Tripp steadied the Douglas Fir in the base while Fancie crawled underneath to fasten the pins in the tree stand. Her father sat in his recliner and her mother in a wheelchair at his side, each suggesting Tripp move the tree in a different direction.
“I’m tightening the pins now. If it’s a little crooked, so be it,” Fancie said. “It’ll just fit in with the rest of us.” She scooted out from beneath the tree and stood.
“Are you sure I can let go?” Tripp asked.
“I’m sure.”
Tripp released the tree. It trembled slightly, but remained upright.
“Okay, lights first. I already tested them.” Fancie handed her brother one end of the strand of large antique bulbs.
“You know, we could’ve just gotten a pre-lit artificial tree,” he said.
In unison, Fancie and her parents shouted, “No!”
“Okay, okay. I’m stringing lights. My shoulder’s still a little tender when I stretch.”
“Consider it physical therapy,” Fancie said.
Half an hour later, Fancie and Tripp stood behind their parents, admiring the brightly decorated tree.
“I just love those old lights and ornaments of Grandma Bitsy’s,” Fancie said.
“Me, too, honey.” Her mother reached up to cover the hand Fancie rested on her shoulder.
“Do you think we can bring her home for Christmas day?”
“Best to check with the nurses at the care center. Sometimes it’s more confusing and upsetting for folks to be removed from their familiar environment,” her mother said.
It broke Fancie’s heart to think that their family home would now be an unfamiliar environment for her grandmother. “I’ll talk to them when I go to see her tomorrow.”
“What do y’all say we order pizza?” her father asked.
“Sounds like a plan. We can light a fire and look at the tree,” Fancie said.
“I hope the excitement doesn’t kill me,” muttered her brother.
Later while they sat in the dim light of the fire and the glow of the Christmas tree eating pizza and the salad Fancie made, she said, “I invited my friends to a girls’ night tomorrow night. We’re going to stay out in the cottage.”
“Ashley’s coming?” Tripp asked.
“I hope so. I invited her.” She glanced at her parents. “If that’s okay with the two of you.”
Her mother nodded. “It’s fine. We all have to move on. I hope she’ll come in and say hello. I’m worried that she might think we’re angry with her.”
“I told her you weren’t. If she doesn’t come in, it might be because of her injuries.”
“She sure can’t rely on her looks any longer,” Tripp said.
Fancie flashed him a hard stare. “That’s an awful thing to say. She’s changed, learned from this.”
“You tell her to come in and see us,” her father said. “We want to see that she’s okay, too, and let her know we harbor no hard feelings.” He stared at Tripp. “There will be no unkindness in this house. Understood?”
Tripp pressed his lips together and then responded, “Yes, Sir.”
Fancie carried their plates to the kitchen, put on a pot of decaf and filled bowls with caramel pecan ice cream for dessert. Her thoughts turned to Luke, wondering if he’d already driven to his family home and wondering what his family must be like. She decided they had to be decent and loving to have produced such a gentle, considerate son. He had been honest about his feelings for her and she had done the verbal equivalent of slamming the door in his face. Fight or flight. What if Tripp was right?
~ ~ ~
“You know this isn’t going to be like old times,” Chastity said. “Everything’s changed.”
Fancie finished unpacking the grocery bags into the fridge of the cottage. “There’s an up side and a down side to that. Let’s look at the up side.”
“Y’all are handling this whole thing much better than I am. Doesn’t it bother you the least bit that Ashley is, once again, walking away unscathed with no consequences for her actions.”
Fancie turned and stared at her cousin. “Have you seen her?”
“What, the facial cuts and bruises?”
“Yes. That’s part of it. She’s not the same, Chas. This was a real wake-up call for her. I was angry, too. I wanted to blame someone when my entire family ended up in the trauma unit. But if they can forgive her, so can I. I want us to get through this. I want what’s most important to matter—that we care about each other and that we’ve been friends forever. She screwed up. Thank God no one died. We’ve all made mistakes. And don’t think it was easy for me to get to this point. I was last hold out—well, apparently except for you.”
Chastity pursed her lips. “Really? You want to call this a mistake, like your mistake with Graham?”
“That’s hardly a comparison. Yeah, you’re right. My relationship with Graham was pretty much a train wreck. That’s a mistake I won’t make again. And I believe Ashley’s learned her lesson, too. You know her daddy bought her a brand new Mustang convertible and she hasn’t been inside it once. She can’t even think about driving.”
“Thank God for that. We should post it on a billboard so everyone breathes easier—Ashley Colt is off the road.” Chastity removed a diet soda from the fridge and popped the tab. “Let’s just agree to disagree on the likelihood that Ashley is repentant, hell even aware of the severity of her actions. Let’s have a nice evening.”
Fancie rolled her eyes. “That’s what I said in the first place. I’m going over to the house and get dinner on the table for Mama and Daddy. You want to come?”
“I’ll stay here and put in our pizza order as soon as the others arrive.”
