Page 27 of We Wish You a Messy Christmas

Erik was rummaging beneath the sink. “I think there’s some hand sanitizer down here left over from the start of Covid. That might help us temporarily. But you better not go inside the Bradshaws’ house. Jane will have a fit if she gets a whiff of you.”

“I’ll call Olivia first and give a heads-up.” As Malcolm went for his phone, he wondered what kind of reception he’d get there. Olivia might not be happy to hear from him, and then to go over, smelling like this and begging for water? Maybe he could just use their hose. But what about a shower? And all these filthy towels? And Dad was right, it was impossible dealing with all this right before Christmas.

As he walked past Sadie’s little dog crate, still sitting on the kitchen counter, he felt sorry for her containment, but didn’t think it was safe for her to be let out before the floors were disinfected. What a mess! Even though he’d used the sanitizer, he handled his phone gingerly.

“Malcolm?” Olivia’s voice sounded surprised, but perhaps also pleased? Hopefully.

“Hey, Olivia, how are you?” He waited for her polite albeit slightly cool reply, then launched into his parents’ dilemma and how they needed water ASAP. “We could just use your hose if it’s hooked up, but it would be nice to have some hot water too.”

“Oh, Malcolm, that’s horrible. No, you don’t have to use the hose.” She paused. “But maybe come around back and use the deep sink in the laundry room. My mom’s in the living room right now . . . and not having the best day.”

“Thanks. I’ll bring some buckets.”

By the time he got there, she was on the back step to meet him. “Come on in. I didn’t mention your plumbing troubles to my mom. She’s already stressing enough.”

“I heard about her hip.” He set the first bucket in the laundry sink. “Tell her I’m sorry and I hope it mends quickly.” He glanced at Olivia, realizing, not for the first time, how pretty she was with her auburn hair and green eyes. Same coloring as her dad, but with the classic beauty of her mother.

“Your bucket is overflowing.” She reached past him to turn off the tap.

“Oh, I guess I was distracted.” He lifted the heavy bucket and set it down, then put the other one in the sink. “I wasn’t prepared for coming home to a house that smelled like a septic tank.” He looked down at himself. “I bet I stink too. Sorry.”

“No, you’re fine. But if you need a shower, or your dad does, come on over.”

“But your mom—”

“Don’t worry about her. This house has three bathrooms.” Her mouth twisted to one side like she was thinking. “And you know, my grandma is using the sofa bed in Mom’s craft room since she doesn’t like stairs, so there’s an empty spare bedroom upstairs if you or someone in your family needs it.”

Malcolm felt his brows arch. “You think your mom won’t mind?”

She reached to turn off the faucet again. “If she does mind, it’ll be good for her.” As he rinsed and washed his hands with real soap, she relayed how her family was trying to do an intervention for her mother’s persnickety ways.

“Looks like God and nature are helping out with that.” He set the second bucket down and glanced around the attractive and well-organized laundry room. “Man, Olivia, this laundry room looks like a spread from a fancy home decor magazine.”

She shrugged. “You know my mom.”

He ran a hand over an oak cabinet. “Pretty nice for a laundry room.”

“Mom had those recycled from her kitchen remodel. Some in here and some in the garage.”

“Well, I have to give it to your mom, she knows how to organize. My mom could use a little help in that regard.”

“Too bad they don’t get along better,” she said. “They could compensate for each other’s weaknesses.”

“Wouldn’t that be something.”

“Well, as long as your mom was more influential than my mom. I love your mom.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, I love my mom too,” she said quickly. “I mean, I don’t love how she does things, or how she treats, uh, some people. But I do love her. Although I must admit that seeing her going through the wringer right now is pretty amusing.” As she walked him to the door, she told him about the spider her mom was trying to kill and about the blue hair until they were both laughing so hard some water slopped out of a bucket.

“Sorry.”

“No worries. I’ll get it.” She patted his back. “Good luck with your plumbing woes. And really, you guys are welcome to shower over here. You can use my bathroom. And I’ll hold back my mom.” She laughed. “Actually, she’d need help to get up from her wheelchair, so I wouldn’t even need to.”

“Hey.” He paused in the doorway. “One more thing. If I did stay here, I, uh, have a puppy in my care.” He quickly explained about Sadie.

“So that’s the mysterious Sadie.” Her expression was hard to read. Was she relieved or amused? “I heard about Sadie at the clinic. Of course, your pup is welcome. I would love to meet her.”

“And your mom?” He studied her curiously. Now her eyes seemed to twinkle with impish delight.

“Let’s just consider it part of Mom’s intervention. We are determined to ensure she has a very messy Christmas.”