The Christmas List: A Novel

Juliet climbed out of the car just as Jimmy emerged from the house, wheeling his suitcase behind him. “Good morning, handsome!”

Jimmy smiled as she ran up to him. His fiancée wore a white wool coat and her short blond hair was mostly hidden beneath a bright red wool cap. “Hey, babe.”

She met him halfway down the walk. They embraced, then kissed.

“This is killing me,” Juliet said. “I can’t believe I have to say goodbye again.”

“Last time,” Jimmy said. “Then you won’t be able to get rid of me.”

She looked into his eyes. “Promise?”

“Promise.” Jimmy kissed her again. “We’d better hurry.” He threw his suitcase in the back of her car. “Want me to drive?”

“Yes, sir.”

Jimmy opened the door for her, then walked around the car and climbed behind the wheel.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “My dad’s car wouldn’t start and he was parked behind me.”

“We’ll get there in time. What’s wrong with his car?”

“Battery or altersomething. It’s old.”

They backed out of the driveway. At the first corner Juliet asked, “How’s your mom this morning?”

Jimmy shook his head. “That depends on if you go by what she says or how she looks. As far as I can tell, she’s not getting any better.”

“Chemo’s hard. It will take time. But she’s a strong woman.”

“That she is.”

“I’ll check up on her while you’re gone. I was thinking of asking her out to lunch this week.”

“She’d love that.”

Juliet’s face lit up. “Oh, I’ve got great news. Mom and I found a place.”

Jimmy looked at her quizzically. “A place for what?”

“Wow, that is so revealing. A place for our wedding, dummy.”

“That’s great, Jules. Where?”

“It’s this adorable reception center. It’s a bit more expensive than we hoped, but my mom asked if they could come down a little on the price, and they said being New Year’s Day they might be able to do something. I can’t believe it’s available. It’s the most beautiful place we looked at. It’s just perfect.”

Jimmy was happy to see her so excited. “That’s a relief. Tell me about it.”

“It’s in Sandy and has the most amazing view of the mountains. It’s kind of like a greenhouse, so it has fountains and plants everywhere like a labyrinth, you can kind of get lost in it. I think it used to be a flower shop.”

Jimmy’s brow furrowed. “It’s not Le Jardin, is it?”

“You know the place?”

“It won’t work.”

Juliet’s smile fell. “What do you mean it won’t work? It’s perfect. And it’s available.”

“My father owns it.”

She looked at him quizzically. “Isn’t that even better?”

“No.”

“Jimmy, I don’t understand.”

“To begin with, it would mean we’d have to invite him.”

Juliet was even more confused. “You’re not inviting your father to our wedding?”

“No. I don’t want him there. You’ll have to find someplace else.”

“Just like that?” she said.

“Le Jardin is not an option.”

“Mom and I have spent weeks looking for a place. It’s the only option.”

“No it’s not. We can do what I originally suggested and rent the ballroom at the Grand America.”

“And where do we find the money for that?”

“We’ll pay for it.”

She turned away from him. “I’m not going to have this conversation again.”

“I think we should.”

“Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for my parents? It’s easy for you to just throw money around; my parents have saved for years for this day.”

“All the more reason my family should pay for it.”

“You don’t understand.”

“You’re right, I don’t. Your parents are being . . .” He stopped himself.

“My parents are being what? Stupid?”

“Proud.”

“They should be proud. They’ve worked hard to give me everything they could. You can’t just take that away from them.”

“That’s not what I meant to do.”

“It doesn’t matter what you meant to do, it’s what you’re doing. You have no idea what it’s like to not have money.” Juliet leaned against the door, crying.

As they entered the Salt Lake airport, Jimmy exhaled. “Jules, I’m sorry.” He reached over and touched her thigh. “I’m really sorry.” Without looking she took his hand. He drove up to the first terminal and pulled up between two cars to the curb.

He leaned over. “Come on, let’s not leave each other this way.”

Juliet wiped her eyes. “Okay.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s not just the reception. I know your father wasn’t there for you, but leaving him out of the wedding is wrong. I’m afraid that someday you’ll regret it.”

Jimmy held her close, but didn’t answer.

“I just want you to be happy.”

“I promise I’ll think about it,” he said. They kissed. “We could always elope.”

“I couldn’t do that to my family. My sisters are so excited to be bridesmaids. And I’m excited to be your bride. You should see my dress. It’s gorgeous.”

“Like you.”

They kissed again. Just then an airport police officer rapped on the door. “People, this is an active zone,” she said.

“Sorry,” Jimmy said. He popped the trunk and they both climbed out. They kissed one more time on the curb. Juliet’s eyes glistened with tears. “Come home soon, I love you.”

“I love you too. More than I ever believed possible.” Jimmy grabbed his bag and walked inside. He waved one more time before entering the terminal. Juliet blew him a kiss. The police officer walked up to her.

“Husband?”

“Almost,” she said.

“Best kind,” the woman said. “Now let’s save you a ticket and get this car out of here.”