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FRANNIE PACED THE FLOOR of her studio. It was one thing to announce that she was going back to work; it was another to actually do it. She’d spent a few hours yesterday working on the concept piece for Galen’s new series, but it wasn’t co-operating. She’d then allowed herself some time to play with a design for the game. No luck there either, so she’d come back to the book series. What she’d done so far was technically correct, but her whereas her illustrations usually leaped off the page with life and action, this one just lay there, dull and lifeless.
“This isn’t working,” she said aloud and picked up the watering can. It had become her habit to tend to her plants when she was blocked, but at this rate she was going to drown them. Maybe Shayna had time for a quick coffee break. If not, she’d swing by the grocery store to replenish her empty refrigerator.
Shayna was busy when she arrived, giving Frannie the opportunity to observe her friend. Shayna had changed since meeting Benny. It was hard to pinpoint, but Frannie had always been observant, and she noted a lilt to her friend’s voice, and an added sparkle in her eyes. For the first time in ages, her friend’s interests went beyond managing the store, and it showed. After all these years Shayna deserved some happiness and Frannie silently thanked Benny.
She was still daydreaming when Shayna spotted her. “Hey, you. Are you just going to stand there all day?” Her friend approached and corny as it seemed, she appeared to have stars in her eyes.
“Sorry, Shay. I was thinking how happy you look.”
“I am. Benny and I have been spending a lot of time talking on the phone. I can’t get over the things we’ve shared.”
“I’m happy for you, I really am. When will you see him again?”
“That depends on you.”
“You’ll have to back up a bit. Why me?”
Shayna looked back inside the store and motioned to Leona. “Come on, let’s go grab a coffee at the Food Court.”
They were soon settled at a table, a plate of mincemeat tarts between them.
“Thanks Shay, but I don’t like mincemeat.” Frannie waited while her friend devoured two tarts. “Now what were you saying?”
“I’m flying to Vancouver tomorrow and Benny wants you to come.”
Frannie was afraid to hope, but she had to ask. “Benny wants me to go to Vancouver?”
Shayna rolled her eyes. “Don’t start repeating everything I say. You know how I hate that.”
“Then be more specific. Why does he want me to go to Vancouver?”
“Because Galen is miserable. Benny keeps telling him to call you but Galen says you told him not to call.”
“Yeah, but...”
“But what? Did you think he was going to somehow read your mind and go against your wishes?”
“I don’t know.”
“You guys are hopeless, you know that?” Shayna didn’t give her a chance to respond. “Okay, here’s the deal. Apparently there’s a Christmas party tomorrow that Galen is attending. Benny thought maybe you could surprise him and then the four of us will go out to dinner after. Benny wants to take us all to his favorite dim sum restaurant.”
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “But I do love me some dim sum.”
Shayna groaned. “Stop pretending. You want to see him again.”
A smile lit Frannie’s face. “Yes, I do.”
“Does that mean you’ll come with me?”
“How are we going to get there?”
“We’ll fly. It’s the best way.”
“Okay, I guess. I’ve always gone on the ferry, but if you say so.”
“I say so. Be ready at ten thirty.”
* * *
“THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG.” Frannie looked down on Stanley Park as the floatplane soared over the Lion’s Gate Bridge. “We’re here already.”
The high rise condos of the West End gave way to the office towers of the downtown area as they approached the landing area. The pilot held the aircraft a few feet above the water until the last minute and then set it down on the waters of Vancouver Harbor.
Benny was waiting for them at the floatplane dock.
“Thanks for coming,” he said as he took Frannie’s overnight bag. Then he turned to Shayna and gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek. “Hello you,” he said, his eyes shining.
“Hello yourself.” She tilted her head toward Frannie. “I got her this far. The rest is up to you.”
Benny provided running commentary as they drove through the downtown canyons of the city.
“Where are we going?” asked Frannie, feeling hemmed in by the tall buildings.
“The party is at the Trout Lake Community Center, but we’re a bit early so I thought we’d do a little sightseeing on the way.”
“That would be nice.” Frannie thought for a moment. “A Community Center? What kind of party is it?”
Benny grinned at Shayna and then glanced back toward Frannie. “You’ll see.”
