December 9<\/p>\n
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\u2019d 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?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
We could,<\/i> Schrodinger said sleepily. There\u2019s nothing we need to do, except make cookies.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s dough in the freezer,\u201d Molly said, snuggling back into her flannel sheets. \u201cWe don\u2019t technically have to get up until tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Didn\u2019t you say something about going to a movie, though?<\/i><\/p>\n
Molly thought. \u201cDid I? I don\u2019t remember.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Some Christmas movie\u2026<\/i> Schrodinger\u2019s 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\u2019t eaten yet.<\/p>\n
And after a very late brunch, going back to bed just didn\u2019t 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\u2019d gone simple this year \u2013 just white lights and the ornaments she\u2019d inherited over the years. Martha Stewart\u2019s tree, no, but it was full of the things she loved.<\/p>\n
She sat, and dreamed, a mug of Christmas tea slowly cooling in her hands, and enjoyed the hell out of it.<\/p>\n
Around 1 pm, Schrodinger stuck his head in the living room. Why didn\u2019t you nap in the bed?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I wanted to see the Christmas lights, and we don\u2019t have any in the bedroom,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n
We could put some there.<\/i> He climbed up onto the couch. They could go over the headboard.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWe could.\u201d Molly considered that as she sipped her tea. It was cold, and she frowned at it. After a moment, the mug steamed again. \u201cWe still have two strands of colored lights that we haven\u2019t put up.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sat a bit longer, looking at the lights, then got up. \u201cI should check the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a red envelope?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the bills, among other things,\u201d 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\u2019t that long a walk, after all.<\/p>\n
Her mailbox was almost empty, except for a Christmas card from her cousin, a flyer from LLBean and the ubiquitous red envelope. Molly smiled. \u201cI might actually miss these things once Christmas is over,\u201d she murmured to herself as she climbed the steps back into the brownstone. \u201cMaybe I can convince SA to keep them coming?\u201d<\/p>\n
Did you get one?<\/i> 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.<\/p>\n
SA\u2019s envelope today contained his CD, plus a pair of movie tickets. \u201cCome with me to the movies?\u201d the note with it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMovies, Schrodinger?\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
What is this from?<\/i> Schrodinger cocked his head at her as she laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA very, very good movie, called The Year Without a Santa Claus.\u201d Molly went back and looked at the tickets. \u201cAnd we have tickets for 3 pm. Want to go?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sure?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYou sound hesitant, cat,\u201d Molly said, getting her coat. <\/p>\n
Well, he sent you two tickets, right?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then it sounds like I\u2019m not invited.<\/i> Schrodinger put his head down on his feet. That it\u2019s a date.<\/i><\/p>\n
Molly went and knelt in front of him. \u201cExcept the tickets are for the old Marshall Theatre,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t need a ticket for there, remember? Patrick lets you in free, because he adores you. So come on, silly!\u201d<\/p>\n
The walk in the brisk air brought a glow to Molly\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n
There was a line in front of the ticket window, full of the Cove\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing to see the movie?\u201d Luke asked her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got two tickets from my secret admirer,\u201d Molly said, grinning up at him. \u201cWanna come in with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShouldn\u2019t you take your admirer?\u201d<\/p>\n
She batted her eyelashes at him. \u201cI thought you were one of my admirers. How do I know you\u2019re not SA?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTouch\u00e9,\u201d Luke said, laughing. \u201cHey, Schrodinger, mind if I join you guys?\u201d<\/p>\n
Not at all,<\/i> the CrossCat said. Do you like popcorn?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cLove it,\u201d Luke said, and offered Molly his arm. \u201cShall we?\u201d<\/p>\n