Misfortune: Christmas With Scrooge (22 page)

A closer examination of the miniature
cottage, determined it was actually a beautiful replica of an
English cottage, hand-painted in fine detail. The rooftop was
covered in a blanket of white snow, and a tiny pine wreath on the
front entrance gave it a distinctive Christmas look.

It reminded Laura of the cottages her mother
had collected over the years, and which had been mercilessly
destroyed in the fire. The reflection brought a tug to her heart
and with remorse she brushed the memory aside. Looking at the tiny
cottage again, she knew instantly it came from Adell. The woman's
recollection of her trip to England came back to Laura.

She ought to give the gift back. It didn't
feel right. The woman was always so giving, and Laura could never
give back. Someday, she vowed she would repay this woman, bit by
bit. Apologizing to Dexter O'Reilly would make Adell happy. She
sighed, if repayment meant Laura had to belittle herself, then so
be it.

However, she couldn't quench the tiny fear
gripping her heart. It seemed the more she extended her heart, the
more he broke it. She should remain firm and hold steadfast to her
decision to keep him out of her life. She couldn't afford to be
hurt anymore. And once she paid this debt to Adell, she would do
exactly that.

As she slipped into her tweed coat, the
telephone shrieked from within the kitchen. The last few days had
been busy contacting the shelters from where her teens were
temporarily dwelling. The phone had rung off the hook all day long
and Laura considered ignoring it so she would not miss her bus to
Adell’s. At the last minute, she made a dash for the kitchen and
the phone.

“Hello?”

“Miss Witherow?” An unfamiliar voice greeted
her on the other line. “This is Mr. Jenkins returning your call.
I’m sorry to have taken so long.”

She scratched her memory trying to recall the
name. Recollection came instantly. She had been attempting to set
up an appointment with the insurance broker to purchase house
insurance. That was one mistake she vowed she would never make
again. “Yes, I left some details with your assistant. Did you
receive them?”

“Hmm.” She could tell by the sound of his
voice that he was overlooking the information as they spoke. “It
seems we have all we require. Now, Miss Witherow, bearing in mind
the unfortunate circumstances after the fire, I highly recommend
you have the premiums paid from a pre-authorized payment account.
It will be one less bill to forget about.”

This last sentence she was glad he was unable
to see the mortification blush her cheeks. It was a lack of funds
rather than memory which caused her to miss the premium payment.
However, he had a valid point. “Certainly, I will drop off a void
check tomorrow.”

“Well then, that is all we need. I’ll get the
forms submitted and a detailed contract will be mailed to you
outlining the coverage and the premiums as they were before.”

Laura paused. “As before?”

“Yes, there may be a slight difference to
reflect the annual increase, but, otherwise, you shall be right
back on schedule.”

Laura frowned, perplexed. “I don’t
understand. Wouldn’t my premiums have gone up in price? I fully
expected them too.”

“Why would that be?” He sounded
nonplussed.

“Because of the claim on the fire damage and
the cost of renovation.”

There was a moment’s pause before Mr. Jenkins
said, “Miss Witherow, you do recall we declined your claim due to
the unpaid premiums.”

“But he said he was able to pull some
strings.” The stunned tone to her voice only increased.

“He?”

“Dexter O’Reilly.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of him.” Then
when the phone went silent, he said, “If you have any further
questions or concerns regarding your policy, I’ll only be too happy
to help. Please do not hesitate to call.”

She mumbled something in the affirmative, her
mind still in a muddle, then hung up the phone. If the insurance
company did not pay for the cost of the renovations, who did? And
most importantly, why? What was Dexter keeping from her, and why
had he lied?

Needing so many questions answered, Laura
closed her eyes, now was not the time to dwell. Adell was expecting
her and if she did not hurry she would miss her bus.

Adell? It came so suddenly to Laura she
nearly tripped over her own feet as she hurried out of the house.
The woman was overly generous, with a heart of gold and a wealth of
love to distribute; this act of kindness would not seem out of
character. Was it possible Adell Cameron had anything to do with
this benevolent deed? It certainly would explain a lot, including
Dexter’s abhorrence to the shelter and her relationship with his
mother.

