“Ben and I will handle the investigating,” Gary replied, standing up straighter, and smoothing his pristine shirt. “You have finals next week, and I really want that to be your focus. Carol will take care of mom and Daks.” Glancing over at their new housekeeper, he could see the fire in her eyes, and realized his mistake. “Sorry, Caroline will take care of things around here.”
“Then I think things are settled,” Ben agreed. “I’ll set the meeting up for Tom on Thursday, if I can, and I’ll let you know what time to come in, and confirm the date.”
Her eyes darting between them, a glimmer of sadness washed over the petite young woman standing in their midst as she fully realized this Christmas could turn out to be the most terrifying she had ever experienced.
Ring the Bells
When class dismissed a few minutes before three on Friday afternoon, Candy leapt up from her seat and shoved her journal of notes into her backpack. If she hurried, she would catch the early bus and make it to the house before Daks got home.
“Candice, can I speak to you?” Professor Bryant caught her before she could get away.
Rolling her eyes, then removing her disdain from her features before she turned to face him, the young woman managed a pleasant tone. “Sure, what can I do for your?”
Watching as the majority of the class made a hasty exit, he held up a page covered in red marks. “I have some bad news,” he said quietly, “but I’m willing to work with you on this if you can give it a redo this weekend.”
Accepting her work and staring at the notations, she sighed. “I’ve really been trying, Dr. Bryant.”
“I know you have, and you’ve made a great deal of progress,” he nodded as he spoke, free to use a normal tone as they had been left alone in the lecture hall. “Candice, you get an A for effort. That’s why I’m giving you a second chance on this one. Give it a rework and drop it by my office on Monday; I’ll consider it when I’m grading the final exam.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied through pursed lips. “But, if I choose not to, how will it affect my grade in the class?”
“You’ll probably end up with a D,” he replied, tossing his pack over his shoulder and sidling towards the door. “You can do this, Candy. I have confidence in you; I can’t wait to see your revisions.”
“Ok,” she sniffed, tucking the page in her own bag and zipping it up as he walked away at full stride. Damn it, she thought to herself as she pumped her short legs in quick steps, only to see the bus pull away from the stop well before she could get there.
It would be an hour before the next one came around, so she turned towards the library instead, and spent the next thirty minutes working on the paper. She would have to study for her finals that weekend, so getting this new task out of the way before she went home was probably a good idea, even if she hated not being there when Daks arrived at the house.
Shortly before five, Candy finally made it, trudging through short drifts of snow that had accumulated during the day. She had been thankful it had been light, and not a repeat of the blizzard that had delayed her wedding last year; there might be a white Christmas ahead, but at least it would be a tame one.
Stomping her feet a few times on the back porch, she entered the kitchen and paused to enjoy the aroma of simmering stew. “Wow, that smells nice,” she mumbled, lifting the lid and giving the giant pot a stir.
She could hear her son babbling in the other room, and made her way to the door while removing her coat and scarf. Seated on the floor in the center of the giant rug, he pretended to drive his truck and put out an invisible fire. Beside him, Caroline positioned the police car and made siren noises before giggling contentedly.
“Here, Caro’,” Dakota instructed, pointing out the desired location.
Moving the toy to obey his command, the blonde continued to smile, and the story unfolded for a few more minutes before Daks noticed his mother hovering over them. “Mom,” he squealed, leaping to his feet to give her a hug. “Caro’ fires truck,” he beamed.
“I see,” Candy laughed, happy he had enjoyed his afternoon. “Where’s mom?” she inquired, turning her attention to the blonde as she got to her feet.
“She went to lie down about three,” Caroline informed her. “I’m afraid she might be coming down with something. I put on the stew, hoping something warm and filling might help.” Her crystal blue orbs twinkled with concern.
