(advent) December 8

Sorry for the delay, folks. I meant to have everything up in advance, and life got in the way. But I have time today to post everything, so there shouldn’t be any  more delays! With that in mind….

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Tuesday, December 8

Molly was sitting at her kitchen table, cradling a cup of hot chai in her hands and enjoying the silence. Drew and Schrodinger had gone to the store, doing some early Christmas shopping. There was a light snow falling in fits and starts, as if the storm clouds couldn’t decide if they actually wanted to let their flakes fall or wanted to hoard them away for another day. She’d been playing the radio, but had turned it off. Now, the only sounds were the occasional shush of wind-driven snow against the window, and the crunch of snow under the feet of deer as they came through the yard.

The air smelled of ham and molasses, cinnamon and cream. Homey scents, and Molly inhaled deepily, greedily, wanting to savor the moment. Then she heard sleigh bells in the yard, and got up to see who had come to visit.
Pavel’s black horses had just come into the yard. As she stepped out on to the porch, Molly called out, “Feeling better today?”

His face was still a bit pale, but his beard was combed, his mustache waxed, and he was dressed neatly, in clean clothes. Pavel spoke quietly to his driver, who nodded and then steered the carriage back out the driveway.

“A bit, but I’ll probably deserve this headache for another day or two,” Pavel said, coming up the steps of the porch and giving her a hug. “Did those two rapscallions actually leave you alone and unguarded today?”

“Only for a little bit,” Molly assured him, grinning. “They’re getting one of my Christmas presents, apparently, so I was asked if I minded staying home.”

“And do you?”

“No,” she admitted, as they went into the house. “It’s nice and quiet. Tea?”

“I would love some.”

They settled around the table, and Pavel sniffed the air. “Ham for dinner?”

She nodded. “We got a lovely one at the farmer’s market last Thursday, and I thought I’d make ham and cheese scones with the leftovers. Depending on how late you stay, you can take some back with you.”

“I think I can make an exception and stay,” he said gravely, but his eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I’m so glad,” Molly said, equally gravely, and winked at him.

They chatted and drank tea until Drew and Schrodinger came in. Pavel didn’t seem to want to broach the subject of his breakdown yesterday, and Molly, who had read the letter that Drew had taken from the cabin, understood. Better to only go over it once.

Pavel! You came! Schrodinger came rushing into the kitchen, his tail waving excitedly. I was afraid you wouldn’t come!

“I promised Molly I would, and I don’t break promises,” Pavel said.

True. I forgot that. Schrodinger jumped up into his chair and looked at Molly. Ham smells wonderful!

“Thank you!” She put mugs of tea in front of him and Drew. “Did you guys get your shopping done?”

Schrodinger looked at Drew, who nodded. “It was a successful trip,” he said, winking at Molly when Schrodinger looked away again.

“Oh good.” Then she looked at Pavel. “No more avoiding, Pavel. What happened yesterday?”

The pirate sighed, looking down into his mug as if the answers lay there. “I assume you read the letter that Drew found yesterday?” When Molly blinked, surprised, he chuckled. “I couldn’t find it this morning, and the crew has been afraid to come in my presence, so they wouldn’t have taken it. That left only you.”

“We did read it,” Drew admitted. “But we didn’t really understand all of it.”

“Or why it would bother you so much,” Molly added, taking her seat. “Don’t you want to know your family?”

Pavel sighed. “It’s not as clear-cut as that.”

What was in the letter? Schrodinger demanded. I didn’t get to read it!

Drew pulled it out of his pocket and started to hand it to Pavel, who shook his head. “No, you can read it out loud. I know it already.”

“Okay.” Drew cleared his throat and began to read.

“Dear Pavel, I know this letter is unexpected, but I have been waiting to write this for a very long time. You may not have heard anything of me – your mother said your grandfather banned my name from being spoken, and the townsfolk would not have gone against him. Not that I blame him. It was a blow to his pride when I left, I know. But I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t live with him.

