Michelle had tucked Mary into bed and then came down stairs. Michelle greeted her,
“Thanks for being a friend to Mary. She’s asleep now. So, what did Luke have to say? When I answered the phone his voice seemed full of ‘oh nothing much’”
Angie smiled and continued to mix paints.
Michelle looked her in the eyes. “It’s easy to be full of words”
“You know Michelle. I feel hopeful. Not so skeptical like I usually am about things.”
Michelle returned to her perch on top of the ladder and resumed painting while talking,
“Angie, Herman and I talked of divorce just after Matt was born.”
Angie turned her head up toward Michelle.
“You two? You seem like the perfect couple and get along so well. Like two peas in a pod.”
“Not always, Angie. We were once young. Just like you and Luke. My Herman had gone off to work on an ocean freighter. He went full circle, around the world. Guess that experience left him with a certain state of mind; to be on the move, see new people and places. Matt has talked to him about that time and taken that ‘state of mind’ into his own head. He saw how his dad’s eyes lit up while talking about it. They would sit and look at Herman’s photos. Now you can see what Stella’s been fighting against.”
Michelle came down the ladder while Angie refilled the palette. Michelle went back up the ladder as Angie then looked off at the Christmas tree and the star on top,
“Luke never seemed to want that. His dad is a couch potato. Goes to work, comes home and that’s his life. So, I guess Luke never got any desire to wander. Actually, I’m the wanderer.” Angie looked up at the ceiling. “I wonder if his trip to the country and the time with you all will influence him. I don’t want a guy who will run off, but at least have some interest in the world. Funny how he lit up about that ‘tree’ you all talk about. He seems different. Maybe he’s trying out new ways.”
Angie fell silent and Michelle stopped painting and a quiet hung around for several minutes. Then Michelle looked down,
“Yes, that tree. I wonder how many there are in the world? The first one I saw made a big difference. Herman’s dad pulled out of his depression. My Herman seems more relaxed too. Mark and Mary were so sad when the first one left and especially since this last one left. That tree didn’t do much. It just appeared at the right times.”
Michelle continued,
“There’s a real innocence in that tree that is quite disarming.”
She returned to the palette,
“Caught us off guard and allowed us some time to play and catch a glimpse of something we normally didn’t see. Well, all those words and I’m still lost.”
Angie looked up from her place on the first step of the ladder and was quiet till she felt moved to speak,
“Darn. I must be missing something special. Do you think it will return next year?”
Michelle’s eyes turned and went to Angie’s.
“It may. You and Luke could come out here and join us while we wait next Christmas.”
Angie arose and walked over to her coat that hung on a wooden chair and then produced a wallet from a pocket. She returned and handed Michelle a photo,
“That’s Luke and I skiing. He did enjoy that activity. He told me about being lost, the previous day, while skiing. It had been dusk but he was sure he saw a blinking star arise from the pines nearby and disappear. I was skeptical. After all, it was that time of day when the eyes are easily tricked.”
“Honey, I think that was the tree. Or a tree like it.”
Michelle looked closely at the photo.
“You both look happy. What happened afterwards?”
Michelle handed the back photo. Angie went and slowly lowered into a chair while putting the photo back into the wallet,
“You’ve heard some, I’m sure. But there’s more. He easily caved in to their demands to leave me and he did not fight back. So I guessed that he really didn’t want me anyway. He may have been uncomfortable with my dramatic ways and crazy artist friends. And yet, he did seem to enjoy it at times. He would make up lyrics to melodies that he hummed. My friend Jay told me that Luke had offered to help set up the scenery for a play. Jay was quite surprised, but gave him some simple jobs. Then Luke began offering suggestions. Jay actually took one and said it turned out to help the play.”
Michelle kept painting the ceiling so that her reply had an echo to it, giving it a heaven sent quality,
“Maybe he’s more open now being away from his parents. Some parents don’t want their kids to be independent. God knows I’ve struggled to let go of Matt. It helps me to still have the little ones around. Angie! If you like Luke then reach out. I believe he feels lost without you.”
Michelle’s arms lowered and she looked down,
“My arm is tired and this is almost completed. I might as well go to bed. Luke’s room is all made up so you could go and use the same bed.”
Angie looked up. “That is pretty subtle Michelle. But maybe I like that. No insult intended but I’m starting to think of you as my mother. Mine died when I was four."
Michelle shrugged, “Subtle? Oh, it’s not important.’ Michelle stood a moment then chuckled.