Chapter 218 Malcolm Visits
Seeing her family was such a joy for Andrea. Grandpa Jack was just as feisty as ever. He and Case spent hours talking about racing, and she just loved the smile it produced on her grandfather’s face. She helped her mom finish the Christmas decorating, went shopping with her—getting Case several presents, all of which were much better than the tie she’d gotten him last year—and even caught up with some old friends from high school who were in town visiting their families.
“We should go caroling tonight,” Karen said as they sat in the living room, attempting to warm up after a shopping trip. It had begun to snow the night before, and it was really starting to come down. Leslie was supposed to be in the next day, just two days before Christmas, and Andrea could tell her mother was nervous. “It’s too bad Leslie’s not here yet. She would love that.”
Andrea doubted that her sister would actually like to go caroling with them. She tended to get annoyed at people who sang more for the joy of lifting their voice than having any talent. But it was sweet that her mom was thinking of all of them doing something together. “Do you like to carol, Case?” Karen asked. Before he could answer, she continued, “My church has a group going tonight for an hour or two, as long as the weather doesn’t get any worse.”
“I’ve never been,” Case admitted. Her mother seemed shocked. “It sounds fun,” Case continued.
“It’s so much fun. We have to go now,” Karen insisted.
Andrea thought it might be fun, so long as it wasn’t too cold. She didn’t get to say that, though. There was a knock at the door, and since she was the closest, she went to get it.
Pulling the door open, she saw a somewhat familiar face looking back at her, one she hadn’t seen for years. “Andrea!” he exclaimed, and at the sound of his voice, she knew for sure who she was looking at.
“Malcolm!” she said as he wrapped his arms around her. “Oh, my gosh! It’s been so long!”
“How are you?” he asked, letting her go. “Wow—I can’t believe I’m seeing you in real life after all of these years of seeing you on the big screen, here you are in the flesh!”
“It’s me all right. Mom said she had heard you were going to be in town. Come on in.” She opened the door wider for him to step inside.
“I hope I’m not intruding.”
“No, not at all,” she assured him as Malcolm took his coat off and hung it on a hook by the door.
“Malcolm! Is that you?” Karen rushed over to hug him. “Oh, my! You’re even more handsome now than you were in high school!” She patted his cheek lovingly.
Andrea hadn’t really noticed until just then, but it was true Malcolm was better looking now that he’d filled out some and his skin had cleared up completely. “Malcolm, this is my fiancé, Case Meyer.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Case said, taking Malcolm’s hand as he stepped over.
“You, too. Congratulations on your championship,” Malcolm said, shaking his hand. “It’s amazing to meet you.”
“Thanks,” Case said, releasing Malcolm’s hand.
“Can I get you some cocoa?” Karen asked, offering him a seat on the couch.
“That would be great. Thank you.” Malcolm sat down, and Andrea resumed her seat at the end of the couch where she’d been before he arrived.
“How’s it going?” Andre asked him with a smile. “What are you doing these days?”
“I’m a realtor,” Malcolm said with a confident smile. “It’s going pretty well.”
“That’s cool. Where do you live?”
Malcolm proceeded to tell them about his new life in New York City, how he was selling apartments to the rich and famous. Andrea loved NYC so much, hearing him talk had her attention for certain. “I wish I would’ve known when we were looking for a place to rent,” she said.
“Well, if you ever need real estate in the Big Apple,” here’s my card.
Andrea took it and thanked him. For the next few hours, they got caught up. Her mom was in and out of the room since she had Christmas candies and cookies she was making for some of her friends, but Case stayed with her, not commenting much but seemingly content to let Andrea and Malcolm talk.
It was great to speak to someone who knew her so well. Andrea found herself laughing and telling stories. Malcolm had kept in touch with a lot more people from high school, and he told her all about them.
“Oh, shoot! Look at the time!” Malcolm exclaimed. “I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean to stay so long.”
“I’m glad you did,” Andrea assured him. “But I think Mom wants to go caroling.” She glanced out the window behind her and saw that it was getting dark. Time had flown by!
Saying a quick goodbye to Case, Malcolm stood, and Andrea followed him to the door. “It was so great seeing you.”
“It was,” Andrea agreed. “I hope we can see each other again before we both head back home.”
“Definitely,” Malcolm said. He hugged her one more time and then stepped outside. Andrea waved and watched him get into his car and drive down the long driveway, a smile on her face.
She closed the door and came back into the living room, sitting back down. “That was nice,” she said to Case, still smiling.
“Yeah. He seems like a nice guy.”
Andrea nodded, but there was something odd about the way Case made the comment, like he didn’t quite approve of Malcolm, which seemed so odd to her. But she wasn’t about to take a chance on messing up Christmas by saying something rude or accusatory. Besides, her mom was calling from the kitchen.
Andrea went in to hear what Karen had to say, taking the empty cocoa glasses with her. “We better get around if we’re going to make the caroling,” Karen said.
“Right,” Andrea agreed, checking the time on the clock over the table. She hoped Case still wanted to go. Something was bothering him, but she had no idea what it might be.
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