Seeing her distress, Candy grew tense. Pushing the urge to rush into her mother’s bedroom aside, she purposely slowed her movements as she placed her coat and other winter protection on her hooks at the back door. Then, stepping quietly, she entered her mother’s space, noting the darkness of the room. Switching on a small lamp next to the bed, she felt her mother’s cheek; burning up. “Mom,” she pushed at her gently, giving her a small shake. “Mom, I think you have a fever. Did you take anything for it?”
“No,” Lanelle replied, stirring slightly, but not making any real effort to get out of the bed. “I’m so tired.”
“Let me get you something to drink and a few tablets. I think you’re getting a cold, and you know how dangerous that can be,” Candy stated firmly. Back in the kitchen, she located her mother’s preferred cold remedy and punched a few of the gel tabs out of the foil pack.
“Is she ill?” Caroline inquired while giving the meal a stir and adjusting the burner a small amount.
“I think she’s coming down with something, yes. She’s susceptible to pneumonia, so we need to keep it under control; otherwise, we’ll be at the ER by Sunday,” Candy replied. Filling a glass with water, and a second with orange juice, she took them both and the medication in to her mother. “Here you go,” she said cheerily, placing everything on the nightstand and helping her mother to sit up in her bed.
While she tended to the older woman, Gary arrived home and made his boisterous entrance. Candy smiled at Dakota’s excited calls, then said softly, “Do you want to join us for dinner, mom? Or should I bring a tray and sit in here with you?”
“I’ll come out there,” Lanelle agreed, having taken the pills and finished off the glass of water. “Bring the juice, would you?” she asked as she got to her feet. Pulling the handmade blanket off the foot of the bed, she dragged it behind her as she crossed the threshold and took her favorite seat next to her door.
Setting the glass on the table before her, Candy dropped the blanket lovingly across her mother’s shoulders. “I’ll get you a bowl,” she whispered, noting that Caroline had taken care of Daks and Gary had gone to wash up.
A few minutes later, everyone had been served, and spoons clinked as they enjoyed the delicious meal. “Well, I have to rewrite a paper this weekend; and I need to study for those finals next week,” Candy announced between bites.
“I’m taking the weekend off,” Gerald replied. “I’m sick of work,” he tacked on with a chuckle.
“You two can rest up and study; I’ll take care of the meals and keep an eye on Dakota,” Caroline informed them with a full grin.
Candice nodded her approval; the other woman had obviously settled into her new role easily, and even appeared to be enjoying herself, which was a good thing. Tom had been unable to make room in his schedule for their meeting as they had planned, so at the rate they were going, the young blonde might be hiding at their house for months before they could get things worked out and she would be free to return to her old life.
“I’ll study tomorrow,” Candy smiled, giving her mother’s shoulder a pat. “Tonight, let’s take it easy together. Ring the Christmas bells and enjoy each other’s company for a few hours.”
Lifting his glass in a mock toast, Gary agreed, “I’ll put some music on when we’ve finished eating, and then we can decide if we want to light the fire.”
“Oh, I would love a fire!” Caroline squealed, then flushed. “Sorry, I’m probably overstepping my bounds as the help.”
“Nonsense,” Gary chided, giving his wife a wink. “Candy loves the fire, and it looks like Lane
lle could use it this evening,” he observed, eyeing his mother-in-law’s pale features. “We’ll make a full evening of it, and stop thinking less of yourself; you’re becoming a part of this family, Caroline.”
Candy would have argued, but there would have been little point. Besides, the four days the other woman had been there, things had gotten a little easier on her with each one. If they didn’t get rid of her soon, she would be completely spoiled and would probably be sad to see her go in the end.
Dead of Winter
Candy awoke early Saturday morning, Gary still slumbering beside her in the darkness. Slipping from beneath the covers, she peeked out the window to find that it had snowed more overnight, and their back yard now lay covered in a thick blanket of white that sparkled in the dim light; damn. Another week before it had gotten bad would have been nice.
Gathering her clothes as quietly as she could, she moved to the bathroom and closed the door before flicking on the light. Donning a warm sweater and jeans, she exited through the empty connected bedroom and made her way down stairs to start some coffee and get to work on her paper before she dug into her review for her final exams.
