Chapter 18 MJ
MJ
“It’s time to crown our holiday karaoke champion,” Eddie O’Donnell’s voice booms into the mic at the center of the stage where he’s holding a large red envelope. “I’ve always known Loving’s got talent, but y’all really showed up this year.”
“You certainly did.” Ron chuckles, nudging my arm.
“Oh, stop,” I say with a wave of my hand as Eddie opens the envelope, pulling out the piece of paper that holds the name of the winner.
I grip the edge of my chair, shocked to find I’m actually nervous, though Oliver and I probably don’t stand a chance.
There were twenty-one entries, and Eddie’s right. There’s a lot of talent in this town.
“Our champions were selected based on stage presence, vocal talent, and crowd participation, and for the first time in our town’s history, the judges were unanimous in their decision.
” Eddie waits while the audience cheers.
“I’m sure you’ll all agree that these particular performers were especially captivating. ”
The crowd goes silent, and I look at Ron, who has his fingers crossed. In the row in front of me, Lindsey’s holding hands with Oliver on one side and Kayla on the other.
Rose turns around to give me a little wink. “You’ve got this in the bag, sister.”
“Our holiday karaoke champions are” —Eddie pauses for effect— “Oliver and Grandma MJ! Come on up here!”
Everyone, including our two rows, erupts into wild cheers as Oliver jumps to his feet and spins to face me.
“We did it,” I say as I stand up, my hands on either side of my face.
He gives me a gentle smile. “You did.”
When Lindsey turns, her eyes are glistening. Even my sister’s cheeks look a little damp.
Ron squeezes my hand as I exit the row, sending a rush of warmth through my limbs.
Oliver meets me in the aisle, and I take his arm, allowing him to guide me up the stairs and onto the stage.
“Congratulations,” Eddie says, standing between us. “You’ve won a three-night stay in Gatlinburg in a gorgeous cabin, big enough for the whole family.”
My kids and the grandchildren are screaming their heads off, which causes the rest of the crowd to join in.
“It looks like you two have quite the cheering section, Grandma MJ,” Eddie says with a laugh, holding the microphone out to me.
“We do,” I manage, overcome with emotion from the abundance of love staring back at me. My entire family is on their feet, and I can’t remember the last time I saw them so happy.
“As you should. That was a heck of a performance, and I hope you and your family enjoy the mountains.” Eddie pats me on the back. “Stop by the booth, and Agnes will get your info so you can collect your prize.”
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for Oliver. I hold up his hand, and the crowd loses it once again.
Once we climb off the stage, I turn to Oliver. “You should take the trip. You did most of the heavy lifting, anyway,” I joke.
He shakes his head and grins. “It’s all yours, Grandma MJ.”
“Really,” I say, nodding toward where my kids are sitting. “Seeing the looks on their faces is the only prize I’ll ever need.”
“I imagine the looks on their faces when they find out they’re going to the mountains will be pretty amazing too.” He gestures at the booth. “Come on. Let’s give them your information.”
Once we finish, we head back to our cheering squad.
Ben wraps me in a hug. “You were great, Mom.”
“Yay, Grandma!” Emily cries.
“You did good, Myra Jean.” Rose nods, dabbing beneath her eyes.
“It was the performance of a lifetime,” Lucy says as she and Willow envelop me between them. “I’m so proud of you.”
Over Willow’s shoulder, I see Oliver wrap Lindsey in his arms, lifting her off her feet, and the sound of her laugh tugs on my heart.
“I’m hungry,” Noah whines, and Ellie shushes him.
“What do you guys say we hit the food trucks before we see the lights?” Kayla asks.
“Yum,” Emily says as Lindsey finally makes her way to me.
Lindsey opens her mouth as though she’s about to say something but closes it, folding her arms around me. The crisp, sweet scent of her hair takes me back to when she was just a little girl and I used to comb her dark locks, the smell of her apple detangler tickling my nose.
Lindsey knew I needed this. Ben and Lucy too. They tried repeatedly to pull me from the depths of grief, but I’d swatted their hands away every time. When had they all grown up? When had they started knowing better than me?
“I love you,” Lindsey whispers in my ear.
I kiss her cheek. “I love you too.”
“I’m so happy you’re here,” she says.
“Me too,” I say, and I mean it.
Ellie gives my arm a squeeze. “We’re going to start toward the food before these two try to gnaw off their own arms.”
Ron extends his hand to me. “Shall we?”
“Actually, you all go on ahead,” I say. “I’d like to speak to Oliver for a second if he doesn’t mind.”
Oliver’s brows shoot up in a question. “Me?”
I nod, and Lindsey smiles, placing her hand on Ron’s shoulder.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” she teases him.
