We have to get our tree,” Beth said. “I was thinking you could meet me after work today.”
Andrew’s body was sitting across from Beth at the breakfast table, but his mind was miles away, running on adrenaline. He simply couldn’t focus. There was too much to process, too much to try to figure out.
He’d only managed one tiny bite of bagel, and Beth had been forced to intervene to stop him from pouring orange juice on his cereal. Food was the last thing on his mind at the moment, and getting a Christmas tree ranked only a half notch above.
“Earth to Andrew,” Beth said.
Andrew looked at her as if suddenly realizing she was there. “Yeah, sure,” he said.
Beth smiled. “What did I say?”
“We need to get a tree.”
“So? Can you meet me after work?”
Andrew noticed a dabble of cream cheese on her upper lip and suddenly wanted to kiss it away. “No,” he said.
Beth winced. He hadn’t meant to bark it out like that. “I mean, I have a better idea. A much better idea.”
“Oh?” Beth said. “This I have to hear.”
Andrew took her hands. “How about if I don’t go to work at all?”
“Who are you?” Beth said. “And what have you done with my real husband?”
“I’m serious,” Andrew said. “I want this to be the greatest Christmas weekend of your life, the most amazing three days of our marriage.”
Beth gave him a dubious look, and he pressed on. “Really, Beth. This weekend is all about you. Whatever you want, whatever you need, I will do everything in my power to provide it.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I mean it. I want you to think very, very hard. Where would you like to go this weekend? And think big. We can go anywhere in the world. Paris. Tahiti. Name it, and I’ll book it.”
“What about your work?”
“Forget about my work. I’ve got vacation days stacked up since 2010.”
“There’s a reason for that, honey,” Beth said. “Work is the most important thing in the world to you.”
“You’re the most important thing in the world to me,” Andrew said. “Maybe I haven’t always acted that way, but I’m trying to change. Won’t you help me?”
Andrew’s iPhone vibrated on the table. Beth picked it up, saw who was calling.
“Your office,” she said. “Knew this was too good to be true.”
Andrew took the phone from her and switched it off. Beth gave an exaggerated gasp. “Honey, did you hit your head or something? Or—I know—you were visited by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come!”
Andrew smiled. “Kind of. The point is, it’s Christmas, and I’m spending the weekend with my wife. So, have you decided where you want to go?”
“Let me be sure I have this straight,” Beth said. “You’ll take me anywhere in the world I want to go? My choice?”
“Anywhere,” Andrew said.
Penn Station was teeming with holiday travelers. Andrew and Beth worked their way through a bustling terminal decked out with a twenty-foot Christmas tree, poinsettias, and giant plastic candy canes.
Beth tugged Andrew over to the big black departure board near the top of the escalators. He watched his wife scan the dozens of destinations. She seemed positively giddy.
“I don’t think we can get to Paris from here,” Andrew said.
“Good,” Beth said. “Because I don’t want to go to Paris.” She pointed up to the board. “There it is! My dream destination.” Andrew followed her finger and spotted two familiar words.
“River Falls?” he said. “Seriously, Beth?”
Beth smiled at him and took his hand. “Seriously. You said my choice, and that’s where I want to go.”
Andrew smiled. “I said think big. A trip to the library’s bigger than this.”
“You made the rules, buddy.”
“Okay, then. Stop your grousing and let’s go!” Andrew shook his head and stepped up to the ticket booth. “Two tickets to River Falls, please.”
A light snow was falling on River Falls, Pennsylvania, when the three o’clock train from New York City pulled into the station. Beth was the first one on the platform when the doors opened, leaving Andrew to grab the luggage.
“Andrew, hurry!”
A moment later Andrew lumbered out, toting the bags. He watched as Beth performed a joyful pirouette on the snow-dusted platform, Alice arriving in Wonderland. “I can’t believe we’re here!” she said. “Home. The sweetest spot on earth!”
Andrew forced a smile. River Falls was not such a sweet spot for him. When they moved to Manhattan, he shook the dust of this one-horse town off his feet and never looked back.
But Beth, who had never gotten over her homesickness, jumped at the chance to come home for Christmas. Suddenly Andrew felt guilty for not bringing her back before now.
Beth threw her arms around him. “Thank you for this!”
“You’re welcome,” Andrew said.
Lionel had told him that he couldn’t change his wife’s fate. But what if she could change it? What if Beth refused to go back to New York? What if she was nowhere near that street at 11:58 on Christmas Eve?
An ember of hope flickered into flame. Maybe there was a chance.
Beth let go of him and danced away. “C’mon, let’s get checked in so we can go exploring!”
Ten minutes later the only taxi in town rolled up outside the River Falls Inn, a charming old three-story house that was converted to a bed-and-breakfast some fifty years back. The lethargic cabdriver hoisted his bulky frame out of the driver’s seat with such effort it seemed as if he hadn’t stood up in weeks. He shuffled slowly back to the trunk, being overly cautious of the ice patches. He groaned as he lifted out the luggage. Beth snatched the fare from Andrew and slipped it into the driver’s hand, tacking on a ten spot for good measure.
“Here you go,” she said. “Keep the change.” The driver stared at the extra cash and then turned to stare at her.
“I know you,” he said. “You’re Beth McCarthy.”
Beth beamed. “I am,” she said. “What’s your name?”
“Larry. Larry Miller.”
“Larry! Of course! I didn’t recognize you!” She gave him a hug. “Andrew, remember Larry? He was a freshman when we were seniors.”
The truth was, Andrew didn’t even come close to remembering him. But he stuck out his hand. “Hey there, Larry.”
Larry nodded to Andrew and shook his hand, but his eyes stayed focused on Beth. “Beth, do you remember my fifteenth birthday?” the cabbie said. His eyes lit up, and a boyish grin spread across his homely face.
Beth thought for a moment. “Yes, I do. It was at your house. Your mom made spaghetti.”
Larry’s grin widened. “I invited pretty much everybody at school. You were the only one to show up.”
“Really, Larry?” Beth said. “I don’t remember that.”
“It’s true,” the cabbie said. “My mother talked about you until the day she died. She said you were the kind of girl any guy would be lucky to marry. She said you had class.”
Larry turned his gaze on Andrew. “I wasn’t exactly Mr. Popularity in high school,” he said. “But your wife here didn’t care. She treated me like I was somebody.” Larry handed the fare and tip back to Andrew. “This one’s on me. You folks enjoy your stay, now. And if you need any more rides, you just call ole Larry.”
“Thanks,” Andrew said. He grabbed the bags as Larry tipped his hat to Beth.
“Good to see you again.”
Beth smiled. “You too, Larry.” Then Larry climbed back in his taxi and drove back toward the train station.
“That was sweet,” Beth said.
“Yeah,” Andrew said.
Beth snatched her suitcase from him. “Well, come on! Time’s a wastin’.”
Andrew forced a smile. “That it is,” he said. “That it is.”