Snow and Mistletoe
By Leslie Johnson
Ben and Joan walked hand in hand back to her house as the snow began to fall. It was twelve days until Christmas, and the weather had been working hard to ensure they would have a white one. The street lights had come on earlier, lighting their way home.
Inside, Joan set the kettle to boil and began setting cookies onto a plate: shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, sugar cookies, and a few chocolate chips. “Sorry, there aren’t many chocolate chip cookies left. Leah was here yesterday and I sent her home with a bag full.”
“How is your granddaughter?” Ben asked.
“Oh, she is perfect. She is such a blessing to me. She reminds me of my Leah, yet she is definitely her own person.”
Ben smiled. He knew how hard it had been for Joan, losing two of her children over four years ago. He had walked with Joan in those early days, and then they had parted ways. It took Ben some time to realize Joan needed to find her footing as she entered into living life on her own for the first time.
He had missed her and longed for her, hoping she was doing well. Joan’s mother talked with him often during that first year, keeping him apprised of Joan’s life. It helped him avoid going to Jack’s Diner to see her, which may have ruined his future chances to be part of her life.
When Beulah felt that Joan was ready he stopped in. He and Joan had coffee together. That became their thing for several months. They didn’t start dating until last September when he called her and asked her out to the movies. It was so easy to fall into step together, though he was cautious not to push the boundaries. He let Joan take the lead. Now, they were going to spend their first Christmas together.
Chatting about Christmas plans, they drank the hot chocolate and Ben enjoyed a few shortbread cookies. Joan ate the gingersnaps, claiming they were her favorite cookie. He wasn’t a fan, so he left them all for her.
Looking at the clock, Joan stood and began to tidy up. “Here, let me help you,” Ben said as he grabbed the two mugs. Together, they cleared away their mid-afternoon snack. They had reservations for supper at six-thirty.
“I’m going to go upstairs and get ready,” Joan said. “Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m good. I have my clothes in the back bedroom so I’ll change in a little bit. Take your time.”
Joan disappeared, and Ben heard the shower go on. He went into the back bedroom and pulled out the sprig of mistletoe he had hidden there. With a temporary adhesive, he hung the greenery from the arch between the kitchen and living room. At ten minutes to six, he went into the bedroom again, this time to change his clothes.
As he came back into the living room, he heard Joan coming down the stairs. Perfect timing, he thought. He moved to the bottom of the stairs, letting out a low whistle when he saw her. She looked lovely. She was wearing a high-waisted velvet gown, that flowed down to her knees. It brought out her eyes. Complimenting her outfit she wore a blue tanzanite teardrop necklace and earrings.
He took her hand and kissed it as she stepped off the last stair. Joan blushed and smiled. Gently, he brought her to the archway pointing to the evergreen hanging there. Joan laughed and he took her into his arms and kissed her. When he let her go, he dropped to one knee, and before Joan realized what was happening, Ben asked “Joan Bradshaw, will you do me the honor of marrying me?” He opened a ring box to reveal a stunning diamond solitaire.
Joan’s heart skipped a beat and fear rushed in causing her to shiver. Ben mistook it for excitement and squeezed her hand as he stood up to hug her. She broke away first and moved into the living room. Ben didn’t understand.
“Joan?”
“I’m sorry, Ben. I was so happy a few minutes ago and now all I feel is terror.” Her relationship with Joe brought up so many bad memories.
Understanding this, Ben pulled her into his arms and told her she didn’t need to decide that minute. “Let’s go for supper and forget this for now. We can revisit it when you’re ready. Take as much time as you need. Just know that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side.”
Joan nodded. She allowed Ben to help her with her coat and they walked out to the warming vehicle. As Joan settled in the passenger seat she wished she could talk to her mother.
They arrived at their favorite Italian restaurant minutes later. Inside, the aroma of pasta and marinara sauce eased Joan’s tensions and she relaxed as she looked over the menu.
After they ordered, the conversation turned to life at the cafe. Joan regaled him with tales of Beckie and Brad’s trip to Italy. “I think they want to move there,” she said. “I hope she doesn’t because she is such a vital force at the cafe, but if she does…” Joan shrugged.
Their meals came and there was little talk while they each relished the food. Finally sated, they ordered tea and tiramisu. Joan enjoyed every minute of the night, but the fear in her heart sat waiting to be dealt with. She excused herself to go to the powder room. The space was divided into two rooms, one for the business you came to do and one for lounging as you fixed your hair and makeup. As Joan rested on one of the puffy stools, she pulled out her cell phone and called her mom.
Her mother didn’t answer with a hello. Instead, she asked, “When’s the wedding?”
“I might have known that you would be in on it.” Joan laughed. ”I sometimes wonder if he likes you more than he likes me.”
“Don’t be silly. He’s over the moon for you - always has been,” Beulah responded. “So, when is the wedding?”
“I haven’t said yes.”
“Why not? Don’t you love him?”
“I do Mom, but my last marriage was a disaster, I’m so afraid things will fall apart once we are living under the same roof.”
“I am not going to tell you that your fears are baseless, but Ben is not Joe. I never liked Joe, remember - but I like Ben and I always have.”
“I know,” Joan whispered. “We probably would not be together if it wasn’t for you pushing me toward him all those years ago.”
“So don’t decide today, but don’t leave the man hanging on too long. He’s already waited for four years.”
“I know - I just want to be sure.”
“I can tell you one thing that may help. Think back to how it was when Joe asked
you to marry him. Remember his impatience to get you into his home where he chained you to the stove, the washer and dryer, and the vacuum cleaner. Ben will not ask you to leave your job. He will not expect you to look after his every need. He has been on his own long enough to be self-sufficient - just like Wally is. He is a help to me - not helpless. I think you need to tell him how you are feeling.”
After another minute, Joan hung up, thinking back to her first marriage. She knew her mom was right. Ben was not like Joe - not one little bit. They were very different men.
“I was just about to send out a search party,” Ben said as Joan slipped back into her chair.
“I’m sorry. I called my mom.”
Ben nodded but didn’t say anything. He let Joan speak. She told him what she was afraid of and he didn’t negate her fears. He validated them, allowing Joan to let them go. They kept talking on the short drive back to Joan’s house. He left his truck running as he walked her to the door.
“Good night, Joan.” Ben swooped in for a peck on the lips.
“Good night, Ben.” She responded, her arms reaching naturally around his neck, pulling him closer.
A minute later, Ben pulled away. “I have to get to work.”
“I know.” Joan released him and he started down the steps. Just before he left the yard, she called to him. “Oh, Ben? By the way, I will marry you.”
Ben was late for work.