Noting her mother’s door was closed, she turned on the light and began the task of filling the pot, only to be startled by the sound of a rasping cough on the other side of the wall. Pausing with the carafe suspended in midair over the device, she stopped her pouring to listen. Then, finishing the task, she pushed the button to begin the brew cycle.
Creeping into her mother’s room, she whispered loudly, “Mom, are you awake?”
“Candy,” her mother croaked back, sending chills through her entire body.
“Oh, God, mom,” Candy breathed, crossing the gap and dropping onto the unoccupied side of her mother’s full-sized bed. Finding her hands clutching the blanket against her chest, the stiff digits felt frigid. Sliding off the bed and standing, she commanded, “Lay still. I’ll get Gary and we’ll take you in.”
“I’ll be fine,” her mother replied, her words slurred before she began to cough. Turning on her side, she curled into a ball as the spasm subsided. “Let me sleep,” she mumbled, but Candy could no longer hear, having left the room and stomped noisily up the stairs in her haste.
“Gary!” she called loudly as she flung open their door. “Baby, wake up! Mom has to see the doctor right now!”
Stretching and then rubbing his face, her husband prepared for the glare by covering his eyes, “Ok, hit the lights.” The room blazed bright white when she flipped the switch and he could blink at her. “You think this is a hospital visit, or will the clinic suffice?”
“Hospital, definitely. She’s coughing and her hands are like ice,” she informed him while she pulled out clothing for him to put on. “I’m sorry to ruin your sleeping in,” she said more gently when she presented them to him.
“It’s not your fault, hon,” he replied, accepting the bundle. “I guess a shower is out of the question?”
Staring at him, she bit her lower lip, her heart racing. “Hurry, and I’ll get her ready,” she replied, turning to exit. Realizing Caroline would have to be informed, she stopped to knock lightly on the other woman’s door; at least we won’t have to drag Dakota with us.
A moment later, the wooden panel opened a crack, and Caroline asked through a yawn, “Yes? What’s going on?”
“Mom’s worse,” Candy informed her. “We’re going to take her down to the hospital. I assume you’ll be ok with Daks while we’re gone?”
“Yes, of course!” the other woman replied crisply, losing her tired demeanor in an instant. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll be right down to help,” she agreed while shutting the portal in Candy’s face in her hurry.
Clomping down the stairs, Candy glanced at the fresh pot of coffee and poured a mug for herself, then one for her mother and carried them into her mother’s room. Placing the two on the nightstand, she leaned over to reach her and ran her hands firmly over her mother’s back; “Mom, I brought you a cup of coffee.”
Rolling over, the older woman allowed her to help to sit up, which produced a fit of coughs. Once they had subsided, she accepted the warm mug and wrapped her fingers around it. Holding the hot liquid in front of her face, she inhaled the warm steam it produced. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Taking a seat in the corner chair on the other side of the nightstand, Candy lifted her own beverage and took a noisy sip. “Gary is getting a shower and then we’ll get you into the car for the trip.”
“We should put blankets into the back seat for her,” Caroline stated from the doorway, where she stood pulling her blond strands into a ponytail before she twisted them into a bun.
“That’s a good idea,” Candy replied, studying her for a long moment. “There’s a linen closet upstairs with extra blankets stacked at the top.”
“Ok, I’ll get them,” their nanny replied as she moved to comply.
Sitting together in the still of the morning, Candy’s heart pounded heavily in her chest. Watching her mother as she sipped her coffee, she breathed deeply and tried to appear calm. She hated the dead of winter; the months when it was cold and snow covered the ground. Nothing good every happens to me at Christmas time, she lamented, slapped immediately with the reality that it wasn’t true.
Yes, her apartment had burned to the ground at Christmas; but Gary had saved her mother and son and had made sure they never lacked for anything since. And last Christmas we were married, despite the blizzard, she recalled to herself.
