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Smiling, I fought the urge to correct Charlie’s misuse of broke it down. I glanced at my mother, who appeared to be searching for something to say. Her eyes were misted over, and I hurried over to her.
“Mom? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
My father turned his attention from Charlie to Mom. “Jen, darling, are you okay?”
She nodded and fanned her hand in front of her as if she was attempting to wave away the tears that threatened to spill.
“What’s wrong?” I asked gently.
Her eyes met mine, and she lowered her voice. “That is the one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. For her to teach that to Charlie. I knew she was paying him, but to be such a positive role model in his life is so important. He’s needed a female figure for so long, and with me not being here for you both…”
Her words faded away while my father embraced her.
Smiling, I replied, “I know. I thought it was a pretty neat idea.”
“I might have to look into that for your mother.” Dad attempted to hide a laugh, then said, “Oooff,” when my mom threw an elbow into his side.
“Anyway,” Mom said as she dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I like this girl.”
I slowly shook my head. “So, you’ve decided you like Palmer because she’s showing Charlie how to save money?”
She shot me an exasperated look. “No, not just that. I adore the way Charlie adores her. And she’s clearly a good…friend…to you.”
I brought my hand to the back of my neck as I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Focusing back on my mother, I said, “Mom, I know you want there to be something more there, but there isn’t. Please, will you accept the fact that Palmer is simply a friend and a wonderful influence in Charlie’s life?”
She slowly smiled before making her way over to me. She gently patted my chest. “Oh, Mason. When will you ever learn?”
Then she turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me more confused than ever.
I faced my father, and before I could say a word, he held up his hands and said, “I’ve tried to figure her out so many times, I’ve simply given up. You’ll soon learn, son, that some battles are not worth the fight.”
I lifted my hand to knock on Palmer’s door, but it swung open before I could. There she stood with a giddy expression on her face.
“I was watching for you! Man, the snow is really coming down, isn’t it?”
I glanced over my shoulder at the near blizzard we had going on before facing Palmer. “I don’t think it’s going to stop anytime soon.”
She winked. “Good thing I can walk home, or I’d be stuck at your house.”
I wanted to tell her that I didn’t think that would be a bad thing, but I smiled and said nothing.
“I’m ready—let me slip my coat and gloves on. I’ve got the two pies in that bag and the éclair in the other one.”
Two bags were sitting on a small table next to the front door. I stepped inside and took them both.
Palmer appeared in front of me again.
“No hat?” I asked.
She tilted her head as she regarded me. “We’re only walking to your back door, Mason.”
“I still think you should put on a hat and a scarf. Do you know how much heat you lose from your head and neck?”
The corners of her mouth twitched with a hidden smile before she reached over and grabbed a scarf off her coatrack. Then she picked up a gray hat with a giant ball on the top and slipped them both on.
“There. All warm and tidy for a less-than-one-minute walk.”
“You haven’t seen how much snow you need to hike through yet.”
I motioned for her to step out of the house first, then I followed. Palmer had a keyless entry, so she reached over and hit the lock button. She checked that the door was locked, and then we made our way down the drive and to the back of my house.
“Does it always snow like this on Christmas?” I asked.
“Not always. We’ve had a few years where there was no snow at all. Those are my least favorite Christmas memories though.”
“Is Christmas your favorite holiday?”
Palmer took a few moments to think about the question before she answered. “That and Halloween. Even to this day, I love to dress up for Halloween. It killed me when Addie got married on Halloween and I couldn’t wear a costume.”
I laughed. “Charlie loves Halloween as well.”
“Has he ever had a Halloween party?”
“Um, no. Did you have one when you were little?”
Palmer stopped walking and stared at me with a befuddled look on her face.
“What?” I asked.
“You’ve never had a Halloween party?”
I shook my head. “We haven’t ever had any parties before.”
