32 JANIE
JANIE
“I heard your house looks amazing!” Harper says sweetly from behind the counter.
“And I heard you went all venomous dragon on Aiden Vanderwell.”
“Venomous? Wait, Vanderwell?” She blanches. “Like, the university and the children’s hospital? That Vanderwell?”
“You think Ben is besties with a Vanderwell who is not billionaire American royalty?”
“Oh no.”
I chuckle, “I’m sure whatever you said, he deserved it.”
She relaxes a little bit and I can see her brain remembering whatever scene unfolded here while I was sick. I watch emotions play out on her gorgeous face, shock, embarrassment, anger, acceptance. Adorable. She shakes to clear it all from her head.
“So, will you try again with Ben and your Gran?”
I look away, “No. It was a dumb idea.”
“It wasn’t.”
“It was, Harp.” I lower my voice and lean closer. “Seriously, what was the point trying to introduce her to a guy who won’t be around after a few more weeks?”
“Don’t you mean five years?” She whispers back.
I roll my eyes. “He won’t be here, in Juniper Falls like it is now. I’ll have to see him annually or mayyyybe for holidays.”
“Sorry, Janie, but I don’t believe that and I don’t think your subconscious does either, which is why you wanted to introduce him to her. He’s important.”
I sigh, “You’re just a romantic.”
She sighs back, purposefully, “You’re just a cynic.”
“And this is why we work as friends. It’s called balance.”
“Here, take this for her, she loves them.” Harper grabs a couple lemon cookies for Gran and puts them in a bag, then hands the bag to me. I don’t try to pay because I’m not in the mood to argue. I’ll put a big tip in the tip jar when she’s not looking.
“Thanks, Harp. I’m coming back after the lunch rush and we will absolutely be discussing the altercation with Mr. Vanderwell.”
“We will not.” She mutters.
I laugh because we absolutely will.
I take my coffee and the cookies and make my way out to the Lincoln. I frown at it. I have to admit, money has its perks. The Range Rover’s seats are heated and soft and the Lincoln is… free. The car is free, Janie! Focus.
I shiver in my beat up, hard, free seat as I drive to Gran’s place, praying for another good morning.
I breathe in the fresh air, freezing but smelling of, well, Juniper Falls.
Juniper trees, spices, sugary treats and fireplaces.
I take in the sparkling morning snow, the bright red decorations starting everywhere.
I can admit it, it is a cheery, if completely unhinged, place.
I brace myself as I park, cross the parking lot and near the memory care center doors. I startle at the team of men stringing lights outside.
I huff as I scan my ID at the visitor pass kiosk tucked inside the inner entry doors. What, so they can spring for outdoor decorations that the residents will never even see? How does that make any sense?
I can’t wait to see the one measly tree that they—
“Wha—” The air leaves my lungs as my mouth falls open involuntarily.
Wait, What?
It’s a Christmas wonderland in here. Gran wasn’t here last year so I can’t be sure but since there was nothing but a few laminated turkeys taped up on the wall with visible Scotch tape just days ago, I’m guessing this is new.
And I can guess exactly where it all came from.
But…seriously?
I make one off-handed comment about decorations and he goes full billionaire?
My eyes start scanning, darting everywhere for a plaque, a sign, a logo. The Clark name has got to be around here somewhere. I stop a nurse passing by.
“Who donated all this?”
“We don’t know! Isn’t it wonderful?! Wait. Was it you, Mrs. Clark? It was, wasn’t it!”
I try to stop her, “No, no, it—”
“Betty! The Clarks did the decorations! Duh!”
“Of course they did! Who else could afford to get all this and secretly stage it as a surprise overnight?” Before she finishes her sentence, all the staff is buzzing, talking and then clapping.
I inhale and exhale. I try to smile but I’m sure it looks more like I’m in pain. And maybe I am. And maybe mad? But can I get mad at him for doing something anonymously? I pull out my phone.
Janie: Benedict.
Benedict: Janelle.
Janie: What did you do?!
Benedict: ?
Janie: I thought we agreed no going all billionaire
Benedict: Hm, I don’t remember reading that in the contract.
Janie: Ben!
Benedict: I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.
Janie: It’s beautiful.
Benedict: What is?
Janie: Thank you
Benedict: I haven’t the foggiest what you’re on about
Janie: Haven’t the foggiest? On about?
Janie: Do you ever just try to be normal?
Benedict: If I did, what would you ride me about?
Janie: Speaking of riding
Benedict: Yes, please, let’s!
Benedict: [huge smile emoji]
Janie: No. I mean the carriage rides.
Benedict: [sad face emoji]
Janie: Our next outing.
Janie: Which IS why you’re coming home. On Saturday.
Janie: [wink emoji]
Benedict: Ah, yes carriage rides. Love them. My favorite.
Janie: [eye roll emoji]
Benedict: You know what that emoji does to me
Janie: [eye roll emoji][eye roll emoji][eye roll emoji]
Benedict: Have mercy, Nigel just sat down right next to me.
Janie: lol and?
Benedict: And I’d rather not blow in my slacks next to my longtime bodyguard if it’s all the same to you!
Janie: ok sorry, no more eye rolling.
Janie: [kiss emoji]
Benedict: FML
I tuck my phone away and look around again.
It’s not just that there are trees and garlands and lights.
It’s that it’s all so…classy. There’s nothing last-minute or low-budget about it.
No visible scotch tape this time. And there’s so much.
Multiple trees, a Hanukkah display, a Nativity, a Snowman in one corner, a Santa in another.
A Christmas village set up on the mantle.
This must have cost a small fortune.
But.
That’s what he does. What people like him do.
Love-bombing, grandeur.
Theo was the same once he started to make a lot more money. Even Walker, he tried to do the grand gesture thing, within the limits of the college allowance his parents gave him.
So why are my eyes misting up?
“Ugh!”
Because I am weak.
Again, here I stand, swooning. Impressed. Touched.
By charm and money.
Except.
It feels different.
Everything Theo did was in front of our friends. Everything in our relationship was such a show. A public proposal. Planned a crazy over the top wedding, even if we never made it down the aisle. His giant engagement party that blew up in my face.
Walker was showy too.
But, who am I kidding, as if Ben’s not?
He is…isn’t he?
“Mrs. Clark? Are you here to see Cheryl?”
“Oh, yes,” I say, realizing I’ve just been standing frozen in the lobby, muttering at myself.
I walk to Gran’s hall and think of Ben at the expo, literally on stage, dazzling everyone.
Although…he didn’t dazzle. He actually got up there and just talked.
Made fun of the whole Clark enterprise and his dad and, most of all, himself.
People were charmed not because he was charming them but because he just happens to be charming.
Everyone who meets him loves him because… he is…so damn lovable.
No.
Likable.
He’s a…good pal. A buddy.
My friend. A best friend, even.
He’s a sweet guy who will make a great husband for real some day when he slows down enough to fall in love. No, actually, he won’t slow. He won’t change.
“He shouldn’t change.” I say out loud. Meaning it. He’s spectacular, just as he is.
He’ll be perfect for someone when he finds a girl who can keep up with him. Someone other than me. My eyes mist up again.
I try to convince myself it’s still about the garlands and the wreaths.