Connected: Part 4 of the On The Edge Series

Chapter 24

"I'd love to. Let me get the toolbox from the garage." Before slipping away from me, he tenderly kissed my temple.

"He's such a gentleman," my mom whispered once he had paced away.

"Yeah, he is; there's no doubt about it. I think it's the momma's boy in him. He doesn't go a day without talking to his mom."

"Oh, if only my children were so thoughtful," my mom teased.

"Sorry, I'll call more often," I promised as I slipped onto one of the stools at the kitchen counter, noting the wobble.

"So, you're moving to Duluth?" My mom continued.

"Yeah, I plan to be back in Maine at least once a month unless we're on tour."

"We?" My mom said in surprise.

"Yeah, Billy has a winter tour starting after the new year, and I plan to go with him and work from the road. He heads out for two weeks at a time and then spends two weeks in Duluth with his kids."

"Such a family man," my mom cooed again.

"He's not perfect," I felt compelled to announce. "But he pretty close," I admitted. "Anyway, how are things here? Cherie and Michael seem good."

"Yeah, I think they are. As good as can be expected. How are you?" The motherly concern saturated her words.

"Honestly, it's been rough, but I'm finally feeling better. Billy and everyone in Duluth have helped."

"Tell me about these Duluth friends you have," my mom asked as she checked a series of bubbling pots.

"Well, I've been staying with Mary, Billy's mom. She also stayed in touch with Dad and knew he had passed when I showed up. She took me in and pushed me into my mourning. It was annoying, but what I needed. She's great. She also made me tell Billy, which was terrible."

"What was terrible?" Billy asked as he joined us in the kitchen.

"Telling you about my dad," I winced.

"It wasn't my best moment," Billy agreed.

"It was hard on all of us," my mom consoled.

"You know, I got you a Christmas present, Beth. Do you mind if I give it to you now? It might be better before the whole family gets here," he mumbled.

"Oh, okay," my mom agreed, as confusion clouded her tone.

"I'll be right back; it's in my coat," Billy explained before sprinting away.

My mom gave me a questioning look, and I just shrugged back. I didn't know Billy had gotten my mom a present.

Billy began to explain as he rejoined us in the kitchen. "So, Charlie would speak of you often, of course. You two had so many small traditions; it's very inspiring. I hope it isn't intruding if I keep one going for you." Billy slipped a small box across the island to my mom as he spoke.

"Oh, Billy, you shouldn't have." Tears welled in my mom's eyes.

"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping," Billy offered again.

"No," my mom whispered as she slipped the top of the box off and pulled a silver chain out of the box.

"What is it?" I asked.

My mom smiled down at the box. "A charm bracelet," she answered as she wiped away a stray tear. "You sweet boy," my mom said without lifting her eyes from the bracelet.

"A musical note seemed like the best place to start." Billy's voice was tender and low.

"It's perfect." My mom's voice was barely audible. Then her head slightly twitched as she snapped back to the kitchen from her thoughts. "You're a very thoughtful man. I'm so happy my Lily found you," she smiled as Billy wrapped his arms around her.

"I can assure you I'm the lucky one," he offered.

"Um, what's the deal with the charm bracelet?" I interjected.

"Oh." My mom's thoughts shifted at my question as her eyes went vacant at the memory. "On our first date, your father and I went to a diner. It had a jukebox and the best burgers. It also had a bank of those old trinket machines where you put in the coin, and it spat out a little toy. Well, your dad plunked in a dime and got me the cheapest plastic charm bracelet. It was such a sad little thing with silly charms, like a roller skate and a sun wearing sunglasses. But I refused to take it off. I wore that thing everywhere. I still have it up in my jewelry box. A few years later, your dad and I were still together, and I was still wearing that bracelet. Boy, did it annoy him. So, the first Christmas that he could afford it, he got me a silver charm bracelet, and every year he would get me a charm for it."

"He spent all year thinking of a charm to get you," Billy offered. "I'd send him pictures of charms I found as I traveled to see if he wanted me to pick any up for him."

"Really? I didn't know that." My mom smiled.

"You were always on his mind," Billy offered.

My mom sighed. "Well, I suppose you should get to open a present early as well," my mom enticed.

"Beth, you didn't have to get me anything. We just met," Billy protested.

"Nonsense, and besides, I didn't spend a dime."

We followed my mom to the living room, where she pulled a small box from under the tree.

"Now, I don't expect you to use it, but it feels like something that you should have," my mom cautioned. "Especially with my Lily around."

Billy carefully unwrapped the present and found my dad's pipe and tobacco pouch inside.

"He gave it up years ago, but still kept it up in his clubhouse. Sometimes I would catch him holding it. He would hold it if he were really thinking about something," my mom explained.

"Beth, I can't accept this," Billy protested.

"Oh, shush, of course you can," my mom shut him down.

"Shouldn't Michael have it?" Billy's eyes furrowed.

"Michael and Charlie had a different relationship than you and Charlie. He spoke of you often, and, I have to admit, it annoyed me. But mostly because I wasn't listening. He was very proud of you. He..." my mom's voice caught. "You were very much a son to him. He'd be so tickled to know you and Lily found your way back to each other."

"Thank you, Beth. I can't tell you how much this means to me," Billy said as he pulled her in for another hug.

"I'm just going to say it; Mom, I think you're playing favorites with Billy, and he's not even your kid!" I teased.

"Now you know how I feel about my mom and Tim," Billy groaned.

The morning slipped by as Michael, Cherie, and the kids joined us. Leena and Billy were equally smitten with each other, and she insisted on sitting next to him at lunch. The only time she was more than a foot away from him was when she was busy opening presents. It was fun to watch Josh and Leena open and play with their toys.

"This one is for you, Lily," Josh announced as he plopped a heavy box in my lap.

"Thank you, Josh." I smiled as I checked the tag. "It's from Mom," I announced before I slipped the ribbon off and carefully unwrapped the package. Inside was my dad's wooden chessboard.

"It belongs to you," my mom whispered.

"Thanks, Mom. It's exactly what I wanted for Christmas," I admitted. "Are you sure, though?"

"Yes, I don't even know how to play," she giggled.

"You know, Billy plays chess with his daughter every Sunday," I noted.

"He's a keeper, that one," my mom agreed.