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A slight tenseness increased in Allen’s muscles. “Dad, I—”
“It would help me out, son.”
He couldn’t say no. Not this time. His father wouldn’t ask unless he needed him. “Who do I talk to?”
“I’ll give Diana your number and she’ll tell you everything you need to know,” his father said.
“Okay, Dad.”
***
Allen stopped by his house before walking through the doors
of Maple Meadow High School. He passed the trophy case and the student-painted murals. He smelled the mix of paint and cleaning supplies. Passing the lockers, he came to the cafeteria.
Bright fluorescent lights hung overhead and rows of long tables with plastic chairs spaced out along them. There was laughter among the townspeople along with talking. Chairs scraped the floor as they maneuvered the decorations around. Was that a Gingerbread head-in-hole? They took Christmas seriously.
It was now or never. Allen pushed through the door scanning for a friendly face. He didn’t know what Diana looked like, but her voice sounded pleasant on the phone.
“You must be Allen,” the familiar voice said.
Allen waved at the woman with salt-pepper hair. She clapped her hands together and pulled him into a hug. “We’re so glad you’re here. You’re just in time.”
Allen took a step back, not expecting such a warm embrace. “Thanks Mrs…?”
“It’s Shaw, but call me Diana, please. Or Ms. Diana if you’d like.”
“Shaw? Are you—”
“Mom, where’s the rest of the garland?”
Allen cleared his throat spotting Heather sitting in one of the plastic chairs, with her leg propped up in one. Her crutch leaned against the wall. They locked eyes, and she dropped the garland in her hands.
“Heather, ask Abigail,” her mother replied. She turned back to Allen. “Now about the Twinkle Tunnel.” She looped her arm through his. “It will be in the far corner. For the hot cocoa stand, we want it close to the kitchen. I have the design plans from last year. Now for the candy cane lane—”
“Diana, we need the decorations for the tree,” a voice called out.
Diana tilted her head to the side. “And this is just the festival. I can’t wait until the tree lighting ceremony. I’ll be back.”
Allen took off his coat, placing it on a table. He would have been lying to say he didn’t enjoy seeing Heather again, despite her attitude towards him. Judging from her frown, she wasn’t excited to see him.
***
Heather checked all the lights around the garland. Her plan was to call and apologize to Allen. Why was he here? He didn’t do Christmas, not from the way he felt about the Sawyer’s Christmas party. Her shoulders slumped as she avoided eye contact with him. There was no harm done, right? She wasn’t rude to him, only unpleasant.
She sighed. Her mother taught her better manners than that. He was only there to help. He was doing his job, and she practically threw him out of her house.
Not wanting to drag out the issue, she lifted her chin and waved him over. At first, he glanced around as if wondering if she meant him. She did. Allen made his way across the room.
“You need something?” he asked.
“Have a seat, please,” Heather said.
He pulled up a chair and sat down. Heather handed him a piece of the garland.
“What am I doing with this?”
“Checking to see if all the bulbs work.” She leaned over and plugged it into the wall. “We’ve had it for years but we always check in case we need to replace it.”