Thankfully, she reached the bus stop the same
moment the bus pulled up along the curb. She quickly climbed on
board with her thoughts anywhere but on the act of dropping the
required coins into the slot, or taking her seat against a back
window. Pulling herself out of her stupor she looked around the
nearly empty seats. The bus lines stopped running shortly before
midnight, reminding Laura she would have to leave the party in
enough time not to miss the last bus. Hiring a cab was a luxury she
could not afford. Smiling at her reflection in the window, she felt
slightly like Cinderella needing to leave the ball before midnight.
Except no prince charming would be at her ball waiting to sweep her
off her feet and promise her a happy ever after.

She transferred buses once more before
reaching Adell's plush neighborhood and was deposited on the
curbside. After the bus whisked away down the street, the night
around her became still and silent. The only apparent life came
from the many houses lining the streets. Their festive Christmas
lights shone brightly in the moonlight. Inside the houses, families
gathered together rejoicing in celebration while outside, Laura
stood alone in the evening's silence.

Above her head it began to softly snow, and
with a sigh she exhaled a breath of air only to watch it evaporate
before her face. The winter months arrived in earnest, bringing
with them the famous cold Canadian climate. She didn't really mind.
The scenery it created was breathtaking. With its winter wonderland
the area was often dubbed the North Pole.

At the end of the street, Adell's home was
magnificently decorated with bright lights and festive garland
adorning the alcove in the entranceway. It caused a nagging void in
Laura's heart. Instead of rejoicing in the season she found herself
repeatedly in a melancholy spirit. Having lost all of her families
Christmas heirlooms in the fire, the season seemed to be bringing
more heartache than joy.

With an admonishing word to herself she could
almost hear her therapist telling her life was what you made it.
She should have taken the time and made some homemade decorations
especially with the girls having returned home. The shelter was
devoid of any Christmas decorations. Not that it was intentional,
she had simply become overwhelmed and could never find the time to
go replenish her Christmas boxes. With a determined sigh, she vowed
this time next year, she would do just that and the shelter would
outshine any house on the block.

Raising her hand, she pressed a gloved finger
over the doorbell and waited. From where she stood she could hear
the distant but distinct sound of Christmas music coming through
the thick oak door before it swung open and the hall light blinded
her momentarily.

“Laura!” Adell's cheerful voice reached her
ears. “You came, I was so afraid you wouldn’t.”

Well that was certainly good news. Laura
wasn't sure how she was going to be greeted. “I wouldn't miss it.
Thank you for inviting me.”

“Come in. Let me take your coat.”

She stepped over the threshold and got a good
view of the home's interior. The holiday shrieked of joy and
celebration in every wreath gracing the walls, and in every garland
adorning archways with small bundles of holly berries clinging to
their vines. Adell herself looked absolutely stunning in her
glittering gown of emerald green enhanced only by the twinkling
from the stones in her rather expensive necklace.

The older woman noticed Laura studying it.
“It was my Christmas present from Norton. They're beautiful, aren't
they?”

“Yes, magnificent. You must have been very
happy.”

“I would have been happy with nothing. Just
as long as we get to spend Christmas together.” Immediately remorse
darkened her eyes as she noticed the shadow fall over Laura's face.
“I'm sorry dear, how callous of me.”

Laura shook her head. “Don't be. It will
always be hard. But I must not let it sadden the holiday for me. I
have new friends to celebrate it with.”

Adell smiled. “And we're happy to celebrate
it with you.”

She took her by the shoulders and led her
toward the main hall where rejoicing voices could be heard over
Christmas hymns being played on a piano. They passed a mahogany
hall table where a large cluster of poinsettias gave color to an
otherwise drab corner. But it was the tiny English cottage perched
beside them which caught Laura's attention. An almost replica of
the one back on her mantel. She had all the confirmation she needed
now, if she had any doubts before. It had been Adell and Norton's
doing in bringing about the reconstruction of the shelter.

