A New Leaf

by Thomas Kinkade

  After the dessert had been served, Betty snuck into the kitchen. She walked straight up to Molly and gave her a huge hug. “Everything is fabulous! I knew you could do it!”

  “Thanks, Betty. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Without my nagging and pushing, you mean?” Betty gave her a knowing grin.

  “Well . . . that, too,” Molly admitted.

  “You didn’t need me. You did this all on your own and don’t forget it.” Betty patted her on the shoulder. “I did find the blue dress for you, though. I’ll take credit for that.”

  “Okay,” Molly readily agreed. “You get credit for the dress—and a whole lot more.”

  A short time later, the guests had departed and her crew was busily breaking down the tables and chairs and putting the house back in order. Emily and Dan found Molly in the dining room, packing up the rented dishes and flatware.

  “Molly, we just want to thank you again,” Emily said. “And I’m sorry my mother gave you a hard time earlier. But you know, when she finally came down for the party, she actually almost looked like she was enjoying herself.”

  “That’s a lot for Lillian,” Dan assured her. “I’m not big on parties, Molly, but this was a great one.”

  Molly felt pleased by their compliments—pleased and proud.

  “Thanks for hiring me. You knew this was my first real job and well . . . you didn’t have to take a chance.”

  “Oh, I knew you could do it.” Emily smiled at her, her blue eyes warm with affection.

  Molly smiled back, feeling suddenly shy. It seemed everyone in town—except Lillian, of course—believed she could do it. She was the only one who had doubted herself.

  MOLLY ARRIVED AT HER MOTHER’S HOUSE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, FEELING exhausted but victorious. It was Lauren’s birthday, and her mother had invited them over for cake. Molly had taken the girls out to dinner beforehand, letting Lauren choose the restaurant.

  She usually did something even more elaborate for a birthday, hosting a party or taking a group of kids on an outing. But Lauren was going to have another party with her friends next weekend; Phil had offered to take a group to a water park.

  Molly knew Phil was coming later. Lauren had invited him. It was only right, Molly thought, now that he’d become such a big part of their lives again. Still, she felt apprehensive about seeing him. They hadn’t really talked since the kayaking trip almost three weeks ago, but something in the way he looked at her lately suggested he hadn’t forgotten his question.

  “Where’s Lauren’s friend, Amanda?” Marie carried out a pitcher of lemonade and set it on the picnic table alongside a platter of appetizers. “Isn’t she here, yet?”

  Molly didn’t realize Amanda had been invited. But she’d been so busy with Emily’s party, she had let her mother take care of all the preparations for this small one.

  “I just spoke to her yesterday. She’s definitely coming,” Lauren said, pouring herself a glass of lemonade.

  “I just spoke to her father on Friday,” Marie added. “I’m sure I told him the right time. Well, no problem really. The cake won’t be out for a while. I’m sure they’ll be here by then.”

  Molly’s ears perked up at the plural noun. It sounded as if Matt had been invited as well. A cherry tomato lodged in her throat. She coughed before she was able to speak again.

  “Did you invite Matt Harding, too?” She tried to sound casual, but her mother glanced at her sharply.

  “Of course I invited him. . . . Did you not want me to?”

  “Uh, no, that’s okay. I just didn’t realize.” Molly turned to Lauren, hoping to quickly change the subject. “Go help Grandma carry out the rest of the snacks, will you, honey?”

  While I duck behind the garage and scream, she thought.

  Lauren complied and followed her grandmother back into the house. Molly had barely checked her lipstick when Matthew and Amanda appeared at the back gate.

  Molly walked up to them and met Matt’s gaze. His dark eyes studied her and his smile widened. Slightly unnerved, Molly took the gift Amanda was holding. “Here, let me add this to Lauren’s pile of loot. She’s in the house with Jill. Go right in.”

  “Thanks. See you.” Amanda ran off, leaving Molly with Matt.

  “So, you had your big debut last night. How did it go?”

  “Fine. Great actually. There were a few speed bumps, but overall it was a success.”

