“Of course.”
He gives me a peck on the cheek and strides away, pulling his phone from his pocket. Rex is across the room saying goodbye to two of his friends who are being led away by a couple I assume are their parents. My heart aches when Rex is left standing alone, his shoulders slumped slightly, gaze drifting to the floor.
He lifts his head as I approach. A rush of affection fills me as his hangdog expression morphs into a bright smile.
“Looks like everyone’s leaving us.” I want to kick myself the second the words are out of my mouth, considering what happened tonight with Thea. Rex doesn’t seem to understand the double meaning though, and he simply nods as he looks around us. “Your uncle is making some phone calls and checking on a few things.”
“Maybe we’ll have to sleep here,” Rex says, sounding almost hopeful. “That happened one time a few years ago. A really bad storm knocked out most of the power in Honeywell, and people came here because there’s a generator. There are stacks of funny little beds in the back, and we spread them out on the floor and slept here for two or three nights. It was fun, like a big town sleepover.”
I’m sure it was a blast for the kids, while it was likely a nightmare for many adults. Still, the thought of the community coming together like that is a reminder of how much this center is needed. Where would residents go if this place closed? I doubt most people have generators, so what do they do about heat, food, and running water if the power stays off for more than a few hours? The people of Honeywellneedthe community center.
Rex lets out a giggle and I turn to see Liam approaching us, his hair and coat covered in a thick layer of snow. “You look like the Abominable Snowman, Uncle Liam.”
He ruffles Rex’s hair, giving me a wry smile. “I talked to the Murphys. They still have power, but it seems to be out in a lot of other areas around town. I called Thea and she said they must have just missed the storm because it’s not even snowing on the highway yet.” He glances down at Rex, who averts his gaze at the mention of his mother.
“Ned is swinging by here with the plow, and I want to go with him to check on a few people. I need to make sure the Murphys’ generator is working in case they lose power too. I know it’s not ideal, but would you mind spending the night here?”
Rex lets out a whoop and does a little happy dance on the spot.
“I’m okay with staying wherever there’s power and heat,” I tell Liam. “Rex already explained how the center is equipped for overnight stays.”
“Would you two mind helping with setup for anyone who needs to spend the night? I’m sure there are people here who’ll stick around and more people will likely show up if they can get here safely. I shouldn’t be gone for more than an hour or two.”
After a round of hugs from Rex and me, Liam makes his way through the center, stopping to talk to several people.
“Guess it’s just you and me for a bit, Rexy,” I say, ruffling his hair. Liam does it all the time and it’s a habit I seem to have picked up. The kid has ridiculously soft hair. “You know more about all this than I do, so how ’bout you be in charge?”
With a gleeful grin that makes me hope the power doesn’t go to his head, he grabs my hand and leads me to a storage room. The space is full of the usual items you’d expect—toilet paper, mops and brooms, bins full of arts and crafts supplies—and also less likely things like a stack of mats and several air-tight containers holding sheets and blankets.
Rex and I get to work hauling out the mats. We’re soon joined by a couple of women who say they’ll be spending the night too. Between the four of us, we make quick work with the makeshift beds, spreading them out in groups and leaving a few extras stacked near the food table for anyone who shows up needing a warm place to sleep.
A man who volunteers regularly at the center points us in the direction of a closet full of mismatched clothes that are a combination of lost and found items and donations. He explains they’re all freshly laundered and ready for people who need a change of clothes for whatever reason. Rex sticks with his too-short powder blue dress pants and pairs them with a fleece reindeer-print sweater. The bright pink velour tracksuit he chooses for me is way too big, but it’ll be far more comfortable to sleep in than my gown.
“Can I have some hot chocolate?” Rex asks around a shuddering yawn. Despite his red-rimmed eyes and drooping eyelids, he’s got an air of excitement to him. While I’d much rather be at home getting ready to crawl into my comfy bed, this is an adventure of sorts for Rex and the timing is perfect after the sadness and confusion of his mother leaving.
“You’re in charge,” I remind him, laughing under my breath at the sleepy grin he gives me. “Why don’t you go stake out a spot for us to sleep tonight and I’ll grab us some drinks?”
I watch him go so I have an idea of where to find him when I have our drinks. Fresh sandwiches and baked goods have been set out at the refreshments table, and one of the women who helped with the beds is setting up an urn of hot chocolate.
“I didn’t want to make things weird before, but I can’t let this opportunity pass,” she says, meeting my eyes briefly before returning her attention to her task. “I’m a huge fan. My wife and I both are. I’ve seen you around town, and it’s such a thrill to know you’re here in Honeywell. I’m an aid in Rex’s class at school and he talks about you all the time.”
There’s that warmth again, spreading through my chest as if I just took a big swallow of hot chocolate on a cold day. “He’s the best,” I say. “And I’m loving Honeywell. Everyone has been so wonderful.”
“Any chance of you staying? From what I’ve seen, you really seem to fit in here. And Rex obviously adores you.” She’s maintaining eye contact now, and her eyes sparkle as she adds, “Liam too.”
I swallow a laugh. Living in a small town really is like living under a microscope; nobody misses anything and I’m sure there are people who know your business as well as you do. They mean well, though. Nobody knows nosy people and malicious intent better than celebrities, and this lovely woman’s curiosity is clearly well intentioned.
“I definitely plan to visit in the future, but I’m only here for the rest of December,” I tell her. Not wanting to pursue this particular topic, I ask for her name and how she likes being a teacher’s aid. As we each fill a tray with cups of hot chocolate and snacks, Delia tells me a bit about her job and that her wife Addy is a teacher at the high school.
“Maybe I’ll see you at more events before the holidays,” she says hopefully as we’re about to part ways.
“You definitely will. And hey, maybe you, Addy, and I could grab coffee sometime when you’re both off for winter break.” I’m not entirely sure where the words come from. I’m not supposed to be forming more ties to Honeywell; it’s going to be hard enough to leave as it is. It’s just been so long since I’ve made new friends.
Still, the way Delia’s face lights up as she gives an enthusiastic nod tells me I did the right thing. And that I’m going to have two more people to say goodbye to in a few weeks.
Rex is struggling to keep his eyes open by the time I reach him. Three mats are pushed together with blankets spread neatly on each of them and more blankets folded into small rectangles to serve as pillows.
“I think I’ll have my hot chocolate in a bit,” Rex says as I set the tray on the ground and sit on the mat beside him with my back against the wall. He shifts closer and drapes his arm across my legs, his head resting against my thigh. He’s asleep before I can even reply.
