Chistmas Ever After (22 page)

She left the elevator, walking rapidly down the quiet hallway, smelling coffee and disinfectant. As she approached Jason’s room, Nurse Flanders came toward her from the opposite direction. They immediately recognized each other and stopped outside Jason’s room. Jennifer noticed that the door was closed.

“Merry Christmas!” Jennifer said, brightly. “You’re working a lot of hours.”

Nurse Flanders looked concerned and waited a moment before speaking. “Merry Christmas. Yes. We’re short-staffed.”

“So how is Jason this morning?”

Nurse Flanders folded her arms. “He passed all his tests with flying colors. The doctors, of course, still don’t understand it.”

“May I see him?”

“He’s been released.”

“Released?”

“Yes, his father came and got him early this morning. He said they had a lot to do before Christmas dinner with his fiancée’s family. He said they were all going to East Hampton for a few days. Her family has a house there.”

The hand that was carrying the rose dropped suddenly to Jennifer’s side. A single petal fell to the floor. “Oh…” Jennifer said, weakly.

“Did you know they were engaged?”

“Yes… I…” Jennifer’s voice trailed off into silence. “How was Jason?”

“He asked about you.”

Jennifer looked up, pleased. “Did he?”

“Yes, he told his father that he couldn’t leave, because you were coming back to see him.”

“What did his father say?”

“He didn’t say anything. But Jason kept repeating it, while his father dressed him and gathered up his things. Finally, his father told him that you fully intended to see him and that maybe someday you would.”

“And… Jason accepted that?” Jennifer asked.

Nurse Flanders shook her head slowly. “No, he didn’t. He pouted and insisted that he wasn’t going to leave until you showed up.”

“How long ago did they leave?”

“About two hours ago.”

Jennifer’s shoulders dropped.

“Jennifer… it is Jennifer, isn’t it?”

Jennifer nodded.

“Working in a hospital, I see so many things. So many things I wish I could change. So many things happen and I don’t understand why they happen or why things are the way they are, but I have learned one thing: miracles do happen, and sometimes they catch me off-guard. A visit from a friend, a phone call, a poem written, a song sung, a firm commitment to finding a cure for a difficult illness. They’re all miracles because someone cared—someone reached out. You and Jason—you and Alex—love at first sight. Don’t you think?”

Jennifer smiled. “Jason thinks I saved his life, but, in fact, he saved mine.”

A bell rang from a patient’s room. “I’ve got to go, Jennifer,” Nurse Flanders said. “Have a wonderful holiday.”

Nurse Flanders started off down the hallway, then stopped and turned. “Oh, by the way, on the way out, I heard Jason tell his father that he would find you again.”

Jennifer managed a brief smile. “Thank you.”

Nurse Flanders entered another room.

Jennifer looked at the closed door to Jason’s old room, thought for a moment, then opened it and went inside. She closed it gently, adjusted her eyes to the bright sunlight and took in the quiet surroundings: the empty walls where Jason’s drawings had hung, the bare windowsill, devoid of cards, the empty bed.

She could see Jason’s large eyes, hopeful, pleading with her to return. She could still feel his warm, springy little body against hers; feel that sense of peace that comes with being wanted, and belonging to someone.

She saw Alex, with all that hair, and the passion and enthusiasm of a mad poet, gripping her shoulders, staring at her with those burning eyes. It would have been a daring life, a leap off a tall cliff, but one she would have relished. She hadn’t been ready last night. Now she was. She was ready to take that leap, but it was too late.

How do you forget those who enter your life with the quiet force of spring and change your inner landscape so completely, change the cold, seemingly unconquerable voices of winter into sighs of hope, recognition and longing?

She stepped toward the bed, paused for a moment, remembering thankfully all that they had done for her, then slowly, she laid the third rose on the bed. A moment later, she turned and left the room.

Jennifer walked easily back to The Plaza Hotel, delighting in the decorated windows, the bright blue sky and the fresh air. She found a diner that was open and went in, joining others at the crowded counter, people dressed in flannel shirts, or cozy sweaters, corduroy pants and colorful hats. The red vinyl booths were stuffed with families and friends, all grins and zeal, plunging into pancakes, waffles and bagels, sharing stories of shopping, theater and restaurants. They all looked so happy—so content to be with each other.

Hunger gnawed at her stomach. She couldn’t remember ever being so hungry. She ordered pancakes, eggs and bacon, with coffee—two cups of coffee. She ate slowly, savoring each bite, while the silver Christmas tree in the corner blinked and dazzled, and the music coming from overworked ceiling speakers scratched out a variety of Christmas carols. It was the perfect place to be, sharing the simplicity of the diner and her splendid breakfast with other tourists, New Yorkers and the two waiters, who wore Santa Claus hats and handed out candy canes to the children. Jennifer didn’t feel isolated or lonely; on the contrary, she felt comfortable and connected to them all, as if they were good friends, sitting in her own dining room.

An elderly man, seated on the stool to her left, turned. He had a weathered, kindly face that reminded her of her father. “Are you going home for Christmas?” he asked.

She smiled, warmly. “Yes. Yes, I am going home.”

CHAPTER 17

Jennifer drove a rented emerald-green Ford Escort along Collier’s Road toward Willowbury. She glanced at the snow-heavy pines and quiet snowy hills. A frosty white afternoon sun was playing hide and seek with lazy clouds, making the horizon crimson and gold, the colors of her gorgeous room at The Plaza Hotel. Curls of gray smoke rose from little homes far away, where windows glowed back at her like tiny fires. She passed through the covered bridge and, on the other side, saw the distant white church steeple that gave her a rush of excitement, because Harvey’s Pond was just ahead and she would soon be home.

