Chapter Twelve
Theater is, of course, a reflection of life. Maybe we have to improve life before we can improve theater.
—W. R. Inge
Hollis’s phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, the name of the head of the local boys home flashing on the screen. He picked up the phone and answered excitedly. “Hey, Steve. How’s it going?”
“Hey, Hollis. Doing all right. Hope you are too.” Steve’s familiar voice crackled through the speaker. “Listen, I’ve got three boys here at the home who could really use some work this holiday season. You think Pop’s Farm might have a need for a little help?”
Hollis leaned against the counter, memories of his own time at the boys home flooding back. “Absolutely,” he said without hesitation. “We could definitely use the extra hands, especially with me tied up with the Christmas play rehearsals.”
He knew Steve had already guessed his answer would be yes. Boys from the system had come out to help over the last few years under Hollis’s direction. “That’s great, Hollis. These kids remind me so much of us at that age. They need a fighting chance, you know?”
“I agree,” Hollis said softly. “They can tag trees, wrap them up, load them onto cars. It’ll be good for them.”
“You’re a lifesaver, man,” Steve said.
“Happy to help. You know, we should catch up sometime. How’ve you been doing?”
There was a brief pause before Steve answered. “Taking it one day at a time, you know? But having this job at the home, being able to help these kids, it’s good for me.”
“Glad to hear it,” Hollis said sincerely. He knew Steve had struggled over the years, battling his own demons. “Hey, how’s Bart? That beagle still keeping you on your toes?”
Steve laughed. “Man, that dog is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Man’s best friend is right. I can’t thank you enough for training him.”
Hollis felt a warmth spread through his chest. “Dogs have a way of healing us, don’t they?”
“They sure do. Healing us and tearing up our best shoes,” Steve agreed with a laugh. “Hey, speaking of dogs, I heard you’re finally going to open that rescue and training business of yours in the new year. That true?”
“Yeah, it is,” Hollis confirmed, excitement bubbling up inside him at the thought. “I’ve found a great property, just working out the details now.”
“That’s awesome, man. You know, I was thinking, maybe you could take some of the boys from the home, teach them how to train dogs like you used to do. It could be really good for them, you know?”
The idea had never occurred to him, but now that Steve mentioned it, it seemed perfect. “I’d love to do that. It would give the kids a skill, something to be proud of.”
“Exactly,” Steve said. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll inspire some future dog trainers.”
They chatted for a few more minutes, ironing out the details for the boys who would be working at the tree farm. As they wrapped up the call, Hollis felt a renewed sense of purpose. “Thanks for calling, Steve. It’s always good to hear from you.”
“You too, man. Take care of yourself, all right?”
After hanging up, Hollis stood in his kitchen for a moment, lost in thought. The conversation with Steve had stirred up a lot of memories—some good, some painful. But it had also reinforced his commitment to giving back to the community that had given him so much.
Glancing at the clock, he realized it was time to head to the theater for another rehearsal. His eyes fell on the Santa hat sitting on his dresser. With a grin, he picked it up and placed it on his head. Maybe wearing it would help him get into character.
As he drove to the theater, Hollis’s mind wandered from the boys home to Mallory, who’d been on his mind a lot lately.
Maybe too much. Every thought he had led back to her and how she would see certain things.
What she would say. He’d always valued her opinions, but now he craved them.
Talking to her satisfied a need for deep connection.
When he pulled into the theater parking lot, Hollis caught sight of his reflection in the rearview mirror.
The Santa hat sat slightly askew on his head, and he couldn’t help but grin.
Who’d have thought that the troubled kid from the boys home would end up playing Santa in the town’s beloved Christmas play?
With a spring in his step and the red Santa hat on his head, Hollis stepped out of his truck and headed into the theater, ready to embrace his role as Santa, both onstage and offstage.
After all, wasn’t that what the spirit of Christmas was all about?
Bringing joy, offering second chances, and believing in the magic of new beginnings.
Christmas music spilled out as he pushed open the theater doors, followed by heated voices coming from the auditorium. Hollis paused for a moment, his gaze jumping around to assess the situation. Esther Woods was wagging a finger in the air while raising her voice at Mallory.
“Your grandmother would be ashamed. Absolutely ashamed.”
Hollis zeroed in on Mallory’s flushed cheeks. Even from a distance, he could see the shine in her eyes.
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way,” Mallory said in a shaky voice.
“If you would like to remove yourself from the performance, I will not stand in your way.” She looked at the entire group.
“In fact, if any of you are having second thoughts, tell me now so that arrangements can be made to fill the roles. This play is in honor of my grandmother.”
“But then you’re going to just throw away her life’s work,” Esther shot back.
The older woman turned to face the group.
“Mallory isn’t telling us the whole story, but at least her sister is honest. They’re going to sell this theater right after the holiday.
They’ve already spoken to a real estate agent. ”
By the look on Mallory’s face, that was news to her.
Hollis’s feet started walking with a quick, determined pace.
“Easy to run your mouth, but how many of you have helped Mallory keep this theater afloat? If you are so concerned, why aren’t you donating to the cause?
Why is Mallory spending all her money on this project?
And, another thing. If you all love Nan so much, why aren’t you visiting her at Memory Oaks?
I’m there a couple of times a week, and from what I’m told, Mallory and I are the only guests Nan sees. ” To include Mallory’s sister, Maddie.
Esther’s mouth gaped open.
