Free Winter at the White Oaks Lodge by Abbie Williams

Millie Jo with chocolate all over her chin.
    Tish, Clint, his best friend Liam, Ruthie and the triplets were crowding the bar stools to listen to Eddie and Jim play. The Carters were here, Bull and Diana, Tina and Glenna along with their husbands and kids; Elaine and her family were on a cruise. Jake was around too, chatting with Grandma and Aunt Ellen behind the counter, where Grandma couldn’t relax long enough to stop making coffee and checking to see if food was still warm enough, and that everyone had plenty to eat and drink.
    Jake looked good, I had to admit. He was wearing a maroon sweater with a turtleneck collar, his dark hair had been cropped short, and he seemed slightly more mature than when he’d left for the university in August. He had given me a big hug when he’d arrived; I saw Tish and Ruthie observe this from afar, elbowing each other. I hadn’t worn the red designer sweater from Dad but instead a baggy old North Stars sweatshirt, my faded jeans and mukluk boots. At least I’d combed my hair and borrowed a little mascara from Mom, fishing out the one in her purse. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d even considered using make-up; I was so exhausted these days, and puffy-eyed, that make-up would not be flattering anyway, I was certain.
    Glenna and Tina came from the bar with martinis in their hands and zeroed in on me sitting alone.
    â€œCamille, whatcha doing over here all by yourself?” Tina asked, sliding across from me. Her martini sloshed just a little over the edge of the glass and she grumbled good-naturedly, “Shit.”
    â€œHi guys,” I said, giving them a smile and sitting a little straighter. “I’m not trying to be a party pooper, truly. I just like to watch what’s going on.”
    â€œDad is so excited that someone is finally giving a shit about our family history,” Glenna told me, nodding in the direction of the bar, where Bull and Diana were listening to the music. She used her cocktail napkin to help Tina wipe up the spilled gin.
    â€œHe’s been so nice,” I said, still stuffing my face. I swallowed before elaborating, “I love history. I used to think it might be a career for me, maybe teaching or researching.”
    â€œHon, you’re talking as though you’re retirement age,” Tina said, stabbing an olive with her toothpick. She continued, “You’re so young. There’s plenty of time to get a degree. Shit, BSU is close enough that you could commute.”
    â€œThat’s true,” I said, though I couldn’t imagine having the energy for college-level classes anytime in the next few years.
    â€œYour little one is adorable,” Glenna said. “But that’s not her dad, right? The tall kid talking to Joan?”
    I glanced over at Grandma and Jake; he looked over at me at the same instant and flashed a wide grin. I smiled wanly in return and told the girls, “No, he’s not her dad. Her dad is Noah Utley.”
    â€œBen’s little brother?” Tina asked in surprise. “So where the hell is he?” After a split second she answered her own question, concluding, “He didn’t stick around for you, did he? Coward.”
    â€œHe’s in Madison at school,” I said, looking out the window; it was so thickly covered in snow that Shore Leave might as well have been pressed up against an igloo. I sensed more than saw Tina and Glenna exchange the kind of sisterly look that says a thousand things without a sound.
    â€œYou know, my oldest, my Beth, has a different father than my other two girls,” Tina said, setting her drink to the side and leaning intently towards me. I looked over at her, sensing her concern and the desire to make me feel better. Her eyes were a rich navy blue. She said, “And her dad lives in Vancouver now. Sees Bethy maybe twice a year. It took me a long time, but I don’t hate him anymore. Best thing he ever