“Yost?” I questioned as I slammed a door on my thoughts and stepped back out of her way.
“My maiden name. That’s how I met your grandpa” — Grandmother chuckled — “all through school we sat next to each other. Back then teachers always made you sit alphabetically.”
“Really?” Shock filled me at her words. “How long?”
“How long what?” Ms. Amelia set the tray down and moved the mugs to sit in front of three chairs.
Grandmother’s friend took the seat I’d been in previously which forced me to take one next to Ms. Amelia.
“When did you first meet your husband?” I clarified.
“Kindergarten... and he always told me he knew from that first tug of my pigtail” — Amelia Yost Wood let out a sigh as she thought of the past — “I never... dated anyone else. Your grandfather was so handsome.”
“Wow.” Saying I was shocked would be an understatement.
“When we grew up, kids grew up and started their families in the same place they were born. Not many moved away. This farm has been in your grandpa’s family for five generations. The Wood family owned most of the county at one point but it was split up and given to children to begin their own livelihoods over the years. But, this plot of land… this house… it has remained in the Wood name until this day.” A sad look crossed my grandmother’s face at the end of her speech. “That ended with my Fredrick though.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied automatically. “I wish I’d had a chance to meet him.”
“Why thank you, Clara.” Grandmother patted my hand and gave me a soft smile. “Your mother and grandpa were always two peas in a pod. So much alike.”
“Mom never spoke much about either of you. Usually only around the holidays and... It um…” How do you tell someone that they’d been dead as far as you knew? “It was always in the past.”
“I’m not surprised. The last time we spoke to Nat… the yelling… the anger… The next morning she was gone.” A tear slipped from my grandmother’s eye.
“Enough of that!” Franny fluttered her hands in the air in front of them. “Has she agreed to the date?”
“Date?” For some reason, the word snagged my attention.
“I haven’t asked yet, Franny.” My grandmother glared at her friend.
“Mrs. Wood —”
“None of that, now. Ms. Amelia or Grandma, please.” Amelia Wood offered me a bowl of sugar. A small spoon stuck into the bowl allowed me to add some to my coffee.
“I’m guessing there is something you wanted to talk to me about, Ms. Amelia?” I waited as I was offered a small pitcher of cream.
The clink of our spoons was the only noise for what seemed like forever. Most likely only a few seconds passed.
“Clara… well… you see… I need you to do me a favor. I was hoping you’d agree to stay with me for a few days and fulfill a responsibility I have.”
“And…” I let the single word hang in the air.
“It’s the Silent Night Auction you see. Every year the town holds a silent auction… of… um… eligible bachelors.” Pink brightened my grandmother’s cheeks as she fiddled with her own coffee.
“It’s for the children,” Franny chimed in. “All of the proceeds are used to buy Christmas for underprivileged families. Dinner and presents to give them at least one day of joy.”
“So many things have changed over the years. Farming isn’t what it used to be and other job opportunities come and go… there’s always so many without a job.” Ms. Amelia looked at me hopefully.
The thought of kids without Christmas had memories swarming. As a single mother, my mom had always worked hard to provide for me. But… the holidays were always difficult. I could tell she wanted to give me the picture-perfect memories she had of her own childhood. Until she’d finished her degree and got the secretarial position, Natalie Wood had worked two jobs most of the time. One job was to pay the rent and the other — at a diner — was because she got reduced meals.
One Christmas after I started school, we’d been added to one of those trees — the ones where people pick a card and then deliver the gifts for the family based on their needs. All I’d ever wanted was for my mom to have a day off with me. I remember the helper talking me into asking for a doll and some winter outerwear.
“You see… I always bid on one of the gentlemen in the auction, but this year my doctor doesn’t think the date would be… uh… good for me.” My grandmother’s voice snapped me from my dark thoughts of the past.
Life had always sucked. But, at least I’d had my mom before.
“Originally I’d bid on Nikko Angelo. He’s the owner of a local restaurant and a widow. I figured I’d be safe. But, this morning I got a call from the mayor and…”
I stopped listening at the name Angelo. My thoughts filled with huskily sung Christmas carols and the smells of warm yeast and basil. Eli Angelo. Bad boy or not, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I still felt the touch of his fingers where he’d brushed them over my hands.
“Eli’s really a good boy. It’s just been difficult for him when he lost his brother.” Grandmother’s voice pulled me from the heated direction of my thoughts.
“Lost his brother?” I whispered.
“Yes. Tomo Angelo died in a car crash last year. He and Eli were twins. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to lose someone who is so connected to you.”
“The poor boy is just trying to live life to the fullest. His grandfather is a stuffy old ass.” Franny practically snarled — she obviously didn’t like Eli’s grandfather.
“Franny…” My grandmother reached out to grasp her friend’s hand before turning back to me. “The mayor has assigned Eli community service for his most recent stunt
