Christmas Retreat Read online

  “Is that woman for real?” asked Dorothy as she suddenly started laughing. Baxter felt that she could no longer contain herself any longer either and began to laugh.

  Baxter tried to keep her voice down, but she was still talking loud. “Oh, I know! What the heck was she talking about? She got a pet rock from the driveway and then it got tossed back out and she couldn't find it! How does that compare to a lost goldfish?”

  Dorothy held the sides of her stomach as she laughed. “Yes! And Justine never did say what was wrong. They were rambling on about lost girlfriends, pets, and rocks like she wasn't even there!”

  Sidney clearly felt bad. “Maybe we should go in there and rescue Justine and ask her why she's so sad. Don't you think we should get her away from those two?”

  “Nu uh,” said Baxter, shaking her head. “I'm not going back in there.”

  “Did you see Elaine dump that whole bowl of fruit in her purse? She's stocking up on food like they're going to run out,” said Dorothy laughing.

  Baxter laughed. “I know. I wanted a banana, but I didn't have a chance to say anything when she asked. Before I knew it, she already had the bowl in her hands and was emptying it into her bag.”

  When the cowbell on the door chimed, the women quieted. They looked over towards the door to see that Angel and Millicent were walking out. “Hey, ladies. Did you enjoy your breakfast?” asked Dorothy, trying to make conversation.

  “Yes! I sure did. I had two biscuits and a bowl of oatmeal. How about you girls?” asked Millicent.

  “Oh, we enjoyed it just fine,” said Baxter calmly. She couldn't understand why Millicent seemed so hyper in the morning. She seemed like the type of person that just had five cups of coffee.

  “It was okay,” said Angel. She took a deep breath and rambled out a long story about one of her exes. “My ex Jennifer used to make me oatmeal all the time and she used to put raisins in it and sometimes sugar or sweetener for a little added sweetness. This one was sort of plain. I tried to add some packets of sugar to it, but it wasn't the same. It could have used some cinnamon, too, I think. Robin, one of my other exes, used to make oatmeal with cinnamon. I don't know. It was lacking something. What do you think? Did you have the oatmeal?”

  “No, Sid and I had the biscuits,” said Baxter. She looked over at Sidney and smiled.

  “I had the oatmeal. You're right. It was plain, but at least it was hot,” said Dorothy.

  When the other women exited the building, Cherry stood by the building and admired a sign that was posted that said 'Christmas Shop.' “Hey, Paula,” said Cherry to Patty. “I really like this sign. Did you and Olga make it yourselves?”

  “No, we bought that,” said Patty. Everyone was beginning to notice that Cherry never got anyone's name right, so therefore, didn't say anything when she got it wrong. Seconds later, Olivia came out of the building with a clipboard.

  “Is everyone here?” asked Olivia, looking around.

  “I think we're missing a couple of people,” said Patty.

  “I saw Lara go upstairs. She's the writer so she probably wanted some quiet time,” said Dorothy.

  “Anyone else missing?” asked Patty.

  Felicia looked around and spoke up when no one else said anything. “Yes, my roommate Karen. She wandered out into the woods by herself about twenty minutes ago.”

  Olivia wrote Karen's name down on her clipboard. “Okay, that's fine. As long as we know where everyone is at all times. If she's not back by supper time, we can go out looking for her.”

  “Where are we going?” asked Elaine eating a bag of trail mix.

  Olivia led the way down the trail and everyone followed after. “It's not too far. It's a trail that leads away about a mile and a half, and then it's a mile and a half back. If we're lucky we'll see some deer grazing or some interesting birds. We may see a woodpecker or a wild turkey.”

  “I don't know if I can walk three miles,” said Elaine. “Will we be back by supper time?”

  “If you can't make it the length of the hike, I'll walk back with you,” said Patty, patting Elaine on the back. “And we'll be back plenty early. Don't worry.”

