Twelve Days of Christmas Read online

  “Wasn’t feeling great then, either. He usually stops by Sunday afternoon, but he didn’t want to give me whatever it was that upset his stomach. Surprised he didn’t mention it when he saw you.”

  “He helped me haul my Christmas tree up the stairs.” Then, because she felt she needed to explain, she added, “The elevator was out of order.”

  “Talked to him this morning and he sounded sicker than a dog. From what he said, he spent most of the day in bed. Guess it’s the flu.”

  “Oh dear.” Julia immediately felt terrible. What little she knew of Cain told her he wasn’t a man who took easily to being ill.

  “You okay?” Bernie asked.

  “Fine.” She brought her head back to the present. “I had an idea. Don’t know if you and Cain have plans for Christmas Day?”

  “Nothing more than dinner right here at Manor House. What makes you ask?”

  “How about you come to my apartment? I’ll be alone, and it would be a good excuse for me to cook.”

  “You a good cook?”

  “Good enough. Living alone, I don’t get much practice,” she explained, “but I have my mother’s and grandmother’s Christmas recipes.” She welcomed the excuse to host dinner for Bernie and Cain.

  “You going to serve more of these cookies?”

  “I can make that happen.”

  “Turkey and the fixings?”

  “Whatever you want,” she assured Bernie.

  “Count me in.” He chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You being kind to Cain and me reaping the benefits.”

  Julia smiled. “Cain might refuse once he finds out it’s me, you know.”

  “Let him. If the boy wants to turn down a home-cooked Christmas dinner he can, but I’m no fool.”

  Julia glanced at her wrist for the time. She was scheduled to be at the Boys and Girls Club to help with their practice for the holiday program. “Gotta scoot,” she said.

  “Thanks again,” Bernie said, as she collected her purse and bag. “You feel free to stop by anytime.”

  “Will do.”

  “You don’t even need to bring cookies. Your pretty smile is enough to brighten this old man’s day.”

  Julia had taken an instant liking to Bernie. Just like Sharon claimed, he was a real sweetheart. Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek. “I’ll visit again soon.”

  Bernie pressed his hand to his cheek. “Not shaving for a week,” he told her, grinning ear to ear.

  —

  The practice with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club went well. Julia accompanied them on the piano as they rehearsed their songs for the program, which was scheduled for the night of December 23. She’d come to know a number of the children involved and admired the staff. Julia was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer. She liked the work they did with the neighborhood kids and enjoyed making this one small contribution.

  “Really appreciate this,” Jeremy Craig said when the practice was over.

  They’d dated briefly, earlier in the year. Nothing serious. Julia liked him well enough and he seemed to feel the same, but there wasn’t a spark between them, and it was foolish to pretend there was.

  “Glad to do it, you know that.”

  Jeremy hugged her and walked her to the exit. “You walking again?”

  “It’s only a few blocks.”

  “Not sure I’m comfortable with that.”

  “Jeremy, it’s perfectly safe. This is a good neighborhood. I’ve never even had a hint of a problem. The streets are well lit and there are businesses along the way. Nothing’s going to happen.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  “Besides, I’ve taken karate classes.” She had, but that had been a few years back and she’d had to stop after three lessons. The way she figured, when the time came and she needed to defend herself, her training would kick in. She hoped that wouldn’t be necessary, but if it was she would be prepared.

  She hoped.

  On the walk home Julia passed the deli where she often grabbed something quick for dinner. The owners knew her by her first name. Although she wasn’t especially hungry, she went inside.

  Right away Levi acknowledged her with a raised arm. It was past the dinner hour and business had slowed to a few lingering patrons eyeing the variety of selections behind the glass case.

  “What do you have that’s good?” Julia asked, looking through the case herself. Levi made the best salads imaginable, but she had a weakness for his soups, which he cooked daily himself.

  “What I got that’s good?” he repeated in a heavy New York accent. “Everything is good.”

  “True enough.”

  He leaned against the case, his weight on his hands as he waited for her to make her selection.

  “What’s the soup today?”

  “Chicken noodle.”

  Julia’s head came up. Chicken soup was exactly what Cain needed. “Give me a quart of that.”

  “One quart of soup coming up.”

  Julia scanned the salads, but nothing appealed to her.

  “Anything else I can get you?”

  “I’m good.” Julia remained full from lunch. She’d boil herself a couple eggs once she got home.

  She paid for the soup, and her steps were filled with purpose as she headed back home. Getting the soup to Cain while it was still hot was a priority. Once inside the building, she dropped off her coat and purse at her apartment and went directly across the hall to Cain’s. Schroeder probably needed to be walked, too. She’d volunteer to do that as well.

  She knocked on his front door.

  No response.

  “Cain, it’s me,” she called, pressing her ear to the door. Sure enough, she heard him moving on the other side.

  “That’s supposed to entice me to open my door?” he grumbled.

  She couldn’t let him know she knew he was sick. “Come on, open up,” she said when he ignored her summons.

  “Go away,” he told her.

