The afternoon of the Winter Program didn’t
arrive soon enough for Megan. She just
wanted to get the visit over
with. Jonathan flew into Eugene and rented a car to drive to Maple Village. Emily had persuaded Megan to have her dad for
dinner. Well, that is one thing I can do well—cook to please him, thought
Megan. Jonathan had arrived in town at 3
and picked Emily up from school. Megan suggested
they come to the apartment and spend time together. As Emily and Jonathan laughed in the living
room upstairs, Megan finished some work in the shop. Chris would take over when she needed to
begin dinner.
Megan entered their apartment and found
Jonathan and Emily on the floor around the coffee table playing a board game. “Megan, you’ve done a beautiful job with this
place. And I really like the arrangement
of everything in your shop.” Jonathan
had never been hesitant about showing his appreciation when Megan did
well. She missed that—she now had to
find that affirming place within herself.
“Thanks, I’m still debating about what to
do with the walls. I need more life in
the shop.”
Megan went back to the kitchen to begin
dinner. Her menu included Arugula Salad
with Black Olives, Grilled Eggplant with Herb Dressing, and Braised Chicken
with Oranges. She didn’t know if it was a good idea to
prepare what she knew to be Jonathan’s favorites, but what the hell, she liked
them as well. For Emily, she’d heat up
linguine and she could pick and choose from the other offerings.
It seemed strange for the three of them to
sit down together for a home-cooked meal.
The table looked festive and the tree lights were on. Megan felt a catch in her heart as they sat
down. A painful nostalgia—especially
having Emily see her parents together who aren’t together at all.
The play was adorable with all the faux pas
that make elementary school programs so memorable. Jonathan stayed an extra day and took Emily sledding
on some snow-covered hills nearby. When
they returned, Megan had chili and corn bread ready for them. That evening they
all played Rummi Kube before he left for the motel. He had an early flight home the next morning. It was difficult for Emily to say good by,
and perhaps as difficult for Megan to witness it. But Megan knew a positive visit had taken
place for all three.
Christmas morning came with the usual
excitement from Emily—she wasn’t into babies or Barbie’s much, but loved the
American Girl dolls and wardrobe that came from Megan’s parents. Jonathan had sent her games, and Megan filled
in with clothes and books. Emily had
painted a lovely watercolor—she truly had an artistic flair—of the autumn view
off their deck. Megan was so touched
because her daughter would recognize that place as her mother’s favorite. They talked about just the right place for
the painting.
Diane and the boys drove to the coast to
spend the day with Karl’s aunt and uncle.
Because of all the losses, Diane wanted her boys to be with family
whenever possible. And Ted and Millie
loved the boys.
Megan had called Stephen to make sure he
had a place for dinner and he told her some friends from Portland had invited him for the day.
Isabelle and Rachael came for dinner at
3:00. Isabelle had insisted on bringing
dessert—much to the excitement of both Megan and Emily. The prime rib, mashed potatoes and veggies—all
old family recipes from Megan’s mother and grandmother—filled the table. Festive napkins, colorful dishes, and candles
filled the entire surface.
Rachael agreed to teach Emily how to play
one of her new games, so after the meal they took off to Emily’s bedroom. Megan and Isabelle settled themselves with a
cup of tea in the living room.
“Mind if I ask you how your Christmas
morning went without your husband?”
Megan felt a bit like she was intruding, but they were becoming very
close.
“Actually, it was easier than I
anticipated. There was definitely a
‘presence’ absent, but he rarely wanted to participate in anything that he
considered frivolous.” There was a note
of sadness, but it seemed to be more for the past than the present. “Ezra is spending the day with his roommate’s
family. He decided not to drive down
because he goes to work quite early tomorrow.”
“How has he taken Roland’s leaving?” Megan lounged back on her end of the
sofa. It was so good to have a friend
like Isabelle. And she had so much more
depth than anyone had previously recognized.
“Ezra sounded so grown-up and protective
when I told him. He said, ‘Mom, it’s
probably difficult for you, but believe me, you are better off! Let me know if I can help out.’ I told him to just concentrate on his
education right now.”
“So how is the licensing going for bakery
products? And do you have any other
places in mind for distribution?” Megan
wanted Isabelle to do well.
“I’ve had all the inspections and they went
well. That process should be completed
within a week. And I got a call from a
bakery in Eugene
the other day. Evidently a woman who’d
had a Persian Walnut Pastry here last week, called a friend of hers who has a
restaurant. I’m glad you suggested business
cards. This restaurant specializes in ethnic
foods—a different ethnicity each week. I’ll make the desserts and pastries to go with the meals. So I’m making some that are new for me and
taking them up. We have an appointment
on Tuesday. Wish me luck!”
“That’s wonderful!” Megan had been accused many times of being an
eternal optimist, but after tasting so many of Isabelle’s wonderful bakery
items, she knew if word got out that she’d do well. “Have you figured out expenses, and profit
margins and all those kinds of dull, but necessary things?”
“Actually, it’s amazing what I’ve found on
the internet. Roland was furious when I
got a computer a couple of years ago, but I told him that I needed resources
for home-schooling since Ezra and Rachael had to meet State requirements for
graduation.
“By the way, did I tell you that Rachael is
starting public high school at the beginning of winter term? She’s so excited about it and Kaitlin has promised
to introduce her around. That will take
so much pressure off of me. Besides the
socialization that my kids have missed out on, it is really tough in this age
of information and technology to do an adequate job of home schooling high
school age kids.”
Megan wanted to help out this little family
as they got started in their new independence, but she didn’t want to hurt
Isabelle’s feelings. Hesitantly, she
said, “Isabelle, I’d like to take Rachael to Eugene with me next Tuesday. She’d be a help because I have several places
to go. Would you mind if I ask her?”
“No, of course not, I’m sure she’d be
thrilled. Going to the city is not something
we’ve done much of. Go ahead and ask her.”
They both looked out at the graying
sky. Isabelle spoke first, “If I live to
90, I’ll not get used to such early sundown times during the winter. We should probably get going. I’ve got to get up early to do some
baking. The owners at Corky’s are
interested in adding a fresh bakery section.
Megan, I hope that won’t hurt your sales here.” Megan shopped at Corky’s whenever she
could. They specialized in buying local
produce and using local suppliers.
“O, no, my customers just want something to
eat while they sip coffee and read or chat with friends. You find all the customers you can to bring
yourself success!” Megan’s excitement was evident.
A short time later, Isabelle and Rachael
left, but not before Megan asked Rachael about the trip to Eugene.
She was, not surprisingly, thrilled! “What about Emily? Is she going too?”
“No, I’ve made arrangements for her to stay
with Kelli Donnelly. But I wonder if
Kaitlin would like to go?” Megan’s plan
was falling into place.
“I’d love for Kaitlin to go. May I call her?”
“Sure, just tell her it was my idea. Emily is staying with Kelli anyway. I’ll pick you both up. We’ll leave by 10 a.m.”
To be continued...
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