(advent) December 2

Tuesday, December 2

“Be careful!”

Molly and Schrodinger watched anxiously as Drew leaned over and attached another hook along the edge of the wrap-around porch. The day was cloudy but dry so far, and Molly was actually happy there was no snow to try and balance the ladder in. The porch was one of the reasons they had bought the house: Molly had seen it and immediately pictured it wreathed in lights and evergreen boughs, but now, with her fiance up on the ladder he’d borrowed from work, the edge of the roof seemed a lot higher up than it had before.

“I’m always careful,” Drew said, chuckling. “And I’m coming down – that’s the last one I can reach from here.”

By dint of moving the ladder along the front of the house, they got the hooks onto the roof for the lights. Then, as Drew went back and draped the icicle lights she’d bought, Molly and Schrodinger wrapped evergreen garlands around each of the posts, then tied bright red bows on the banister ends. There was already a large wreath on the front door – following the theme, it was a simple evergreen wreath with a red bow on the lower right-hand side. Snuggled up next to the bow was a nest, with a pretty little cardinal sitting in it. Her bright red mate was in the upper left-hand corner of the wreath, a spray of holly berries in his beak. Molly had found the wreath at the elementary school craft fair and fallen in love with it.

What about the trees? Schrodinger asked, as they all stood back and admired their work. Are we going to decorate them too?

“Oh yes,” Molly assured him. “I’ve got plans for the whole yard.”

Yay! Schrodinger said, bouncing around excitedly, but Drew groaned good-naturedly.

“Easy for you to say,” he told the CrossCat, who stared at him, aghast. “You aren’t up on the ladder.”

Molly, meanwhile, had turned to consider the front yard. The farmhouse was set back from the main road, but not far back. The lights would be visible from the road, and there were several good-sized trees dotted around the lawn that she had already bought lights for. “It won’t be too bad,” she said now. “I don’t think we’ll need the ladder, honestly.”

They only ended up needing it for two of the six trees. Molly had found star-shaped and snowflake-shaped lights, and they nestled among the dark green branches. When they turned them on, it looked like miniature galaxies in each tree.

“Now if only we had snow, we could put the sleigh out,” Molly said. “I don’t think it would be good to put it out now.” The lawn, soggy and brown with the last dead grass of autumn, was crisscrossed with their boot prints.

Maybe the sleigh will bring snow? Sort of like sympathetic magic? Schrodinger said, sitting on the bottom step of the porch and looking out at their work.

Molly and Drew exchanged looks, and Drew shrugged. “I’m game if you are,” he said. “It wouldn’t look bad anyways. What are we putting in it?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” Molly said. “I was thinking maybe presents, but everyone does that.” She looked over at Schrodinger. “What do you think?”

The tip of his tail twitched as he thought. We don’t have to fill it today, do we? he said finally. Maybe something will come to us.

“Sounds good to me.” Molly and Drew went over to the barn that they used as a garage and pulled out the little sleigh they’d found in the hayloft. It was an actual sleigh, not a model, and Drew had painted it to match the house’s pale blue and white trim.

“I wonder if they actually used this,” Molly said, as they positioned it in front of the house.

“There’s wear marks on the struts,” Drew said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they had used it.”

Maybe we should get a pony, so we can use it! Schrodinger bounced in excitement. We could take Lily, Jack and Zoey for a ride!

“Ponies are an expensive proposition,” Drew said, chuckling. “Besides being time-consuming. But maybe we can borrow one for a day, or something. I’m sure we could find someone to…”

He had been looking down the driveway past Molly as he spoke, and he trailed off suddenly, making her turn. There was a dark car headed down the road, slowing down at their driveway. A car neither of them recognized.

“Were you expecting company?” Drew said, and Molly shook her head. “Me neither. I wonder who it is.”

“Well, I’ve got fresh bread for sandwiches, and we got cider this weekend, so whoever it is, we’re ready,” she said, crossing to join him. “And unexpected visitors are fun, remember?”

Drew mumbled something under his breath, and she looked up at him. “What?”

“I said, I’d rather have a day with just you and Schrodinger,” he said, then sighed. “Sorry. I’m just tired.”