  “Not going to happen. I want to know why you didn’t meet me at the elevator this morning.”

  “Why do you care? I’m avoiding you.”

  “No, you’re not. If you remember, we specifically talked about it. I want to know what’s up.”

  The lock turned and he cracked open the door. “I’m sick.”

  She exhaled a deep sigh as if this was news to her. “I thought that must be the case.”

  “Why’d you think that?” The door remained only slightly ajar, just enough for him to talk to her without shouting.

  “Like I said, I just figured something had to be wrong when you weren’t at the elevator this morning. Now, are we going to talk through a crack in the door or are you going to let me in?”

  “No. Go away.”

  “What about Schroeder? Does he need to go out?”

  “The building manager took him out.”

  “Come on, Cain, I thought we were past this. Let me in.”

  He grumbled something under his breath that she didn’t quite hear. From what she could make out, it was a good thing she didn’t pick up on all of it.

  Reluctantly, Cain opened the door all the way and she entered his apartment.

  When she did, she stopped short. “Whoa, you look horrible.” And he did. He was deathly pale and his eyes were rheumy. If that wasn’t enough, his hair was a mess; he wore sweats as if he was fighting a chill. His feet were covered in white sports socks.

  “Okay, you’ve verified—I’m sick. Now leave.”

  She held up the container of soup. “I brought you dinner.”

  “Don’t want it. Now go.”

  Julia set her hand on her hip. “Why are you so anxious to be rid of me? Well, other than you’ve never been all that happy to see me.”

  He frowned as if to say that wasn’t entirely true. Not any longer. She doubted he’d ever admit it, but the look on his face said it for him.

  “In case you haven’t figured it out, I have the flu. Do you wan
t it, too?”

  “No worries. I had my flu shot.” Not wanting to argue with him, she wove her way around him and stepped into the kitchen, which was in bad shape. Dishes filled the sink and food items were spread across the counter, including used tea bags and a multitude of cups. Ignoring the mess, Julia brought down a bowl.

  “Julia, I’m serious.”

  “So am I,” she said over her shoulder. She set the bowl and the container of soup on the counter and pried off the lid. Right away the room was filled with the aroma of chicken and noodles. “Have you had anything to eat today?” she asked as she filled the bowl with the hot soup.

  “No.”

  “That’s what I thought. Sit.” She motioned toward the counter, where he appeared to take all his meals.

  Again he grumbled, but he did as she asked. She stood on the other side of the counter and opened and closed the drawers until she found the silverware and then handed him a spoon.

  Glaring at her, Cain took a tentative sip of the soup while Julia watched him. His look suggested that the faster he ate, the faster he could be rid of her.

  “So?” she asked, with her hands braced against the edge of the counter.

  “So what?”

  “Hits the spot, right?”

  He nodded. Guess that was a victory, although a small one.

  “I need to lie down.”

  “You should.” His sofa was a mess. He’d apparently spent the majority of the day there. Without asking, she went over to the couch and folded up the blanket and fluffed up the pillows.

  “When did you turn into a regular Florence Nightingale?” he asked as he made his way to the sofa.

  She checked her watch. “About ten minutes ago. I’ll be right back.” She left and returned a few minutes later with yellow rubber gloves, a plastic bucket, and cleaning disinfectant.

  “What are you doing now?”

  “Cleaning.”

  His frown was ferocious. “Don’t.”

  She glared back at him.

  “You’re going to do it, anyway, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “If I had the strength I’d argue with you.”

  “You’d lose, so save your breath.”

  His apartment was the mirror opposite of her own, so she knew right where to go.

  “Julia,” he shouted, with a cutting edge to his voice. “You’re upsetting me.”

  “I know. I’ll be done with these dishes in a minute and then I’ll take Schroeder out.”

  It seemed all the fight had gone out of him. “Okay.” A couple moments later he shouted, “I thought you said you were nearly finished. What are you doing now?”

  “Nothing.”

  He was up from the sofa, following her around. Cain closed his eyes as if battling within himself. “God save me from stubborn women.”

  “Pray harder,” she told him cheerfully as she went about, remaking his bed and straightening his coverings.

  For a moment it looked like he wasn’t going to move. He blocked her path out of the bedroom.

  “I hope you know that if I wasn’t so weak I wouldn’t put up with this.”

  “I know. You helped me and I’m simply returning the favor.”

  “When did I help you?”

  How quickly one forgot. “With the tree, remember? You carried it up the stairs for me and helped me set it up.”

  He rolled his eyes as if to discount what he’d done.

  “And I appreciated it. We had a nice conversation, too.”

  His frown was firmly in place. “I don’t appreciate this.”

  “Didn’t think you would.” It went without saying if circumstances were any different he would never have put up with her pushy behavior. “You finish the soup?”

  His answer was clipped and sharp. “Yes.”

  “Good. Bet you feel better, too.”

  “Taking the Fifth on that.”

  She grinned. “Figured you would.”

  “I don’t need you fussing over me, and I definitely don’t want you getting sick. Go away.”