It seemed like weeks since she’d left, and it had only been two days! Everything was more picturesque, more beautiful than she remembered, as if the entire landscape had just been given a fresh coat of paint. Birds lifted toward the sky in unpredictable flight, defining the air with their darting bodies, skimming over the heads of dogs that romped and barked at them, over the colorful hats of children who tore across the land leaping and falling. Snowmen appeared, a kite trembled high over bare black trees, and the moan of a train whistle echoed. It felt so good to be home.

As she neared Harvey’s Pond, she became acutely aware that there was a lilting gentleness about the landscape that soothed and uplifted her. It met the sky seamlessly, in astonishing silence.

On the plane she’d had much time to reflect and think about the future. She was eager to take on the responsibilities and challenges of re-building her shop. It would be a wonderful adventure and she’d improve it in every way. Perhaps she’d add a bookstore and café, as Alex’s wife had done. It excited her to think of people gathering to read and talk; sip coffee; sit with their children, spouses or dates. She loved the idea of allowing people to use the shop to sell muffins, candy, cookies or pastries to help raise money for community events or school projects. She even considered adding an apartment above or next to the shop. She could rent it out to an employee, or even use it herself.

She grinned broadly when she saw Harvey’s Pond, a brilliant sun lying across it. She watched skaters pass through patterns and shadows, their arms raised, their shiny faces lifted toward the sky. Jennifer remembered her conversations with Mrs. Wintergreen and the many gifts she’d received. Would she ever see her again? It no longer mattered to her if the woman existed or not. Much of what had happened to her still seemed like a dream, but she couldn’t deny the change she felt inside—it was real! She couldn’t ignore that she had fallen in love with life, and with Alex and Jason. It was
their
love of
her
that had finally cracked her open—that had awakened her from a deep sleep, by the thunder of love. She would always be grateful to them for that.

On the plane, she’d decided not to tell the Hartmans that she’d seen their son in New York. She felt it was something that Alex would do in his own time, when he felt ready.

As she approached town, she turned left on Appleton Way and drove a mile or so down the two-lane road leading to a three-story apartment complex. She entered the parking lot, found a free space, and parked the car. She got out, opened the passenger door and took out four brightly wrapped presents. With a little kick to the door, it closed securely, and she started toward the entrance. Inside, she walked along the hallway of blue cinder block walls, until she found the elevator. She took it up to the second floor and exited left, searching until she found apartment 2D. Shifting the presents to her left arm, she clumsily found the doorbell and pressed it lightly.

A moment later, the door opened and Jennifer looked into Angela’s surprised face.

“Ms. Taylor?”

“Merry Christmas, Angela.”

They stood for a moment in an awkward silence while Angela looked first at Jennifer’s pleasant and friendly face, then at her hairdo, and then at the beautifully wrapped gifts.

Finally, Jennifer spoke. “Pardon me for barging in on you like this at Christmas, but I just wanted to drop these presents off and tell you that I’m going to keep you on salary while the shop is under construction.”

Angela was speechless.

Jennifer offered the presents. “These are for you and your family. Just small things, really, but I wanted to get you and your family something.”

Angela remained still.

Jennifer leaned forward and Angela finally took the gifts. “I don’t know what to say,” Angela said, touched.

“I got them at a shop at The Plaza Hotel,” Jennifer said. “It was so much fun, only I didn’t know how many people, I mean family members, are actually living with you. I remember you talking about your daughter and your father. Well, anyway, I brought four gifts, just in case there’s someone else. I mean, you can always use another gift, right?” Jennifer said, nervously, trying for a joke.

“The Plaza Hotel?” Angela said, her eyes moistening.

“I was away, in New York.”

“New York?”

“Something came up, kind of suddenly.”

“Thank you, Ms. Taylor…I just don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything, Angela.”

“You look so…different. Beautiful… Younger. I mean, you looked young before, you know, but… well,”

“I understand.”

“I tried to call you when I heard about the accident,” Angela said. “Are you all right?”

“Oh, yes. I’m doing great.”

A little girl with dark hair, a pudgy face and gorgeous brown eyes appeared. Her dress was pink, her shoes red. She snuggled up to Angela’s legs and stared up at Jennifer, suspiciously.

“Hi,” Jennifer said, cheerfully.

“Are you that mean woman who works with Mommy?” the little girl asked.

Angela’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Oh God! Mariah!”

Jennifer laughed. “I’m not so mean…”

“I’m so sorry,” Angela said.

“It’s okay, really. May I meet your father?”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” Angela said, backing away. “It’s just that, well, I just thought that you didn’t want to meet my father or daughter, so I never invited you.”

“Forgive me, Angela. Forgive me for all those silly things I said. I would love to meet your family.”

For the next half-hour, Jennifer, Angela, Mariah and Angela’s father, Juan Garcia, ate cookies and drank hot chocolate. They talked about Jennifer’s trip to New York, Juan’s grandchildren in Florida, and what Jennifer and Angela were going to do with the new shop.

At 5:00 o’clock, darkness had settled in and Jennifer said she had one more stop to make. Angela walked her to the door. Before Jennifer left, Angela took her hand and, with grateful eyes, kissed her on both cheeks.

“Thank you, Ms. Taylor. Thank you for the presents and for coming by. I never would have believed it. You’ve made me so happy.”

Jennifer nibbled on her lower lip. “Have I? Have I really?”

“Yes…”

Jennifer took her hand. “We’ll make the shop better than ever, Angela, and after a few months, if we don’t spend too much on frivolous things like laptops, hot chocolate and makeup, we’ll give ourselves a raise.”

They embraced and Jennifer left.

Jennifer drove slowly along Shepherd Lane, the street where the Hartmans lived, aware that her throat was dry and her palms were moist on the steering wheel. The moon was perched on the horizon, as if watching her, curious to know what the outcome of the visit would be.