Page 44 of Her Counterfeit Christmas
When the waitress comes back to fill our water glasses, Rheta asks, “How are the plans coming for Boxing Day?”
Boxing Day at the community center is on the family schedule for the day after Christmas. I’m curious about the answer myself.
Our waitress deflates. “They’re not. The flood at the community center on Wednesday did more damage than they originally thought. They can’t get it fixed by Thursday, especially with Christmas in three days. There’s supposed to be a snowstorm on Boxing Day, so we can’t do it at the park either. We had to cancel.”
Rheta is affronted. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“I suppose we thought the mayor did. Or Miles.”
Rheta gives Miles a stern look. “They did not. Well, there’s only one thing to do. We’ll have it at my home. I have plenty of space to host the town.”
The waitress’s eyes light up. “Ms. Rheta, you would do that for real?”
“Of course. I’ll talk to the mayor tomorrow and get it all squared away, but you spread the word, alright?”
She bounces up and down. It’s a good thing the pitcher of water is now empty. “Thank you so much! I’m sure everyone will be thrilled.”
Only after she’s left does Owen ask, “What’s Boxing Day?”
“I’ve actually never been,” Rheta says. “I was looking forward to experiencing it this year. Miles, why don’t you explain?”
Miles swallows his bite of burger. He doesn’t look away from Marianne as he fills us in on the town tradition.
“It started fifteen years ago with a family who moved into town from New Zealand. Boxing Day is an actual holiday that started in England centuries ago as a time to give to the poor. This family invited others to join them the day after Christmas to exchange unwanted Christmas gifts and eat leftover food. Through the years, it has spread, and now it’s a big town party where we eat turkey sandwiches until we want to pass out.”
Brady wrinkles his nose. “Isn’t it rude to give away presents?”
Miles shrugs and nods at the same time. “There are a few people we have to be considerate of when bringing things to the swap, but most of us think it’s fun. The gift swap has become more than only Christmas presents, and now we all bring things we don’t need any more to give it a new life. It’s amazing what you find. And the leftover food is great too.”
“I love a good turkey sandwich.” Rheta pauses with a fry halfway to her mouth, then drops her hand. “There is one problem with hosting this year. We haven’t put up any Christmas decorations yet. This week was a last-minute idea, and the flu kept me from getting the decorations purchased before everyone arrived. Tomorrow’s trip to the tree farm is even more important. Miles, we need to find decorations for the house and enough ornaments for six trees.”
“Six trees?” Marianne asks.
“We’ll need one for every room on the main floor, with the tallest we can find for the foyer.”
“There will be decorations to purchase at the lighthouse this afternoon and at the tree farm tomorrow,” Miles says.
“Perfect. We also need people willing to decorate. I can’t rely on my family to do it all.” She nods her head decisively. “I’ll pay them, of course.”
Miles shakes his head. “Ms. Rheta, you won’t have to pay people to help you.”
“Nonsense. It’s Christmas. They should be compensated for time away from their families.” She looks around the table. “Is it okay if we cancel our plans for Nordic skiing on Christmas Eve and spend the day decorating the house instead?”
Everyone nods in agreement. I’m now impatient for Christmas Eve. I love decorating.
We leave Biggs’ Burgers and walk back to the van. I ate too much and wish it wasn’t parked three blocks away. Brady has the right idea. He jumps onto Owen’s back and they stagger down the street, trying not to bump into anyone on the crowded sidewalk.
Today has turned out to be a better day than I expected, even with the internal crisis thinking about my future with Spencer. This is the kind of family I hoped to marry into one day. Though … Spencer isn’t close to Owen’s family. Once we fly home, I’m not sure how often I’ll see any of them. I better soak in as much of their joy as I can this week because it will have to last me a long time.
Chapter Eleven
OWEN
During the driveto Sohier park and the Nubble Lighthouse at Cape Neddick, Layla and Brady talk in the back aboutThe Lord of the Ringsmovies. I didn’t realize she was such an aficionado on the topic. She even has strong opinions on Tom Bombadil, who was only in the book.
Brady is a Layla fan. We should create a club. We’d have to fight over who got to be club president, but I think I could win.
Earlier I thought she only talked with my brother to avoid talking to me, but now I rethink my earlier assumption. I may have a bit of an ego when it comes to Layla. She’s such a huge part of my thoughts, I assume I’m in hers. Apparently not. She is dating my cousin, and we did agree to being friends, so the realization shouldn’t sting as much as it does.