Her mother lowered her cup as she delivered a few loud coughs and Candy moved to sit beside her, placing her right arm firmly around the older woman’s shoulders to steady her.
“I think these will work,” Caroline called from the door while holding up two quilts that Gary’s great aunt had made.
“I don’t know if he will want to use those,” Candy replied, getting to her feet and relieving her mother of her mug. Carrying them into the kitchen, she poured both drinks into the sink and continued, “They’re family heirlooms, but we’ll see.”
“What are they for?” Gary inquired as he joined the two women.
“To put in the back seat,” Caroline replied, raising her chin slightly. “To make Lanelle more comfortable and keep her warm during the trip to the hospital.”
Her thoughtfulness outweighed any remorse at using the pair of ancient blankets, and he smiled, “That’s a great idea. I’ll go pull it over as close to the house as I can and let it warm up inside before we take her out. Is she dressed?”
“Not yet,” Candy replied. “Get the car warm and I’ll make sure she’s ready when you are.”
Fifteen minutes later, the trio helped the older woman out to the awaiting SUV, Gary and Candy each holding an arm to guide her and Caroline following with the blankets. Spreading one on the seat, the couple helped the older woman climb in and then covered her with the other. Closing the door with a firm thud, Gary gave the former secretary a nod; “We’ll call you when we have some news.”
“Don’t worry,” she replied with a hint of a smile. “I’m sure she’ll be fine, and I’ll take care of Daks while you’re gone.”
Climbing into the passenger seat, Candy anxiously fastened her seatbelt as she watched Gary make his way around to the driver’s side. Once he had them turned around and eased out the drive, they crept along over the frozen road. They had driven the path between the hospital and their home too many times to count since they had been together, and she wished like hell they could have gotten by this year without it.
Twists and Turns
Candy sat curled in the chair in her mother’s room when Gary arrived home from work on Monday evening. At her feet sat a stack of books and a couple of journals of notes, and she had obviously dozed off while reading over a third. Removing the wire bound notebook from her limp fingers, he lay a blanket across her and let her sleep.
They had only kept Lanelle over night at the hospital, and she had been home in her own bed by Sunday afterno
on, giving Candy a few hours to finish her rewrite and cram for her exams. The hardest one had been earlier that day, and he hoped that she had done well enough to at least pass the course, for her sake.
Turning to the bed, he could see that Lanelle’s clear blue eyes studied him as he fawned over his wife. “How do you feel?” he whispered, leaning closer so she could hear.
“Better,” his mother-in-law replied, turning on her back so he could sit on the edge of her bed. “You’ve been so good to us, Gary. Candy is so blessed to have you in her life. We all are.”
Taking the seat, he clasped her small fail hand with his and rebuked her gently, “Nonsense. You’re my family and I love you all.” Standing, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Get some sleep, and we’ll help you out to sit at the table for dinner if you like,” he offered warmly.
“Yes, sir,” she grinned up at him as he switched off the light and closed the door on his way out.
In the kitchen Caroline stood over the stove, where she had been preparing their dinner for the oven. “How long before we eat?” he asked as he washed his hands and dried them on a towel.
“About an hour,” she replied with a smile. “Any news on my case?” she asked in return, hoping they had made at least some headway.
“I wasn’t able to be there for the meeting,” he informed her as they moved to the living room to watch Dakota play. “Tom was scheduled to meet with Ben at four, and Ben will call me tonight and give me the details.”
“I hope he can do something for us. This is so nerve wracking, feeling like something could happen to me… or any of us, really, at any moment,” she sighed as she took one end of the sofa beneath the front window.
Stoking the fire, Gary threw on a few more pieces of wood. “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he stated calmly as he took the chair that shared the end table next to her. “The other night, you said you weren’t sure how they knew to come after you. But there had to have been something you did that gave yourself away. Someone you talked to who warned them that you were on to something.”
Christmas Carol Page 5
