Page 22 of We Wish You a Messy Christmas

“Okay.” She kissed his cheek.

“And please don’t laugh at her.”

“Laugh?” She blinked. “Why on earth would I laugh at her?”

His expression was hard to read. “You’ll see.”

Even before Olivia went inside, she could see the influence of her wacky grandmother, from the bright-colored Snoopy and Red Baron wreath on the glossy black door to the mat on the front step that said “Welcome Gnome” and was adorned with little red and green gnomes. Probably a good thing her mom wasn’t mobile yet. The inside of the house was even worse. Or better, depending on how you looked at it. Where her mother’s taste was cool elegance, Grandma Lulu preferred goofiness and silliness. She was a woman who loved to laugh and make things light and merry—which went well with Christmas. In fact, in many ways she was very much like the neighbors Olivia’s mother detested.

Lulu’s touch included multicolored lights and flashy garlands draped all about Mom’s angel display to make it even brighter. The tree that was still partially decorated with her mom’s crystal was now overwhelmed with funny tacky ornaments. As she set her bag on a chair, Olivia wondered where on earth Lulu had managed to gather all these weird trinkets.

“Hello, hello.” Lulu emerged from the kitchen wearing a Santa hat and a twinkling necklace that looked like it was made out of mini Christmas tree lights. “My darling granddaughter has arrived! Merry Christmas, sweetie pie.” She embraced Olivia in a big bear hug. “And not a minute too soon.”

“How’s it going?” Olivia asked. “How’s Mom?”

“She’s only been home about an hour, but she’s mad as a wet hen.”

“Uh-huh?” Olivia peeled off her coat.

“She’s trying not to show it.” Lulu lowered her voice as she motioned her into the kitchen. “But if her scowl gets any darker, it’ll probably be so deeply carved into her face that her Botox won’t even help.”

Olivia’s eyes opened wide as she took in the kitchen. She’d never seen it like this before. Cluttered counters, dirty dishes in the sink, miscellaneous groceries everywhere, cabinet doors hanging open, and more gaudy Christmas garlands and interesting items spread all about.

“I see you’ve been decorating for Christmas.” Olivia flipped the Santa sled and reindeer mobile suspended between the brass pendant lights over the breakfast bar. “Did you bring all these things from San Diego?”

“No, no.” Lulu waved her hand. “Your dad took me to the dollar store to shop yesterday. My goodness, it’s a treasure trove there. I brought home bags and bags. Of course, that was before we knew your poor mother had fallen and hurt herself. But I stayed up late last night decorating. I thought it would cheer her up when she got home this morning.”

“And did it?” Olivia could just imagine!

“Well, she looked surprised. She didn’t say much as your dad wheeled her in. She’s got a wheelchair, you know. And I guess the trip home must’ve worn her out. She just wanted to go to her room to rest. Probably due to the pain meds.”

“Uh-huh.” Olivia wanted to add that the pain meds were probably helping her mom not totally flip out over the state of her home. “Should I go check on her? Or do you think she’s asleep? What can I do to help?”

“She might be asleep. I was just fixing her a lunch tray since she hasn’t eaten since breakfast, and according to your dad, she barely touched that.” Lulu spread a Santa placemat on a tray. “Maybe you can take it to her.”

“Okay.” Olivia watched as Lulu set a greasy-looking grilled cheese sandwich on a plate, along with a small dish of cottage cheese. Then, using canned whipped cream, she created a small white mound on what looked like cocoa steaming in a Rudolph mug. Probably another dollar store find. “That’s a lot of dairy.”

“Calcium is important for healing bones.”

Olivia noticed the jug of whole milk still on the counter. “Mom usually has nonfat milk. I mean, when she has it, which is rarely.”

“Pishposh.” Lulu wrinkled her nose. “Everyone knows that whole milk products are better for us.” She folded a bright red-and-green paper napkin to set on the tray and smiled. “Ta-da, there you go. Want to take that in to her? She’ll be so happy to see you.”

Olivia nodded as she picked up the tray but felt fairly certain her mother would not be happy to see this lunch.

“Try to get her to eat,” Lulu urged. “I’ve noticed she eats like a bird, and it’s obvious that she’s underweight. That hip isn’t going to heal without good nutrition and calcium. And, by the way, don’t laugh at her.”

Olivia frowned. “Why is everyone saying that?”

Lulu just tossed back her head and let out a hearty chuckle. “Oh, you’ll see.” She patted Olivia on the back. “You’ll see.”

Olivia was speechless when she saw her mother’s bright blue hair poking out beneath a loosely tied cream-colored scarf.

“Mom,” she said as she set the tray on the bedside table. “I’m so sorry about your hip.” She leaned down to kiss her cool, pale cheek. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, Olivia, I’m so glad you came.” And Jane began to cry.

Olivia pulled a nearby chair closer, sitting down to be at her mom’s level. “Are you in pain?”