“I never wanted to leave you or your mother, but that was the condition your grandfather laid down. I could leave, and he wouldn’t stop me, but his daughter had to stay. I only saw you briefly, from time to time, when we docked in the harbor, but I wanted to see you. Your mother, in defiance of your grandfather, managed to get me messages occasionally.

“I know he was a difficult man to love, Pavel, but he wasn’t always the brutal man he became. Once he was a good man, a man that loved me and your mother. Life was not easy for him, and I’m sorry he took it out on you.

“Now that he’s gone, I’d like to get to know you. I can’t make up for the years we lost, but there’s still time. Please, let me know if you would like to come and visit, or if you would allow me to visit you. It would mean a lot to me.

“Love, your grandmother, Brynna”

That’s wonderful! Schrodinger said, eyes bright. You found more family!

“It’s not that easy,” Pavel told him. “My grandfather not only banned us from discussing my grandmother, but the only time he ever even mentioned her was when he was drunk, which was most of the time, and beating me because I reminded him of her.” He chuckled bitterly. “Apparently I inherited her ‘sass.'”

Molly reached out and laid her hand on his. “The past isn’t going to go away,” she said. “But don’t you want to find out if he was right or wrong about her?”

“I don’t know,” Pavel said. “Part of me really does want to, but another part says that the old man was right. She deserted us. Left us to muddle along as best we could, with little to no money that the old man didn’t drink away.” He shook his head. “I left there as soon as I could find a ship that would take me, and I’ve never been back for long.”

“But you did go back?” Molly asked him.

“Occasionally, to make sure that my mother was still alive,” Pavel said. “I couldn’t convince her to leave him, no matter how battered and bruised she was.” At Molly’s cry of dismay, he shrugged. “Once I left, he used her to take out all his anger and frustration. But she wouldn’t leave him. Said she couldn’t abandon him.”

Your poor mother, Schrodinger said softly, his whiskers drooping. How awful.

“Yes. And no one in that godforesaken town would lift a hand to help her. It was fitting that she and I were the only two at the funeral to see him buried.” Pavel finished his tea and set the mug aside. “He’d managed to isolate her completely. I’m just glad he died before he managed to kill her. Now, maybe, she can have a life of her own.”

“That’s why you’re looking to buy a house here,” Drew said, comprehension dawning in his eyes. “You want to move her here.”

Pavel nodded. “This is a good town. Not like there. And she’s got nothing to hold her there now. I’m hoping that if I buy a house for her here, she’ll see that she can do what she wants. And the Cove is a good place to discover that. But she’s fighting me on it.”

“Because it’s new?” Molly guessed.

“I think so. She’s never been outside of our town, and the sea frightens her. The village doesn’t have a Gate, so I’d have to take the Desire to get her. Which I will, but she’s not sure she can do it.” Pavel sighed. “And now, with my grandmother contacting her, she’s torn.”

“Between you and your grandmother?” Drew asked.

“I think so. I don’t know what Brynna said to her, but I can imagine it was similar to my offer. Come and live with me, and leave all those bad memories behind.”

Molly hesitated, looking at Drew. “What about your father?” she asked cautiously. “Why didn’t he ever come for her?”

“Dunno,” Pavel said. “I don’t even know who he is. The rumor around the village was that he was a sea spirit out for a little fun, who came across her while she was walking on the cliffs, seduced her, and then left. She never told me his name, not even when I begged to know, and the old man just called him a shiftless good-for-nothing piece of garbage. No one ever came forward to claim me, and I’ve given up wondering.”

Molly’s heart ached, and she exchanged another look at Drew. He nodded at her. “Pavel, I know it’s not my place,” she said slowly. “But I really think that you should at least meet your grandmother.”

“And find out why she abandoned us? I’m not sure I want to hear that,” he said, and Molly winced at the acrid pain in his voice. “I’m so tired of being hurt by my family, Molly. I’d rather just forget her. It would be easier.”

“Maybe now, but aren’t you even the least bit curious?” she said. “You said yourself that the only things you know about your grandmother are what your bitter grandfather told you. Shouldn’t you at least give her the opportunity to tell her side of the story?”

