The Christmas List Read Free

plenty of help andthe best of care. Just go finish school and come back. I’m not going anywhere.”
    He looked at her a moment then forced a smile. “You better not be.”
    â€œI promise.” Sara’s eyes filled with tears. “ ‘Bye sweetheart. Good luck on your finals.”
    â€œÂ â€™Bye, Mom.” Jimmy leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, then walked out of the room. Sara waited until she heard the front door close, then swung her legs over the side of the bed, and, clutching the bedpost for support, got to her feet. She had less strength than she let on to those around her. She could feel herself growing weaker each day like a clock running down.
    As she walked slowly to the shower she thought about the upcoming wedding. She wished that she could be more involved with the preparations but she didn’t have the energy. The truth was she knew there was a possibility that she wouldn’t even be around long enough to see it. Though Jimmy still clung to the hope that she would recover, it was only because he didn’t know how sick she really was. Only Sara and her doctor knew just how far her cancer had progressed and Sara wasn’t willing to lay that burden on her child. She never told him that the treatments she was undergoing weren’t meant to cure her—they were meant to manage her pain and prolong her life. If she could buy enough time she would realize her final goal of seeing her only child married. Then she was done, she told herself, and it didn’t matter what happened to her. At least that’s what she told herself.

CHAPTER
Four

Juliet climbed out of the car just as Jimmy emerged from the house, wheeling his suitcase behind him. “Good morning, handsome!”
    Jimmy smiled as she ran up to him. His fiancée wore a white wool coat and her short blond hair was mostly hidden beneath a bright red wool cap. “Hey, babe.”
    She met him halfway down the walk. They embraced, then kissed.
    â€œThis is killing me,” Juliet said. “I can’t believe I have to say goodbye again.”
    â€œLast time,” Jimmy said. “Then you won’t be able to get rid of me.”
    She looked into his eyes. “Promise?”
    â€œPromise.” Jimmy kissed her again. “We’d better hurry.” He threw his suitcase in the back of her car. “Want me to drive?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Jimmy opened the door for her, then walked around the car and climbed behind the wheel.
    â€œI’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “My dad’s car wouldn’t start and he was parked behind me.”
    â€œWe’ll get there in time. What’s wrong with his car?”
    â€œBattery or altersomething. It’s old.”
    They backed out of the driveway. At the first corner Juliet asked, “How’s your mom this morning?”
    Jimmy shook his head. “That depends on if you go by what she says or how she looks. As far as I can tell, she’s not getting any better.”
    â€œChemo’s hard. It will take time. But she’s a strong woman.”
    â€œThat she is.”
    â€œI’ll check up on her while you’re gone. I was thinking of asking her out to lunch this week.”
    â€œShe’d love that.”
    Juliet’s face lit up. “Oh, I’ve got great news. Mom and I found a place.”
    Jimmy looked at her quizzically. “A place for what?”
    â€œWow, that is so revealing. A place for our wedding, dummy.”
    â€œThat’s great, Jules. Where?”
    â€œIt’s this adorable reception center. It’s a bit more expensive than we hoped, but my mom asked if they could come down a little on the price, and they said being New Year’s Day they might be able to do something. I can’t believe it’s available. It’s the most beautiful place we looked at. It’s just perfect.”
    Jimmy was happy to see her so excited.