Monday Dec 23

Effie was in the apartment with Maddy, so Bobbie walked over to the registration desk to collect her mail. Lacey was in the art gallery and Quinn was chatting with her.

“Hi Guys, I guess there’s not much going on at the registration desk, we don’t have many guests this close to Christmas.”

“That’s for sure Bobbie, but we’re all busy with the Christmas parties that are going on simultaneously in this gallery building and the restaurant over the next couple days.”

Bobbie hired Joan’s catering to help out all last week and this week until Christmas eve, and Joan was helping Mark with the food and supplying extra staff and the parties were going smoothly.

“I hope having all this,” Bobbie gestured to the numerous tables, the sound system at the end of the gallery, the makeshift dance floor beside it and all the Christmas decorations, “is not too disruptive.” The mobile bar was set up near the door but it wasn’t completely set up.

Lacey laughed. “I am so ready for Christmas to be done. I feel like scrooge, but I need a rest. I’m advertising the gallery gift shop as perfect for buying gifts and stocking stuffers, and we’re doing a booming business. It’s a lot of work but it’s good for my artists.”

Quinn nodded. “Right? Some of those things are really nice; I got Ray’s present there.”

“Quinn, are you all ready for Christmas with the new twins?”

They’re only 7 months old so they probably don’t care so much about it. They do like the lights and the tree. I’m Pretty sure Cora was humming Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer last night. I think she is a musical prodigy. Dad is trying to make everything special because it doesn’t look like Mom will have too many more Christmases.”

Bobbie nodded. “Quinn, that’s really sad. Has she at least been able to get out of the hospital? Is this my mail?”

Quinn walked over to the main desk and picked up a pile of envelopes. “She’s been home about a week but I think she’ll go to palliative care in the new year. We’re trying to be brave. It’s nice Will is here too. Ray will have to put up with a McNally Christmas that might be part wake. You’ll have to come over. Anyway, here’s your mail. This one is a little odd.”

Bobbie took it from her. It was a card and Christmas message she mailed to her aunt in Australia. In big letters; over the address was the word DECEASED. Bobbie shook her head. This was her mom’s sister. Did Florence even know she was gone or did she just not tell her. Bobbie hadn’t seen her aunt in years but this wasn’t a nice way to find out she had passed. “Thanks Quinn, I’ll be in touch about visiting right after Christmas. Give my best to your mom, I’m going to try and see her.”

Bobbie waved and went into the restaurant and back to the staff room behind SPOKES. It was empty. She looked at the Christmas note she tucked into the cards sent out to her friends and family. She sent quite a few but it was mostly to share her new mailing address.

Dear friends and family. I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. What a year we have had.

I retired last November and then suddenly Alex, the love of my life, was taken from me just as we were about to start the last chapter of our lives. It felt like the universe was against me.

Before Alex passed, we bought a tired motel and planned to renovate it. I went though with it and with the support of friends and family I now am the proud owner of the Water Wheel Motel in Crow Harbour. I hope everyone can come visit sometime.

The rest of the family is in Crow harbour and my mum was widowed the year before last so we really lean on each other now that I moved back.

Charley and his wife June are happy and going to have another baby. Niko and Suzy will have a little brother or sister. I think it’s a boy.

Eddy has a bit of a rocky road. He and Jen are taking a break from each other but the kids are holding up really well because Eddy and Jen wouldn’t have it any other way. Clay and Walt and Laura miss their grandpa and their grampa-great. I am able to see more of them now that I’m in Crow harbour.

My biggest news is that I was contacted by the child I gave up for adoption when I was young. She was at the tragic and untimely end of her life and I have adopted her treasured daughter Madison. So, I now am the caregiver and grandma to a 3 year old girl.

Maddy and I send our love and hope to see you in the new year.

At the end of the letter, she had a picture that she and Maddy drew of a Christmas wreath.

She opened other cards from some of her friends in Cit City. She and Alex used to host and participate in a supper club with the neighbourhood parents. It used to be a group that went camping together when all their kids were young. She had cards from former co-workers and she had cards from friends here in Crow Harbour. They were amazed she was looking after a such a young child again.

She was putting the cards away and thinking about calling her mum about her dead aunt when Mark came in holding a water bottle. “Were just about to open the restaurant and have 3 big lunches and one afternoon party over in the gallery. The turkey dinner has been the favourite this past week and looks like it’s going to continue. I’ve been roasting six turkeys every night.”

“Mark have you been staying here all night?”

“No, one of Joan’s people comes and roasts the turkeys. They are cool enough when I get here at 6 and Marla and I get them all carved. Do you need any carcasses for soup?”

“Not right now but you should get Joan’s guy to make broth while he’s roasting the turkeys at night. you can use the vegetable scrapings and the carcasses from the day’s meals.”

“OK, that is genius Bobbie. I’m going to get them to do that tonight. It’s much easier to store broth. I should talk to you more often boss. Do you still want shaved meat for your boxing day party? Joan’s guy is cooking the roasts tonight while he tends the turkeys.”

“That will be great Mark. I can come down tomorrow night after Maddy is in bed and shave the beef.”

“Don’t be silly, I can get Jane to do that first thing. It will be in the walk in when you need it.”

“Thanks Mark, all the buns are in there and I might assemble them all down here Christmas Eve because the restaurant will be closed.”

Mark nodded and went back to the kitchen to oversee the lunch service and Bobbie went out to SPOKES and took a pizza out of the cooler and left a note for Lochland. She went back out and up the back stairs to her apartment. Effie and Maddy were playing with a puzzle. “How about pizza for lunch. Are you staying Effie?”

“Thanks Bobbie but Roger and I are finishing the rooms so we can leave early and I’m going to drive him home for Christmas.”

“Before you leave, you should check for extra turkey dinner to take with you.”

Effie got up and hugged Maddy and came out to the kitchen. “I left a little present for Maddy from Roger and Dray and me under the tree.”

Bobbie nodded, “Oh Effie I have a couple things for you and Roger and Drey, do you think you could take them?” She went into her den and came out with three gift bags and handed them to Effie. “Merry Christmas Effie.”

Effie laughed, “I’ll see you tomorrow Bobbie but Merry Christmas to you too.”

“Bobbie smiled. “You’ll be coming to the boxing day party and the New years party?”

“Mark has me roped into working on New Years but we’re all going to the boxing day party. Except Roger. He’ll be in a turkey coma at his moms.”

Maddy came into the kitchen and must have smelled the pizza. She jumped up and down beside her high seat and Bobbie put her in and pushed it up to the island. Effie left and Bobbie took the pizza out of the oven and chatted with Maddy about wrapping the presents they were giving everyone. They finished lunch and went into Bobbies office that was now present central.

“We have to get the gift bags and labels organized and then we can put the presents in.” It took quite a while to get all the presents packed up because Maddy had to smell all the knitted things and rub them on her face before she put them in the bag. She’s going to be a knitter, thought Bobbie.