As luck would have it, George didn’t call back Thursday, choosing to ring Lily as she was getting out of the car to attend the art workshop on Friday morning. She leaned against the door, while she explained her concerns about Wendy being left with no financial support and asked several questions about the status of the case.
Lily had a natural distrust of lawyers, but had worked with some wonderful ones, and after talking with George, judged him to be a straight-shooter. After chatting and confirming what she feared, she hurried to the classroom.
The instructor, Eva, was upbeat and excited to introduce the small group of women to the joys of mosaics. After introductions, Lily and her tablemate, Amy, both newbies to mosaics, admired the frames along the window, with the light shining through them. The class would be making small suncatchers using sea glass stones.
Along with those displayed in the window, including samples of each of the patterns they could choose from in class, Eva had several large pieces of her work hung on the wall. Lily was drawn to a scene of a curved beach with tall trees in the background, and another of a bridge over a river inside a huge frame. She studied the colors of the glass used in the sea and river and visualized all her aunt’s jars and the possibilities.
Eva explained about the various types of adhesives and the silicone one she recommended that went on white, but dried clear. She supplied several patterns they could choose from for their projects, which were eight by ten inches. Eva suggested they use paper to draw a pattern that could be placed under the glass to guide them if they chose to make their own projects at home.
She demonstrated how to use a picture frame and went through the preparation process to get it ready for a mosaic, removing all the hardware from the back of the frame, painting it, if needed, cleaning the glass, and running a bead of silicone along the edges of it to secure it. Eva had prepared all the frames for them in advance, so they didn’t have to wait for the silicone to dry.
As she showcased several of her designs, she explained that making mosaics was something she took up after losing her daughter. They had shared time at the beach and collected sea glass, and it was her way of feeling close to her daughter and occupying her mind. Her distraction soon became a beloved hobby and almost a meditative experience, and now she enjoyed sharing it with her students.
She pointed out the trays of sea glass on each table, already separated by color, and urged those who collected sea glass to set up containers that would allow them to divide pieces by color for easy storage and use.
Lily chose the lighthouse pattern and set about selecting her colors of glass. Eva pointed out some basics about design, including keeping pieces in smaller frames small, since the more pieces of sea glass, the richer the mosaic would look. She also highlighted some pieces of broken pottery and small rocks she sometimes incorporated in designs. She showed them how to secure the pattern to the back of the frame with tape and then let them begin choosing glass pieces. Amy selected a pattern of several flowers on stems, that left much of the plain glass uncovered. She was afraid she wouldn’t work quickly enough to fill the entire frame.
Eva emphasized going slowly and mapping out their pattern by placing pieces that fit together nicely before gluing anything. Lily loved the feel of the smooth pieces of glass and went about selecting the colors of blue and green for the water and sky, the milky white for the lighthouse, browns and ambers for the earth, a larger oval white piece for a cloud in the blue sky, and even a yellow piece to add a light at the top of the lighthouse.
Eva stressed the importance of being neat and sparing with the adhesive, so they didn’t have to go back and clean up the glass with a glass scraper. Lily’s mind relaxed as she placed tiny bits of glass here and there, lining them up until she was happy. Eva stood over her shoulder to help guide her when she started the gluing process. Lily worked for hours, until she was over half done with the frame. She needed a break from hunching over and dashed to the café for a quick sandwich.
When she came back into the classroom, Eva was helping another student clean up a mess of glue before the woman took her lunch break. Lily stood and admired the samples of Eva’s work. “You’ve inspired me, Eva. My aunt left a ton of sea glass she had collected and I’ve been wondering what to do with it. She also made mosaics and jewelry.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I find it so soothing and love taking photos of the area and recreating them with glass.” She was interrupted by another student, and Lily went back to her table, determined to finish so she could get home in plenty of time to change and be ready when Mac arrived.
Amy finished soon after the lunch break, and Eva showed the class the back of the frame, where blobs of white silicone were visible. “These will dry, so just leave your frame overnight, sometimes longer, until all the white disappears. Then, it will be ready to hang. The small ones can hang on a suction cup on the window easily. I like to run a wire across the frame and hang it with a wire, so it’s secure. They look so pretty with the sun shining through them.”
