Page 51 of Saving Christmas

“Wow, I love all your peppermints,” Nicole said, arriving to help put the finishing touches on all their booths. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”

“Thank you!” Roni said, beaming. “I had a little help from Jimmy.”

She stood back and stared at all the booths. They’d even strung some small white lights across Jimmy’s and she placed a few of the tins for decoration along with a wreath on his table. “I don’t understand why Jimmy isn’t here yet,” Roni said, checking her phone for the umpteenth time. She stared at his empty booth, wondering what she should do.

She bit the bullet and called him the line ringing in her ear.

“Well? I tried calling him earlier, but he didn’t answer,” Brianna admitted.

She looked at her friend and shook her head, her hopes falling. “He’s still not answering. Maybe he’s busy at Frankie’s. Do I have time to run down there?”

Brianna looked at her watch. “Sure, I’ll watch your booth if you don’t make it back before it starts.”

“Thank you!” Roni ran to her car and drove to Frankie’s. Jimmy’s mom was working behind the counter, looking a little frazzled. They were very busy, but Roni didn’t see Jimmy anywhere. For a second, she felt guilty interrupting her, but she had to know where he was and if everything was okay.

“Mrs. Duarte. Hello, how are you?”

“Oh, hi, Roni. What can I do for you?” she said, her face brightening a little.

“I’m looking for Jimmy. He was supposed to be at the festival for the Caroling Kickoff tonight but he hasn’t shown up yet. He was going to sell some paintings. We have his booth set up for him, but we can’t get ahold of him.” She was babbling as the words came out in a rush. She wanted to explain why she was chasing him down, but the truth was, she just wanted to know why she hadn’t heard from him. Where was he?

For a moment, confusion flashed across his mom’s face. “He planned to sell his artwork in a booth at the festival?”

Roni nodded. “Yes, we’ve been getting everything set up all morning, but he’s not answering our calls. Is everything okay?” The only thing she could think of was, it wasn’t. That something must have happened to his dad.

But if it had, would his mom be here?

Her eyes softened, and she took a deep breath as regret filled her face. “Roni, I am so sorry. He’s not here. He should have told you.”

Roni’s heart tightened as a heavy dread fell over her. “Tell me what?” Her voice sounded small.

Please tell me he didn’t run out on me again. That he didn’t even have the guts to tell me he was leaving.

“Let’s sit over here.” His mom led her to a table in the corner.

Roni sat on the edge of her seat, clutching her knees and trying to hold back the tears rising in her chest. How could she have done this to herself again? She knew better than to trust him. He always left, always broke her heart.

He was always too much of a coward to face her.

“The other night after the two of you went to dinner…”

Roni nodded. “Yes, and you called about his dad. Is he okay?” She grasped on to the hope that maybe Jimmy was home with his dad.

“Yes, he’s fine. Thank you.”

“Oh, good,” Roni said, taking a deep breath.

“Anyhow, Jimmy got a call from the gallery owner in Denver where he has been displaying his work.”

“Yes, I know he was anxious to hear from him,” Roni said, interrupting her again. She needed to stop. To wait and listen to what his mother had to say.

To hear the words that would break my heart.

Because he was gone and she had to accept it.

“The gallery is having a Meet the Artist event tonight. They wanted him to be there to auction off his paintings.”

“Oh,” Roni said over the lump in her throat.

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