Free Thanks for Giving by Jillian Chantal Page B

she pulled the cocoa out last and as she flipped up the lid, the container tilted and spilled some down the front of the apron. She rubbed her hands over the fabric and poured the cocoa into the mixer.
    The machine ran while Molly greased and floured the pans. Once the mixture was ready, she poured some into each of the three round pans and popped them into the oven she had set to preheat as soon as she arrived in the kitchen.
    She started to amass the ingredients to make the icing when the doorbell rang. She ran her hands down the front of the apron again and poked the errant locks of hair that had fallen out of her messy bun behind her ears.
    Arriving at the door, she called out, “Who is it?”
    “Chip.”
    What the heck was he doing here so early? Molly glanced at the mantel clock. It was only a bit after seven. She opened the door. “What’s going on?”
    His gaze raked her body making her self-conscious of what she must look like. How much flour and cocoa was she wearing?
    “Are you going to the hospital like that?” Chip asked.
    “I’m going to the hospital?” Confused, Molly frowned.
    “Don’t you remember me coming by last night to talk about the bone marrow thing for Matt?”
    “Well, yeah, I’m not a moron, you know. I can recall a conversation from less than twelve hours ago, but I don’t think crack of dawn was mentioned. It is a holiday, you know. I was trying to finish my baking.”
    “I know it’s a holiday but since a lot of people are in town, I arranged to have the phlebotomist on hand early so she could take the samples and get started. Matt needs this transplant as soon as possible.”
    “Are you picking up everyone and driving them over? Or are you just doing drive-bys to see if they’re still home or asleep?” Molly crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Everyone else I spoke to has already come and gone. You’re the last one. I decided to come get you since you seemed to have forgotten.”
    She exhaled a loud sigh. “Let me take a shower and turn off the oven and we’ll go then.”
    “Never mind. Jason was right about you. Forget it.” Chip turned to walk away.
    Molly lunged out the door and grabbed his bicep. “Hold on there a minute, mister. What does that mean?”
    “Nothing. Forget it.” He shook her hand off and stepped off the porch onto the top stair.
    “You can’t come here and announce that Jason was right about something and not tell me what.”
    Chip faced her. “He said that you had become rude and abrupt in your dealings with people. It really makes me sad, you know. Last night I thought he was wrong when you were so sweet and kind, but now I see that the change in you really has happened. Sorry to have bothered you. Enjoy your holiday.”
    Stunned beyond belief that Jason was telling such tales about her and that Chip believed them, she flung her apron over her head and shutting the door behind her, she stalked down the path behind him. “Wait for me. I’m going with you.”
    Chip turned back and as soon as he made eye contact with her, his eyes widened. “Are you sure you want to go like that?”
    “Of course. I want to help Matt and show you that I am a nice person and you’ve already said I have no time to shower.”
    “But your shirt—”
    “I’m sorry if my shirt doesn’t meet your approval. Let’s go.” Molly bounded over to Chip’s Mustang. At least she presumed it was his since it was in her driveway. She tried to open the passenger door but it was locked.
    The chirp-chirp of the door unlocking preceded Chip as he arrived at the car. “If you’re sure you want to go like that, get in.”
    Sure that she looked fine, Molly opened the door and slid into the grey leather seat.
    Chip backed the car out and they headed to the hospital. When they pulled in to a parking space near the lab, Chip said, “This shouldn’t take long.”
    “Fine. Can we go up and see Matt?”
    “No. He’s in isolation and will have to stay there until after the