“Always happy to be stuck with you, Doc,” Ron says. “We’ll see you two in a bit.”
Oliver falls into step with me as we watch the group scamper off toward the food trucks.
“Is everything okay?” Oliver asks. “I hope you’re not upset that I—”
“Upset?” I echo, placing my hand on his arm. “Heavens, no. I wanted to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For…well, everything,” I answer. “For starters, I haven’t seen my daughter smile with such happiness in a long time.”
He gives me a bashful grin.
“Did you know we used to come to this festival together as a family every single year before my Henry died?” I ask as we continue slowly toward the smell of funnel cakes and barbecue.
He shakes his head. “No, Lindsey never mentioned that.”
I sigh. “After Henry passed, I couldn’t bring myself to come back. I guess I was scared. I thought it would be too hard, too painful. That I’d only be able to remember the hard stuff.”
“I had no idea,” he says, dropping his gaze. “I’m sorry, MJ.”
“Don’t be. Today’s been a gift. You showed me there was nothing to be afraid of. I got to relive some of my happiest memories today and make some new ones too. And I have you to thank for that.”
He lifts his eyes to meet mine. “I’m glad I could help.”
I smile up at him. “And you know what else?”
“What?”
“You made me laugh like I haven’t laughed in years,” I say. “And you helped me realize I don’t want to be sad anymore. Henry wouldn’t want that, either. I think he’d want me to live.”
“I didn’t know Henry, but based on what I’ve heard, I think he would too,” Oliver says, holding out his arm to me. “Now, how about we celebrate our win with funnel cakes? My treat.”
“Not this time, mister. They’re on me. Besides, I kind of owe you for more than just tonight.”
His brow crinkles. “What? Why?”
“Remember the first day we met? When I asked you to dinner?”
“When Rose fell?”
“Yeah,” I say with a chuckle as I loop my arm through his. “About that…”
With everyone’s bellies full, we venture off to play some carnival games before it’s time to head over to the walk-through light show.
Lucy, Willow, and Ellie are helping Emily play the Santa’s Cookies Beanbag Toss, while Ben and Noah search for a restroom.
Ron and I are watching as Oliver, Lindsey, Rose, and Kayla compete in a water gun game, each trying to move their reindeer to the top of the chimney the fastest.
“C’mon, Blitzen,” Rose shouts, pumping the trigger on her water pistol. “Get yourself together. Santa’s got shit to do.”
“I think my reindeer’s drunk,” Lindsey says through fits of giggles as her little guy starts to lean to the left before turning completely upside down. This gets Oliver laughing, and before long, his reindeer’s looking a little tipsy too.
“Yes!” Kayla shrieks as her reindeer hits the top of the chimney.
“Oh hell,” Rose pouts.
“Let’s go again,” Kayla says, rubbing her hands together. “I’m feeling lucky!”
I shake my head. “Never a dull moment with this bunch.”
“I love it.” Ron grins, sending my heart galloping like Santa’s reindeer across a roof. “I’m having a great time.”
“Me too.”
“Look.” Ron leans into me and points to the game set up just a few feet from where we’re standing. “No one’s in line for the Pop-a-Balloon. What do you say we give it a whirl?”
“Sure. I can’t hit the broad side of a barn, but why not?”
“On that note, I’ll make sure to stand behind you.” He places his hand on the small of my back and steers me toward the wall of festively colored balloons.
“Wise decision,” I say.
The teenager working the game barely looks up from his phone. “It’s a buck a shot. If you pop a balloon, you get a prize.” He gestures to the narrow wall behind him, lined with various holiday-themed stuffed animals.
I point at a lone penguin wearing a snowflake-printed scarf. “That one’s cute.”
“We’ll take five.” Ron gives the boy the cash, who in turn places five darts into my hands.
“Fire away, Myra Jean,” Ron says.
I stand behind the marked line, though the boy probably wouldn’t notice if I walked right up to the wall and stabbed the balloon, as though I were a jilted mistress on Snapped. I pinch the dart between my thumb and forefinger, closing one eye to zero in on my target, before letting it fly.
“Whoops.” I wince as the dart bounces off the wall and skitters to the side. “See, I told you I have terrible aim. Maybe you should do the next one.”
Ron takes the dart from my hand, his skin brushing mine. Despite the chill in the air, my cheeks turn hot.
“We’ve got a winner here,” he says. “I can feel it.”
He steadies himself before throwing the dart with one swift movement, and it plows into the center of the board.
I clap my hands. “That was a warm-up shot.”
“I’m a little rusty,” he says with a chuckle. “You take the next one.”
“You sure?” I ask. “I don’t want to take anybody’s eye out.”
“Here,” he says, moving to stand behind me. “Let me help you.”