"Can I have a couple of those to hold the tree up?"

She handed me a couple of strips of cloth, and then helped me pin the broom to the wall using the cloth to hold it in place. Once the broom was secured, we started decorating the tree. We didnt have lights for the tree, but we tore off strips of foil and shaped them into b.a.l.l.s and hung them on the tree. They sparkled when the light hit them, just like twinkling lights.

As we worked on our little tree, we sang Christmas songs, making up our own words because neither one of us remembered the lyrics. It was a cozy, fun way to spend the afternoon, and both of us completely forgot the tension we had gone to bed with, last night.

"Charlie Brown hasnt got a thing on this tree." Chris said with a laugh.

We turned off all the lights except the bathroom light, and sat down on the bed, admiring our little makeshift Christmas tree, twinkling in the glow of the bathroom light. For the first time in my life, I felt a kind of peace come over me. Without thinking about it, I wrapped my arm around Chris and she leaned her head on my shoulder. I knew in that moment that this was as close as I would ever get to heaven on earth.

Chapter Seventeen.

Midpoint - Meg b.u.mgartner and Christine Livingston "Is Blackie at work today?" I asked, as Chrissie and I sat down at a table in the Dixie Cafe. After we ordered, we talked as we munched on cornbread.

"Yes, they asked her to come in for the lunch shift. Its the first time in two weeks that we havent worked together at the restaurant. I hope shes okay on her own."

"Yeah, Im sure she is. Shes very capable when she wants to be."

"Oh yes, she is, isnt she?" Chris replied.

I was not trying to compliment her, but Chrissie took it as one. I guess Ill let her have that one.

"So, hows your little experiment coming along with Blackie? Have you tried to kill her yet?" And when is she moving out?

"Almost, but we made up."

"Oh? Care to share with your adopted big sister, Chrissie?"

She laughed and said, "It was nothing major. We were just wiped out from working twelve hours on the busiest day of the year, and we got a little testy. I mean, who wouldnt, right?"

"Well, thats understandable, living in such a cramp little apartment like that."

"Thats funny, I dont remember telling you about my apartment."

Oh s.h.i.t! Think fast! "You didnt, but you gave me your address, remember? I know that area and have been in some of those apartments while investigating someone for a client."

"Oh, tell me about your work, Meg. Why did you decide to become a detective?"

"Well, I caught the bug when I was searching for Bonnies killer. Up until then, I was... are you ready for this... an accountant."

"I cant imagine you as an accountant."

"Well, lets just say it paid the bills. Im much better as a private detective, plus I get to carry a gun."

"Now that I can imagine. Have you ever shot anyone?"

"Not yet. Although theres one or two that could use the benefit of my bullet."

"Oh, Meg, Ive missed that dry sense of humor of yours."

"So what happens after this big test is over? What do you see happening after she moves back to her mansion?"

"Oh... I havent thought about that. The whole reason for the test was because she wanted to better herself, to be someone who helps out others, instead of getting drunk and buying another car. I think shes going to achieve that."

"You didnt answer my question, Chrissie."

"Didnt I?" She said with smirk, but I gave her a look of disbelieve, and she told me the truth, "Oh, all right, I see us working as a team, helping people less fortunate than we are, or should I say, than I am."

"Youd spend her money for her?"

"No, nothing like that."

"Chrissie, you cant seriously think that Blackie will give up all that money and all those expensive toys of hers, to come live with you in that tin box youre in, and keep working at the restaurant?"

"Um, no... no, I would never ask her to do that."

"No, you wouldnt ask her, but youd hope she would, you wish that she would."

Chrissie looked down at her plate and scooted her fork around it, and I had my answer. But I pushed her to say it out loud, so it would be real for her.

"Chrissie?"

She looked up at me and finally relented, "Yes, I want for things to continue as they are now. There, I said it. Is that so bad?"

I couldnt answer her without giving myself away. I believed that what her parents were doing, setting her adrift on her own, hoping she would recover and come to them as the child they loved, not the drunk they created, was right. I believed it was working, until Blackie walked into the picture.

"Why do you hate her so much, Meg? Shes really trying to change her life around and you should give her the benefit of the doubt. She hasnt had a drink in almost three weeks now, only has the money she earns at work, and rides the bus to work with me. I cant believe that she would go to that kind of extreme measure if she wasnt sincere about changing her life."

"Chrissie, be realistic. People like Blackie go through stages where they try to change, even succeed in getting out of that life for a time. Shes just too d.a.m.n rich to give it all up for good. Her money wont let her."

"I will support her, no matter what her decision is. Were best friends now and thats what you do for your friends."

"And what will she do for you, Chrissie? Will you let her drag you down, if she falls off the wagon?"

"No! I will never go back to that- oh, um..."

She looked at me so terrified that I wanted to tell her that I knew her secret already. That I knew she almost killed a man when she was drunk. But again, she had come too far for me to ruin it for her parents.