She reminded everyone she would stay until four o’clock and help anyone who was struggling to finish. Amy gathered her things and left, leaving Lily more room at the table. She had all her glass placed and just needed to finish gluing it. A quick glance at her watch told her she had plenty of time.
She put the last of the blue glass in the sky and chose a small rock to add to the corner on the back of the frame, with the date and her name, like Eva had suggested. Lily had never been crafty, or had the time to dedicate to anything like this. She admired her creation, picturing it hanging in the window at home. She’d have to stop by the store and pick up some more frames. Sorting through all that glass and finding some designs would keep her busy over the slow months. Maybe Mel and Wendy would like to try it with her.
Eva complimented her on her work and gave her a business card in case she needed more help before wishing her goodbye. Lily placed the frame in the back of the car, using the bubble wrap Eva had given them and drove home, feeling more relaxed and accomplished than she had all week.
She carried it into her bedroom and put it in the window seat to dry before taking the dogs outside for a quick walk. She knew Mel had taken them on a morning outing, but felt guilty for leaving them home all day. While she knew so many people thought of them as “just dogs,” to her they were much more. They brought so much joy to her life and she wanted to make sure they had as much fun as possible. They needed some exercise before she left them again for the tree lighting festivities.
They walked the blocks around the neighborhood, before returning home in time to eat their dinner and for her to change clothes. After fixing her hair and touching up her face, she surveyed her closet. She chose a black shirt topped with a black sweater with silver metallic threads, along with jeans, her warm boots, and silver jewelry. She took one more look in the mirror before adding her alpaca scarf and warm winter jacket. Between all her layers, she hoped to be warm no matter what the weather did. She made sure her gloves were in her pocket and added some cash, a credit card, and her keys.
The dogs rushed to the door and she knew Mac had arrived before the bell rang. He greeted the dogs with ear rubs and chin scratches, and treated Lily to a dazzling smile. “You ready?”
She promised the dogs she’d be back soon and locked the door. He led her to the waiting car. “You look sparkly and beautiful tonight,” he said, making sure she was inside before shutting the door.
As soon as he got behind the wheel, he turned toward her. “How was your class?”
Warmth surged through her, happy that he remembered and cared enough to ask. “It was lots of fun. I think I’ve found a new hobby and a way to use Aunt Maggie’s sea glass. I’m going to set up a small table downstairs and work in front of the windows. It’s quite relaxing, almost therapeutic.”
He found a parking spot a block from the main street and the parade route. They wandered along the waterfront to Sunrise Coffee, where they stopped to get a warm drink and say hello to Mel. The place was packed and they squeezed into the line of people waiting to order.
Lily stood on her tiptoes to get a glimpse of Mel at work. She was at the register, wearing antlers that lit up, keying in orders and handling transactions with ease, in the midst of the crowd of customers. She and her co-workers were joking and smiling with each other and customers as they worked nonstop to crank out fancy coffees and hot chocolates. When they finally arrived at the front of the line, Mel’s eyes widened when she looked up to greet them.
Mac ordered hot chocolates, and Lily watched him slip a twenty-dollar tip into the jar. “Has it been this busy all day?” she asked, as Mel finished running Mac’s card.
“Just the last hour or so. People getting here early for the parade and stuff. The manager is treating us to pizza tonight to thank us for our hard work. I can still give Wendy a ride and then come back.”
Lily shook her head. “No, we’ll pick her up. You just enjoy yourself. We’ll be done with dinner by eight, so it’s no problem.” She pointed at the top of Mel’s head. “Love those antlers.” Mel waved and smiled as Lily and Mac moved down the counter to wait for their order and the next customer stepped to the register.
Mac nodded in Mel’s direction. “What a difference a job and school have made. She looks so happy and does a great job keeping things organized.”
“I’m so glad she has found her place in the world. She’s a special young woman.” Mac’s name was announced by a young man with an elf hat and apron, and they took their drinks and went outside.