  Baxter, Dorothy, and Sidney were walking at the tail end of the line when they noticed that Elaine and Nora ducked out from the front of the hike and started walking behind them. Nora talked the entire way down the trail and back up again. Three whole miles. It started innocently enough, “Would you believe I sprained my ankle once on a hike? I sprained it so bad that I couldn't put any pressure on it and someone I was with at the time had to carry me back to my car. It was quite the embarrassing situation. That reminds me; one time when I was in grade school I broke my ankle. I was walking home from school and I just tumbled into the grass. I have no idea what happened. My foot just went out from underneath me, and the next thing I knew, I couldn't stand up and I couldn't walk...”

  Nora's voice trailed off as Baxter and Sidney began tuning her out. “I haven't seen a turkey or a deer yet,” said Sidney.

  Baxter shook her head. “Me either. It would be nice to see something. I brought my cell phone just in case. I don't have any reception, but I can at least use the camera phone to take a pic if I see anything.”

  “I wonder what they're serving for supper,” said Elaine. She pulled out a banana from her backpack and began eating it. Baxter frowned. It was the banana she had wanted. It was the only solitary banana that sat on top of a pile of apples and oranges.

  As Sidney walked, she couldn't help but think about how different everyone was. There was Elaine, the compulsive eater, Nora, the rambling fast-talker, Cherry, the woman that got everyone's name wrong, and either didn't notice, or didn't care. Then there was Angel, the woman that couldn't stop talking about her exes, and Millicent, the woman that seemed to always have a permanent smile on her face. What was she so happy about? She began to wonder if she and Baxter were the only normal ones. Karen wanted to be alone and away from everyone, so did Lara, the author. Then there was Justine, the overly emotional woman that wouldn't stop sobbing. She glanced over at Dorothy and wondered what her bad habits were. Was she just being shallow or was everyone completely from the other end of the spectrum of life?

  “What are you thinking of?” asked Baxter, breaking into her thoughts. She could still hear Nora rambling on about herself.

  “Pizza's my favorite food. What do you like to eat? You look like you have a good appetite. Do you think they might have pizza tonight? After this long walk, I know I'm going to be hungry...” Nora's voice trailed off again as Sidney tuned her out.

  “I was just thinking how glad I am that you came here with me this weekend,” said Sidney with a warm smile.

  “I'm glad I'm here with you, too. I think you would have gone crazy here without me,” said Baxter giggling. “How about we run up to the front of the line?”

  “Sounds good,” said Sidney. You didn't have to tell her twice. She took one look at Elaine huffing and puffing and about ready to pass out, and Nora rambling on and on, and jogged towards the front of the line where Olivia and Patty were leading the way. Baxter followed right behind her. “Hey, Patty! You might want to run back there and check on Elaine. She's looking pretty winded.”

  “Will do. Thanks for the heads up! I don't want anyone passing out,” said Patty as she turned around and went to the back of the line. Minutes later, Sidney turned to the end of the line where Patty and Elaine could be seen walking slowly back to the cabin. Sidney hoped that Nora wouldn't run to the front to find them.

  When they finally reached the end of the trail, it opened up to a beautiful lake. The view was breathtaking. “It's gorgeous!” shouted Baxter. “Stand over by the water. I want to take your pic.”

  Sidney walked over by the water and smiled. She shoved her hands in her light pink jacket pocket after pushing the hair out of her face and tucking it snugly behind her ear. Baxter smiled. She had never seen Sidney look more radiant and more beautiful than the way she looked right at that moment. “I
can't believe tomorrow's Christmas day!” shouted Sidney. “It really is turning out to be a great Christmas!” She ran over towards Baxter and hugged her closely.

  In the year that they had been roommates, they had never been this close. They had never hugged and never had any type of intimacy. Baxter was caught off guard, but she didn't resist. She felt her body completely relax in Sidney's arms. It felt warm and natural. Being slightly taller than Sidney, she looked down at her just as Sidney looked up. It felt like one of those moments where you wish that time would just stand still. She wanted to remain in Sidney's arms forever. Their thoughts were interrupted by Olivia's sudden burst of energy and enthusiasm, “Okay folks. Take in the sights. Take photos. We're ready to head on back up. We have a bus ready to take everyone into town to do some shopping. Who's ready for some Christmas fun, huh!?”

  “Woohoo!” shouted Cherry.

