Chapter 15
fifteen
At first Malcolm and even his pup didn’t seem to bother her mother, but after just two days and several puppy puddles that Olivia cleaned up quickly, she knew her mom was like a time bomb about to blow.
And so Olivia planned a little meeting with her dad and grandma in the den.
So far, the McEntires had been unable to locate a septic service that wasn’t booked until a full week after Christmas.
To help them in the duration, they’d even had a porta potty set up in their front yard.
They couldn’t put it in back because the company couldn’t get their truck through the small gate.
To help it look more festive, Cindy and Erik had decorated the little structure with a blow-up Santa who looked like he was waiting his turn. Jane did not find it amusing.
“Are we ever going to do a proper intervention?” Olivia asked her dad as soon as they gathered in his den.
“Seems like it’s already begun,” he said wryly.
“Yeah, the universe has dealt Jane a whammy of a hand.” Lulu laughed. “I don’t see how we could’ve done a better job.”
“And your mother seems to be managing it,” Dad added. “Why not just let it ride?”
“Because Mom is fuming. Sure, she’s managing to contain it somehow, but I can tell she’s about to explode. And to be honest, I’m getting worried about her physical health. What if she has a stroke or heart attack or something?”
Her dad’s brow furrowed. “She does have elevated blood pressure.”
“I’d hate to think all this could really hurt her. That would be horrible,” Lulu said.
“Pastor Justin offered to help us if we do a real intervention.” Dad counted on his fingers. “It’s only three days until Christmas. I suppose I sort of hoped we’d get past the holiday before confronting her.”
Olivia stood, pacing back and forth in front of the big-screen TV. “But what if we did a loving and honest sort of intervention, and what if Mom really got it? I mean, it’s possible she could see the light. And then we could hold her hand and walk her through learning to let go of things.”
“But she’s been letting go,” Dad persisted.
Lulu nodded. “Life has been forcing her to let go. Well, life and her wheelchair.”
“But it hasn’t been her choice. And from what I’ve read about OCD and other mental health issues, the individual has to make a choice themself.
They have to engage and want to change. They need to recognize a need for help and be willing to get that help.
Right now, she’s more like a prisoner in her home.
” She held up a finger. “In fact, I’ve heard her say that very thing.
She said she feels like a POW. And she doesn’t even know what started the war. ”
“Good points,” Lulu agreed. “I never had a counseling degree, but back at the commune I was considered the counselor.”
“The commune?” Olivia studied her grandma.
“Oh, it was short-lived. I suppose your mom never mentioned it. Moonbeam was pretty small when Al and I split. She was about three by the time I realized I’d hooked up with a pot-smoking hippie who didn’t believe in work.
Anyway, I felt sort of lost, so I joined this free people commune in Northern California.
I liked their philosophy—everyone helping everyone, getting back to nature by growing our own food, making candles and baking bread and sewing quilts .
. . all that sort of thing. Supposedly there was time to breathe and contemplate and live intentionally on this commune .
. . but it seemed we never really had time since there were so many chores to be done just to survive.
And it eventually got too woo-woo extreme for me, and I had to take Moonbeam and get out of there.
” She chuckled. “But while I was still there, I got known as the counselor since I listened to everyone’s problems and apparently gave good advice.
And I finally advised myself to take my little girl and split. ”
Olivia nodded. That all made sense in a puzzling sort of way.
Her mom had obviously experienced a rather interesting, perhaps frustrating, childhood.
And in a weird way, hearing her grandma confessing this much gave her hope.
If it was true that disorders sometimes skipped a generation, maybe she’d be more like her grandma than her mom.
Or even like her dad, although she was more of a creative type and had never wanted to be an accountant.
“So, what’s the next step?” Lulu asked Dad.
He rubbed his chin. “Well, I think Olivia is right. We should do this properly. I’ll call Justin and see when he has time.” He turned to Olivia. “Do you want to invite Malcolm and his parents to join us? I think their perspective would be good.”
She nodded. “And I’m sure they’d be glad to help.”
“Speaking of help.” Dad stood up. “I think I hear Jane’s bell ringing. I’d better check on her.”
After he left, Lulu looked at Olivia. “How are you doing, honey? Your dad mentioned how you and Malcolm had been getting romantically involved. And although Malcolm is staying here, I’ve barely seen him.
It seems all he does here is shower and sleep, and then he leaves Sadie in your care and is gone.
