plain when I start getting you all up early tomorrow
morning. Now, I am going to bed!"
290Melody Carlson
IThat broke up the party, but Rebecca followed Maggie
into her bedroom. "I hope it was okay to tell Barry about
Jed," she said apologetically.
Maggie waved her hand. "Oh, it's fine. I just didn't want
to make too much of it with Leah around. We've just gone
through a thing where she was feeling kind of threatened by
our relationship, and she and I are doing so well now that I
don't want anything to mess that up."
"She seems like a very sweet girl."
"She is. And she's been through a lot in her life already.
But anyway, I think it's all going to work out fine. Things
have even seemed better between Jed and me."
"So you've given up all that back-burner business now?"
"Well.. .not exactly."
"Oh. But ~ou and Jed are seeing each other again?"
"Well, not exactly... but sort of. We talked briefly a few
days ago. And everything seems to be working out. I'm not
worried." Suddenly Maggie wanted to change the subject.
"So, Rebecca, what do you think of Barry these days? He's
really grown up, hasn't he?"
Rebecca laughed uncomfortably. "Yeah. I'd forgotten
how attractive he is, and now even more so with age. You
guys and your dark Italian good looks." She poked Maggie
in the arm.
"You're not looking so shabby yourself, Rebecca. And if
I'm not mistaken, I saw my little brother checking you out
pretty carefully tonight."
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Now don't start this, Maggie.
You know it'll only lead to trouble. Let's all just enjoy being
together and let it go at that."
The two old friends continued to talk into the wee hours
of the morning. Maggie knew her son would be alarmed, but
it was so fun to visit and catch up on the past several years.
She promised herself she'd rise early and Spencer would be
none the wiser.
omehow everyone managed to rise early on Christ-
mas Eve day, and after eating a quick breakfast
actually prepared by Spencer, they headed up for
the slopes. It was a perfect day with fresh powder and blue
skies, and Spencer delighted in showing off his new snow-
boarding skills to Rebecca and his uncle, only falling occa-
sionally. Rebecca skied with Maggie for the first part of the
day, but after lunch she and Barry (both higher-level skiers)
decided to attack the more challenging slopes. Then, just as
Maggie and Spencer were waiting in the lift line, they heard
a girl's voice calling out Spencer's name, and they turned to
see Leah, carrying a snowboard and jogging toward them in
clunky boots and what looked like a brand-new snow-