the gifts they were planning to buy, and they decided to shop early, rather than joining the stampede on Black Friday. She smiled as she recalled that it was the first time she had really felt as if they were a couple. You can take anyone to a dinner or a dance, she had thought, but Christmas shopping for your children was much more personal.

  She lay in bed, reliving that Saturday morning. It had been chilly, the first light freeze having settled on the city over night. The jewelry store had been their first stop because the necklaces were the primary gifts for which each needed the other’s help.

  Amy had fallen in love with her choice for Cathy immediately—a topaz surrounded by small diamonds. She had modeled the necklace for Drew. The salesman had noted that there were matching rings and earrings, and she had put on the earrings, turning her head so that Drew could admire them.

  She’d stepped away to look in another showcase, and when she’d glanced up, Drew was talking quietly with the salesman. Curious, she had walked back across the store to where they were. “What are you talking about?”

  Drew smiled at her. “Do me a favor. Try on the ring, too, for the full effect. Jennifer’s birthday is coming up in March. If she likes the necklace I might be interested in the full set.”

  Amy had agreed and the salesman looked at her finger. “Size seven, I think.” He’d slipped the ring on her left hand before catching his mistake. “Habit. A perfect fit, though.” He’d smiled and switched it to the other hand.

  Then, both Drew and Amy had bought a necklace, nearly identical. Each had a large topaz surrounded by tiny diamonds, but Jennifer’s was twenty-four carat gold. Amy had blanched when she had seen the price—the difference was significant—so Cathy’s had simulated diamonds and the stones were set in Sterling silver. She’d nudged away any feelings of cheapness by reminding herself that Cathy’s jewelry was all silver and that she would have nothing to wear with a gold necklace.

  She sighed. At the time, the two necklaces had seemed to symbolize the differences she was beginning to note between her and Drew. She smiled now—those fears had been allayed.

  The sounds of singing were coming from the kitchen. Cathy was always awake early on Christmas morning. Amy recalled the year that she was five years old. A thunderstorm had passed through around three o’clock, and lightning had struck a tree down the block. The simultaneous flash of light and booming thunder had awakened everyone. The storm had passed almost immediately, but Cathy could not go back to sleep, so Amy had brought her into bed with her and Jack, any possibility of sleep had passed with the storm.

  The entire family finally staggered into the living room an hour later to check on Santa—to Cathy’s relief, he had arrived before the storm—and to open presents.

  Amy stretched in her bed and then put on her robe and shuffled down the hall. As she reached the doorway to the kitchen, Cathy was standing at the island, rolling out dough. She was wearing a red pointed hat with a white tassel.

  “Merry Christmas, little elf.”

  Cathy turned around. “Merry Christmas. Did I wake you? I was going to let you stay in bed another half hour or so. Until, um, six thirty or seven.”

  “Very thoughtful.” Amy rolled her eyes. “How long have you been up?”

  Cathy blushed. “An hour—well, maybe a little longer.”

  “Long enough to make the dough.” Amy
pointed. “Cinnamon rolls?”

  “Of course. It’s tradition.”

  Amy looked toward the coffee maker. “Coffee?”

  “Or eggnog?” Cathy grinned.

  “This early?”

  “Already had one glass.”

  “But…”

  “There’s nothing in it, Mom, and we have two quarts, so there will be plenty to drink after dinner.”

  Amy started a coffee for herself and poured another glass of eggnog for Cathy.

  “What time are Elaine and Rich coming?”

  “We’re having dinner tonight so I’m guessing that Rich and Heather will get here mid-afternoon. Elaine, well, last minute, as usual.”

  Cathy finished cutting the rolls and started preheating the oven.

  “I’m really upset that she pitched that fit about inviting Dr. Nelson to dinner. What is her problem anyway?”

  “I don’t know.” Amy poured milk into her coffee and sipped. “It worked out all right, though. Drew’s entire family is in town for Christmas, so he would not have been able to come.”

  “They could all have come.”

  “I thought of that. Jennifer suggested that he invite all of us to his house.” She laughed. “Neither of us has a table to seat so many. We would have been perched in chairs in three different rooms.”