  “Yay!” shouted Nora with glee. “I love shopping. I love window shopping, and thrift store shopping, and antiquing, going to the mall, shopping for souvenirs...” Again her voice trailed off, as Baxter and Sidney tuned her out.

  “Let's not sit next to her on the bus,” whispered Sidney. Baxter giggled.

  Olivia spoke loudly to everyone as they hiked back up the trail. “As a courtesy to our clients, we will provide the wrapping paper, tape, and bows. You will have a secret Santa and everyone that wants to participate will draw names. Do not spend more than twenty dollars, please. We do not want someone getting a two-hundred dollar jacket while someone else gets a twenty dollar gift card, okay?”

  Everyone must have heard her loud thundering voice, but no one responded. Everyone was excited to be going into the nearby town of Utopia to shop.

  When everyone reached the small bus, Patty and Elaine were already on it chatting. “We wondered when you all would make it back,” said Elaine. She had a big grin on her face like she had just won a marathon and that's why she was the first one on the bus. Baxter and Sidney waited until Nora sat down at the back of the bus before boarding and decided to sit in front near Olivia, Patty, and Elaine. Elaine might be a compulsive eater, but at least she wasn't a chatterbox.

  ****

  Upon arriving at the center of Utopia, the bus stopped along Main Street and everyone hopped off the bus excitedly. A few of the women ran into an antique store, some into a clothing store, but Baxter and Sidney ducked into an arts and crafts store. They were glad to be away from the crowd. They strolled the aisles of the store admiring everything. Sidney walked over to the fabric department and found a floral pattern. She pulled out the fabric and wrapped it around herself.

  “What do you think? Wouldn't it make a nice summer dress?” asked Sidney.

  “I'm sure anything would look great on you,” said Baxter grinning. “I'm not the one to be asking about dresses, but I'm sure you could work that.”

  Sidney searched through a pile of patterns and found a package that she liked. “Look, I could make this dress using this fabric. I think I'm going to buy it.”

  Baxter took the package and turned it over to the back to see what it said. “Have you ever made a dress before? It looks complicated.”

  “How hard could it be? I have six months to work on it until the summer time, right?”

  Baxter handed the package back to Sidney. “I don't know, Sid. I'm sure it's a lot harder than it looks.”

  “Oh ye of little faith, I know I can do it,” said Sidney with confidence.

  “Okay, okay. I'm not doubting you.”

  As they walked over to the floral department, Sidney was in awe of the entire aisle full of brightly colored artificial flowers. “Oh, my gosh! I love this! Look how beautiful they are! Take my picture with the flowers. I'll sit right here beside them and they'll come out in the background.”

  Baxter laughed. “You're silly. It's cold and dirty down there. Don't sit there.”

  Sidney put her fabric, pattern, and sewing supplies down near where Baxter was standing, and then she sat on the opposite end of the aisle with dozens of flowers behind her. “Wait!” she shouted. “Let me take off my hat and smooth down my hair.”

  “They're going to throw us out of the store, Sid,” said Baxter laughing. “Hurry up!”

  Sidney shoved her pink beanie into her jacket pocket, and then brushed her hair down with her hands. “Okay, I'm ready.”

  Baxter took the snapshot and laughed. Sidney attempted to stand. “Wait,” said Baxter. “I want to get another one with the picture vertical so more of the flowers at the top come out.”

  Sidney sat back down and smiled as Baxter took a second photo. “It's your turn,” said Sidney, after hearing the camera app click as Baxter took the photo.

  “Oh, I don't think so. I'm not doing that,” protested Baxter. “Let's go to another department before the flower lady comes out and chases us out of the store.”

  “Flower lady?” asked Sidney laughing.

  “Sure, don't they have a woman that works in the flower department?” asked Baxter.

  “I'm pretty sure that they don't,” said Sidney laughing.

  Baxter chose not to argue and headed towards the back of the store. “Okay, well let's go over to the ceramics aisle anyway.” She wandered off ahead, leaving Sidney behind to gather her things.

  When Sidney finally caught up to Baxter in the ceramics and paints area, Baxter already had a gift bag and something inside it. “Whatcha got there?” asked Sidney curiously.

  “Don't look. It's your Christmas present.”

