Yule Tidings (21 page)

             
Anne’s heart soared at the idea.  It was the best suggestion she’d heard.  She had no idea what to buy Alex and Jason, or even what to say in her apology, but at least it was somewhere to go, something constructive she could do to make the situation better.  If Jason wouldn’t talk to her, maybe she could get through to Alex without the risk of causing her more complications.  It was a dicey plan, but one she was definitely willing to try.  She wouldn’t consider the alternative; never being able to see her grandchild and son or Alex again.  This absolutely
had
to work.

             
Anne left Merle’s feeling uplifted.  As he walked her to her car she gave him a quick hug.  She declined his offer to follow her home, but promised to call if she had any trouble.  Merle watched her drive away, regretfully.  He’d been so callous on Saturday; tonight wasn’t the first time he’d regretted being so vicious to her.  Granted, it looked as though that was what she needed, but generally he didn’t say anything mean to a woman.  He always tried to control his temper with them.  Martha had been delicate.  His temper frightened her and she’d been utterly devastated the few times he’d spoken his mind in his anger.  Yet Anne responded to it well; taking it in stride, and fixing the things she could.  Merle shook his head,
don’t go there buddy, you’re not ready to go through this again.

Chapter Twenty-Two

             
Anne called into work on Tuesday, letting her boss know she’d be late.  She had some shopping to do and a letter to write.  Alex and Jason were registered at WalMart and Target.  Anne looked at the items on their lists.  There were things in every department, price range, and selection.  She had no idea what to buy.  Anne picked up her cell phone.  It never worked near her house, so it was worthless the other night when she’d gone into the ditch, but in town she had perfect signal everywhere.  Rose didn’t answer her phone.  Kelly didn’t answer.  Anne sighed.  It was sad that she’d given the kids such a reason to avoid her.  Trisha would be in class, and Anne doubted she’d want to answer the phone either.  Franklin might answer, though.

             
Franklin wasn’t home, big surprise, but Donna answered on the second ring.  At first Anne was going to hang up, but Franklin probably told Donna everything she’d discussed with him anyway.  He’d always told Anne everything; at least until she stopped listening.  Donna listened in surprise as Anne told her the plan to make amends with Alex and Jason. Donna couldn’t believe Anne was actually speaking to her to begin with, but that she was asking her advice was such a novelty that Donna was speechless for some minutes.  If Anne only knew how angry Jason really was.  When Anne asked Donna what she should buy for the shower, Donna was silent. 
What could make the situation better?
  As much as Donna disliked some of Anne’s choices, she couldn’t fault her entirely and she wanted to help fix the rift if for nothing else than to ease Franklin’s worry.  It took Donna a few minutes before she remembered the one thing that Alex wanted more than anything on the registry.  It was the also one she doubted anyone would get them because it was extremely expensive in Alex’s opinion. 

             
“Alex really wants the comforter set from target.  It’s reversible.  Every piece comes separate I think.  She really wanted to redecorate the bedroom at Jason’s, and I think that would be your best bet.”  Donna went on to explain how Alex had fallen in love with the set while they were shopping one day.  It was the kind of set she would have for years to come.  Anne was a little reluctant to spend well over three hundred dollars to decorate her unmarried sons’ bedroom, but then again, maybe that was Donna’s point.  It wasn’t the amount of money, but what it was being used for.  If Alex thought Anne disapproved of her because she was sleeping with Jason, buying her something for the bedroom might just be the best gift she could find.  Anne would be paying on her credit card for a few months, but it would be worth it to make things up to Jason and Alex.  “Anne, if you want, I haven’t gotten a gift for the shower yet.  Whatever you don’t buy or can’t afford, Franklin and I can pick up.”  Donna wasn’t naturally inclined to be so generous towards Anne, but she blamed herself for taking Franklin away, though Anne had already pushed him away for the most part, and she wanted to see Alex and Jason happy. 

             
Anne looked at the entire set for several minutes before answering.  “Well, do you and Franklin want to buy the throw pillows?”  It would be easier to ship the comforter, sheets, curtains, thermal blanket, and the like, which were packed in relatively small and condensed packages.  The pillows would take up a lot of space.  From what Anne could see there were at least seven or eight different ones.  Donna readily agreed, surprised that Anne was suggesting some of the cheaper items in the set.  “Alex wears a small, right?”  Anne asked suddenly, thinking of something she’d have to buy downtown.  Donna thought for a moment before agreeing.  It was hard to guess Alex’s exact size, but she definitely wasn’t a large person.  “Oh, Donna!  Can you pick up this cute little lamp and wastebasket?  I don’t want to ship them and take a chance they’ll break—I’ll pay you if you want though.”

             
Donna assured Anne she’d pick everything up with Franklin when he was out of work, and if Anne wanted to pay them back she could.  If not, they’d just consider it part of their gift to the kids.  Anne looked at the pile of bed linens filling the shopping cart and fleetingly considered ordering everything online so the company would package and ship it, but then she wouldn’t be able to wrap the gifts or include a special card, which was the most important part.  Anne made one last stop at a boutique downtown for an extra special gift before driving to work.  She’d use some of the boxes at the office to ship the gifts.

             
It took Anne until eleven to wrap the gifts and put them in boxes.  She would spend her lunch hour writing the card and running to the post office: so much for eating.  She was working on her fourth attempt at the letter when the door tinkled, indicating the entrance of someone.  Anne didn’t look up right away.  The girls from the office took varying lunches.  It was probably Claire coming in. 

