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A Family for Christmas

Page 5

by Marlene Bierworth


  “Why would I care about you? You were a pawn – easy to win over. The object of my vengeance is Cindy, and now she won’t only be losing a husband but a sister – one who betrayed her trust.”

  His laugh mocked the sobbing woman and Sandra’s heart broke for the victim he’d leave suffocating under the ashes of his hostility. When footsteps headed her way, Sandra hid behind a card display and watched the well-dressed man leave the store, slamming the door behind him.

  She continued to browse while bombarding the heavens with prayers for this family situation. When she noticed the woman return to a craft work station, she felt a nudge to move in her direction. The storekeeper stood with her back to Sandra, oblivious to her presence. Sandra cleared her throat as she approached the sniffling lady attempting to dry her tears.

  Once spotted, the worker inhaled sharply, then spoke in a cracked voice. “Merry Christmas. Feel free to browse and if you have questions, I have the answers.” It sounded like the re-run off a record and she pivoted again to face the table where an assortment of items lay waiting to adorn her work in progress.

  “Excuse me, but if you have all the answers, why the tears? It’s the season for happiness and miracles.”

  “Sorry, just some bad news.” She continued to work with the glue gun trying to keep a firm grip despite her shaky fingers.

  “I smell cinnamon and chocolate. Do you serve holiday drinks here?”

  The woman nodded toward a group of small tables. “Back there. Help yourself.”

  “Maybe you’d care to join me. A break might be just what you need, before that string of upside-down hearts take hold and ruin your masterpiece.”

  “Oh, my,” exclaimed the woman as she broke them free of the arrangement. “Thanks for noticing.” She peered closer. “You’re not from around here. Did you find us on the Internet?”

  Sandra chose not to indulge Mrs. Claus’ latest intervention that led her here. “Actually, I visited here with my family years ago while on vacation. Its unique location and your beautiful treasures lured me back.”

  “Reminiscing? Suppose that’s a good thing to do at Christmas.”

  “When you’re alone, it’s the only thing you can do. I’m using this trip to turn the page to the next chapter in my life,” Sandra said. “You look like you’re still trapped in the hurting stage.”

  The woman threw her decorating tool down and removed her apron. “How about that drink, ma’am?”

  “Call me Sandra please.”

  “Most folks hereabouts call me Franny.” She busied herself at the refreshment counter and came to the small table with two steaming cups. “Hope you like chocolate. I gave us an extra dose for a good caffeine fix.” She sat and sipped, seemingly her quota of words all used up.

  “Well, Franny, do you need a listening ear? Mine is available.”

  Her dark eyes penetrated Sandra and she could almost feel the turmoil of should I or should I not race around inside the woman’s head. Bleached blonde hair styled to perfection crowned her starched countenance. Her too-skinny frame appeared fragile and Sandra feared a good strong wind would lift her off her petite feet and blow her away.

  “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough to know you’re very upset.” Sandra went to the counter and returned with a plate of cookies.

  “Please, the treat is on me. I always gave my son a sugar treat when he was upset. He said it made his boo-boo go away.”

  The woman offered a half-smile. “You’re nice. Not too many people care to give a stranger the time of day.” Her voice took on a hardness at the completion of the sentence.”

  “And is that why you’re crying? Did someone snub you today?” Sandra bit her lip, not willing to tell the woman the extent of what she’d overheard.

  “I thought I’d developed tougher skin, working in the retail business but…” Again, she looked at Sandra. “Did you hear Joe yelling at me?”

  “I couldn’t help but hear some of the conversation.”

  “So, are you interested in spreading gossip, or did God send you by to hear my confession?”

  “Excuse me?” Sandra regrouped. “I do consider myself a servant of the Most High God, so if you asked Him to send someone, I will be His ear extended. Feel free to dump on me.”

  “There’s something magnetic about you. Like you’re meant to tell me what I can do to make my sins right?”

