CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Luke picked Maggie up at her cottage early on Christmas morning. Together, they loaded her presents and ingredients for the dishes she planned to make into the back seat of his truck. She wanted to get to Abby and Reese’s house early so she could put the turkey in the oven for Christmas dinner. But despite arriving before nine a.m., they hadn’t been able to beat Phyllis. As they entered the kitchen, they found her stuffing the turkey with a bread dressing.
Maggie threw her coat over a kitchen chair. “I thought I was supposed to be cooking. You’re supposed to be having a relaxing Christmas day.”
Phyllis waved her hand, a look of dismissal on her face. “Relaxing? That’s no fun.”
“Is Mom asleep?” Luke asked quietly.
“Yeah, and Reese, too, poor man. He looked exhausted last night,” Phyllis said as she slid the turkey roaster into the hot oven. “We’ll stay in the kitchen and try to be quiet so they can sleep a little longer.”
For over an hour, they worked together in almost complete silence. Phyllis peeled sweet potatoes, while Luke washed lettuce for a salad, and Maggie worked on dessert. She’d brought all the ingredients she needed to make a pumpkin pie, not sure what was available at Abby’s house. As she rolled out the pastry, Luke leaned over her shoulder.
“I haven’t had pumpkin pie in ages,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“I hope Abby is able to have some. I made some brownies if she doesn’t feel like pie.”
“These days she doesn’t eat much of anything,” Phyllis said. Profound sadness etched the lines in her face, making her look far older than her seventy-five years. “I’m making all her favorite dishes, but I doubt she’ll be able to enjoy much of them.”
Neither she nor Luke replied. They all knew the days of Abby’s life were winding down. If this was to be Abby’s last Christmas, Maggie reasoned, then she’d do her best to make the memories of it happy. A celebration of life rather than a countdown to death. Luke and Reese and Phyllis deserved that.
“I think we need Christmas music,” she said.
She wiped her hands on her apron, then turned on the small TV in a corner of the kitchen. Maggie flipped through the channels until she found one showing a fire roaring in a brick fireplace and Christmas carols playing softly in the background. When “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’ came on, she grabbed Luke’s hand and twirled him around the kitchen table. Luke pulled his grandmother into their dance and together the three of them pranced around the kitchen in silly abandon, doing their best to stifle their laughter.
“And Merry Christmas to you, too.”
Reese stood at the entrance to the kitchen. Even though he smiled, the lines of fatigue around his eyes told Maggie he hadn’t slept well.
“I hope we didn’t wake you,” she said.
“No, not at all. It’s nice to see some laughing faces this morning.”
“Is Abby still sleeping?” Phyllis asked.
Reese dragged his hand through his hair, making it stand up on end. “Yeah, finally. She made me promise to wake her early so she could spend the day with all of you.”
“We want to be with her, too, but let’s let her sleep a little longer.” Maggie laid her hand on his arm. “Merry Christmas, Reese.”
“Merry Christmas, Maggie.”
To her surprise, he pulled her into his arms for a hug. When he let her go, his eyes were bright with tears. She wished she could do something for him, say something to ease his pain. But there was nothing. The best she could do was to provide a diversion. “Now that you’re here, you can help us. How are you at setting the table?”
He smiled at her, but she could see the effort in it. “Not great, but with some direction from Phyllis I think can do a passable job.”
Phyllis patted his arm wordlessly and then retrieved a pretty tablecloth in Christmas red along with some crystal candlestick holders. As they set the table with Abby’s best china, Maggie poured her pumpkin filling into the unbaked shell.
Reese rubbed his hands together. “I love pumpkin pie. It’s my favorite.”
“Mine, too.” She trimmed the crust with a sharp knife. “I’ll take pumpkin pie over any other kind of dessert, no contest.”
He gave her a strange look that she couldn’t decipher, but she put it down to the stress of Abby’s illness.
“I’m going to check on Abby, see if she’s ready to get up. I gave Paula the day off so she could be with her family.”