             
“I brought you some lunch.”  The voice was gruff and stern, one she recognized instantly.  Anne looked up, surprised to see Merle standing at her desk with two subs.  He was wearing his tan work clothes, covered in some sort of dust this time, even his hair had a light coating. 

             
“Thank you!”  Anne was startled.  She jumped and offered Merle a chair.  The floor was littered with the boxes she was preparing to ship to the wedding shower.  Merle looked at the gaily-wrapped packages in some surprise.  Anne explained how she thought buying Alex a bedroom set might be the best way to show her approval.  Merle couldn’t deny
the
plausibility of such an idea.  It was quite a bit more than he’d expected, perhaps, but it might work.  “I’m just struggling with this darn card.”  Anne indicated the three bunched attempts in the garbage basket and the most recent attempt on the desk.

             
“Take a break, woman.  Have lunch with me and I’ll help you.”  Merle put the food on Anne’s desk.  He found Anne easy to talk with, and soon he was telling her his life story.  He explained how he’d gone to college in Virginia with Martha.  He started working construction during college, refusing to marry Martha until he could afford a reasonably nice place to live.  They struggled.  He worked construction during the day, taking college courses in the evening.  He managed to get his Master’s degree before the first baby arrived, and his PhD shortly after their daughter was born.  Architectural Engineering and Business, he told her proudly.  He’d fought tooth and nail to get through school.  Martha worked when she could to help support their family, and when he opened his first construction company, she was right there alongside him. 

             
Anne listened to Merle describe his life in some amazement.  He truly was the ‘American dream’ in real life; he’d gone from a pauper to the owner of three successful construction companies.   Anne explained how she’d worked before and shortly after she married Franklin, but once the second baby came it was too much.  She wanted to be home with the kids, raising them.  Sending them to daycare and babysitters was just too much, and it had felt as though her entire paycheck was being wasted on childcare.  When the kids were in school, she took a part-time job here and there so she could still be home with the kids when they got off the bus, but she could also help support the family.  Franklin had switched jobs several times over the years, always working with the government in one way or another, and Anne had to keep up appearances.  It was tedious to be expected to go to each fair, board meeting, fundraiser, and the like, but she did it.  When they were finished eating, Anne looked back at her letter.  “Read it to me,” Merle said finally, collecting the garbage.

             
Anne shifted nervously in her seat before simply handing the note to Merle.  She was too embarrassed to read it out loud.  Merle admired the neat, flowing handwriting as he put his reading glasses on.

             
Dear Alex and Jason,

Last week, a kindly gentleman had the heart to tell me what a terrible, rotten, bitter, individual I’ve become.  He listened patiently as I complained and berated you and Jason.  When I’d finished he told me, quite bluntly, that I was to blame for many of my problems.  He said, “You selfish woman.  How could a mother treat her son and his fiancé so terribly?”
 
I was hurt and angry at first, but after thinking about the things he said to me, I realized just how correct his statements were, and trust me, there were plenty more.  Life is too short to be so cruel and inconsiderate of those you love and care about.

I’m so very sorry for the things I said to you at Applebees.  I don’t know what got into me.  I should have been happy for you both, and excited about the baby.  When I think of the horrible things I accused you of, Alex, I’m so ashamed.  I want you to know that if you’ll have me, I’d love to consider you my daughter, and I hope and pray that you’ll find it in your heart to let me get to know you and the baby.  I know you’re hurt and angry.  I don’t blame you at all.  My behavior has been nothing less than appalling.  I can only hope that you’re a stronger, more forgiving person than I have been.  I wish you happiness and good fortune as you begin your new life together. 

             
             
             
             
Sincerely,

             
             
             
         Anne Stafford

Merle looked up from the letter in some surprise. He knew he’d helped Anne with his crude outburst, but he would never have imagined that he’d made such a large impact in her life.  He was both extremely embarrassed and pleased.  “It’s well-done of you
,
Anne.”

             
Anne blushed as she put the card in the envelope and sealed it, writing Alex’s name on the top.  She put it in the top box, marked number one.  It held the curtains and sheets.  The second box held the comforter.  Anne hesitated with the third, smallest box.  She’d gone to a nice boutique downtown and picked out a lovely white satin nightgown for Alex.  It wasn’t a piece of lingerie or something sexy and filmy.  It was elegant in a nineteen twenties or thirties fashion.  It had a v-neck with lace trim and it would be close to floor-length on Alex.  There were small slits on the sides to make walking easier, also trimmed by lace.  It was a brides’ nightgown.  At least, that was how the clerk had described the beautiful confection.  It reminded Anne of a dress she’d seen a woman wear in the movie,
The Shadow
; so long and graceful.  It was something she could imagine Alex appreciating because it wasn’t vulgar.  Despite Anne’s comments, she’d noticed that Alex wore loose, comfortable clothing that covered her well.  Merle looked at Anne in question and she opened the box to show him the nightgown.  She hadn’t wrapped it, but left it in the box the clerk had put it in for her. 

             
Merle looked at the nightgown for a moment in surprise.  It wasn’t sexy in a traditional way.  “Is it too much?” she asked.  Merle looked at Anne.  He had no idea.  He shrugged.

             
Anne pulled a second note from her desk and gave it to Merle to read:

             
Dear Alex,

             
This is the kind of thing I would have loved to have as a new bride.  I know it isn’t a traditional gift, and you’ll probably think I’m crazy for sending it to you, but I bought Kelly and Rose both one, or something similar, for their wedding showers. It just looked so elegant.  I hope you like it and I haven’t offended you.