They strolled along the crowded sidewalks, making their way toward the fountain, where they found an empty bench. “We’ll have to pick Wendy up at eight-thirty.” She went on to tell him she had talked to George today just as her class was starting. “I wasn’t sure if Wendy could trust him or what was actually going on, so offered to talk to him. I know she’s overwhelmed.”
He listened as she explained that there was no property in Wendy’s name. Everything went through the company and she was not an officer. “On the plus side, she can’t be implicated in any of the wrongdoing, which sounds like a solid case with Chad’s partner flipping on him and leaving him to take the brunt of the punishment.” She took a swallow from her cup. “Not that the jerk doesn’t deserve it. He had been cheating people and laundering money. It’s not going to end well for him.” She blew out a long breath. “Wendy was laying a guilt trip on me last night because Uncle Leo left me the cottages and she spent all the money he left her on a charter yacht vacation.”
He shook his head. “You two are really very different, you know that?”
She chuckled. “Oh, yeah. I’m not sure why, but she changed when she hooked up with Chad. Their entire life seemed to revolve around money and extravagance.” She sighed and added, “Gary and I didn’t have that problem.”
She finished her hot chocolate. “Bottom line, George doesn’t have much hope since all the assets are frozen until the case is adjudicated, but suspects it will all be seized. He mentioned Chad’s sister as a possible source of help for Wendy, so I’m going to ask her about that idea. George said Chad would like to see Wendy, but knows it would be a hardship for her to fly back there and suggested his sister might be willing to help and give her a place to stay.”
“What do you think she wants to do?”
Lily shook her head. “She just wants it all to be a bad dream. I don’t think she understands this isn’t temporary. She was complaining about her job and I don’t see her hanging in for the long haul. I just don’t know. I made the mistake of telling her Cyndy invited her to her stocking party and that set her off, because she has to work, of course.”
“It’s a rude awakening, when you’ve led a totally different lifestyle, I’m sure. We could include her in our dinner plans, but I don’t think I’ll be able to change the reservation. It’s always busy on tree lighting night.”
She shook her head. “No, but I’ll see if I can order her something to go. Cheer her up a bit.”
The parade started and their conversation was drowned out by the loudspeaker announcing the local high school band, along with holiday entries from various groups and shops. The streets were filled with people enjoying the floats and music, along with the festive elves handing out cookies and candy canes.
Santa, riding in a sleigh, brought up the rear of the parade and took his place on a red velvet chair next to the tree. The mayor stood on a stage and welcomed the crowd to their annual celebration, leading everyone in a few Christmas carols before counting down to the lighting of the huge tree that stood in the square.
Lily gasped and the crowd erupted with cheers and whistles when the glow of the tree filled the square. Children began lining up to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. She leaned next to Mac and whispered in his ear. “It’s so beautiful. What a great night.” They stood, letting the wonder of it all wash over them, before leaving the square. Lily held onto Mac’s arm, as he forged his way through the throng of people to the block one street away, where they could escape the crowd.
They could hear the choir singing as they walked away from the square toward the restaurant along the waterfront. There was a cool breeze coming off the water and Lily was thankful for a seat in the restaurant and the warmth of the fire that filled the space.
She scanned the menu and made her choice, requesting an order of the salmon with vegetables to go. Her glance out the window was rewarded with several boats decked out in Christmas lights, getting in the spirit of the celebration. Mac followed her gaze and tapped the window. “They’re having a Christmas boat parade tomorrow night.”
After another superb meal, they lingered over tea while they waited for Wendy’s order, not wanting it to be cold when they picked her up from work. “I thought you, Kevin, and Mel could come over one day for a little surprise I’ve got in mind. We could do a meal, whatever works around Mel’s schedule on a weekend.”
“Sure, we’d love that. Now, I’m curious.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “What kind of surprise?”
“The secret kind.” He laughed and winked at her.
The waiter delivered the check and Lily grabbed it before Mac could, adding her card to it. “I insist, plus you don’t need to buy Wendy’s meal.”
“I’m happy to do it, really. It’s wonderful to have someone to share things with.” He reached for her hand. “I’ve missed that and want you to know how much you mean to me, Lily. I haven’t been this happy in a very long time.”