  “I can direct you to the one who has the answers.” Sandra took a long gulp of the chocolate. She needed re-fueling for a chore this huge.

  “May as well test the waters on a stranger. You won’t judge me near as bad as my sister. I’ve violated her trust. She’ll never forgive me.”

  “You might be pleasantly surprised; if she saw true repentance.”

  “We have a history and she’s not nice like you,” Franny said. “Cindy’s been having marital problems for over a year. Her husband started coming around. He said he needed an ear to hear his side of the story. But after his crying on my shoulders over too many soothing cups of tea and hosting countless pity-parties for two, we crossed the line. It happened so fast. One minute I was feeling empathy and the next…” Her voice cracked. “My life is ruined. It only happened once, but it loosened a monster in him and my eyes clearly see the man my sister fears. I’m gullible and stupid!”

  “The first steps are to seek God’s pardon and then forgive yourself. If you know God, He will help you.”

  “I’m not a heathen, if that’s what you mean, but I’m not on speaking terms these days with a Holy God.”

  “Come as you are – that’s his motto.”

  “Well, Joe is on the way home right now to call it quits with his wife, and guess who he will blame? Her back-stabbing tramp of a sister.”

  “Then perhaps you should get there first so she hears the accurate version.”

  “Are you kidding? I’m thinking of packing my kids up and running to the opposite side of the country.”

  “You can’t run from this,” said Sandra. “It will be hard, but I will pray for you and Cindy, that you will both experience forgiveness and peace.”

  Fanny snickered. “Today is a double wipe-out. My father is showing up for lunch with a bimbo he thinks he’s in love with. The man should stick to remembering his first sweetheart, don’t you think? It’s safer.”

  Sandra gasped. Could this be Robert’s daughter? Although he’d not mentioned the direction, he said his home was about an hour away. They’d agreed he should pave the way with his girls alone – this chance meeting was never supposed to happen. Not yet. Why hadn’t he told them she’d not be coming to lunch? His was obviously a family with deep troubling issues, and she’d be smart to run. Still – they were expecting her to show up. She let out a mounting anxious breath. Maybe she was all wet. Trouble like this plagued families everywhere; probably had nothing to do with Robert.

  “You married?” asked Franny.

  “Was for twenty-seven years. My husband passed away last Christmas.”

  “I’d welcome death about now.”

  A voice sounded from behind us. “Now, isn’t this a pleasant surprise? Two of my favorite women visiting over a plate of cookies.”

  “Daddy!” Franny jumped to her feet and ran headlong into his arms. The tears erupted and Robert’s hand patted his daughter’s back while he lifted a brow in Sandra’s direction. She groaned. He hadn’t overheard the conversation. His day was about to get exceedingly worse. It was time for her to run.

  Sandra stood and picked up her purse. She shook her head no, as a warning, popped a few bills on the table and headed for the door.

  “Not so fast,” she heard Robert yell out.

  She glanced back where daughter and father clung to one another staring after the fleeing woman. “I have to get back.” Hurrying out the door, she fled toward the car. In her eagerness, she slipped on a patch of slippery new snow and landed on the ground with a thump. Robert was by her side in an instance. When their eyes met, she looked
away, unable to hold his stare. “You need to be with your daughters.”

  “But you’re here. I chickened out when I told you I’d confront them alone. Felt so guilty, I didn’t even take the time to call back and say I’d be coming alone.”

  “We are the least of the problems your girls will face today. Please, Robert; go and be with your family. I’ll pray and see you at Heritage Inn on Monday.”

  A voice squeaked from behind Robert and the two spun around to confront Franny’s startled expression. “She’s your bimbo?” Franny stared at her father. “Really Dad. You sent the enemy in unarmed?”

  “Franny, that’s enough. Sandra is not the enemy. I’m not sure what brought her here, but she’s come and you will face the inevitable.”