I’d hoped to get to know him a bit. But he hasn’t even remained here for a meal.
Is he afraid of my cooking?” She winked.
“No. He’s just super busy. First he was helping his dad with their plumbing challenges.
Until their tank gets emptied, they’re living like pioneer people.
And then he’s been helping Dr. Wheeler, who owns the vet clinic in town.
I think he’s testing Malcolm out, perhaps to take him on as an associate. ”
Lulu nodded in approval. “So, tell me . . . is it serious between you two?”
Olivia considered her answer. “To be honest, I’m not sure anymore. I mean, I really like him a lot. But you’ve seen how my mom treats his family.”
“I know there’s some kind of history there. I don’t know the full story.”
“The short version is that Cindy doesn’t measure up to Mom’s type A standards. Of course, no one does.”
“Right. It really seemed she was softening up toward Cindy. But it was short-lived. When Cindy was here yesterday to explain why the little outhouse is there and how their family is still coming for Christmas, I was worried Jane was going to throw something at the poor woman.”
Olivia cringed.
“After Cindy left, your mother went into a tirade over how they should’ve replaced their septic system ages ago.
Good grief, you’d think the McEntires’ sewage had flooded your parents’ front yard.
Your mother even threatened to call the board of health.
” She shrugged. “And I’ll admit it does smell a little outside.
But it’s just temporary. And it’s not like anyone is having a barbecue. ”
“It is pretty stinky.” Olivia sighed. “It’s so sad for the McEntires. Such a bind. I wish I could invite Malcolm and his family to spend Christmas with us. I mean, can you imagine trying to cook for twenty or more people with no plumbing—and that stench?”
“That’d be perfect,” Lulu declared. “We will do that.”
“Do what?”
“Invite them all for Christmas.”
Olivia blinked. “Seriously?”
“Why not? It can be the cherry on top of Jane’s little intervention sundae. And just imagine a house full of happy people gathered here. I’ve been in Cindy’s house. This place is bigger and has a much better layout for entertaining.”
“That’s true.” Olivia tried to imagine her mom’s reaction, then decided it was better not to think about it.
“And to take the pressure off you, I’ll invite them.” Lulu grinned. “I’ll go over there right now and start putting together a plan with Cindy. She’s such a delightful person.”
“Maybe you should ask them about participating in Mom’s intervention while you’re there,” Olivia suggested, thinking she’d prefer to have that one off her shoulders too.
Maybe she was cowardly, but she just wanted to preserve her relationship with her mother.
And Lulu seemed skilled at ignoring conflict .
. . and thrived on acting like all was well when it was really going somewhere in a handbasket.
While Lulu went next door, Olivia went to check on her mom, discovering she’d sent Dad out for an order of Thai food.
“It just hit me,” she explained to Olivia in a slightly hushed tone, “that if I ordered takeout dinner, your grandmother would not need to concoct some horrid meal.” She smiled victoriously.
“That’s a great idea.” Olivia sat down on the sofa across from her. “How’s your hip feeling? Are you staying on top of your pain management?”
“Your father just gave me a pill. I’m fine.” She scowled.
“You don’t sound fine.”
Jane twisted a tissue in her hand, coiling it tight.
Olivia leaned forward. “You seem troubled, Mom. Are you okay?”
Jane’s eyes flashed with anger. “Of course not. How could I possibly be okay?”
Olivia just nodded, waiting . . . hoping for a breakthrough.
“Good grief, can you imagine how humiliating it was to be taken by ambulance to the hospital—with bright blue hair and a clay facial mask that was cracking up?”
Olivia couldn’t help but giggle. “I bet you were a sight, Mom.” She sobered. “I’m sorry.”
“And injuring my hip was no walk in the park either.” She pointed to her wheelchair. “Then being stuck in this thing, unable to perform the simplest tasks without help.”
“I don’t mind helping you, Mom.” Olivia knew that was only partially true. Her persnickety mother was not the easiest person in the world to assist. It seemed she never got anything quite right or good enough to satisfy her.
“And I appreciate that, Olivia. But on top of everything else, I have to endure my lunatic mother, the queen of bad taste, taking over my home and my kitchen.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m afraid to go in there and see what a mess she’s made of my beautiful kitchen.”
“It’s not that bad.” Okay, Olivia knew that was a lie. But Mom seemed so tormented, she just had to throw her a bone.
