Sorting Through Life's Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 15

          Shawna explained that the poor man had been told that she had agreed to the date and when she walked out, she had heard him screaming at her parents about being humiliated. She had also slammed her trunk on him swearing up a storm about telling the rest of their friends to which she couldn't even make out their screaming replies.

"Trust me, sweetie, it could have been a lot worse," was all Maeve responded before setting about making dinner. While her head was thrust into the refrigerator Tom and Shawna shot questioning looks at each other, both equally oblivious to her meaning.

"What do you mean, Babes?" Shawna had a sinking feeling as she prodded her friend.

"Don't worry about it anymore, it's over and you're here. Now could one of you go down to the grocery and pick a wine? I don't usually keep it in."

Tom jumped at the chance to do something for her quickly, volunteered himself grabbing his jacket off the chair he had occupied before their decorating began. "What kind do you want?"

"This is going to be a fairly mild dinner, but not fish, so a blush would be good. If they have them. If not something between a blush and red would be good."

"Blush?" Tom knew but, he really was surprised that she even had preferences. Aside from the night at the fire he had never seen her drink, and she hadn't served any at the dinner in November.

"Rose. Thank you for going, feel free to pick up anything else you think we might need."

"Of course, Darling. I'll be right back," he responded with a quick, warm peck on her cheek. He was in such a hurry that he didn't see the look of shock on her face, only heard the laugh Shawna let out on his way through the front door.

"What exactly have I interrupted by showing up so early?"

"Nothing. Tom came by to tell me about a roll he earned, and I asked him to help me decorate the tree. I had just got it earlier this morning and it was quite heavy. I glad he came by; I don't think I would have gotten it in the stand without injury."

"So, he got a role and had to come tell you?" Shawna gave her a sly smile.

"Don't read into it. He was just really excited, I'm sure everyone else was busy and he just wanted to tell someone."

"Did he say why he came by to tell you?"

"He said that he had me to thank for it. I'm kind of excited to see it. He is going to get a ticket for me for opening night."

Shawna started laughing at this news. "Babes, he did it for you. What's the role?"

"He got the lead in Singin' In the Rain."

"Yep, he definitely did it for you. I guess that means I better give you a great Christmas present."

"Shawna, I told you last year, I don't want any presents. Just do something nice for someone who needs it more than I do."

"I do that for a living, babes. You're getting a gift, so get over it. Now, this place looks like he helped with more than the tree. You really don't see it, do you?"

"I don't know what your talking about." Maeve knew she was evading the obvious, but she refused to go down that little alley of thought and pretended to be oblivious.

Shawna eyed her friend, "You are a really bad liar. He won't wait forever. That man has been courting you since he got to Africa and you keep giving him the cold shoulder. Now, I come for a visit and you two are getting very comfortable and decorating the place for the holidays. If you give him the brush off after this, he may stop trying."

"It's just...." Maeve swallowed hard and tried to keep her emotions in check. "I know Tom has commitment issues already. What happens if I break him, too." Shawna saw the tears she was fighting and pulled her close.

Tom found them like that a few minutes later and tried to keep quiet so as not to disturb them. He set the wine on the counter, then went into the living room and started picking up the mess they made decorating.

"Tom?" He turned to the soft voice he loved to hear. "Why didn't you say you were back? Dinner is almost ready."

"You ladies looked like you needed space. I didn't want to disturb so I figured it would be alright to straighten up our very festive explosion." He gave a small smile and stepped closer to her. She took a step back but didn't seem scared.

"Don't freak out. Just stand there, because I am going to hug you." He slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her close. When she didn't pull away, he held her tighter, and exhaled happily when he felt her arms go around him, softly squeezing. "Alright, now let's go back in there before I make you burn this delicious meal I smell." She gave him a small smile and they joined Shawna in the kitchen. Tom poured while she served. Her friend didn't say anything but, they moved around like they had been living together for years. She quietly took a picture with her phone; glad she had turned the sound off beforehand and saved it.

"So, Shawna, where are you staying since your parents are a no go?"

"Well, I was going to book a hotel for the duration. All my other family are out of town this time of year, they can't stand the cold."

"Why don't you stay with u-Mae. Mae do you think your boss would mind if she stayed with you?" Tom volunteered.

"I already checked to see if she would be coming into town for the holidays, but she has to work. You could stay, I have a spare room beside hers. It will be fun, like Guinea, but better accommodations and no threat of snakes." The women laughed but, Tom was reminded of the school snake and it sobered him up a bit.

"That sounds great. I know it will be just wonderful having you here during Christmas. It's been lonely that past couple of years." Maeve beamed at her friend and Tom loved the way she looked when she was this happy.