  “Love’s melody is far too chaotic today, Father. But you can ask your lady spy about that. I’ve never been more embarrassed in my entire life.” She looked at Sandra. “You’re not welcome here. Go home.”

  Sandra squeezed Robert’s hand, unlocked the car, climbed inside, and backed out of the parking lot before he could wrap his mind around the situation.

  When the part-time employee arrived at the Christmas Cave ten minutes later, Robert and Franny were ready to leave. The story his daughter had spouted to him in a frenzy of emotion still rang in his ears. What twist of fate made Franny the other woman that Cindy feared would tear her marriage apart? The whole idea blew his mind. Joe’s warning to take revenge on both women would soon unfold, and Robert couldn’t stop it. The ugly threat dug a chasm so deep between his girls he wondered if they’d recover. And to top it all, Franny had confessed it all to a stranger who happened along at the right time. Thank God the listening ear had been Sandra.

  After they hit the main highway, Robert spotted Sandra’s car at a Diner. His heart wanted to rescue her – tell her this mess had nothing to do with them – but one glance at his snivelling daughter in the seat beside him, reminded him of family obligations.

  Five minutes later, they turned on Cherry Street. Robert spotted Cynthia’s up-scale bungalow just ahead and Joe’s sports car backing out of the driveway, laying black rubber down the road as he sped away. It appeared the damage was done. How would Cindy react when Franny showed up on the heels of such news? He felt ill-equipped to handle this catastrophe. Robert silently wished their mother here to wipe the hurt away then immediately chided himself. Mildred wasn’t here and the role of encourager fell to him.

  He parked the car and peered at his daughter. “You must have liked Sandra a little to bare your soul to her.”

  “The woman was in the store and heard the whole thing!” Franny attempted to calm her voice. “But according to you, she is innocent. So, if she truly didn’t know that I was your daughter, I suppose I’d have to admit she was kind and helped settle my rage.”

  “I swear I did not send her. In fact, I merely mentioned owning a business that my girls ran while I planned weddings. She had no way of knowing the Christmas Cave was our store. I never even mentioned your names – just called you my girls.”

  “Forget it. Apparently, your love life is not the one on the chopping block this afternoon,” Franny said. “Do you think you can keep Cindy from strangling me until I can tell my side of the story?”

  “I’ll find the kids and take them out for ice cream. Leave you to talk in private,” said Robert.

  “Write something nice on my gravestone, will you?” Franny opened the door and stomped up the driveway. The glare that the two girls exchanged at the door tied the air in knots until Robert could barely breathe.

  “Cindy, where are the kids? Thought I’d take them to Keen’s Dairy.”

  “They’re all upstairs; huddled in a corner. Joe used no strainer on his vocabulary when he burst in here spouting his extracurricular activities.” Her stare encompassed Franny. “Even your two heard it all – in unfiltered technicolor.”

  “I’ll be back in forty minutes, and you two better have your tempers in tow. Remember, the children are victims in all this.”

  Robert did not rush the four children as they made their choice of ice cream flavors. They sat in a booth and he asked them questions about school, sports – anything that didn’t border on family. It was young Timothy who finally broke the silence.

  “Will my daddy come back?”

  “I don’t know, Timothy. But in any case, your parent’s problems will never change the fact that they both love you. We need to wait and see how it all works out.”

  “Uncle Joe said bad things about my Mama,” Sassie said. “Does that mean I won’t be able to come visit my cousins, Pappy?”

  “Again, I can’t answer that. I know as much as you. Your mothers will talk to you later.”

  Robert felt bad about passing the torch to Franny and Cynthia. But, as much as he didn’t want them interfering in his life, he had no right to dictate theirs. The difference being, he’d love them through the grieving. If adultery resulted in divorce, it would carry every ounce of painful separation that he’d lived through while enduring the death of his wife.

  When Robert returned with the children, he scanned the room for Franny. “Where’s your sister?” he asked Cynthia. “Promised I’d not let you kill her today.”