"Oh, sorry, I must have choked on some cornbread or something. Anyway, what I was going to say was that Melinda knows that drinking is a deal breaker for us. She knows how much I dont like alcohol and she respects that. She wont even touch a gla.s.s of wine now. But thats not what you asked, is it?" She didnt wait for my answer; she said in a pragmatic tone, "Okay, no, if she falls off the wagon, she will fall by herself and she knows it. But I cant stop being her friend."

"You love her that much?"

"Yes... what? No, I mean as my friend. As my friend, yes, I love her that much."

"Chrissie, theres something I have to tell you."

Midpoint - Melinda aka Blackie Blackstone and George Kirk I looked up from taking an order at table fifteen, and saw George walk in the door. I couldnt imagine why he would be back again so soon, unless he needed more pictures for his book. I knew that was why he was taking them the last time. Luckily I have final approval before anything goes into print, so I wasnt too worried. I turned in the order to the cook and went over to George.

"Back again, I see."

"Yes, I just cant stay away after the wonderful service you gave me last time."

"George, I didnt wait on you last time."

"I know that, but I doubt your boss does."

"Dont worry; hes in the kitchen, so I have a minute to talk. Whats up?"

"I bring you news from home, and a present."

"Okay, whats the news and wheres the present?"

"Heres the present." He handed me a fairly heavy flat box, wrapped in Christmas paper, and when I started to shake it, he threw up his hands to stop me. "Dont, theres gla.s.s in there. Its for you and Chris, and not to be opened until Christmas day. A gift from me to the both of you."

I thought that was kind of cool, "Thanks, Ill put it under our tree. So whats the news from home?"

"Um... the news is that your parents are coming to see you, uh, sorry to rush, but I have to go now."

He was halfway out the door before I found my voice again, "Hold on just a d.a.m.n minute!" I grabbed his elbow and pulled him back in, through the seating area and out the back door, into the alley. "My parents are coming to visit? How can they, they have no idea where Im at."

"Well, they sort of do."

"Son of a b.i.t.c.h! How could you tell them, George? I thought you were my friend? d.a.m.n it, youve got some f.u.c.king nerve."

"Now hold on just a d.a.m.n minute. I am your friend and I did not tell them. That detectives wife did."

"Meg? Why would she do that?" Because she hates me, vindictive b.i.t.c.h.

"Youll have to ask her. Maybe she was bragging on you, because your parents are coming to see for themselves. In a way, its a good thing for them to see how far youve come."

"It sure as h.e.l.l isnt a good thing for me. Not when Im so close to getting past some of my issues. I already feel the need for a drink, thanks to your news."

"No, dont do that, Blackie. Dont throw it all away now, just because of them. Show them what youre made of, make them proud."

"George, you are so full of bulls.h.i.t."

"Yes, but mine smells good."

I laughed and asked how long he would be in town. He said he was flying back out this evening, so I suggested he stay and have lunch with me. I got someone to cover my tables, and soon we were eating barbeque and talking about my parents. Since George was paying, I ordered extra of everything, and told him to leave a nice size tip for my co-worker.

"Okay, so why are they really coming here and when?"

George swallowed his bite of food first and then said, "Day after tomorrow."

"s.h.i.t! Thats too soon. Cant they wait until after Christmas? I could be ready for them by then."

"Your father has business in town that day, so no, he wouldnt want to wait. Not when hes already here."

"Whats he buying this time?"

"Your friends apartment building."

I literally spat out my drink all over poor George. "Please, please, Im begging you; tell me that was a joke, George. I promise not to hurt you too bad."

"Im sorry, its not a joke. The Blackstone Corporation is buying up everything on that block so they can tear them down and build a resort."

"A resort? Why the h.e.l.l would they want to do that?"

"Its strategically located between Beale Street, Graceland, the airport, the river boat gambling and the Liberty Bowl. Quite honestly, Im surprised no one has thought of that already."

"Yeah, it makes good business sense. But what about the people who live there? What about Norma?"

"Whos Norma?"

"Shes my friend, my very dear friend."

"Well, you know the way these things work. Sh.e.l.l have to move."

"d.a.m.n it, George, thats not going to happen. Shes lived there over thirty years, its not right to kick her out now, at her age."

"Well, Im no lawyer but if she doesnt own her apartment, she doesnt have a say so in the matter. Look, Im just the middle man here, you should tell your father, not me."

"d.a.m.n straight I will."

Second Argument - Melinda Blackstone and Christine Livingston As soon as Chris walked in the door and clocked in, I grabbed her and pulled her into the break room.

"I have to tell you something!" we both screamed at the same time.

"Youre not going to believe my news." I said with tongue in cheek.

"But I think youll want to hear mine immediately."

"Okay, lets both say it at the same time and see which one is the most earth-shattering."

I held up three fingers and counted them down one by one, and like the racehorse at the gate, we shifted our feet and held our breath until finally we both shouted at the same time, "Your parents My parents are coming to town!" And again in unison, "You knew?"

"Yes, George found me at work today and told me. You?"

"Meg told me at lunch today."

Hot steam puffed out of my ears, "Why the h.e.l.l did she tell my parents about this?"

"Now, dont get upset, she was only trying to help you."