  “Well, since Elaine would not have come, there might have been enough room.” Cathy sipped the eggnog. “Oh, that is good.”

  “True. She would probably not have come.” Amy stared at her cup of coffee for a moment. “So, it all worked out for the best.” She looked at the clock. “It’s too early to call, but maybe we can go over later and see Lucas ride his bicycle.”

  ***

  They reached Drew’s house just after one o’clock. Jennifer opened the door when Amy knocked, a tall man, who Amy had never met, standing behind her.

  “Amy, Cathy, merry Christmas.” She placed her hand on the man’s shoulder, drawing him forward. “This is my brother, Matthew.” She turned to him. “This is Amy Barrett. She’s…a friend of Dad’s. Cathy is her daughter.”

  Amy spied the necklace clasped around Jennifer’s neck. “Oh, your necklace is beautiful, Jennifer.”

  “Thank you.” She put her hand to her throat and caressed the stone. “Isn’t it nice? I love it.” She poked her head out and glanced down the street. “Do you want to come in, have some tea, or do you want to find Dad and Lucas?”

  “Where are they?’

  “Down at the Battery. Ben is with them. Lucas is riding his new bike—second time.” She smiled. “They should be back soon.”

  “I’ll walk down and find them. Want to come, Cathy?”

  “I’ll wait here, if it’s all right.” Cathy looked at Matthew and smiled.

  “Of course it’s all right,” Jennifer said. “Come on in.”

  Amy scurried down the street until she reached the park, where Lucas was maneuvering his bicycle around the gazebo, his father and Drew close behind, ready to catch him should he fall. Lucas looked up as Amy crossed the street.

  “Amy.” He waved. “Look at me. A two-wheeler.” Lucas pointed the bicycle in her direction and began to pedal faster, leaving the adults behind.

  “Lucas, slow down,” his father called.

  The bicycle was speeding straight at Amy, and a look of panic crossed Lucas’s face. “I don’t know how to stop,” he wailed.

  “Use the brakes, Lucas. On the handlebar. Squeeze them.”

  Lucas squeezed the brake and the bicycle jerked to a stop, toppling over, dumping Lucas onto the sandy path.

  Amy, Drew, and Ben ran to him. Drew reached him first and scooped the crying boy up in his arms.

  “I want Amy.” Lucas reached out to her.

  “It will be all right, Bubba.” Amy squeezed him and set him down.

  Drew gave her a quick kiss. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas to you. And to you, Ben and you, Lucas.” Amy ruffled his hair. “Good job.”

  “Except for falling,” Lucas sniffed.

  “We haven’t really talked about how to get off the bike,” Ben said. He patted Lucas’s arm. “It will come.”

  “We were about ready to start home.” Drew picked up the bicycle.

  “Can I ride home?” Lucas reached for the handlebars.

  “The street is really bumpy, Lucas. Let’s walk it home.”

  “Please?”

  “Hop on and ride to the corner,” his father suggested. “I’ll catch you when you stop.”

  Lucas mounted the bike and rode away, Ben beside him.

  “He’s so cute.” Amy squeezed Drew’s hand. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to see you today.”

  Drew kissed her again. “I’m glad you came over.”

  Lucas had turned around and was riding in their direction. “Grandfather, stop kissing Amy and look at me.” As he reached them, he slowly squeezed the brake, and Ben caught the bike then slowly guided it toward Amy and Drew. “Now, swing your leg over the seat and hop off.”

  “Good job, Bubba.” Amy clapped and Lucas smiled. He tried to hold her hand as he pushed the bicycle, but had to let go. “I’ll hold your hand later, Amy.”

  “Good plan, Bubba.”

  Jennifer was in the kitchen when they reached the house, and Cathy and Matthew were sitting together on the sofa, talking. Matthew looked up as Lucas ran through the door.

  “Uncle Matt. Uncle Matt. You should have seen me. I rode all by myself this time. No help.”

  “Good job. I’ll take you out later.”

  Lucas showed him a scrape on his arm. “I fell.”

  “That happens, kid. I don’t know how many times I fell off my bike when I was your age.”

