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Flowers Appeared In The Night Sky

12/28/2025

“… and that’s Myron and Tina’s house.” Gary smiled. “He’s not big on decorating, but he’s got so much Christmas spirit it’s a wonder his house doesn’t glow on its own.”

Pam watched the place go by. “They were very gracious at church the other night.”

“Well, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Gary nodded.

She hiked the collar of her coat up over her geeky grin.

“What’s that about?” Gary smiled as he searched for another Light Fight contender.

“I don’t know if it’s some secret ingredient in that stew, but I’m just feeling so warm inside.”

“Well, hold on to that. Sitting out on Unity Court is likely to be pretty chilly, even with the blankets I brought.”

She giggled. “You and me, cuddled up in your lawn chairs under some blankets? What will people say?”

“They’ll probably say, ‘We should have brought more blankets like those people.’”

“No doubt.” She covered her smile and looked out at the passing houses. “I’m glad I got the job at St. Hedwig’s.”

“Me too.” He sped up to get to the next block. “See? Now this is what I call an A for effort. Joe McNally is an electrician.”

“You’ve really got the pulse of this town. Don’t you?”

“I know my routes. I know my neighborhoods.” He smiled as they passed Joe’s animated and inflated menagerie. “And Joe’s a friend of mine from church. I’ll make sure he introduces you to Darlene. She works at the hospital, too.”

“Thanks.” She looked at his gloved hands on the wheel and wondered if he’d take them off once they were under the blankets.

“So, how does Pine Hollow compare to…”

“Bickleyville.”

“Bickleyville?” he said as if he’d eaten a pickled onion. “No wonder you moved out.”

“Hey, hey, no busting on my hometown, mister.”

“I’m not familiar with it.”

“It’s about as out of the way as Pine Hollow is. We’re a couple of miles from Plattsboro.”

“Okay, I’ve heard of Plattsboro. Small-town girl? Good fit for Pine Hollow.” He nodded as they rolled slowly down the street.

“It’s bigger than my town, but it’s growing on me.”

“What do you think he’s doing?” Abby rolled the dice and moved her white piece into the study. “Mrs. Peacock in the study with the candlestick.”

“Aw, c’mon!” Bonnie groused as she moved her blue piece to the study. “I was almost in the billiard room.”

Matt shook his head, as did Harry. Zelda showed her card. Abby checked a box and flipped her clue sheet over.

Matt took the dice. His roll took him down the corridor, and he handed them off to Harry.

“I’m sure nothing’s going on. Your dad’s a class act. He’s just showing her around town. That’s what he said. Right?”

“Dinner at the H&H and the Chmielewski and Murray drone show? That’s not casual. That’s like the magic princess moment at the end of all those sappy holiday movies. Fireworks and glitter balloons and, and…”

Everybody’s eyes were locked on.

Abby’s eyes were furious slits. “Kissing.”

“Would that be so terrible?” Ned sat behind Bonnie. Teddy rested in his lap, his little head nestled in the crook of his uncle’s arm.

Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Another country heard from. Just you sit there and practice holding a baby. You’ll be doing it for real soon enough.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Oops, time for a change.” He stood up. “Diapers are in the bag?”

“I’ll take care of it.” Abby huffed.

“It’s okay. I’ve got this. You stay and play. I need more practice than just holding. Right?”

“Thanks, Ned.” She planted her chin on her crossed arms.

Harry moved his green piece into the billiard room. “Mrs. Peacock in the billiard room with the revolver.” He moved Bonnie’s piece in to join him.

“Why the heck does everybody think I’m capable of murder?”

Several pairs of incredulous eyes locked on her.

“I may be a little grumpy…” She frowned as Zelda shook her head. Bonnie flicked her card so Harry could see she was holding Mrs. Peacock. “Harry’s right. Your dad is just being nice and showing this lady around town. Who better than a career mailman to give you a decent tour? If this shindig at the whoever-whatever house is all it’s cracked up to be, maybe he gets a little thank you.”

Abby shot up. “Excuse me?”

“Peck on the cheek? A batch of cookies she brought along? Maybe a lingering smile? Who knows? Probably won’t lead to anything at all. Jeez, settle down.” Bonnie rubbed her lower back. “Besides, Mom and Dad are there keeping an eye on him.”

Gary had the bagged chairs and the blankets over one shoulder. Pam had the picnic tote. He had protested. She had insisted. “Hi, Mary. What’s a good spot to set up?”

“Hello, Gary. I’d find a spot in front of the Jones’, but leave some room for the mayor to come through in his antique firetruck. Pamela darling, how lovely to see you again. I hope you’ll enjoy the show. Murray and Staś have a whole new bag of tricks since they lost the trophy to Gary last year.”

Pam turned to Gary, wide-eyed.

“It was a fluke.” He grinned sheepishly and shrugged. “The guys really put all of their ingenuity into this. I missed last year’s display, so I’m excited to see what this new bag of tricks looks like.”

“I hope you won’t be disappointed. Right over there should be ideal.”

Gary turned to set the chairs down and Pam followed. “Okay, this seems to be the official spot.” He slid a chair from its cover and set it up.

“Can I help?”

He draped the blankets and the chair cover over the open chair before sliding the second one from its sheath. “I’m almost done. Just hold on to that a second more and we’ll get all cozy.”

She watched him intertwine the arms. ‘How to be romantic without being romantic.’ It made her shiver.

“Cold already?” He grinned.