“I don’t know, Molly. I just don’t know.” He took his hand back, but he smiled at her. “But I’m not rejecting it out of hand anymore. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s good,” Molly said, getting up and going to the oven. “And with that, I’m going to finish dinner. Can you guys set the table?”

Dinner was a determinedly cheerful affair, and Molly and Drew kept the conversation away from Pavel’s family, although Molly did get him to talk about the houses he’d looked at. After he’d left, with a basket full of ham and cheese scones, Molly brought in mugs of hot chocolate into the living room, where Drew had started a fire in the fireplace. The Christmas lights glowed in the darkness.

Schrodinger waited until she and Drew had settled in on the couch, and then he crawled onto her lap. Can I ask you a question?

“Of course you can,” she said.

Why was Pavel’s grandfather so mean to him?

Molly sighed. “I don’t know,” she said honestly. “It sounds like he had a very hard life, and when people drink, they can get mean.”

But I’ve seen you drink, and Drew, and you guys don’t get mean. Schrodinger laid his head down on his paws. What would cause someone to beat their own child or grandchild?

“I don’t know,” Molly repeated sadly, stroking the soft fur of his back. “Not everyone is a good person, Schrodinger. It’s sad but true.”

“He might have been in a lot of pain too,” Drew said quietly. “If that’s the case, then he might just have been lashing out in the only way he knew how.”

It’s not cool.

“No,” Drew agreed, putting an arm around Molly and pulling them both closer to him. “No, it’s not.”

And the wood in the fireplace popped into the silence.

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

(advent) December 9

Wednesday, December 9

“Peppermint? Are you making candy canes again?”

Aunt Margie wandered into the kitchen, smelling the air appreciatively.

“No, but I could, if you wanted me to,” Molly said, getting a mug of tea for her aunt and gesturing to one of the stools.

“Then what am I smelling?”

“Peppermint tea cakes for Jade,” Molly told her, handing her the mug.

“Darjeeling?”

“No, something decaf, please,” Aunt Margie said, sinking onto the stool. “I’ve had too much caffeine lately.”

Molly went into the pantry and brought out a small tea ball of a sweet peppermint and chamomile tea that she knew would appeal to her aunt. She also brought out a jar of peppermint starlite mints that she set down next to the tea cakes.

“So, tell me all the news,” Aunt Margie said, letting the tea steep, and watching Molly pull a bowl of frosting from the refrigerator. “I hear Pavel’s talking about settling down finally.”

“Yes,” Molly said, and filled her aunt in.

“Poor Pavel,” Aunt Margie said, when the story was done. “What a horrible childhood that must have been.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised at how terrible people can be, but I am.”

“I think we’re spoiled here, really. The Cove seems so sheltered.”

“Being sheltered isn’t a bad thing,” Aunt Margie said.

“No, I guess not.” Molly finished swirling the buttercream on the last tea cake, and set the spatula she’d been using aside. Then she picked up the jar of candy and shook out some into a plastic bag. “Hang on for a second.”

A few swift, sure blows from her wooden rolling pin, and the candies were shards of peppermint-flavored sugar, ready to be sprinkled on to the cakes. “But I’m afraid that I don’t know what to say to him about it,” she continued, picking up the thread of the conversation. “It’s so far outside of my experience.”

“Just be a friend,” Aunt Margie advised. “That’s what he needs.”

“What who needs?” a new voice said, and Molly turned to see Jade enter the kitchen, snowflakes dusting the dark green wool of her overcloak. The Snow Queen’s cheeks were pink with cold, and her eyes bright.

“What Pavel needs,” Molly said, after hugging her friend. “Tea?”

“Of course.” Jade nodded to Aunt Margie and settled on another stool. “It’s cold out today.”

“If you’re saying it’s cold, I’ll need another sweater,” Molly teased gently, and Jade laughed.

“I’ll leave you two ladies to catch up,” Aunt Margie said, rising and taking her mug with her. “I’ve got paperwork to do.”

Once they were alone, Jade looked at Molly. “So, I hear it’s been a bad week for our friend Pavel?”

“News travels fast,” Molly said, settling across from her with a fresh mug of tea. “His grandfather died.”