  “What is it?” asked Sidney, trying to peek inside the bag.

  “Oh, you have to wait until tomorrow.”

  “How did you pay for that so fast when the registers are in the front of the store?” asked Sidney curiously.

  “The ceramics lady helped me,” laughed Baxter.

  “The ceramics lady?” laughed Sidney.

  “Yes, I told you they have people in different sections of the store. There was a woman standing over there by that back register and she asked me if I was ready to check out.”

  Sidney laughed. “Where is she now?”

  Baxter looked over in her direction and motioned with her hand. The woman saw her and started walking towards them. “That's her over there in the red vest. She's coming over.”

  “Hello,” said the employee. “Are you finding everything okay?” She was a middle-aged woman with short permed hair that she had dyed brown. She had large curls and wore thick glasses.

  “Yes, we're finding everything. I've already found some fabric to make a dress and my friend here bought a present,” said Sidney.

  “That's great. If you need any help, just let me know,” said the woman. She was just about to rush off when Baxter stopped her.

  “Wait. I had a question about the flowers over in the front of the store. Can you help us with that?”

  “If you go over to that section, I will be sure to send the flower lady to help you,” said the woman. She walked over to a phone on a white pole and made an announcement. “Paging Ruth. Ruth to the flower department. Assistance is needed in the flower department.” She rushed back over and said, “Someone will be right with you.”

  Baxter and Sidney laughed quietly as she walked away. “I told you. She had to page the flower lady.”

  “Did you make her say that?” laughed Sidney. “The flower lady?”

  Baxter rolled her eyes. “I swear. I didn't ask her to say that. Geez. What else would you call the woman that works in the flower department?”

  Sidney couldn't stop laughing. “Well, now you have to go back to the flower department. The flower lady is expecting to find you there.”

  “I'll go. I'm sure I can think of something interesting to ask her. I'll be right back.” Baxter headed off in the direction of the flowers.

  Meanwhile, Sidney looked around wondering what it was that Baxter had picked out for her. With all the clay, paints, projects, and ceramics around, it could have been anything. She strolled into the next aisle and found
wall hangings, paintings, and clocks. She found a small wooden plaque and smiled. It read 'Sometimes what you are seeking is right in front of you.' She caught a glimpse of the curly haired woman with thick glasses and followed her back to her register. “Can I pay for this here?” asked Sidney as she set the plaque down on the counter.

  “Yes, honey. Of course. I rarely get customers back here. Most people don't even know this register's here. I'm glad to help.”

  “I'll take this, too,” said Sidney as she grabbed a twenty-dollar gift card.

  “Sure. No problem,” said the woman as she rang up her items.

  By the time Baxter returned, she had a bag full of poinsettias. “Whatcha got there?” asked Baxter when she saw Sidney with her items already paid for in a bag in her hands.

  “I bought my secret Santa gift,” said Sidney.

  “Secret Santa! I forgot all about that. I better get something.” Baxter looked around and her eyes fell upon a ceramic teddy bear bank. It came complete with two small brushes and three small plastic containers of paint. “Let me pay for this real quick. I'll be right back.”

  Baxter hurried off towards the back where the curly haired woman eagerly helped her. When she returned with all of her bags, Sidney smiled. “Why is it that you have a giant back of poinsettias?”

  “The flower lady was convincing,” said Baxter. “She insisted that I should buy some for the cabin.”

  “How did she know about the retreat?”

  “I guess I let it slip out,” said Baxter. “The next thing I knew she was telling me how great they'd look around the Christmas tree in the cabin, and I was paying for a few handfuls at her register.”

  Sidney laughed. “We better get back to the bus before the picture frame guy convinces you to buy a house full of eight-by-tens and eleven-by-seventeen poster frames.”

  The two young women laughed as they exited the store and headed back to the bus where the other women were already boarding.

  When the bus pulled up near the cabin, everyone was bouncing with energy and joy. All the women were eager to wrap their secret Santa gifts. They headed into the lobby where Olivia and Patty took out the scissors, wrapping paper, tape, tags, and bows. Baxter ran upstairs to hide her gift to Sidney while Sidney placed her gift to Baxter underneath the tree.