“If she needs help getting dressed, give me a shout,” Phyllis said. Reese nodded and left the room.
Maggie slipped her pie into the oven, shoving the turkey to one side to make room. While the oven door was open, she basted the turkey, glad to see the skin turning a golden brown.
“We’re coming along,” she said as she checked her watch. “We should be ready to eat in about an hour, at one o’clock.”
“Why don’t we sit down in the living room for a while? I’ll put on some coffee,” Luke said.
“You two go ahead.” Phyllis banged around a couple of the pots that Maggie had washed and left to dry on the drain board. “I need to put this stuff away.”
Luke looped his arm through hers. “It can wait, Grandma. I need to talk to you about something.”
Sighing, she let him lead her to the living room where he made her sit on the sofa. Maggie sat beside her as Luke went back to the kitchen to make coffee. Phyllis rolled her eyes. “He’s so bossy.”
“I can’t imagine where he gets that bossiness from,” Maggie said with a grin.
“Oh, don’t you start on me, too.” Phyllis’ light-hearted banter faded. “If I keep busy, I don’t have time to remember.”
Maggie clasped her hand. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Phyllis to lose her only child. “I know.”
Luke returned in a few minutes with cups of coffee for each of them. He handed Phyllis a cup and then sat in the upholstered chair opposite her. “Grandma, remember I was telling you that the cottage Maggie’s staying in will soon be needed for guests of the lodge, and—”
“She could stay with me.” Phyllis turned to face Maggie. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since Luke mentioned it. I want you to stay with me. I’ve got all this extra room.”
“I don’t want to make any work for you.” Maggie’s fear was that Phyllis would fuss over her too much. She didn’t need to be cooking and cleaning for her.
“Nonsense. Like I said, I like to be busy. It helps. As would having a lively, young person in the house. Once Luke leaves, the house is going feel very empty.”
Maggie nodded, understanding perfectly. The lodge would feel empty without him, too.
As will my heart.
“It’s only temporary, until I find a place of my own.”
“I know, but there’s no rush.”
“And I insist on paying rent.”
Phyllis’ mouth formed a straight, stubborn line. “Absolutely not. I won’t take your money, so you might as well keep it in your pocket.”
“At least let me pay for groceries.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Phyllis’ stubborn expression told her the answer would be no. Maggie crossed her arms over her chest. Two could play that game. “I’ll pay for groceries, or I’ll find a hotel room to rent somewhere.”
“That’s ridiculous! It would be too expensive.”
“Those are my terms.” Maggie lifted her chin a notch. “Take it or leave it.”
Phyllis puffed out a breath. “Oh, all right. You can pay for groceries.”
“And I’ll help you with housework.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re working all day. I’m at home with nothing to do and all day to do it.”
Maggie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Finally, Phyllis shook her head and rolled her eyes once more. “Okay, fine. You can help with housework.”
Maggie stuck out her hand. “In that case, I believe we have a deal.”
Phyllis shook her hand. “You drive a hard bargain, young lady.”
“What’s this about a bargain?”
Reese wheeled Abby into the living room. She wore a bright blue wrap over a black turtleneck sweater and the familiar red and black plaid blanket across her knees. Despite the thinness of her face, and the dark circles under her eyes that spoke of fatigue and illness, her smile was warm.
Luke kissed his mother on the cheek. “Maggie’s going to move in with Grandma for a while.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Reese nodded. “Sounds like a good solution. Maggie will have a safe, affordable place to live, and Phyllis will have someone to fuss over.”
“I told her she couldn’t fuss.”
Reese laughed. “Good luck with that.”
“I think this calls for a toast. Luke, there’s some sherry in the cupboard above the stove and some sparkling grape juice in the fridge,” Abby said.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Maggie said.
While Luke retrieved the bottles, she found some brandy snifters for the sherry and wine glasses for the sparking grape juice. When she turned to look at Luke, his head was bowed as he leaned over the sink, his arms braced on the surface of the counter. Her heart constricted painfully. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his back. As with Reese, there was nothing she could do or say to make things better. All she could do was hold him and hope her presence gave him some measure of comfort.