Jade nodded. “I’d heard. The funeral was several weeks ago. Is that what kicked off his tantrum the other day?” When Molly looked at her, Jade said, “Jack told me Pavel had managed to scare his entire ship, according to Schrodinger.”

“And why was Schrodinger out with Jack?” Molly asked.

“That I’m not supposed to say,” Jade said, winking. “I believe they’re working on a Christmas present together, but that’s just speculation on my part. I haven’t been told the details.”

“Then I won’t pry,” Molly said, grinning. “I know how important it is for Schrodinger to surprise me for Christmas.” Then her grin faded. “It was part of it. His grandmother sent him a letter.”

“Ah. Now that I understand.” Jade set down her mug and sighed. “They’re very much alike, Brynna and Pavel.”

“You know her?” Molly blinked, surprised.

“Yes, although I’ve never mentioned it to Pavel, knowing how much of a sore spot it was,” Jade said. “But Captain Brynna Stromsdottir is fairly well-known in my circles, especially if you needed something ‘acquired’ for you, if you catch my meaning. She’s not much in the business anymore, but I’m sure for the right price, she’d bring her ship back out to sea.”

“What’s she like?” Molly asked.

Jade thought for a moment. “She’s feisty,” she started. “Not too tall, but sturdy, if you can picture it. When I last saw her, she’d let her hair grow again, and she was wearing it in a plaited crown under her knit cap. She’s not loud and brash, like Pavel is, but she’s strong like he is, and she’s got the same sense of getting things done on her own terms, if that makes sense.”

“It does, yes.” Molly could almost see the woman as Jade described her. “Do you know why she left her daughter?”

“No, but I can imagine,” Jade said. “Wilhelm wasn’t an easy man, even when he was younger, and Brynna was simply the better sailor. It was probably something stupid, like she took command of her ship before he took command of his. Or maybe she finally got tired of listening to him complain, and found someone new.”

Molly studied Jade for a long minute. “It sounds like you know more than you’re saying.”

“Let’s just say it’s not my story to tell,” Jade said carefully. “But I do think it would be good for Pavel and Brynna to meet.”

“I do too.” Molly sighed. “Now we just have to convince Pavel of that.” She shook her head, and then said, “Are you and Jack going to let me know what you’re going to do for the Ball yet?”

“Absolutely not.” Jade grinned at her. “I want you to be as surprised as everyone else.”

“I can fake it!” Molly said. “Really!”

They shared a laugh, since Molly knew that Jade wouldn’t spill any information on the changes to the Ball. The fact that it was being co-hosted with Jack Frost had had everyone whispering about their own suspicions. Molly herself had some ideas, of course, but wasn’t about to pry too hard.
They chatted then for a bit about all sorts of things, and then Jade rose with a sigh. “I guess I should get back,” she said regretfully. “Do you have the tea cakes?”

“Of course.” Molly boxed the cakes up quickly and handed them to her.

“Thank you.” Jade hugged her quickly. “Dinner on Tuesday?”

Molly frowned, trying to remember her schedule. “Tentative yes? I need to check with Drew.”

“Let me know,” Jade said, and let herself out in a swirl of vanilla-scented mint air.

Molly wandered out into the tea room after her friend had left, checking to make sure everyone had what they needed and thinking about what she’d learned. Tim was sitting next to the wood stove, reading a book and watching Ryan, who was sitting in the large cat bed with Schrodinger, very intently trying to put his toes in his mouth. The sight reminded Molly of Tim’s own story.

What kind of person doesn’t want to know their own grandson? she thought sadly, watching the baby. Schrodinger was curled around him, keeping him from wandering off and giving him a solid surface to lean against. Molly couldn’t even fathom what Tim must have gone through, and how hard it must be for him to see not only her family, but Doug’s as well.

Schrodinger looked over at her. Family isn’t always blood, he said quietly, picking up on her thoughts. Family is who we choose to share our lives with. And we’re lucky that we get to share our lives with people like Pavel and Tim.

Yes, yes, we are, she agreed. We definitely are.

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