Just before Adell opened the door to the
hall, she stopped and looked worriedly at Laura. “I almost forgot.
Dexter is here.”

Laura felt her stomach lurch as she
automatically began to back away. “What? But you said—”

“I know, and I apologize, he usually never
makes an appearance at these things, so I had no reason to believe
this year would be any different, particularly after I informed him
you would be here. But for some reason tonight he showed up.”

“How can that be?” She knew her face was
bland from shock, but didn't care. She needed to get out of the
home immediately.

“I'm not certain but—” Adell looked earnestly
at the younger woman. “You will attempt to make amends, won't
you?”

She froze, her eyes darting to the older
woman's face. A desperate plea came from those gentle eyes and had
Laura stopping dead in her tracks. Hadn't she promised herself that
apologizing to Dexter was something she would do for Adell? She had
her opportunity whether she liked it or not. She couldn't
disappoint the woman any more.

“Of course.” Unwillingly, she allowed herself
to be led into the room.

Her first view was a full gathering of many
smiling and jubilant guests of which none appeared familiar. She
wanted to spot Dexter before he saw her so she had a chance to get
her equilibrium under control. A quick glance around the jam-packed
room concealed his presence.

No sooner she made her entrance then Norton
greeted her and drew her attention away from the group. Directly
behind him, Adell's other son along with his wife bestowed her with
welcoming smiles. Laura was immediately struck with a recollection
from last Christmas Eve when she had envied this little family and
yearned to be a part of it.

“You remember my other son, Harris, and his
wife Lydia?” Adell introduced them.

“Of course. How do you do?”

They exchanged formalities before Harris
said, “I want to offer my sympathies regarding the shelter and at
the same time my congratulations. I hear you're getting it back off
the ground.”

Laura's eyes shot toward Adell. “Yes, I've
been very lucky. I’ve been the recipient of a very generous
benefactor. I’m very grateful.”

The woman noticed the glitter of gratitude in
the younger girl's eyes and frowned.

“Well, the spirit of Christmas seems to have
worked its magic.” Lydia drew her attention.

Liking the explanation, it gave the entire
horrid event a new light. She smiled. “Let's just hope it lasts the
whole year through.”

“Chances of that happening are one to a
hundred.” Dexter's unexpected voice had everyone turning around in
surprise.

Laura felt the greatest shock, trying
desperately to calm her weakened backbone. “Why, what's Christmas
without Scrooge. Hello Dexter.”

Ignoring her attempt at satire, he continued,
“With its chief commander entirely ignorant of how to run a
successful fiscal year, a collapse is imminent.”

Irked with him for discussing her personal
financial situation in front of others, she attempted to shrug him
off. “It seems to me you would like nothing better than to see me
fail. So why you would worry about it, is beyond my
comprehension.”

“You're lack of comprehension is not in
question,” he said emotionless and causing Laura to gasp. Uncaring,
he continued, “However, your inability to grasp the importance of
the smallest concept such as understanding when a venture is doomed
for failure, even after repeated fiascos, is confounding.”

“How dare you—” She was overwhelmed with an
urge to slap him across the face.

“Any one ignorant enough to walk down the
same disastrous path, I would say gives me all the right.” He
stared her glaringly in the eye.

Inwardly, her blood began to boil. With
effort, she controlled her voice. “Have you never heard of learning
from your mistakes?”

“Precisely.” He crossed his arms. “By not
making the same ones.”

“Maybe you two would like to take this
somewhere more private.” Norton quietly drew their attention.

A quick glance over her shoulder had Laura
noticing the unwanted attention of a few close onlookers. Angry
with herself for allowing Dexter to draw a reaction in a public
domain, she swallowed her disdain. “No, we're finished.”

“Now, how many times have you said that?”
Dexter was quick to scoff her.

“Dexter.” His mother raised her voice in
warning.