A Merry Little Christmas (29 page)

“Momma, I hope I said the important things, everything you wanted to hear from a daughter. I hope that, at least for a little while, I brought you both as much joy as you gave me. And I hope I said ‘I love you’ enough.”

How strange, that after growing up and finally learning the meaning and importance of love, she would come face-to-face with a merciless ultimatum from a man who seemed determined to destroy it.

Franny placed all the family treasures back in the drawer. Her plan had been to give the mementoes to her children someday so they’d know something about their grandparents—how generous and fine they were. How they lived their lives for others and for the pleasure of the Almighty. It would become her life prayer as well, even if it meant giving up the one thing on earth she loved most.

Charlie.

Franny picked up her momma’s wedding-ring box, cracked open the velvet container, and fingered the gold band with the tiny diamond perched on top. She would carry her desire for marriage and children the rest of her life—and yet she feared it was now no more than that, a dream. She put the ring back in the box and shut the drawer a little too loudly.

Her mouth was pink from twisting her lips with her fingers. A tear fell without permission, and then a few more came, leaving wet trails down her cheeks. How could joy turn into sorrow so quickly?
Oh, God, this world is as sure and steady as an earthquake. Why does it have to be so unpredictable and frightening?
She plucked at some loose threads on the chair.

The house felt cold and empty. Maybe she should stand over the floor furnace to take off the chill. Or maybe she should think about rekindling some of her old friendships. Or hunt down her dear old Aunt Beatrice. Since she’d farmed all by herself over the years, it had become easy to neglect things—neglect people.

Franny started to hum, since humming warmed her.

Someone in the house stirred. Henry had just eaten and fallen asleep. Charlie was outside feeding the animals, and Willie had gone out to help. Noma must have come in from her hike along the creek. So much had happened while Noma was gone. How would she ever tell her all that had transpired? It was a miracle to have Dunlap behind bars, and yet Noma might see the incident as a reason for deep concern—a reason to leave.

The door eased open, and Noma peered inside. “Didn’t mean to trouble you. The house was so quiet I got a little worried, wondering where everybody had gone off to. And then I heard some little mouse noises in here.”

“I’m the mouse. It’s all right. Come in.” Franny waved her inside. “Did you enjoy your walk?”

“I did. I sure do enjoy the outdoors around here. I saw the creek and the woods and spotted that cedar you talked about. That’ll make a fine Christmas tree. Should reach all the way to the ceiling.” Noma rubbed her arms. “But I should have helped Mr. Charlie feed those animals.”

“No, he insisted you take every Sunday off. And I do too.”

“You’re both awfully good to me.” Noma glanced around. “So, this was your momma and daddy’s room.”

“Yes. I was just in here…remembering.”

“I hope they was good things.”

“Yes, mostly.” Franny circled her finger in the dust on the top of the dressing table.

“I have those remembering days too.”

Franny looked at Noma’s reflection in the mirror. “And what do you remember?”

“Oh, hon, all sorts of things. I’ve been alive a long time, so I have lots of remembering.” She shook her finger in the air. “But I will tell you this tale. You might like it. When I was a little gal, my mamma shared the gospel with me. She said to me on our porch swing, ‘Jesus can wash you white as snow if you just let Him.’ After I welcomed the Lord as my Redeemer, I found out my mamma was talking about my soul, not my skin.” Noma chuckled. “I have to tell ya, I felt a little hoodwinked at the time, but I’ve lived my life for the Lord a long time, and I know I got the better end of the deal.” She let her fingers alight onto Franny’s shoulders.

“I like that story.”

“I do too. It has a happy ending, and
your
story will also. Keep on staying in the faith and resting in His arms. It’s a good place to be. Like I’ve heard you say, ‘God is up to something wonderful.’ ”

Franny reached up and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, that is something I do need to talk to you about.” Noma looked away toward the window.

“What is it?”
Oh no.
Surely Noma hadn’t seen the sheriff’s car. Wasn’t she out the whole time?

“I saw who all was here,” Noma said. “I know you didn’t want to tell me, ’cause you knew it would be upsettin’.” She pressed her hand along her dress, smoothing it. “Those men, they was here because of me. I don’t know the whole story, but I don’t need to.”

The joy drained right out of Franny. “Oh, Noma. Please know—”

“Shh. It’s all right now.” She gave Franny’s shoulder a pat. “But I came to tell you…and it’s not easy to say it. Not easy at all. But I’m leaving.” Noma clasped her hands together and put them to her lips. “I love this place, so full of peace. And being here with you and helping out and all—the little bit of work I’ve done has been more joy than I’ve known in a year. But when I went into town, well, I could tell people was staring. I didn’t see hate in their eyes, but I did see fear. And if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that it don’t take long for fear to snake itself into hate.”

Noma took out the hankie from her belt and dabbed at her eyes. “You’ve been kind to me, coming to
my
rescue this time. You welcomed me as a friend, and so did the folks at that sweet little church you took me to. I will never forget the way the pastor’s wife hugged me and welcomed me into the fold and even gave me some of her homemade Christmas candy.
But
I don’t want be the one who brings trouble down on this farm, on this land. From what little bits of whisperings I heard in town, you’ve had more than your share of it over the years.”

Franny stood then and embraced Noma. “Please don’t go. I beg you. I can’t bear to see you go. And I know Charlie has said he’s glad for you to stay as long as you want. Consider this farm as your home too.” She pulled back to look at Noma. “If you go, it will mean they’ve won, and God doesn’t want them to win. He’s on our side. I’m not as brave as I want to be, but together, you and me, we can overcome this. We can make a difference.”

The clouds outside the window loosened their hold on the sun, letting the light spill through the thin gray curtains—letting it mingle with every color in the room. Franny stood there with Noma, in that silver haze, in that numinous covering, watching all the colors become one.