Luke turned in her arms and pulled her against him. He buried his face in her neck and clung to her, while she held him and gently smoothed her hand over his back. Seconds later he pulled away, holding her shoulders in his big hands for a moment as he composed himself, his eyes downcast. Then, he sighed and let go. He put the glasses on a tray and carried it into the living room. Maggie followed him, willing herself to smile as if nothing was wrong.
Luke poured the sherry and the sparkling grape juice and handed the glasses around before lifting his in a toast. “To Grandma and Maggie. May you be happy roommates.”
“Hear, hear.”
Maggie watched Luke from under her lashes as she sipped her drink. He did a good job of hiding his feelings in front of his family, but losing his mother was taking a toll. If she could help him by providing a safe place where he didn’t have to pretend his heart wasn’t breaking, then that’s what she’d do.
Once the toasts were done, Maggie and Phyllis excused themselves to put the final touches on dinner. Phyllis bustled around, checking pots on the stove that didn’t need checking and rearranging table settings that were perfectly fine. Maggie knew keeping busy was her way of coping. She’d give her something to do.
“Phyllis, do you think we should have whipped cream with the pie?”
“Yes, I think that would be lovely. Abby loves whipped cream…”
Her voice trailed off. They both knew Abby was unlikely to eat much of anything. Maggie spoke quickly, not wanting her to dwell on her sadness. “I brought some whipping cream. It’s in the fridge.”
Phyllis’ face brightened. “I’ll whip it up. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
She set to work immediately, pulling Abby’s electric mixer from the cupboard. By the time she’d finished, the potatoes were tender and ready to mash. Maggie drained the heavy pot and handed the masher to Phyllis. She pounded away at them as if they were the cancer in her daughter’s body and she could obliterate it by sheer force of will.
If only it were that easy.
Maggie removed the turkey from the oven and set it on a large platter to rest while she made gravy. Once Reese carved the turkey, they’d be ready to eat.
Luke wheeled his mother’s chair to her spot at the end of the table and then poured the wine he’d brought for himself, Maggie and his grandmother. He gave Abby and Reese more sparkling grape. After everyone sat, Abby lifted her glass, her hand trembling slightly.
“I’d like to propose a toast. To us, and the merriest Christmas ever. For this one day, let’s forget about illness and remember how much we love each other and how much we enjoy being together. Reality will come back soon enough, but for today, let’s forget. Merry Christmas.”
The silence was deafening. Maggie should have known Abby would feel the tension all around her and know her family was hurting. Her cancer was the elephant in the room they couldn’t ignore. They needed to address it head on. Maggie touched her wine glass to Abby’s. “I second your toast. Here’s to the merriest Christmas ever, with good food and good friends. Today, let’s only think happy thoughts. On this happiest of days, I say cancer can go fuck itself.”
Reese let out a guffaw and Abby laughed out loud. She covered her mouth with her free hand as it turned into a cough. But she was able to quickly bring the cough under control, for which Maggie was profoundly grateful.
“I’ll drink to that,” Abby said.
Reese lifted his own glass. Maggie hadn’t seen a genuine smile on his face in some time. “I think that’s a toast I can get behind.”
Phyllis shook her head as she touched her glass to Reese’s. “That’s my roommate, potty mouth girl.”
A fresh round of laughter erupted around the table. Sadness dissipated as if a window had been thrown open and a fresh breeze had blown through the house.
From across the table, Luke smiled into her eyes and lifted his glass to her in a silent salute. Maggie raised her glass and saluted back. As Abby said, reality would hit soon enough. For today, she wanted to play a game of pretend where everything was possible, like believing Abby could return to full health.
And Luke would want to stay in Minnewasta with her.