“And now having the neighbors traipsing in and out, using my shower and my towels and who knows what else.”
“Erik and Cindy can’t bathe at their house, Mom. And they’re using my bathroom, and I’ve been doing the cleanup and laundry.”
“What about Malcolm?”
“He’s barely here, Mom.” Olivia was losing her patience. It was one thing to get her mom to open up, but it was feeling more like a dam that had been broken. How to stop the flood?
“But he’s here. And no one even asked me.
” Jane narrowed her eyes. “And what about that dog? You might try to hide it, but I know she piddles and who knows what else on my floors when you let her run around. And my living room is starting to smell like a dog. Does she have to be in here?” She glared at the kennel carrier sitting in front of the never-used white stone-faced fireplace.
The only other thing on the pristine hearth was a neat stack of birch logs tied with a blue velvet ribbon—for show, not burning.
“Sadie needs to be where I can hear her if she whines. And I haven’t let her roam unsupervised since her last accident,” Olivia said defensively. “And Malcolm showed me how to train her to use potty pads. We’re working on it.” She started to stand. “Maybe I should—”
“No, that’s not the worst part, Olivia.” Jane pursed her lips. “What about Malcolm? How long does he—and that dog—plan to remain in my house?”
Olivia took a deep breath, measuring her words.
“Well, Dad said Malcolm and Sadie could stay as long as necessary. And being that the McEntires still don’t have plumbing, it seemed kinder to just have one less person at their house for now.
Although their family is still coming into town for Christmas. ”
“So I’ve heard.” She leaned her head back, looking up at the ceiling with an exasperated expression. “Which I have to say is the most ridiculous thing ever. A houseful of people and no plumbing.” She let out a sarcastic laugh.
“But they love having family there for the holidays.”
“Trust me, I’m aware. But think about it, Olivia, all those people, those kids, that stupid outhouse. It’s unsanitary. Really, it should be illegal. I swear they are turning into the Beverly Hillbillies over there.”
Olivia laughed. “Well, this isn’t exactly Beverly Hills, and the McEntires aren’t enjoying their time without plumbing.
” She carefully considered her next sentence.
“But as long as we’re on the subject of the McEntires and Christmas, you should probably know that Grandma thought we should invite them to join us for Christmas. ” She braced herself.
Jane sat up straight, nostrils literally flaring. “Over my dead body.”
“Hopefully not.” Olivia attempted a calm smile. “Mom, it’s the neighborly thing to do. We just thought—”
“This is my house.”
“It’s Dad’s house too. And I used to think it was mine, but I’m not so sure anymore.
Anyway, I know Dad will agree to this idea.
He really likes the McEntires. And so do I—and sharing Christmas with them would be a lot of fun.
More fun than the usual formal affairs you like to host.” Olivia blinked when, for the first time in her memory, the unthinkable happened.
She witnessed her mother using bad language. “Mom!”
“I’m sorry,” Jane snapped. “No, I’m not. I don’t care. This is the most outrageous idea ever! I won’t allow it. I’ll tell your father as soon as he gets back. I swear, Olivia, there is no way on God’s green earth we will invite the McEntires for Christmas.”
Olivia stood, determined to remain calm or at least sound like it.
“It’s already a done deal. Grandma’s next door right now, making a plan with Cindy.
They’ll share the cooking chores. Cindy is a wonderful cook.
” She continued to ramble about what fun they’d have with the children and playing games and singing carols .
. . but her mother was fuming. If it were humanly possible, steam would probably be shooting out of her ears by now.
But Olivia didn’t care. It was about time her mother learned the world didn’t revolve around her and her obsession with perfection.
“This is not going to happen, Olivia Elizabeth. I will put my foot down.” Jane shook a fist. “I plan to tell Rob to set everyone straight as soon as he gets back. He can just uninvite the McEntires. Because we are not having them for Christmas. And that is that!”
Olivia just nodded. “Okay. Well, unless you need something, I’m going to give Sadie another lesson on her puppy pad.”
Jane’s response was a groan, and before she could make more protests, Olivia left to get the pup set up for a potty lesson by the back door.
As she waited for Sadie to do her business, she wondered if her mom was partially right.
Maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to have their neighbors here after all.
It wasn’t as if the holidays could get any worse for the Bradshaws, but what if it spoiled the McEntire family’s Christmas?