A Christmas Arrangement by Annie Adams Page A

nodded and went up front.
    “So your sister?” K.C. continued.
    “She says she doesn’t have any morning sickness,” I said quietly so the customer couldn’t hear our conversation. 
    “Lucky girl,” K.C. said in her quiet voice.  Meaning the voice she used all the time, which was actually a very loud voice.  “You know, I have the perfect remedy for that morning sickness of yours.”  She used air quotes when she said “morning sickness.”
    I laughed as I continued putting the fragrant stems in the foam.  “I would love to try your cure for morning sickness, because I am not going to make it through the day without something.”  I rubbed my distended belly, full with a Quincy’s-famous-stuffing baby.  “I was definitely eating for two last night.”  I winked at K.C.
    “Um, Quincy…?”  Allie said.
    I turned around.  Allie stood next to an open mouthed Eleanor Cooper.
    Double crap indeed.
    “Oh, hi, Mrs. Cooper.  We were just talking about Sandy and the…” It was no use, the damage was done.
    “Hello,” K.C. said.  She extended her hand and her jingle bell necklace jingled.  “I’m K.C., delivery driver extraordinaire.  And you must be Alex’s mother.  I’ve heard such wonderful things about you.”
    “Have you?” Eleanor said, looking at me. 
    “Oh, of course.  And what a wonderful son you’ve raised.  He’s such a gentleman.”  K.C. knew the right buttons to push.  “I was just teasing my boss here.  Seems she ate too much turkey last night and she’s got a case of morning sickness.  From food.  That’s what we call it around here.  It’s a regional thing.”
    “Is it another Mormon thing?”  Eleanor said. 
    “Ha, you’re a real corker,” K.C. blurted, “I love it!  Mrs…”
    “Eleanor, call me Eleanor.”  Was that a smile on Eleanor’s face?  K.C. had amazing special powers. 
    “Listen, Ellie—can I call you Ellie?” K.C. asked.
    “All my friends do,” Eleanor said. 
    “I think we’ve met be—” K.C.’s face registered recognition.  “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s squeeze box.”
    I darted a glance at Allie.  She looked as bemused at the monkey expression as I was.
    “We have met before, Ellie.  At the store.  Hey, about that horn thing.  It’s kind of a funny rite of passage here.  And you passed it with flying colors the other night.  You kept a straight face the whole time.  I don’t know how you managed.”
    A slight blush emerged from Eleanor’s cheeks.  “Well, I—”
    “I feel so naughty,” K.C. continued.  “I completely put Quincy up to it.  She was just trying to please the ahwnry old lady that works for her.  I don’t know how she puts up with me.  Truly, I don’t.”
    “Well, it was all in good fun,” Eleanor said.  “Quincy, I hope you don’t mind me interrupting you here at work.  I know you must be busy, but I wanted to talk to you.”
    “Oh, you’re welcome here any time, Mrs.—”
    “Call me Eleanor.” She didn’t exactly smile, but she wasn’t scowling either.
    “Would you like a tour…um…Eleanor?” I said.
    “Sure, that would be fun.”
    I showed her my little office on the way to the back design room and the extra room at the very back where we staged deliveries.  K.C. followed, making little jokes.  We even went into the dark and scary basement where everything was stored.  I was so glad Alex had come down and helped me tidy up the holiday area before his parents arrived.  I was glad about the other stuff we did down there too, but after one look at his mother standing in the same spot where we’d stood, I axed those memories right out of my mind. 
    We returned above ground to the back design room.  “You certainly have a lot on your hands here, Quincy.  I have to apologize.  I misunderstood Alex when he told me what you do.  I didn’t realize it was this…involved.” 
    Wow!  Did she really just…? “No need to apologize, Mrs.…I mean Eleanor.  But thank