“So, what do you think?” Franny breathed a prayer. “Can you stay?”

“Yes.” Noma smiled. “Home…it’s a mighty good place to be.”

Charlie glanced over at Willie, who was gathering eggs and placing them ever-so-gingerly into his wire basket. Trying to keep the conversation light, Charlie said to his brother, “Who would have guessed it a few years ago—us, gathering eggs together.”

“This might be an amusing pastime if you didn’t have to do it every day.” Willie reached underneath one of the chickens to retrieve an egg, but the chicken squawked and pecked at his fingers. He yanked his hand back. “Well, maybe I’d rather paint a still life of eggs than gather them.” Willie set his basket down. “I guess there’s one thing about this work we’re used to.”

“What’s that?”

“We’re used to getting pecked at.”

Charlie looked at him and sighed. “True.”

“Hey, why do you have music playing for the chickens?”

“Oh. Well, Franny seems to think it keeps the chickens happier, and so they produce more eggs.”

“Does it work?”

Charlie shrugged. “Haven’t been a farmer long enough to find out for myself. But the music keeps
me
happy.”

Willie smiled and then kicked at a pan of oyster shells that Franny kept around for the chickens to eat.

When he didn’t pick up his egg basket again, Charlie asked, “Something on your mind?”

“There is, actually.”

Charlie stopped his work and waited for his brother to continue.

“Your Franny is an amazing woman.”

“Yes, she is.”

“You wouldn’t want to lose her.”

“No, I sure wouldn’t.” Curious conversation. What was Willie trying to say?

Willie crossed his arms. “I noticed that Franny likes to keep a couple of the windows open a bit.”

“Yes, she does, when it’s not too cold.”

“Well, today,” Willie said, “it wasn’t all that cold.”

An uneasy feeling needled Charlie, prickling his flesh. “What do you mean?”

“Well, voices carry on the breeze.” Willie rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry, Chuck, but I was in the front room looking at Franny’s family photographs, and I heard enough of your conversation to know what our father intends to do. I know about the threats. I know what you’re hiding from me.”

Charlie’s fingers lost their grip on the handle and the basket fell, spilling eggs all over the floor.

The chickens wasted no time in scuttling over and gobbling up the gooey debris.

Willie looked at the mess. “Sorry. Guess I startled you.”

“They’re just eggs. But this is your life we’re talking about.”

Willie picked up the two eggs that hadn’t broken and set them on the windowsill. “I know I’m your little brother, but you’re going to do this one thing for me.”

“I would do anything for you. You know that.”

“Good.” Willie dusted off his coat and hands. “Then this shouldn’t be a problem.”

“What is it?”

“Truth?”

“Yeah, truth.”

“I want you to marry Franny,” Willie said. “She’s going to make a great sister. I’ve always wanted a sister. Oh, and she’ll make you a good wife too. And then you’re going to buy that music store so I can take piano lessons.”

Charlie frowned. “Let’s get out of here. These low ceilings are suffocating and all this dusty air makes my head ache.” He headed outside, buttoned his coat, and breathed in the coolness of the evening.

Willie followed him outside. “So, are you going to do this for me?”

“I will not let Father follow through with his plan. You know how he is when he wants something.” Charlie shook his hands in the air in utter frustration. “He will go to any length. Any expense. All these years he could have used his money to help the poor, but instead he spends a fortune on attorney fees just to get what he wants when he wants it. Just to prove a point that means nothing! Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout.”

“Well, Father has a way of doing that to us.”

“It’s just…well, I remember the look in your eyes when you first came home from the institution. You were so full of fear, as if you believed no one was watching out for you. Don’t you see? If Father can prove you’re a danger to yourself, I’m afraid you might not ever come home again. I will not allow—”

“But you no longer have any say in the matter.”

Charlie looked back at him. “What do you mean? What do you intend to do?”

“I’m going to confront Father about this tomorrow, and you’re not going to stop me. I’m older now. And I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.” He smiled. “I am determined, Chuck. And no amount of debate or argument or negotiation is going to turn me back.”

“No turning you back, eh?”

“Nope.”

“You absolutely sure?”

“Yes.”

Charlie paused to give it some thought. “All right. But you’re not going it alone. If we have to do this, we’ll do it together. And if we have to, if Father won’t be reasonable, I’ll hire our own attorney. But don’t go sneaking off in the night on me, like you did when we were kids. We’ll do this as brothers, together, or not at all. Agreed?”

Willie put his hands up. “All right. All right. Man, you really do take this big brother thing seriously. But it’s all right. You’re the only family I’ve got. Well, that is until you marry Franny.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

Charlie shook his head, but he let those words, those hope-filled words, sweep over him. Marrying Franny had seemed impossible, and yet with God…

Willie climbed up to the top of the fence and sat down. “You know, when you and Franny faced that sheriff and Dunlap character head-on, well, it was like being inside the clouds of an electrical storm. There were so many sparks in the room, I thought the kitchen would catch on fire. I’ve not recovered. I never will. Such boldness and bravery and integrity. God was with you two, and He will be with us tomorrow.”

Charlie smiled. “You
have
grown up.”

“It always helps when there’s a girl.” Willie jumped down from the fence.

“So, you’re dating someone? Who is she?”

“Her name is Veronica. Such a peach. She’s compassionate and unique. And of course, she loves art and worships me.”

Charlie chuckled. “Comes in handy.”

“Father would hate her.”

“Most likely. But you’ll have
my
blessing.”

“And that’s the one that counts.” Willie slapped Charlie on the back. “Funny how women have this way of turning boys into dragon slayers.”

Charlie thought about it for a moment. “No truer statement has ever been uttered.” He wiped his hands on his overalls.