Elena held the lightweight but oversize prints down low enough to see over the top edge. But this also meant they bumped her thighs with each step. “I feel stupid worrying about this with everything else we’ve got going on.”
Olivia directed her smile at a pristine blue sky. “You want stupid, I walked down here worrying about your mom making a success of loving the man I once wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
They passed beneath a power-company crew repairing ornaments strung from the streetlights. Two families walking along the opposite sidewalk accused the crew of stealing Christmas. Elena said, “I will never understand adults.”
Olivia felt a new level of awareness growing inside. One so potent she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and studied the younger woman.
Elena demanded, “What?”
“I’m trying to decide if I can speak with you, woman to woman.”
Elena liked that enough to nearly smile. “One way to find out.”
“My relationship with Dillon is going through a major change. Your mom might already have told you that.”
“Not told, not really,” Elena replied. “More like, she hopes that’s happening. Really a lot.”
“Well, it’s true. And that’s not the point. What’s happening with Dillon is part of something bigger taking place in my life. I needed this chance to let go. Remove myself from yesterday.” Olivia felt such a balloon filling her chest, so huge and so fast she had to force out, “It’s the only way I can make room for whatever this new season might bring.”
Elena offered a fractional nod. “Mom’s been wrestling with that same problem. Letting go.”
“Do you know anything about Dillon’s early years?”
“Mom says they were rough.”
Olivia started back up the sidewalk. The prints and their foam backing made a bulky but almost weightless armload. “A stoner dad, a mom who left when he was your age. Just walked out the door and never contacted her own son. Nothing.”
“What I just said about understanding adults.” Elena shook her head. “How can anybody do that?”
“Excellent question. Anyway, Dillon was saved by two things. His grandparents were the greatest. And Dillon loved to work. Still does. He took aim at building his own life and he worked to make it happen.”
Elena added, “And he had you.”
“Okay. Yes. Our good times were special and they helped. But we had a lot of bad times, and finally we broke up. And that’s not the point here.” Olivia was so intent upon the young woman she only now realized how the two of them had been joined by a number of others. Families, couples, young people, old, all walking in the same direction. She said, “Dillon never wanted kids. Whenever I brought up the subject, you know . . .”
“Back when things like that mattered,” Elena said.
Olivia had to smile. Being so in synch with this woman-child was amazing. “Right. Dillon’s reaction was a total negative. We fought about it so often. His response never changed. His desire for offspring had been cauterized by everything he’d been through.”
“Lucky me,” Elena said. Her attention was total now.
“Seeing the way he looks at you . . .”
“What?”
Olivia swallowed hard. Not from sorrow. Okay, well, yes, maybe, just a little. But mostly out of joy for her two friends. “You’re the daughter he thought he’d never have. That’s what I think. Elena, careful, don’t drop the photos!”
“Sorry.” She took a firm grip, lifted her face to the sky, blinked furiously. “Now I’m doing just like I always tell Mom not to.”
Olivia continued. “It’s too early for anyone to know how things will work out between him and Bailey. But about one thing I am utterly, completely certain. You and Dillon are friends for life. He will be there for you. Always.”
They turned the corner and entered a mob. Or so it seemed to Olivia. The street was filled from side to side with happy, jostling people. She started to thread her way forward, then Elena shouted, “Wait!”
When Olivia turned back, Elena was looking at her, eyes brilliant as washed gemstones. “Elena, honey . . .”
“I heard Mom talking with Dillon. I know you’ve been through a bad time. I just want to say, I’m pretty sure your storms had a reason.”
Olivia had no idea what to say.
“Or purpose. Whatever. You and Dillon, you came when I most needed, and now you’re here, and . . .” She lifted her head and shouted at the sky, “This is the best Christmas ever!”
Everyone within range turned and cheered.
Elena stepped around Olivia, who was still busy digesting what just happened. She yelled, “Coming through! Ladies on a mission!”