By the time Fancie had dinner set out for her parents and had gotten Tripp to promise to clean up, Charity, Mikayla and Ashley had arrived at the cottage. Fancie walked in to find Mikayla seated on the sofa, Ashley sitting huddled in the recliner looking small and pale, and no sign of her cousins. “Hey, you two.” She walked over and gave Mikayla a hug, then pulled Ashley to her feet and embraced her. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Thank you. I’m not sure Charity and Chas feel the same way.”
“Don’t worry about it. Are they in the kitchen?”
“Please don’t say anything to them. I think I’ll stay for pizza, but then I’d like to go back home. I’ve already asked Mik to take me.”
“I will if that’s what you want, but I’d rather you stay,” Mikayla said.
Fancie gave Ashley another quick hug. “We’ve all been friends for too long to not be able to move past this. I’ll be right back.”
Charity and Chastity stood by the kitchen sink, each with hands on hips, bent forward face to face. “It’s none of our business as long as Aunt Alicia and Uncle James want to let it go,” Charity said.
“None of our business? We’re family, too,” Chastity spat back.
“Yes, and we should be supportive of what our family wants,” Charity countered. She glanced to Fancie. “Am I right?”
Fancie stood and looked at the two of them. “It doesn’t matter who is right. It only matters what is right. Ashley took a hell of a chance coming here. She’s scared to death someone is going to attack her for what happened. Tripp recently reminded me about fight or flight behavior. This isn’t a matter of fighting, but perhaps instead of flight, it means standing with your head up and shoulders back and facing the truth.”
Her cousins looked at each other, frowned, and then both cocked their heads toward her.
“And your point is…?” Chas asked.
“Ashley could have stayed at home, cooped up in her room, and avoided being with us and facing possible anger. But she didn’t. She accepted the invitation and came here to be with us. Have you considered how incredibly brave that is right now? I mean, three of us are family. And her actions hurt some of our family.”
Chastity shook her head. “What the hell are you talking about—fight or flight—head up and shoulders back? She’s not going to war. It’s just us and we’re still a little pissed.” She picked up a tray of glasses and plates and headed through the door to the living room.
Charity grabbed up forks and napkins and the bowl of salad. “Well—that went well.” The doorbell rang and Charity said, “That’s the pizza. I’ll get it.”
Fancie stood alone in the kitchen. What had just happened? She thought she was breaking up an argument that was building steam. Instead, her cousins were fine and looking at her like she was the nut case. Maybe she was. Perhaps she was projecting too much onto both Ashley and her cousins. She shook her head and went into the living room. “I rented Magic Mike.”
“All right. Let’s get this party started. Ash, you want wine?” Chastity asked.
Ashley unfolded in the chair and leaned forward to accept a plate from Chastity. “No, thanks. I’m still taking pain meds and alcohol doesn’t mix.”
Mikayla grinned. “In that case, can you share the meds?”
Laughter erupted and Fancie felt a weight lift from her chest. They were going to be fine.
~ ~ ~
Fancie’s phone vibrated just as the movie reached the end. She stood and slipped from the room. The call was from Luke.
“Hi.”
“Hi. Merry Christmas.” His voice sounded light, relaxed. Normal.
“Merry Christmas. Are you already in Philadelphia?”
“Yes. I got in earlier today. Look, Fancie, I feel bad about my behavior and how we left things.”
“Don’t. It was as much my fault.”
“No, it wasn’t. I waited until I was leaving to spring my feelings on you. It wasn’t fair of me to do that.”
“I over-reacted. You mentioned compromise and my relationship with Graham flashed through my mind.”
“I’d never want to change you, Fancie. I hope you know that. Do you think we can talk more about possibilities? In the future, I mean.”
She took in a deep breath. “I think we can talk.”
Charity came into the kitchen to retrieve the plate of brownies from the counter. She narrowed her eyes and mouthed, “Who are you talking to?”
Fancie mouthed back, “Luke.”
Charity smiled. “Take your time.”
“Fancie?”
“I’m sorry. We’re having a girls’ night and Charity just came in to see what I was doing.”
“We can talk again. I just didn’t want Christmas to arrive without apologizing and making things right between us.”
“I’m sorry, too. And I’m glad you called. I was thinking about you earlier.”
“Yeah?”
She grinned, hearing the smile in his voice. “Yeah. I need to make arrangements to fly up to New Hampshire and pick up my car and my belongings. When will you be back from break?”
“I’m going home on January second.”
“I’ll make arrangements and let you know. Is it okay if I bring one of my cousins along to help with the drive back?”
“Sure. Plenty of room.”
Charity returned to the kitchen to make a pot of decaf. “The girls want coffee with their brownies,” she whispered. “You coming?”
Fancie nodded. “Luke, I have to go.”
“Have fun. I’ll talk to you soon. Goodnight, Fancie.”
“Goodnight. And Merry Christmas.”
Charity grinned and waved a hand in front of her face. “Is it hot in here or is it you?”
“Oh, stop.”
“You can fill us in over brownies and coffee.”
