December 9
The snow finally stopped around midmorning the next day. Drew had shown up with his snowmobile when it was time for Molly and Schrodinger to head home, and they’d accepted his offer. She wondered again just which one of the techs was SA. She was certain it was one of them. It had to be, right?
Now, she and Schrodinger lay in bed, listening to the wind across the eaves of the house as it carried the whoops and giggles of children playing in the three-foot drifts. The house smelled of evergreens and candy canes, thanks to the tree delivered Tuesday evening. Molly found she was considering spending the entire day in bed.
We could, Schrodinger said sleepily. There’s nothing we need to do, except make cookies.
“There’s dough in the freezer,” Molly said, snuggling back into her flannel sheets. “We don’t technically have to get up until tomorrow.”
Didn’t you say something about going to a movie, though?
Molly thought. “Did I? I don’t remember.” She had a vague thought – they were playing Christmas movies at both theatres in town, after all. Maybe that’s what he was referring to, since she and Margie had discussed it yesterday.
Some Christmas movie… Schrodinger’s mental voice trailed off, and after a few moments, she heard him snore. She almost followed him, but her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten yet.
And after a very late brunch, going back to bed just didn’t seem the right thing to do. She let the CrossCat sleep and sat in the living room, next to the Christmas tree. The lights were off, and she drew the curtains, so the only illumination was the flickering white bulbs on the tree. She’d gone simple this year – just white lights and the ornaments she’d inherited over the years. Martha Stewart’s tree, no, but it was full of the things she loved.
She sat, and dreamed, a mug of Christmas tea slowly cooling in her hands, and enjoyed the hell out of it.
Around 1 pm, Schrodinger stuck his head in the living room. Why didn’t you nap in the bed?
“Because I wanted to see the Christmas lights, and we don’t have any in the bedroom,” she replied.
We could put some there. He climbed up onto the couch. They could go over the headboard.
“We could.” Molly considered that as she sipped her tea. It was cold, and she frowned at it. After a moment, the mug steamed again. “We still have two strands of colored lights that we haven’t put up.”
She sat a bit longer, looking at the lights, then got up. “I should check the mail.”
For a red envelope?
“And the bills, among other things,” Molly said, going into the entryway and putting her boots on. She looked at her coat, then decided just to go out in her sweater. Wasn’t that long a walk, after all.
Her mailbox was almost empty, except for a Christmas card from her cousin, a flyer from LLBean and the ubiquitous red envelope. Molly smiled. “I might actually miss these things once Christmas is over,” she murmured to herself as she climbed the steps back into the brownstone. “Maybe I can convince SA to keep them coming?”
Did you get one? Schrodinger had come out to the kitchen while she was getting the mail, and now sat next to his food bowl. She tossed the mail on the counter and fixed his breakfast, then went to open the envelopes as he ate.
SA’s envelope today contained his CD, plus a pair of movie tickets. “Come with me to the movies?” the note with it said.
“Movies, Schrodinger?” Molly said, getting up to put the CD in. The first notes of the song had her wrinkling her brow in confusion, but then she realized what it was.
What is this from? Schrodinger cocked his head at her as she laughed.
“A very, very good movie, called The Year Without a Santa Claus.” Molly went back and looked at the tickets. “And we have tickets for 3 pm. Want to go?”
Sure?
“You sound hesitant, cat,” Molly said, getting her coat.
Well, he sent you two tickets, right?
“Yes.”
Then it sounds like I’m not invited. Schrodinger put his head down on his feet. That it’s a date.
Molly went and knelt in front of him. “Except the tickets are for the old Marshall Theatre,” she said. “And you don’t need a ticket for there, remember? Patrick lets you in free, because he adores you. So come on, silly!”
The walk in the brisk air brought a glow to Molly’s cheeks, and her heart beat a little faster as she caught sight of the Marshall Theatre. Would SA be there? How would she know him?
There was a line in front of the ticket window, full of the Cove’s children and many of the adults. Molly saw Father Christopher and her own aunt and uncle there. She and Schrodinger joined the queue, and then jumped as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
“Going to see the movie?” Luke asked her.
“I got two tickets from my secret admirer,” Molly said, grinning up at him. “Wanna come in with me?”
“Shouldn’t you take your admirer?”
She batted her eyelashes at him. “I thought you were one of my admirers. How do I know you’re not SA?”
“Touché,” Luke said, laughing. “Hey, Schrodinger, mind if I join you guys?”
Not at all, the CrossCat said. Do you like popcorn?
“Love it,” Luke said, and offered Molly his arm. “Shall we?”