“That’s a good start. While you’re thinking, you might consider something. If Michael has agreed to the four of you getting together, that tells me he’s willing to let bygones be bygones. The ball is in your court now.”
Hillary slowly nodded. “If we could all be friends it would make Thanksgiving and Christmas go a lot smoother.”
Scheduling between the two families on the holidays had been problematic, to say the least. Sorting out times when their children could arrive to not conflict with one another had turned into a logistical challenge.
“Yes, it would,” Julia agreed. She added another bit of reason to the situation. “What does Marie have to say about this?” The two remained close, and this was sure to have an impact on Marie as well.
Hillary bounced her head against the back of the sofa. “She’s all in. I suppose you heard she ran into Adam at the mall. He’s engaged and introduced Marie to his fiancée. She said it wasn’t nearly as awkward as she thought it would be.”
Julia had heard all about it. She wasn’t entirely sure what had taken place, only that the two appeared to have squared matters away. The last holdout was Hillary.
“What’s your decision?” Julia asked. “Will you invite Michael to your home?”
Hillary straightened. “That’s what Blake wants.”
She remained silent while Hillary sorted this out for herself.
“Michael and you are on good terms, right?” she asked Julia.
“Yes. He’s been wonderful. You know, he’s the one who insisted on helping me move into Heath’s condo.”
“Yeah, I heard,” she muttered.
“He isn’t the Neanderthal you assume, Hillary.”
She released a long, slow sigh. “You’re right. I know you’re right; the thing is, it’s going to be hard to think of him as Blake’s friend.”
“Give it time and he can be your friend, as well.”
She reluctantly agreed.
“And it would make your mother and Heath happy,” Julia added.
“And Dad and Laura.” She smiled over at Julia. “Okay, I’ll do it. I’m not sure I’ll like it. Still, if Michael’s willing to give it a try, it’d be ungracious for me to refuse.”
“Good for you, Hill.”
“I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“You do that.”
* * *
—
A week later, Hillary connected with her mother again: this time by phone. “Mom,” she said excitedly, “Michael and Claire were here for dinner last night.”
“It sounds like it went well.”
“It did. Michael and I sort of pretended that there was nothing negative between us. He was gracious and so was I.”
“And that worked?”
“Yeah. I discovered Michael’s got a great sense of humor, and the funny part is, he’s a lot like Heath. I didn’t realize it until last night.”
“And you liked Claire?”
“I did. She’s great. She told me about this little shop in University Village and we’ve made plans to meet up to shop next weekend.”
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart. I’m grateful everything turned out.”
They spoke for a few minutes longer before ending the call.
When she finished, Heath set aside the book he was reading on World War II. “Was that Hillary?”
“It was.”
“I heard from Michael earlier, and he said he and Claire had a good time with Hillary and Blake.”
“So it seems.”
Heath grinned. “It looks like everything has worked out for the best.”
Julia agreed. “As my dad always said: It’s better this way.”
How right he was.