  “Glad to hear it, but I’m not surprised. Sounds like you’re on your way.”

  “I hope so. I did get some interest from other guests. I’ll have to see how it goes, I guess.”

  “Did you decide on a name yet? Or are you going to stick with Totally Awesome Foods?”

  Molly laughed, surprised he’d remembered. “Still working on it.” She looked up at him and smiled. He looked different somehow, more relaxed and happy. He was tan, as if he’d been out in the sun. His warm brown eyes were brighter, too, framed by crinkly lines at the corners when he smiled.

  “Sorry we’re late. Amanda really wanted to try sailing. We rented a boat and were out on the water all day.”

  “That sounds like fun. I didn’t know you sail.”

  Matthew grinned. “I don’t really. I only know enough to get us in and back and not capsize. But it’s a wonderful break. I can see how people really get into it. Amanda is already trying to talk me into buying a boat.”

  “You ought to try Reilly’s boatyard. He’s always got a few bargains lying around,” Molly advised him.

  “Maybe I will. Do you like to sail?” he asked.

  “I love it. I haven’t been out on a sailboat in years, though. I’m not sure I’d remember what to do.”

  “Maybe we could go out sometime and figure out the ropes together.”

  Molly laughed. “That sounds like fun. And by the way, they’re called lines.”

  “Right, the lines, I mean. See, you’re ahead of me already.”

  Molly’s father had just returned with a tray of cold drinks, and she could tell he had overheard a bit of their conversation. She saw her father look at her, and she felt her cheeks get warm, matching her pink sweater top.

  “Have a soda, Matt.” Her father politely handed his guest a tall plastic cup. Then he turned to Molly. “Phil is inside, with your mother. He’s asking for you.”

  Molly felt her stomach drop. She glanced up at Matthew and could have sworn he paled a bit under his bronze complexion.

  “Lauren wanted her dad here for her birthday.”

  “That’s nice. It’s good of him to come.” Matt’s tone sounded bright, but his expression didn’t match it.

  “Excuse me, I’d better go say hello.” She turned away from Matt, feeling flustered. For goodness’ sake, she had thought she could just kick back and relax today. Now she had to play dueling single dads. This was a twist. Not uncommon for some women, maybe, but she had never had this much attention from men, at the same party no less.

  Inside, Phil greeted her happily. “Wow, you look great. Pink is your color, Molly.”

  “Thanks, Phil.” It occurred to her that no matter what she wore, Phil told her it was her color.

  Lauren rushed into the kitchen with Amanda and Jill. “Hi Dad.” She jumped up and gave Phil a big hug.

  “How’s the birthday girl?” He held her at arm’s length and took her in, then slowly shook his head. “Fifteen. I can’t believe it. It feels like yesterday me and your mom were just waiting for you to be born. . . . Remember, Molly?”

  “I remember. The car was out of gas. We had to call Sam.”

  “Oh, boy. She’ll never let me live that down, will she?” Phil shook his head, laughing with Lauren. “I was so excited to be having a baby, I just couldn’t see straight. It was a good thing I didn’t have to drive, after all.”

  Everyone in the kitchen laughed at Phil’s story—even Molly. It used to be that whenever she thought about that bit of their history, she felt a spurt of residual anger at Phil’s thoughtless
ness. Now, she saw it differently. They had been so young. He had been nervous and excited. His forgetfulness seemed touching to her now.

  “The car we had back then was such a wreck. It probably wouldn’t have made it in time anyway,” Molly remembered.

  “Probably not,” Phil agreed. He glanced at her and caught her eye. Molly smiled briefly and looked away. She could tell he was thinking about them getting back together again.

  She suddenly noticed Matt standing in the doorway and wondered how long he’d been there. Long enough to hear her and Phil reminiscing?

  Phil seemed surprised to see him. “Hello, Matt. Good to see you.” His voice held a questioning note, as if he doubted his own words.

  “Nice to see you, Phil.” The two men briefly shook hands.