After dinner, they cleared the table and washed the dishes. Luke was pleased his mother felt well enough to dry a few dishes and to tell him where to store them, though she had to remain in her wheelchair to do it. Maggie turned on the TV once more and led them in singing out-of-tune renditions of the Christmas carols being played.
Thank God Maggie was there. If not for her, the day would have been gloomy and unbearable for all of them. Instead, she’d made it a fun celebration.
Once the dishes were done and the food put away, they gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room to open gifts. Luke distributed the packages, and his grandmother and mother were the first to dive in. Maggie hung back, as if she were content to watch the others open their gifts.
There were a lot of oohs and ahs and much laughter as the presents were unwrapped. Maggie seemed pleased and relieved that everyone liked the things she gave them. He knew how important buying the gifts had been to her. For his part, he loved the beautiful hand-knit sweater she gave him. It would provide much needed warmth on a cold winter day—
Once he returned to California, he wouldn’t need such a warm sweater.
But if he stayed… Luke swallowed and closed his eyes. When Maggie discovered the truth about what he’d done, she wouldn’t want him to stay.
With an effort, he pushed the thoughts from his mind. Today was for celebration, not to worry about the future. There’d be plenty of time for that tomorrow.
“You haven’t opened any of your gifts, Maggie,” his mother said.
“Open the one from me first,” his grandmother said, pointing to a flat, rectangular box wrapped in bright red paper.
“Okay.” Maggie slipped her fingers under the tape to open the paper, then opened the lid of the box.
“Oh, Phyllis, this is beautiful.” She pulled a red knitted hat and matching scarf from the box and held it against her cheek. “It’s so soft.” She threw the scarf around her neck and modeled it for his grandmother. “I love it. Thank you.”
His grandmother looked pleased. “You’re welcome. I thought the red would look good with your coloring.”
She was right. The red was the perfect contrast to Maggie’s dark hair and eyes. She would look beautiful in it.
“Why don’t you open the one from Reese and me next?” his mother said. Reese handed her another box.
“I could get used to this,” she said with a laugh. Maggie carefully opened the wrapping paper to reveal a boxed set of knives. She stared at the box but didn’t open it.
“The guy at the restaurant supply store in Minneapolis told me they were the kind of thing a professional chef would use. I hope he wasn’t giving me a line,” Reese said, sounding uncomfortable with Maggie’s continued silence. “I can always take them back and get you something else if they’re not what you want.”
She lifted her head and looked at his stepfather, as a tear trailed down her cheek. “No, they’re perfect, top of the line. I… I can’t believe… I’ve looked at these knives for years, but I haven’t been able to afford anything like them. I can’t let you spend so much money.”
“Nonsense. A good chef should have good tools,” Abby said. “Use them and enjoy them.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Phyllis laughed. “You could start with ‘thank you’.”
Maggie laughed through her tears. “Thank you. So much. You have no idea what this means to me.”
She rose to her feet to hug his mother and Reese. His stepfather framed her face with his big hands and kissed her forehead in an uncharacteristic show of emotion. Maggie had that effect on all of them.
She stooped to give Phyllis a kiss on her cheek before taking her seat again. Phyllis handed her a tissue, and she blew her nose.
“I didn’t expect the waterworks,” she said, dabbing at her eyes.
“And you haven’t opened Luke’s gift yet,” Phyllis said.
She turned to look at him, a half smile on her face. “Am I going to cry again?”
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. That hadn’t been his intention. He only wanted to make her happy and give her some relief. He didn’t want her to blame herself any longer.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, then handed it to her. She hesitated before unwrapping it, giving him a questioning look. His heart hammered as he waited.
“Hurry up! Open it already!” his grandmother said.
“Okay, okay!”
She ripped off the paper and then lifted the lid from the box. He heard her sharp intake of breath before she covered her mouth with her hand. Then, her shocked gaze lifted to his and tears filled her eyes once more.
“Oh-oh. The waterworks again. It must be something good,” Phyllis said.
Everyone, including Maggie, laughed.
“Yes,” she said through her tears, her eyes focused on his. “Very good.”