Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past

Elbow on the bar to chat with the bartender. I'll bring her by later to introduce you, Charlene. Well, I'd love to meet her. David peered over the rims of his black glasses as he studied her mom and dad. Are these your parents? I think I see a resemblance. He smoothed the lapels of his jacket. No, no, this young lady must be your sister. Her mother tittered like a Victorian maiden. All she needed was a fan. You sly fox. I'm Brenda, her mother. Her father reached out his hand, Michael Woodbridge. David Baldwin, manager and part owner of this lovely establishment. Part owner? Charlene hadn't realized he'd been so invested in Bella's. Would he buy the place now that he had millions or sell his investment and move on? You must be so proud of Charlene, David said. Her bed and breakfast is an outstanding piece of property. Her father nodded while her mother had to think about it before she said, it is beautiful, I'll give you that, but we miss having her in Chicago. David chose three menus and gestured at Jessica, waitressing tonight. Charlene genuinely liked the young woman who had just become a physical therapist from very humble beginnings. She'd lobbed her cocoa brown hair to a new style at her shoulders and greeted them cheerily as she took the menus from David. Hi Charlene, glad you all could come tonight. Should be a fun evening. Jessica padded her red half apron. You must be Charlene's parents. She said you'd be her dates. It's going to be super busy, so get your bids in early. I've put Charlene and her family by this first window, David said, pointing to his right, perfect. Jessica touched David's arm, Tori wants you. David's expression dimmed slightly, but he kept his smile, enjoy your dinner. Be sure to look over the raffles and auction items, let's give these kids a holiday to remember. He moved on, wending his way through the crowded restaurant, pausing at various tables to say hello on his way to the bar. This way, Jessica bypassed an oval table for two at the very front of the restaurant to the next round table, which had a merry view of the Christmas lights outside the window. She could see the two lane street, bare of snow, and the strip of businesses across the road, none open. A giant red Santa holding a toothbrush winked from the dental office. Jessica handed them each a menu once they sat down, pointing out the auction items listed on a sheet of green paper bordered with Holly. You'll see that Charlene donated a stay at her bed and breakfast. She's always had a generous nature. Pride emanated from her dad as he looked at Jessica over his menu. Charlene was in first grade when she donated her tooth fairy money to a kid in her class with leukemia. We added a check for more, of course. Dad, no embarrassing stories. You promised, she said with a laugh. When Jessica had approached her last month for a donation and explained about the kids at Felicity House, she'd welcomed the chance to give a week long stay. And in the process had gotten to know Jessica and Jessica's success story, all because of Felicity House. It's going to raise a lot of money, Jessica assured her. Can I start you off with some drinks? Merlot for me, please, Charlene said. The house wine is superb. Mom, Dad, let's get a carafe for the table, her father suggested. I suppose, her mom conceded and then removed her red framed glasses to gaze at Jessica. We'll need some bread, too, before the drinks. Absolutely, Jessica hurried to the kitchen. Charlene had taken the chair closest to the window so her mom couldn't complain about a draft. It also gave her the advantage of seeing everyone in the room dressed up for the event. Kevin, the scruffy blonde bartender from Brews and Broomsticks, wore a navy suit and sat hip to hip at a table with a woman Charlene hadn't met before. Girl next door pretty, with long, light brown hair. Even from across the room, Kevin looked besotted. She hoped he was on a date.