  “And you would have thought the world was coming to an end every time.” Jennifer carried a teapot in from the kitchen. “Screamed. Cried. Biggest baby I’ve ever seen.”

  “Not true—”

  “I didn’t cry,” Lucas cut his uncle off. “I was a big boy.”

  Jennifer patted his head. “Proud of you.”

  Lucas and Sarah sat down on the floor, exploring their presents while Jennifer poured tea.

  “Where would you like to sit, Drew? The sofa would be nice, but,” Amy looked directly at Cathy, “it’s taken.”

  “You want us to move? Why?” Cathy sipped her tea and looked at her mother. “We’re happy here.”

  “Drew and I want to sit there.”

  “Does the sofa have your name on it?” Cathy glanced over her shoulder at the cushion. “Not seeing it, Mom.” She sank deep into the cushion.

  Matthew laughed and did the same thing.

  “I’m pulling rank.”

  Cathy giggled. “You’ll have to pull me away if you want to sit here.” She smiled at Matthew.

  Amy stood over her, one hand on her hip, then turned to Drew. “Children,” she hissed, pretending to be angry. “You feed them, dress them, change their diapers…”

  “Mom!”

  “And they grow up and ignore you.” She turned to Jennifer now. “Be forewarned.”

  ***

  Amy and Cathy left shortly after two. As they reached the car, Amy heard Jennifer calling her. “Amy, wait just a second.”

  She came hurrying from the house, carrying a small package “This is a friendship cake,” she said. “Mom used to make them each Christmas for special friends. I always enjoyed going with her to deliver them, so, when I married, she gave me the recipe and it became my tradition, too.” She held the package out to Amy. “I wanted you to have one.”

  “Oh, Jennifer, thank you.”

  Jennifer hugged her. “Thank you so much for coming over, for everything you’ve done. It’s our first Christmas without Mom,” she wiped her eye, “and I was afraid Dad was going to be miserable. You’ve helped him so much.”

  “Your dad is a wonderful person, Jennifer. I’m so glad we met.” Amy leaned back from the hug, smiling. “Thank you so much. Have a happy Christmas.”


  Jennifer waited by the gate and waved as they drove away.

  Amy drove up Meeting Street and turned onto the bridge.

  “Matthew was really nice,” Cathy said. “And good looking.”

  “Your interest was noted.” Amy laughed as she took the ramp that led to the bridge.

  “My interest?” Cathy blushed. “What interest?”

  “Did you leave his side once?”

  “I…I went for more tea.” Cathy looked out the side window, and Amy saw her smile in the reflection.

  “And you filled his cup.” Amy tapped Cathy’s shoulder. “He does seem to be nice…like his father.”

  As they turned the corner, Amy saw Elaine’s car in front of the house.

  “Uh-oh,” Cathy groaned. “The wicked witch arrived early.”

  “Please don’t call her that.” Amy frowned. “She is early, though.” She glanced at the clock on the dashboard. “I wasn’t expecting her until almost dinnertime.”

  “And she’ll be angry that you weren’t at home to meet her.”

  “And really angry when she finds where we’ve been.”

  “That’s what I mean,” Cathy said. “It’s always supposed to be about her.”

  Elaine met them at the door, her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. “Where in the world have you been? We—”

  “Hi, Sis. Merry Christmas.” Cathy rushed ahead of her mother. “We went to see Dr. Nelson’s grandson ride his new bicycle. He’s a little older than Zach and he received his first two-wheeler for Christmas.”

  “Well, we’ve been waiting…”

  “Dr. Nelson has been talking about the bicycle at work, and I wanted to see it. You ought to see Lucas—his name is Lucas—he’s so cute. Reminds me a lot of Zach.” She looked around. “Where are Zach and Amber?” She brushed past Elaine, calling to the children. “Zach. Amber. Where are you? I pay for a niece and a nephew, I expect to get them.”

  Zach and Amber ran in from the kitchen. As they shouted merry Christmas and pulled Amy and Cathy toward the tree to open presents, Elaine seemed to forget that she was upset. She laughed, went to the kitchen for her coffee, and called her husband away from the television set.