  Julia’s heart leapt at his words. “You don’t want me to get sick? So nice that you care.”

  “Cut the bull, Julia. What I need is rest and sleep, and you’re disturbing both.”

  “Give me a few minutes and then I’ll leave you in peace. Deal? I’ve been sick before; I know what it feels like.”

  His shoulders sagged. “In that case, leave.”

  “Yes, sir. Right away, sir. Anything you say, sir.”

  He cracked a smile, although she could see he struggled not to let her know he was amused.

  “You’re a pain in the butt.” Cain waited by the front door until she finished stacking the dishes in the dishwasher and turning it on. “What’s taking you so long?” he demanded.

  “Patience, my dear man, patience.”

  “In case you haven’t figured it out, that’s in short supply.”

  “Sort of guessed as much,” she said as she moved out of the hallway. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes with Schroeder.”

  “Just go.”

  She was actually enjoying this. “I’m only trying to help. You’d do the same for me.”

  “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “Yes, you would. Now, where’s Schroeder’s leash?”

  “Top drawer in the laundry room.” His impatience was clearly evident. “Just go, would you? I need to lie down again. I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “What I need is to lie down, which I can’t do with you irritating me.”

  She left Schroeder and placed her arm around his waist. “Let me help you back to the sofa.”

  It surprised her when he didn’t make a fuss and allowed her to lead him across the room. He sank down onto the sofa, and Julia had to admit he looked dreadful. She found it hard to leave him, and she looked for ways to linger.

  “I thought you were going to walk the dog?”

  “I am.” She didn’t have an excuse to delay any longer.

  —

  As promised, she took Schroeder for a long walk. When she returned she found Cain had propped open the door and was asleep on the sofa. For a long time she simply stood and stared at him, fascinated by him and the shift in their relationship in the last few days. She’d softened toward him, and he’d had a change of heart toward her, too. It was subtle, and while they continued to bicker, it was often in jest.

  He must have felt her scrutiny, because his eyes fluttered open. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she said softly, sympathetically. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  He blinked a couple times and sat up. “I’m actually feeling better. Not sure if it’s the soup or the scent of pine.”

  Julia smiled. “Maybe a little of both.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Can I get you anything?” Surprisingly, she found herself reluctant to leave. Just as surprising, he seemed equally hesitant for her to go.

  “I don’t need anything, but…” He paused.

  “But?” she prodded.

  “Would you like to watch TV with me?”

  “Sure.” All in the name of getting to know him better, she told herself.

  “I’ll let you decide what to watch as long as it isn’t one of the animated Christmas specials.”

  “My, my, aren’t you accommodating,” she teased.

  Cain grinned. “Don’t know that I’m up to watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is all.”

  They spent an hour together and sat in companionable silence. In the best of times Cain wasn’t much of a talker, and that was fine. Julia found she enjoyed herself with Schroeder huddled at their feet.

  Cain thanked her when she left.

  “See you in the morning,” she said. “If you’re feeling better, that is.”

  “I’m feeling worlds better already. Thanks for the company.”

  She should actually be the one thanking him, only he didn’t know that or
the reason why.

  Julia’s Blog

  TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

  December 19

  Just Because I’m Nice Doesn’t Mean

  I’m Falling for You

  * * *

  * * *

  I’m halfway through this adventure and finally I feel like I’m making substantial headway. My day started off with a disappointment. Ebenezer was a no-show at the elevator, even after he said he’d be there.

  You read that right. He stood me up.

  I nearly missed my bus waiting for him. The whole way to work I stewed. It was just like him to pull a stunt like that—leading me to think he was softening to the pleasure of my company and then pulling this disappearing act. The pleasure of my company is a stretch, but you get my point.

  Later I discovered Ebenezer was sick with the flu.

  I hate to admit how excited I was to learn this, and not for the reasons one might assume. Yes, it explained why I didn’t see him this morning, but it’s more than that. What a perfect opportunity to show kindness, right? I couldn’t have come up with a better plan if I tried.

  He wasn’t happy to see me, and that is no exaggeration. I brought him chicken noodle soup and he ate it, all the while complaining and demanding I get out of his apartment and leave him alone. I even cleaned for him, using disinfectant.

  Naturally, he was gruff and impatient, which I anticipated. Really, it would have been foolish of me to expect anything less.

  But here’s the kicker. When I quietly returned to his apartment, Ebenezer was dead to the world on the sofa. (FYI, he snores.) He woke and asked if I’d like to stay and watch television with him. On his couch. Just the two of us, watching TV for an hour, maybe more…

  Can’t wait to see what Day Seven turns up…

  Julia posted the blog. Within minutes of hitting the enter key, comments started appearing on her laptop screen. It was almost as if her readers had been waiting for her post. She watched in utter amazement as the number of hits mounted. It was hard to believe how enthralled people were with this kindness project.

  Some of the comments humbled her. Julia’s original intention hadn’t been all that wonderful. She found Cain to be nothing less than an irritant. If not for Cammie, she would never have thought to do anything more than ignore him the same way he ignored her.