“That’s the tastiest one; I can see that even from here!” someone called out.
“I’m sure that’s Bob, the guy the knitting club talks about,” Rory whispered.
“Is the cake in the shape of a phallic symbol?” Jake asked. “I’m amazed they’re outside in daylight hours, considering the time they put into their night activities,” he added.
“What?” Fin frowned, but Dylan waved the words away.
“One day, son, you’ll have the benefit of attending a knitting club meeting, but until then you have to just carry on living an unfulfilled life.”
“How are your blanket squares coming along, sweetie?” Fin blew Jack a kiss. “You crocheted them together yet?”
Maggs giggled as the snide comments flew around her. Mallory seemed happy too, here with her brother.
She watched Joe continue to eat as the other judges sat back, stuffed full.
“Hollow legs,” Luke said. “We all have them.”
The votes were tallied, then Mayor Gripper picked up the mic again. “The winner is this muffin here.” He pointed to a muffin that had a Christmas tree iced on top of it. “Chocolate with cherries. It was the first choice by all judges. Can the winner please step forward.”
Luke picked up Gracie and made for the stage.
“Well, hell,” Jack said.
“He and Gracie baked them yesterday,” Pip said, clapping wildly as her daughter accepted her green sash and certificate.
“Rigged!” someone yelled.
“Who said that?” Dylan rose to his toes.
“Settle, Daddy, they’re just fooling around,” Fin said. “Want to taste the winning entry, Mallory?”
She nodded.
“Okay, let’s go.” Maggs saw the excitement in the girl’s eyes. “I’ll be back. Don’t run away.”
“I have things to do, Fin. I’ll see you around.”
“Maggie—”
She kept walking and knew he was scowling at her back. She was only a few feet from her car, and congratulating herself on her escape, no matter how brief her time alone would be, when she heard the sound of someone crying.
Looking around her, she saw cars, buildings, and people. Heading left, she found the entrance to the rear of the shops, and there sat Mrs. Linbar on the steps up to Mandy’s old apartment.
“Mrs. Linbar?” Maggie approached slowly.
The woman raised her head, and Maggs saw that grief ravished her face. It was pale, eyes bloodshot. At least she wore a coat and boots today.
“Where is Noel?”
“Working. I-I thought coming into town would help. Seeing the baking and the p-people. The Christmas spirit is everywhere.”
“Yes, it’s a lovely time of year.” Maggs sat on the step below her.
“Have you lost anyone you love, Maggie?”
“No.”
“I had hope before. Even though in my heart he was gone, I could still allow myself to b-believe, but not now.” She had a tissue in her hand that was shredded. Digging into her pockets, Maggs found the clean ones she’d tucked in there earlier and handed them to the woman.
