A Surprise Guest On Christmas Day

 The ride to Master City for Christmas Day lunch was extremely quiet. Maxine pretended to be interested in the scenery. Scenery which she had seen for many years, much of which had remained the same. She was aware that the sheriff glanced at her every once in awhile. He seemed to have this never ending grin on his face. "What? What are you grinning about? I'm here aren't I? I'm going to lunch with you so quit looking like the cat that had just finished lapping up the cream. This is just a lunch." 

"I just feel like I won the lottery. That's all. It's Christmas Day. Can't I grin? Everyone grins on Christmas Day. It's a happy day."

"Fine, okay? And get that toothpick out of your mouth. I'm not going out for lunch with a man that doesn't have manners, for goodness sakes."

"Yes ma'am." He chuckled as he took the toothpick out of his mouth and thought, "Oh my life is going to get so interesting with this woman. I can't wait to read the next chapter of this life's story."

Josh and Allie were on their way to Master City for lunch. It was Christmas Day. Josh had caught the wrath of Allie early this morning. She was not happy with him because he had left her alone at the ranch to go to Springfield. He had taken a large ore sample to the assay office to see if the old mine on Allie's land was in fact still capable of producing silver, or if it had run it's course. He hadn't told Allie that was what he was going to do. He told her that he had some business at home that he needed to tend to. Well, he did. He contacted his old buddy from college days whom was now a senator. Justin was a fun roommate, but seemed to be a good and honest senator for his home state. In fact it was important that Justin meet Allie that he had invited him to visit the ranch and visit with her about possibilities of mining gold from the mine on her ranch. He had this feeling that the meeting would not go well if he knew Allie like he thought he did.

Rex and his new lady friend, Pat, were seated at the last table at the cafe in Master City. Stars couldn't have been brighter if you were able to measure the lights shining from their eyes. They were in love and didn't care who knew it. "Love is great at our age. We've loved and lost before. We have saved each other from a lonely existence just by accident at the nursing home. I am beginning to think I was a cantankerous old man." Pat laughed and said, "Yes, I have a feeling you were. People talk in small towns you know. You had made a name for yourself, that's for sure. I couldn't believe they talked me into dressing up like Mrs. Claus and there you came walking in dressed up like Santa. Now look at us; happy as if we have good sense. They both chuckled as they were waiting for a waitress or waiter to bring them menus.

The sheriff held the door for Maxine and told her to find a table. He was going to wash his hands and be right back. As Maxine walked into the cafe she caught sight of Rex sitting at the big table in the back. She couldn't stand the thought of being in the same room with him let alone the same table. "Swindler, she mumbled. I'm out of here." 

"Hey, where are you going? asked the sheriff. Rex and Pat told me we could sit with them. Ah, come on. It won't be that bad. What's an hour of your time? It's Christmas! Come on. Smile. It won't crack that pretty face of yours. Maybe you will enjoy visiting with Pat. She's a very nice lady. You might even make a new friend. Wouldn't that be a great Christmas gift? Come on. Good. That's my girl."

"I'm not your girl. I'm doing it 'cause I'm hungry. Hope the waiter comes quick so we can eat and get out of here."

The conversation was a bit strained and too polite, but Pat seemed to be able to warm up the conversation with the story of the nursing home and playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Maxine made a low growl in her throat. This time the sheriff frowned at her and said, "I'm sure that was fun, don't you think, Maxine?"

"I'm here to tell you that there is more to life than fun. Take playing cards for instance. Right, Rex? Was that fun taking the ranch away from your very own brother?"

The sheriff said, "Well, I guess this wasn't a good idea after all. I'm sorry, folks, but I think Maxine and I are going to leave now." 

Then a voice behind them said, "Oh I wouldn't leave now. I'd like to hear this story, Grandfather. Since we are all together now, it's about time we all just sat here and aired out the family skeletons once and for all. So I see there are two empty chairs here. Allie, let's sit here and get acquainted with my family."

Allie said, "I'm hungry. You people can hash and rehash all you want to. I'm ordering me a steak and eggs and a big orange juice. I have enough problems of my own to take on others. Besides that, your grandfather is grouchy. Not a fun lunch companion in my opinion."

"Well, Allie, from what I understand these so called skeletons belong to you as well, so you might as well listen while we get this over with." said Justin as he pulled up a chair to the already crowded table. "I have some things to add. Very important things you need to know."

Maxine sighed and said, "Here it comes. Okay, Mr. Sheriff. Order me the same thing that this young woman ordered. That way I can add my two cents worth into this conversation."

The sheriff sighed and said, "Can't you just once use my first name and not call me Mr. Sheriff.? This is getting tiresome."

Maxine looked around and said, "Well, you were the one that invited me to lunch. So.." As she was talking she looked up and saw the waitress coming towards their table. "No, not this too."

Justin saw the look on Maxine's face and looked toward where she was looking. It was his mom, Lill. She was wearing a waitress uniform and carrying an order pad in her hand.

Rex looked at Pat and said, "This could get bad. Do you want to leave? I didn't expect this to happen. I've not always been a nice person. I will understand if you want to go."

As Lill crossed the room to take the folks' order she spotted her son whom she loved with all her heart, but she also saw Maxine and Josh. He and Justin in the same room after all these years. "I can't do this. I have to walk out of this situation right now, or I'll lose both of them." She turned and walked towards the kitchen, but felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Come on Mom. Give your son a hug. I love you and it's Christmas. A hug would be the best gift I could ever receive today."

Allie, Rex, and Maxine watched as Justin smiled at Lill. Allie whispered, "They look like twins!" Maxine looked at Rex and said, "You know what you have to do. But I don't think this is the place to do it. Let's eat and have a nice lunch and all go back out to the ranch where this all began."