  “She’s gone to get your bimbo. Apparently, she’s sitting at some café down the road, simmering from the shock to her system.”

  “It wasn’t necessary. Sandra understood today would not be a good day to meet the family.”

  “No day will be a good day, Father. I cooked a special dish in honor of your guest and will not let it go to waste.”

  “That’s gracious of you.”

  “Don’t misread it as acceptance,” said Cynthia, casting a frown in his direction. “You’re acting like a desperate love-struck teenager, and I plan on helping you see your folly.”

  Robert’s face grew stern. “You’re not going to be unkind, are you? Sandra doesn’t deserve that.”

  “I won’t need to. The mess this family is in today will do it for me. No woman in her right mind would willingly adopt me and Franny and our fatherless brood.”

  “A kind woman might, if given the opportunity to love unconditionally.”

  “Is that what she’s offering you, Daddy? Unconditional love?”

  To break the tension, Robert chuckled. “That never entered my mind. Figured I was a pretty good catch just the way I am.”

  Cynthia bit back the smile that threatened to ease the anger lines in her face. “You are. That’s the trouble.” They both glanced out the window and saw two cars pull into the driveway. Somehow Franny had persuaded Sandra to come to the battleground. “Besides, as humiliating as my day has been so far, I’m rather relieved that Joe is absent. Our marriage was over before Franny got involved. That little surprise will take time to sort through, but I’ll not throw my sister out to the trash with my husband’s clothes. Not just yet.” Cynthia opened the oven door and withdrew a glass casserole dish.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you two have settled a truce just to deal with the father problem,” said Robert.

  She kissed him on the cheek, and cast him a quirky smile. “Perhaps you don’t know your daughters after all.”

  It was too late to argue. Sandra was in the hallway and Robert could hear the grandchildren drilling her – with childlike interest, nothing condemning. He walked into the foyer and smiled at the brave woman.

  “Welcome. I am so glad Franny persuaded you to come.”

  Sandra wiggled her way through the youngsters and reached for his hand. “Me too.”

  Cynthia moved in behind Sandra and grabbed her hand loose from her father’s grasp. “So nice to meet you. Sandra, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. Thank you for allowing me in your home.”

  Cynthia grimaced at her father. “Dad pays rent to stay in the apartment downstairs, so the choice wasn’t fully mine.” She turned back toward the kitchen. “To the table everyone. New recipe to test out on y’all. If you taste a peculiar spice,
pass it over to our guest. You got the poisoned one.”

  Sandra gulped hard and pulled on Robert’s hand. “This is not going well. Perhaps I shouldn’t stay.”

  “And let them win? Never! I will taste your food before you eat.” His smile warmed her fearful heart, and she relaxed. “Cynthia is on the attack. She’s had a rough day.”

  He never said how annoyed he felt at his daughter’s cutting remarks, but she’d hear about it later. He thought he’d raised the girls better than this. Bad day or not, he’d protect Sandra from any other verbal abuse.

  The hostess tried to seat Sandra at the opposite end of the table, but Robert rescued her, bringing her to sit next to him. No one challenged him and the meal proceeded. The children chatted and asked Pappy about the Inn and his job. When Jamie spoke, it near broke his heart.

  “Pappy, why would they bother to get married when Daddy’s just get all mad and leave home?”

  “Not all Daddy’s do. But everyone has a free choice. They can honor their vows for life or take the easy way. God won’t force anyone to live a happy-ever-after story.”

  Both Cynthia and Franny glared at their father, but he took little note of their anger and mowed down on another bite of food. “What do you call this dish, Cynthia? It’s mighty good.”

  “Irresistible Heavenly Hash. Somewhat contradictory to the mood, but I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

  Sandra refused to stay cowering in the background like a whipped puppy, a moment longer. “I love your store. So many interesting things, Christmas and otherwise. But the setting is the clincher. Who came up with the idea to build a structure inside a hill covered with foliage? It’s spectacular.”

 

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