She shrugged. “Okay.” There was too much to see for her to concern herself with the party venue. Besides, Galen’s presence was all that mattered. Benny took them through Yaletown, and then threaded his way through the traffic of Granville Island before breaking free and heading for Trout Lake.
The parking lot of the sprawling modern building was almost full when they arrived. A few cars were still arriving and Frannie noticed families scurrying to enter.
They followed more sedately and Frannie paused to read a sign in the lobby.
“Trout Lake Community Center welcomes you to our 3rd Annual Children’s Christmas Party” the sign proclaimed. Her gaze was drawn to Galen’s picture along with two others and her jaw almost dropped open. “Sponsored by Brad Lyon, Sarah Ames and Connor Sheridan. TLCC thanks these amazing authors for their generosity.”
“A children’s party!” Frannie’s delight was obvious. She turned to Benny “And Galen is a sponsor?”
Benny grinned proudly. “He started it, actually. He and the other two authors consider it their literacy project. They donate tons of books and they also raise money for gifts.” He opened the door. “Santa should be here somewhere.”
The huge room was brightly decorated. A large tree occupied one corner and Frannie spotted a Santa deep in conversation with a young boy. Activities were underway all around the room and she noticed the smiles on the faces of the adults as they assisted with the games and activities. She paused at one table to watch youngsters decorating cookies and at the next table, a young girl proudly held up a Christmas tree decoration she’d just created. In a quiet corner, someone was reading a story, surrounded by surprisingly attentive children. As the scope of the effort began to sink in, her eyes grew bright with tears. “I was right,” she said softly. “I don’t know him. I don’t know him at all.”
“Frannie?”
She turned.
“Thank you for –” he bent his knees and looked into her eyes. “You’re crying.” He pulled a crisp white handkerchief out of his pocket, tilted up her chin and dabbed at her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Yes.” Fresh tears ran down her cheeks and she looked around the room. “It’s just so perfect. I can’t believe you started all this.”
He ducked his head. “I had a lot of help, but it’s turned out well.”
She wasn’t ready to look at him yet. “Where are your books?”
He pointed across the room where a cluster of teenagers crowded around a table. “Over there. Would you like to meet Sarah and Connor? They both admire your illustrations.”
“Maybe later.” She took his handkerchief and wiped her face. “Sorry about the tears. I must look terrible.”
“You look beautiful to me.” The longing in his voice was unmistakable. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He glanced around the busy room. “Will you come with me? I’d like to talk to you where it’s a bit more private.”
She nodded and followed him out into the now deserted lobby. They found a padded bench which was partly hidden behind a Christmas tree.
He took both of her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “Can you forgive me Frannie? There’s no excuse for what I did, but there’s a reason, even if it’s a feeble one.”
She reached out to touch his lips. “It’s okay,” she whispered.
“No,” he said, opening her hand and placing a kiss in her palm. “It’s not okay. You see, I’ve never really gotten over that horrid author thing where we’re absolutely sure the next book is going to be a flop.”
“You? I find that hard to believe.”
He gave her a wry smile. “It’s true. And when you said you hadn’t read my books, that you couldn’t get past the character names, it all came back to me. The soaring hope that someone will like your work followed by the crushing knowledge that you’ll fade into obscurity, and that no one will ever read what you’re written.”
“But Galen, you’re one of the most successful authors in your field.”
He broke eye contact and looked away. “What if my best work is behind me?”
“Galen,” she said, “I have enough confidence in you for both of us. You never need to worry about losing your edge.”
He looked at her curiously. “But you don’t even read my stuff.”
She laughed at him. “I don’t need to, you silly man. I just realized I know you better than you know yourself.”
His eyes widened as her words started to sink in. “Then you know how miserable I’ve been. Can we start over again?” He pulled her to her feet and they started to walk back into the activity room.
“I’m not sure.” She stopped in the doorway and looked up at the mistletoe hanging over their heads. “I rather like the idea of going back in time.”
He let out a shout of joy and gathered her in his arms. “With pleasure, young lady.”
She raised her lips for the kiss she’d been longing for all these years.
It was worth the wait.