“You’ve been working a lot,” Molly said. “Maybe it will be a fast visit.”

The car pulled up to the barn and stopped. Both doors opened, and Schrodinger shot off the stairs in joyful anticipation. Pavel! Pavel!

“Nope, this won’t be a fast visit,” Drew said, and Molly had to chuckle in agreement. The burly pirate didn’t do fast visits.

“Schrodinger!” Pavel boomed, scooping up the CrossCat as if he were nothing but a kitten and not a fully grown CrossCat the size of an ocelot. “I have missed you!”

And I’ve missed you! Schrodinger squirmed until he had his front paws on Pavel’s shoulders, and he nuzzled his cheek, purring loudly. Did you bring me a present?

“He’s worse than a small child,” Molly said, as she and Drew crossed the yard to the car. “Schrodinger, really, not everyone has to bring you a present when they come to see us.”

They don’t? Schrodinger turned in Pavel’s arms, his eyes big and wide in feigned innocent shock. Really? Who decided that?

“You are spoiled,” she told him. “Now get down and let Pavel come in.” Then she turned to the other man who had gotten out of the car. “Welcome,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m Molly. Who are you?”

“Jack,” he said, giving her a keen look but not extending his own hand. “I’m hoping you can help me.”

Molly withdrew her hand, giving him a look back. “Welcome to our home,” she said, but there was a distinct lack of warmth in the greeting, one that Drew, Pavel and Schrodinger all heard and recognized. Schrodinger jumped down from the pirate’s arms and padded over across the dirt of the driveway to Jack. Then the CrossCat stopped and looked at him. To Molly’s surprise, Schrodinger’s tail puffed up, and he hissed slightly. YOU! What are you doing here?

“Schrodinger! What’s wrong?” Molly had never heard the sounds of sheer anger coming from the CrossCat’s throat – a rumbling, growling hiss of rage that frightened her a bit.

HE shouldn’t be here! Schrodinger snapped. He’s not allowed in the Cove!

“That’s not really true,” Pavel said, and held up a placating hand when Schrodinger growled at him. “He’s not allowed to be in the Cove when the Snow Queen is here. That’s the exact wording of the decree. And that’s why we’re here.” He looked at Molly and Drew. “Can we come in and explain?”

You can’t let him come into our house! Schrodinger protested, his fur still standing up. Not after what he did!

“What did he do?” Drew said, looking at Schrodinger curiously. “I’m tired, and I want something hot to drink, so he can come in and explain himself while I rest up.” He looked over at Schrodinger. “And then you can explain why you’re so worked up about this.”

“It’s because he’s a CrossCat,” Jack said, shrugging. “They’ve always hated me.”

“It must be for good reason,” Molly said, stung by his criticism of Schrodinger. “I’ve never met a CrossCat that didn’t have good reasons for the things they’ve done.”

“And how many CrossCats have you met?” Jack asked condescendingly. “They don’t tend to come to Earth very often – it’s not their thing anymore.”

Molly ground her teeth together, trying not to react to the tone. “I’ve met several,” she said finally. Then she turned her back on him and said to Pavel, “Come on in. You know you’re always welcome here.” Glancing back over her shoulder at Jack, she added, “Even when you bring less than desirable characters with you.”

Pavel winced, but motioned Jack to follow Molly and Drew in. Schrodinger shot ahead of them and disappeared up the stairs, refusing to have anything more to do with them. Molly winced at the fury of his thoughts, but Drew put a hand on her arm. “We’ll talk it out with him later,” he said quietly. “Let’s see why Pavel brought him. There has to be a good reason for it.”

“I hope so,” she murmured back.

“Me too. But I trust Pavel.”

Molly nodded as they entered the big kitchen, and motioned them to take seats around the island. “We were going to have lunch when you drove up,” she said to Pavel. “Would you both like to join us?”

“Turn down some of your cooking?” Pavel laughed, and even in the strained atmosphere, it sounded unforced and cheerful. “I would have to be ill to do that! And even then, I think I would attempt it!”

“I think that’s a compliment,” Molly said dryly, but she smiled, and Pavel winked at her. “It’s nothing fancy today, I’m afraid. Just grilled cheese sandwiches.”

