She led him to the kitchen, but as she did, she couldn’t help but think of how she’d never been thanked for doing a job before. In the magazine world, there was always another deadline, never any recognition of having undertaken or achieved it.
It was… nice, to be thanked.
* * *
As Julie leftBob in the kitchen and ventured to the attic to grab some of the decorations, his heartfelt appreciation for her organizing the party made her feel a little lighter.
Bob’s gratitude had been raw and genuine. It made her feel soft and valued in a way that she had never felt before. She’d never realized that the party held precious memories for some, and it felt good to be able to bring those back.
There’s no better feeling than helping someone.One of Gram’s favorite sayings echoed in her head.
She still had the other floors to clean and rooms to prepare, but for now, she wanted to see the decorations, to see what she was working with. Maybe this party wasn’t just some frivolous excuse to say goodbye to the inn. Maybe it touched people in ways Julie had never considered.
She was considering it now, as she carefully stepped down from the attic bearing the weight of a large box of decorations. She was almost at the bottom when she heard a yowl. She had stepped on something fluffy, a tail, and quickly moved off of it. The cat, rather than running away, jostled between her legs and up to the attic. Julie stumbled. The box came crashing to the ground, and it was only by clinging to the rickety banister that she didn’t wind up next to it.
She glared up at the cat, who glared back. “Are you trying to kill me?”
He made no reply.
With her heart still beating frantically, Julie righted the box. There were breakable things in this one, ornaments and ceramic angels. She opened the lid, holding her breath. Everything was wrapped in yellowed newspaper, but what if that hadn’t been enough to protect it? She peeked into the paper, one by one, and set each intact decoration aside. A clay reindeer she’d made when she was ten. A glass ornament marked with the year she’d been born. Other, older ones, too, angels with trumpets and harps that were so old the painting on their faces had worn off. Heirlooms, that Gram had from her own grandmother, and even older, passed down generation by generation. All intact, safe in their paper wadding.
Then she saw one angel wing peeking out of the wad of newspaper still in the bin. Julie forgot how to breathe. It was the tree topper. This one, too, had a face that was no more than a suggestion. The wings were gold, woven in a way that mimicked lace. The body was crystalline. Fearful, Julie unwrapped the angel with shaking hands.
It was in one piece.Thank goodness.She shut her eyes tight as she held the angel to her chest.
Mrrrow?
She opened her eyes. The cat was sitting on the last step now, more curious than sullen. His eyes were wide, but the pupils took up almost all of the blue, and his tail thrashed. He looked ready to pounce.
Julie turned her torso away, sheltering the tree topper. “Oh, no, you don’t. These are priceless. They aren’t toys.”
The cat, as usual, ignored her.
But she managed to fend him away as she rewrapped the ornaments and replaced them in the box. She didn’t try to lift the box again but sat with her back to the wall. She was feeling sentimental. She was remembering too many Christmases spent in this house, too many summers. She dug her phone out of her pocket and scrolled through her contacts until she found the one she’d added yesterday.
Ivy.
Before she thought better of it, she texted. She was never good at reaching out first, but she tried anyway. What could be the harm?
Julie: Hi. This is Julie.
She didn’t expect a response right away. Leaning her head back against the wall, she reached out her hand to the cat and cooed, rustling her fingers.
He looked at her with disdain from his perch at the bottom of the stairs, just one step above her.
Her phone chirped. Julie checked the message.
Ivy: Hi! I’m so glad you texted. Want to do lunch?
Julie bit her lip as she texted back. She almost said yes instantly, but remembered that aside from Bob, she was also waiting on the caterer today.
Julie: I can’t today. I have some party errands to finish up.
Ivy: Tomorrow?
Julie’s answer was instant.
Julie: Yes.