‘No, sir. Pretty toasty and getting warmer by the moment.’ She smiled back. “I just like seeing a guy hard at work.”

He gathered up the blankets and looked down the street. “Oh, before we get too comfy, I want you to meet somebody. Leave the tote on the chair.”

She slid the handles down her sleeve and followed him.

“Gabe and Jenny, this is my friend, Pam Grayson.”

‘And just like that, I’m back in the friend-zone…’ She smiled and waved.

“Pam, Gabe and Jenny are Abby’s future in-laws.”

She reached out a hand. “Congratulations.”

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind, but we couldn’t be happier.” Gabe smiled and shook her hand.

Jenny reached out for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, hon. A real pleasure.”

“Thank you.” Pam accepted the spine-wrenching grip. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“We’ll have to catch up this week. Okay?” Jenny whispered in her ear.

“Sure. That would be nice.” Pam smiled and peeled herself free. ‘Uh-oh, what’s that about?’ She looked at their chairs. “Mrs. Murray says that’s prime real estate if you guys wanted to sit with us.” She blew steamy breath into the chilly night air. ‘Well, it’s not like you were going to have him all to yourself, but still.’

“Oh, hey, that’s great. Thanks!” Gabe followed them back to the chairs. “Blankets, huh? Good idea. Can you help Jenny unfold the chairs? I’ll be back in a jiff.”

Sanctus bells jingled. “Message from your father.”

“And?” Bonnie huffed.

“The eagle has landed.”

She scowled as she rolled the dice. “What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

“I guess your folks found my dad… and her.” Abby shuffled her cards.

“Well, that’s good. Now you don’t need to worry. If there’s anything that can stifle any spark of romance, it’s having my parents hovering over your shoulder.”

“I can attest.” Ned kissed Teddy’s forehead and rocked him in his arms.

Bonnie’s eyes moistened. “You actually almost look competent.”

Zelda planted her face in her hands and shook her head in disbelief. “Can I grab you a cinnamon bun?”

“No, the doc said I had to lay off sweets or I’m likely to wind up with gestational diabetes.”

Zelda looked at Harry in panic. He just rolled his eyes and shrugged.

Pam sat locked up in her chair like a mannequin. She wanted to hold Gary’s hand and lean into his arm, but it was like having chaperones along. People were still gathering for the show, careful to leave room for the mayor.

“Want some cocoa?”

She bit her lip and glanced at the Jozsas. “Did you bring enough for everybody?”

“They’ve got their own. It’s part of what Gabe went back for. Are you okay?”

“Sure. Everything’s fine.”

“You don’t look fine. Look, if it’s too cold out here, we can get going. Staś said they were recording it this year. We can just watch the video later, if you want.”

“No, no. Really, I’m good.”

“Well, I’m having some cocoa. It’s just as easy to pour for two as for one. Would you like a cup?”

She nodded and slid two foam cups from the stack. She watched in awe as the steaming cocoa filled her cup. She sipped tentatively. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right. ‘Would Gary make it any other way?’ She smiled as she took a deeper drink.

He turned to see how she was doing and took a swig. “All good?”

“All good.” She smiled and sipped her cocoa.

“I’ll toast to that.” He held up his cup. She tapped it and giggled before taking another sip.

“Okay, shouldn’t be much longer now.” He handed her his cup and spread blankets over their laps.

She marveled at how gently he tucked her in before taking his cup back.

“Ready?” He grinned.

She could hear loud, obnoxious honking. ‘The mayor’s firetruck?’ She finished her cocoa and wadded a napkin into the cup to prevent it from dripping out in Gary’s tote. He handed her his cup, and she slid it onto hers. That sparked a thought she totally wasn’t ready for. ‘Nope. Not yet.’ The honking and sirens drew closer.

“Oh, boy. I’m not sure if it’s going to be able to push through. The passage is too tight.” Gary craned his neck to watch the firetruck’s progress.

Pam squeezed her eyes tight and stamped her feet. ‘Nope. Not yet. Definitely not yet.’

Gary reached across her shoulder to brace himself as he twisted to look for the firetruck. “Oh, okay. I think one good push should do the job. Watch your feet.”

She puffed out ragged breaths as the shiny red antique firetruck slid through, adorned with locally sourced greenery and hardware of highly polished brass.

The crowd cheered as the firetruck drove the circuit at the end of the cul-de-sac.

“If you think that was exciting, wait until you see what Staś and Murray have planned.” He turned to study her. She looked back and down at the hand he was offering. He even wiggled his fingers to emphasize his intent.

She smiled and took it. Gloved hand-holding was better than no hand-holding.

Several couples dressed in period tailcoats and ball gowns spread over massive crinolines waltzed into the circle as the Waltz of the Flowers caused lights to dance across the houses facing each other. As the tune reached a crescendo, flowers appeared in the night sky in a myriad of subtle shades.

Pam latched onto Gary’s arm and studied the astounding display with increasing wonder. He patted her hand and leaned into her. They watched the dancers twirl in their Nutcracker finery as the music swirled to inspire more sparkling lights and drone-projected flowers overhead. At the finale, the dancers bowed to their partners. They bowed to the mayor and his entourage of judges. They bowed to the gathered crowd and departed.

“Wow.” Pam whispered in his ear.

He smiled. “If I know Staś and Murray, this is just getting started.”

“No, I meant you.”

He studied her rare gray eyes. “Same.”