61.
62Melody Carlson
Maggie laughed as she poured the orange pumpkin batter
into the golden pie shell. "That's for sure. Last year Spencer
and I stayed home and had grilled chicken and watched TV"
"You told me you were going to be with friends last
year," scolded her mother.
"I just didn't want you feeling sorry for us and thinking
you had to drive down to L.A. and roast a big turkey."
Maggie licked the spicy batter from the wooden spoon
before dropping it in the sink. "Looking back now, I can see
how depressing our life really was, but back then I never
would have dreamed things could change so drastically in
just one year. Sometimes I think about how easily I could
have missed all this and it almost scares me."
"What scares you?" asked Jed as he poked his head in the
kitchen, a large casserole dish in his hands.
"Hey, you're here!" Maggie rinsed off her hands and
turned to face him.
4"Yeah, I saw Spencer outside hobbling around on his
crutches, and he said to go on in. So, anyway, what's this that
scares you?"
She leaned against the counter and smiled. "Oh, I was
just telling Mom how frightening it is to think how I might
not have moved up here, and about all that I would've
missed as a result."
He winked. "And the fun's just beginning." He handed
the dish to Audrey. "It might need to get warmed up a little."
Then he called over his shoulder, "Come on in here, Michael.
I want you to meet our lovely hosts."
A short man dressed in multiple layers of clothing
stepped into the kitchen doorway. "Hello," he said with one
of the brightest smiles Maggie ever recalled seeing. His white
teeth gleamed against his coppery skin, and his eyes shone
with warmth and light. "I am Michael Abundi and I am very
pleased to make your acquaintance. His accent was a blend
of British and something else, but it rolled off his tongue
with courtesy and grace.
Looking for You Alt My Life63
Jed continued the introductions and Michael heartily
shook hands with each of them, smiling all the while. "It is
very good to be here in Pine Mountain. I have heard stories
and seen pictures of your country. Now I must pinch myself
to think I am really here."
"May I take your coat?" asked Maggie.
He shuddered slightly. "But it is very cold here."
Jed chuckled. "Michael's having a little difficulty getting
acclimated. He comes from a tropical island, you know."
"Oh, of course," said Maggie. "Why don't you both go
into the library. Spencer has a nice fire going in there. He and