When she saw her mother walk across the terminal toward her, unexpected tears stung Hazel’s eyes.For all the friction between them, there was love.
In her fifties, her mother’s blonde hair, svelte figure, and lovely pink dress caught the attention of others.
Hazel waved and moved forward for a hug.
“Hi, Mom.How was the trip?”
“The flight to Boston was delayed, and then I almost missed the one to here.So, I’m ready to get to your place and get comfortable, maybe have a glass of wine.I hope you don’t have anything planned for tonight.I’d like to relax a bit.It feels like forever since you’ve been home.”
Hazel looped her arm through her mother’s, and they went to the luggage carousel.
Looking at the two large suitcases her mother had brought, Hazel tensed.This was supposed to be a short visit.
“How long are you planning to stay?”Hazel asked.
Her mother chuckled.“Don’t worry.I packed one of my suitcases with stuff from your room at home.As long as you’ve declared this is where you’re going to be living, I thought I’d change your bedroom into my exercise room.”
‘Oh, well, that makes sense,” said Hazel, feeling as if she’d been kicked out.Knowing she was being silly, she rolled one suitcase ahead of her mother and led her to her blue VW convertible.
“It’s handy that the top is down,” said Hazel.“We’ll put the suitcases in the backseat.”
Her mother lifted a scarf out of her handbag.
“Prepared as always,” said Hazel.
Her mother smiled and wrapped the scarf around her head.“I try to be ready for anything.”
Hazel loaded the suitcases and then climbed behind the wheel while her mother settled in the passenger seat.
“I’ve sent you photographs of Lilac Lake, but they don’t do justice to the real thing,” said Hazel as she pulled out of the parking lot.“I’m hoping while you’re here, you’ll understand why I’m so content.”
“I’m anxious to see what it’s all about, including your young man,” her mother said.
Hazel turned to her mother.“He’s not my young man.We’re just dating without it being too serious.”
“I’m still curious as to who has caught your attention, especially now that Elliott is out of the picture.”Her mother shook her head.“I promised Cassandra I’d spend some time with her son.She’s struggling with all of his life decisions.Both his parents are.”
“I’ve never seen him so happy,” said Hazel.“He’s already made friends and is busy setting up his partnership with the man who serves as Financial Director for the Sports Center.It’s a fantastic opportunity for him.”
As Hazel drove through town, her mother gaped at the scenery on both sides of Main Street.“Why, this is … precious!Postcards and photos don’t do this town justice.”
“Even better, the people behind the beautiful storefronts and restaurants make the town very special,” said Hazel, feeling a sense of pride over the town she’d adopted as her own.
As she’d done with Elliott, she admired the colorful awnings over the entrances to shops whose windows were filled with colorful displays of the tempting wares inside.
“What a cute idea to hang baskets of flowers from the decorative lamp posts,” said her mother.
“You should see the town at Christmas,” said Hazel.“Wreaths hang from the lamp posts, and they’re wrapped with white lights.All the pots outside the store contain greens and ornaments.It’s very charming.”
“If I had realized all that, I wouldn’t have insisted you come home for the holidays,” said her mother.“Maybe with your boyfriend living here, I can convince your father to come to Lilac Lake for Christmas.”
“Mom, please don’t count on anything happening between Mike Dawson and me.We’re just dating,” said Hazel, recognizing the panic in her voice.This whole situation could become an embarrassing episode in her life.Even Mike was concerned about the complication with Tracy.
Hazel drove to her cabin and parked the car in the driveway.Elliott’s car was absent, letting her know he’d gone to Craig’s house until he could move into Poppy’s cabin.
“Isn’t this pretty?”said her mother, gazing at the cabin.“It looks very … cozy.”
“It’s perfect for me,” Hazel said.Her parents' home seemed palatial compared to the cabin, but she loved it.