  Squaring off before a duel, Molly thought. Now what was she supposed to do? I’m not exactly Scarlett O’Hara, able to entertain a circle of gentleman callers with my wit and charm. She just didn’t feel up to it after yesterday.

  She quickly turned to her mother, who looked delighted at what was going on right in her very kitchen. Annoyingly so, Molly thought. In fact, she realized her innocent-looking mother had cooked up this whole thing by inviting Matt here and not telling her.

  “Can I help you with anything, Mom?” Molly asked.

  “No, dear. I’m fine. You go entertain the guests.”

  “No, Mom, I really want to help you. You’ve done enough already, honestly.”

  Molly gave her mother a look, and Marie finally seemed to get the message. “Well . . . if you insist. Why don’t you bring those dishes and things outside and set everything up?”

  Molly grabbed the tray of tableware and stalked outside again. She stacked the dishes and paper cups, then looked around to see what Phil and Matt were up to.

  Phil suddenly appeared beside her, slipping his arm around her shoulder in a proprietary manner. “How are you doing, Molly? Need any help?”

  “It’s just a stack of paper plates, Phil. I think I can handle it.”

  Phil laughed and squeezed her shoulder. Molly felt Matthew watching from a distance as he chatted with her father. She tried to wiggle away, but Phil’s arm felt glued to her shoulder.

  “I wanted to tell you what I got Lauren—” He leaned closer, attempting to whisper in her ear.

  Molly quickly slipped out from under his arm. “That’s all right. Surprise me.”

  Phil was unconscionable at times. He knew she liked Matthew but obviously thought he could scare him off. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do to stop him, but she definitely was not going to let Phil get away with it.

  Five minutes later, while clearing the way for the birthday cake, Molly spotted Phil and Matt off in a corner and had a sudden awful thought: Phil was telling Matt how they were going to get back together.

  He wouldn’t do that, would he? Molly realized with horror that he would.

  She ran across the lawn to where they stood. “What are you guys talking about?” she asked breathlessly.

  Phil glanced at Matt and back to Molly. “I was just telling Matthew about that time Lauren got out of her crib and left the apartment all on her own. She went downstairs in the elevator. We didn’t even think she was tall enough to reach the buttons. Luckily, a neighbor found her in the lobby and brought her back.”

  “Luckily,” Molly agreed. A walk down memory lane. How charming for Matthew.

  Matthew smiled politely. “It’s amazing that kids survive to be teenagers considering some of the stunts they pull.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” Phil nodded sagely. “That probably wouldn’t happen now, though. I mean, if Molly and I were still married and say, had another baby or something. First of all, we’d be a lot more careful, childproofing everything. And we’d probably live in a house and all. It will be a lot safer.”

  Molly stared at him, wide eyed with shock. “Would be a lot safer you mean, not will be.”

  Phil smiled slowly and shrugged. “Sure, would be. What did I say?”

  Molly was about to explain it to him when she caught Matthew staring at her. She decided it was best to just let it go.

  “Forget it, Phil.” She took a step back and shook her head. “The birthday cake is coming out in a minute.”

  She turned and walked back to the house, feeling two sets of eyes boring into her back.

  Later, as Molly sat with her mother, sipping coffee and watching Lauren open her gifts, Matthew came over to them.

  “Marie, thank you so much for having us. I had a great time and so did Amanda.”

  “Oh, thank you for coming, Matt. It was so nice to finally meet you.”

  Molly could tell her mother was totally charmed. She was practically batting her eyelashes at him. Molly cringed with embarrassment.

  “I hope you’ll come again soon,” Marie added.

  “I hope so, too.” Matt turned to Molly, and she met his smile. Now it’s my turn to feel watery knees, she realized as she looked up at him.

  “Good to see you, Molly. Sorry we didn’t talk more. Don’t forget our sailing idea, okay?”

  She hadn’t forgotten but was surprised to hear him mention it again. Maybe Phil’s tactics hadn’t scared him off.

  “No, I won’t forget.”