“On your fresh bread, which makes it perfect,” Drew told her, filling the copper kettle with water and setting it on the back burner. Then he reached up and pulled the cast iron griddle from the wall where it was hung with the other cast iron, settling it on the burners while she pulled the bread from the bread box.

“Flattery gets you everywhere,” she said, grinning at him.

He grinned back, then turned to Pavel and Jack. “What would you like to drink? We’ve got tea, cider, hot chocolate, milk – pretty much everything but coffee.”

“I don’t think we have any soda either,” Molly said, pulling out a round of sweet Gouda cheese, two apples, and the crock of homemade butter. There was a working farm next door, and Molly and Carolyn, the owner, had quickly worked out a barter system – bread for fresh milk and butter. “I meant to buy some on the way home, but I forgot.”

“Tea, please,” Pavel said. “Do you still have the Assam?”

“I think so.” Molly frowned. “Check the tea chest, Drew. If not, I have a gunpowder green you might like, Pavel.”

“You’re low on the Assam, but there’s some here,” Drew said, after digging in the wooden box built into the wall. Molly had no idea what it might have been used for before, but it was perfect for all the boxes of tea that she had gathered over the years. “I’ll put it on the list for the next time you order.”

“Thank you.” Molly was assembling sandwiches next to the smoking grill.

Drew pulled out her Christmas tea, the Assam, and a Darjeeling for himself, then looked over at Jack. “And you? What would you like?”

“Surprise me,” Jack said. He was watching Molly; she could feel his gaze upon her, and her skin crawled just a bit. She was aching to go and find Schrodinger, to see why he was so angry, but she knew she had to stay.

“Why don’t you tell us why you’re here, while these are cooking?” she said, as Drew measure tea into tea balls and set them in mugs. “I’m assuming this isn’t a social call.”

“Not exactly,” Pavel admitted, and he looked over at Jack. “It’s your story.”

“I still don’t think this is a good idea,” Jack said. “You saw the way that CrossCat-”

“Schrodinger,” Molly interrupted him icily. She didn’t like the tone in his voice when he talked about Schrodinger. “His name is Schrodinger, and he’s a very good friend of mine. Remember that.” She turned and glared at him until he looked down, then she turned back and flipped over the sandwiches.

“The way Schrodinger reacted,” Jack said. “I really think this isn’t going to work.”

“What isn’t going to work?” Drew asked, bringing over mugs of tea to the island. “What are you trying to do?”

Jack took a deep breath and looked at Pavel, who gestured for him to continue. “I need to get the Snow Queen to lift her ban on me.”

“Why?” Drew asked. “And why were you banned in the first place?”

“Because…” Jack’s voice trailed off, and he scowled at Pavel. “Because I was. It doesn’t really matter why. But I need you to help me convince her that I’ve changed.”

“Not if you can’t tell us why she banished you,” Molly said, bringing over a platter of grilled cheese and apple sandwiches and a stack of plates. “Because if you don’t, I don’t see any reason to convince her otherwise.” She gave him a steady look. “What did you do?”

“I said it wasn’t important,” Jack snapped. “Trust me.”

“No.”

The single word seemed to infuriate Jack. He jumped to his feet and glared at Pavel. “I knew this was a mistake! They haven’t changed at all! Well, fine! Let them rot!” And he stormed out of the house. Molly heard the front door slam and then a crash as her wreath fell to the ground.

Pavel sighed, and reached for a sandwich. “Well, that went better than I thought it would.”

“What are you talking about?” Drew said. “He just stormed out!”

“Well, yes, but he actually asked you what he needed to before he left,” Pavel said. “And before you say no, let me tell you why we need your help.” He looked over at Molly. “Or, more precisely, your help, Molly.”

“Me?” She blinked. “Why me?”

“Because you showed Old Man Winter the worth of humans, which no one else has ever been able to do. That means you have the skills to help Jack Frost realize that too, and that will get him back in the Snow Queen’s good graces.”

“Why do we care if she takes him back?” Molly asked, taking a sandwich from the platter.

“Because if she doesn’t, the Snow Queen will die.”

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.