Page 40 of Meet Me at Christmas
He’d said, “Humor her.”
“Mama insists on planting tulips in the corner of the yard where we all accidentally drive over the grass.”
“Humor her.”
“Mama wants us all to take a family portrait, even though were all stuffed from Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Humor her.”
She’d asked him once, “Why do you always humor Mama?”
Pop had answered, “Because when we’re all gone, it won’t matter what the thing was she’d wanted; what will actually matter is the happiness we gave your mother when we said yes.”
“I could take it when I go into the city tomorrow for Henry’s therapy session.”
Mama brightened, the same way she had when she’d bought the green paint. “That’s a great idea.”
Thirteen
“Before sunrise, a plunking sound woke me up, so I got out of bed to figure out what it was. The bucket under the leak was nearly overflowing. I switched it with the biggest baking bowl I have and went back to sleep, but with the rain and ice overnight, it’s almost to the brim already,” Mama said as she padded around the kitchen in her slippers and bathrobe the next morning. She gestured across the room to the living area. The bucket was drying on a towel by the fireplace. “We’ve got to find someone quick.”
“Okay, let’s do that first thing.”
Mama stopped and looked at Stella as if the sight of her had just registered. “Are you already working?”
Stella was dressed and sitting at the table, typing on her laptop. “I’m trying to get some time in before heading to Vanderbilt with Henry.” She’d sent a request to her editor, Amy, asking if she still had the old project files from one of Stella’s former research topics on brain function. The email she’d been waiting for had just popped up. “I made coffee.”
“You’re an angel.” Mama went to the counter and pulled a mug from the cabinet.
Stella opened the message. The email, in fact, contained the latest research that she wanted to consult.
While Mama heated a pan on the stove for breakfast, Stella took a sip of her coffee and scanned the experimental study about the correlation between magnetic brain stimulation and memory improvements. The data was encouraging. Several subjects reported progress using the strategy.
“Want any eggs?” Mama asked.
Stella shut her laptop. “No, thanks. Henry’s picking me up in a few minutes.” She tucked her laptop under her arm. She couldn’t wait to talk to Henry about the study. After slipping the laptop in its case, she grabbed the diamond necklace for the appraisal, clasped it around her neck, and slipped it under her shirt.
By the time she’d grabbed her coat, Henry had pulled up. Stella called goodbye to Mama and headed out the door.
As she approached his truck idling in the drive, she pointed lightheartedly to a wreath made of pine that was wired to the grill of the old pickup. Henry’s stoic expression didn’t change, but she could’ve sworn she saw a hint of pleasure in his gaze.
“Sprucing up for Christmas?” she asked as she climbed in.
“Mary Jo thought it was a nice touch.”
She grinned at him. “I agree. It could be your ‘something positive’ today.”
Henry rolled his eyes.
Her lips parted to begin to tell him about the article, but having not spoken to the therapist about it, she decided against it last minute and buckled her seatbelt. Plus, she was just starting to get to know him again. Part of her wanted to build more experiences with him to show him that she’d grown and matured before he tried a new strategy to repair his memory and he remembered what she’d done.
“Do you think you could swing by a jewelry store before taking me home later?” she asked.
He glanced at her before turning his attention back to the winding road in front of them. “Sure. Why?”
Stella pulled her collar open to reveal the necklace. “Mama and I thought we should get this appraised to see if it’s real or not.”
“Aren’t you worried that wearing it will bring you bad luck?” he asked with a sarcastic tone.