“I’ll answer that question. It’s because you’re a hypocrite,” Hollis said, focusing on Esther. “And one thing Nan always despised was a person who would say one thing and do another.”
“Who are you to talk?” Esther said, wagging that finger of hers again.
“At least I don’t pretend to be perfect and judge others for being human.
” He looked around at everyone except Mallory because he was worried she might be upset with him right now.
“So? Who’s staying? This is the point-of-no-return moment.
You’re either in or out, but decide now, because we have a play that the entire town is depending on. ”
Esther shook her head with disgust. “I’m out. This is a disgrace.” She looked at the others. “Who’s with me?”
The members of the cast looked at each other, no one moving or speaking. There was a long silence finally punctuated by Esther’s exasperated sigh.
“Whatever.” She threw her arms up in the air and then grabbed her coat to storm out.
Hollis lowered his voice as he sidled up beside Mallory. “Sorry if I overstepped.”
She looked up at him, the shine still in her eyes. “No, you’re not.”
He grimaced because she was right. “Well, I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“You didn’t.” She didn’t look exactly happy though. Raising her voice, she addressed the group. “Does the fact that the rest of you are still here mean you’re in this for the long haul?”
The cast members nodded.
“We know you’re doing your absolute best and your best is no less than your grandmother’s. We’re not just here to support Nan. We support you too,” Marvin Long, the town’s former mayor, said.
“Thank you.” Mallory took a deep breath and then clapped her hands together. “Well, then let’s do this. Let’s run the play from beginning to end without our scripts. We better start now or we’ll be here all night.”
Hollis admired the way Mallory stayed strong when he knew she probably felt like crumbling. He’d come to see that most people were doing the same. Barely convincing the world around them that they had their act together. Maybe that’s why Esther had just behaved so rudely.
They ran through the script, and when Esther’s lines came up, Hollis took the initiative to say them.
They rolled through the motions without skipping a beat.
When the curtain closed, everyone talked among themselves as they collected their belongings and said good-bye to one another.
Hollis stayed, like he’d been doing since the first night of rehearsals.
Mallory finally looked at him. “Thank you for tonight. Now I just need to find a real actress to fill Esther’s role. With three weeks until opening night.”
Hollis held out his arms. “No, you don’t. I’ll do it.” When Mallory gave him a strange look, he held out a palm. “Granted, it’s a female role. Just change the part of the mother to a father and I’m your guy.”
Mallory gave him a strange look. “You’re already playing Santa.”
“In a costume, covered from head to toe. None of the Santa scenes are shared with Esther’s part. I’ll be Father Christmas and the part of Little Ella’s Father. No problem.”
Mallory’s eyes searched his, as if she didn’t believe he was being serious at first. “I’ve lost count of how many favors you’ve given me in the last month.”
“I just want you to be happy.” Truly, regardless of his promise to Nan. That was why he was here. And why he’d showed up to this very theater every day after school as a kid.
Mallory released a soft laugh.
“Why is that funny?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Happiness feels like such a childish concept. Is there any such thing as real happiness or is it some make-believe thing. Like Santa Claus.” She gestured to the Santa hat on his head.
“Wait. You’re telling me Santa isn’t real?” He didn’t take her smile at face value because she’d just told him that she didn’t believe in true happiness anymore.
“Are you sure you can handle taking on a whole other role? This one has a lot of lines to learn.”
Apparently, she hadn’t realized that he’d been reading his lines tonight without a script. He puffed up his chest and began to recite the new lines, one by one, as Mallory’s lips parted and her eyes subtly widened.
“How did you do that?”
“I know all the lines. I’ve been attending this play every year since I was a kid. If every single cast member decides to quit, I’ve got you covered. I’ll be like Tyler Perry in all those Madea movies. Or Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor.”
Mallory tilted her head. “You’d even take the roles of the ladies in ball gowns? I’m not sure I have a gown that will fit you.”
Hollis loved the teasing glint in her eyes, a spark of life, even though the burden on her shoulders was heavy lately. “How about we just keep the actresses in the fancy gowns happy so that they don’t quit.”
“Probably a good idea.”
“Yeah.” Nervousness bubbled up inside him. “I have another good idea.”
She lifted a brow. “Do tell.”
“Hot chocolate,” he said.
“Now?” She looked taken aback.
“Why not now? I’m always in the mood for hot chocolate in the winter. Plus we have a lot to celebrate.”
“Celebrate?” she repeated, looking unconvinced. “What are we celebrating?”
“You. The way you’ve been such a rock star in organizing this play. Your grandmother would be so proud of you. You’re making plans to take care of her, and you’re basically just kicking butt being you.”
Mallory crossed her arms over her chest. “First off, the play is a mess. I’ve already had two people drop out, one because they don’t believe in my ability to pull this off.
And the only way to take care of Nan is to sell the place she loved the most in the whole world, which my sister, Maddie, is in favor of.
We’re selling our grandmother’s legacy.”
“Well, in my mind, you’re a rock star,” Hollis said. “And rock stars deserve hot cocoa. So what do you say?”
Mallory glanced around the empty theater and looked at him again.
“Only if I can pay. I owe you so much at this point. Not only for me, but for connecting Maddie with your friend. She’s texted me a few pictures this past week.
She’s cycling again. And she’s talking about rock climbing.
” Mallory released a laugh. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Nervous, but in a good way.”
“There’s a difference between being excited for others and doing things for yourself, to fulfill yourself.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“What makes you happy? That’s what I’m interested in.”