Fancie didn’t look forward to that conversation. She wasn’t ready to talk about whatever was happening between her and Luke. She wasn’t even sure what that was yet. And a part of her wanted to hold it close, keep it to herself until she saw what developed. She sighed and headed to the living room, prepared for a game of verbal dodge ball.
The girls were still talking about the movie. Mikayla fanned a hand in front of her face. “Now that is one sexy man.”
“Speaking of sexy men, I have a date for New Year’s Eve with Shelby Dawson,” Charity said with a broad grin.
“You go, girl,” Mikayla high-fived her. “When did this happen?”
“He came into the shop the other day to get some cards printed for his business. We talked and the next thing I knew he was asking me to go a party for New Year’s.”
“Where?” Fancie asked.
“I don’t know. Some friends of his in Starkville. Who cares? It’s Shelby Dawson.” Charity turned to Ashley. “Hey, didn’t Ben go to school with Shelby?”
Ashley shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Call him and ask so I can get some background on Shelby.”
“It’s late,” Ashley said.
“It’s not that late. And if he sees the call’s from you, he’ll answer. Come on,” Charity pressed.
“I’m not going to call Ben. Just drop it. Okay?” Ashley’s voice level rose a notch.
The women sat in stunned silence for a moment.
“Ash, did something happen?” Fancie asked.
Ashley’s lower lip trembled and her eyes filled. She drew her hair back and exposed the angry red scar that ran down the side of her face. “This happened. You should have seen the look on his face when he came to the hospital. And all he did was yell at me about my driving. I told him to go away. I gave him back the ring.”
“Oh, Ash. I’m so sorry.”
“He didn’t argue.” She sniffled. “He didn’t even try to convince me I was misreading him. He just took the ring and left. And I can’t blame him. I’m hideous.”
Fancie’s heart broke for her friend. Hot anger filled her as she thought of how easily Ben walked away when Ashley needed him the most. She sat on the arm of the chair and placed a hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “You’re not hideous. And Ben’s no better than pond slime to walk away from when you need him.”
“I don’t blame him,” Ashley insisted.
“Well, I do,” Mikayla growled. “The self-centered, spineless s.o.b.”
Ashley held up a hand. “Stop. Look, I get it. Y’all are my friends and care about me, so you defend me. Maybe this accident is meant to be a wake-up call for me, show me what’s most important. I don’t want to talk about Ben any longer.”
Charity nodded. “Good. Then perhaps we can talk about Luke.” She settled her gaze directly on Fancie’s face.
Mikayla looked from Charity to Fancie. “What about Luke?”
Fancie told them about the date with Luke the night before he left and about his phone call earlier. “I don’t want to rush into another relationship too fast. While I was in New Hampshire, I realized how I’d let Graham change me. I need to get my self back first.”
Charity nodded. “We’re not suggesting you marry him tomorrow. But don’t shut him out because you’re afraid of what might happen. You’re convinced the worst will happen. But what if it turns out to be something wonderful? You want to miss that?”
“No. I also don’t want to foster the notion that I have to have a man in my life to be happy. I like Luke and, if something’s meant to be, it will be.”
“Good. Then you go to New Hampshire. You talk. You spend time together. And you see how things go. You have to pick up your car anyway.” Charity yawned. “We need to figure out sleeping arrangements. I’m beat.”
“I should probably go home,” Ashley said, unfolding herself from the over-sized recliner. “I’m not in a very good frame of mind for partying.”
“Honey, this is far from being a party,” Mikayla said. “It’s just us and there are no rules about how you have to feel to be here. You need a room to yourself or you want company?”
“I’m fine alone,” Ashley said. Then she looked at each of their faces. “I just love y’all, you know that, right?”
Fancie wrapped her arms around Ashley. One by one, the other women joined in a massive group hug.
After settling Ashley on an air bed in the small den and Charity and Mikayla in the master bedroom, Fancie curled into the big recliner. Chastity occupied the sofa.
“Chas, can you get away for four or five days after the first of the year?”
“Probably. Why?”
“I need to fly to New Hampshire and I’d like to have someone with me for the drive back. I’ll buy the plane tickets.”
“If we go over a weekend, like Thursday through Monday, I could take a few days off. When?”
“Whatever works best for your schedule. Check it out and let me know.”
“You danced around that conversation about Luke and the phone call. So there is something going on between you two?”
She sighed. “I think there could be.”
“Sure you want me around when you go up there?”
“I’m sure. I meant what I said about moving slowly. Luke and I mostly need to talk.”
Chastity snorted. “That would be unfortunate.”
“We’re still getting to know one another. I don’t want to rush something, especially a long distance relationship.”
“Fine. I’ll take a good book and make myself invisible.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
A pillow sailed through the air and landed on Fancie’s chest. Chastity snickered.
Fancie laid back in the over-sized recliner, hugged the pillow and closed her eyes. Memories of the evenings she’d spent here with Luke danced through her brain. No more flight for her, except the flight to New Hampshire. Luke was not Graham. She was not the same woman who’d been engaged to Graham. Luke cared about her and respected her, and she trusted him when he said he didn’t want to change her. She smiled and snuggled down beneath her blanket.