  “Maybe we can go out next weekend—if you’re not catering any celebrity parties.”

  She smiled at him. “I’ll check my book.”

  Before she could say anything more, Phil suddenly appeared.

  “Leaving, Matt?” Phil stuck out his hand. “Good to see you again. Good night, now.”

  Molly shrunk into her folding chair. Why don’t you just push him through the gate, Phil? she wanted to ask.

  Matt glared around, looking as if he was ready to give up for the night. “Good night, everyone. Thanks again.”

  He glanced one more time at Molly, but she couldn’t quite interpret his look.

  Molly stayed on to help her parents clean up. And so did Phil. As Molly gathered a stack of paper plates and tossed them in a bag, Phil walked up beside her.

  “Your parents always did know how to throw a nice party.”

  “Lauren seems to have enjoyed it.” She glanced at him. “She liked having you here, Phil. It’s been a while since you’ve been to any of their birthday parties.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He rubbed a hand through his thick blond hair. “We had some cute ones when they were little. Remember when I got dressed up as Barney? ‘Hi, kids!’ ” He waved, doing a voice that made her laugh.

  “Stop . . . I remember.” She collected the plastic forks, shaking her head. “That was fun.”

  “Except the suit was so hot, I nearly fainted.” He sighed. “Sometimes I think about having another kid. I know I would be a better father. I’d appreciate it more, you know?”

  “Yes, I do. We had our kids so young. We didn’t realize what we had.”

  She thought about having another child sometimes, too. But she never pictured Phil as the father.

  He didn’t speak for a minute, and Molly guessed what was coming next.

  “Did you think anymore about us getting back together?”

  No beating around the bush with Phil. She had to say that for him.

  “Yes. I did think about it.” He stared at her intently, looking uncharacteristically nervous. This really mattered to him; she hadn’t realized how much.

  “And what did you decide?”

  “I’m flattered, honestly. I know the girls would be in favor of it, too. . . . But I don’t think it would be the right thing for us to do. For either of us.”

  “Speak for yourself, Molly. I know what I want.”

  “Do you really?” she asked him gently. “I know you want to make amends, Phil. The girls forgive you. And I do, too. You’ve shown a lot of character coming back here, trying to face up to your mistakes. When you first told me you had changed, I didn’t believe you.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “But you did change.
Even I can see that now.”

  He nodded, his expression serious. “But not enough to win you back, I guess.”

  “That’s not it, Phil. We can’t turn back the clock and rewrite history. We shouldn’t try. I don’t think it would work out in the long run. We were young when we got married and we made some mistakes. That’s okay. Let’s just turn the page and try to do better now.”

  Phil let out a long slow sigh. Then he put his arms around her and gave her a big hug. A friendly hug, she thought. Well, mostly friendly.

  He stepped back and smiled. “Okay. I understand. I thought that’s what you would say, but I couldn’t help giving it a try. And listen, I want to wish you luck on your new business.”

  “Thanks, Phil. That’s good of you to say.”

  “I know you’ll do well at it. You’re such a hard worker. I can’t see how you’ll miss. I want to help you. If I had given you more support for the girls all these years, maybe you wouldn’t have waited so long to start this.”

  That was true, Molly thought, though she didn’t openly agree with him.

  “I have some money saved for the girls’ college fund. I want you to have it.”

  Molly was stunned by his generous gesture, which seemed even more poignant considering that she had just turned him down.

  “Phil . . . you never fail to surprise me.”

  He seemed pleased with the comment, taking it as a compliment.

  “The girls have turned out great, just like you, no thanks to me. I owe you for that alone.”

  “I’ve done what I could for them because I love them, Phil. You never have to repay me for that.” She smiled at him. “I appreciate your offer, honestly. But I really don’t need the money. I have my own banker, and I’ve made arrangements to get things up and running. Save the money for college, the way you planned. That would mean a lot to me.”

  Phil nodded. “All right, if that’s what you want. Consider it done.” His expression turned mischievous. “A banker, huh? Gee, you are going places.”