Chapter 83 Christmas
Meanwhile, Matilda sat in her small rented room, staring blankly at the thermos Wentworth had left behind.
The night was deep, snow had started falling again outside, and wind rattled the windows. She hugged her knees to her chest, unable to stop the self-mockery running through her mind—
'Matilda, you're still such a coward.'
...
Just before Christmas Eve.
Brianna called with her usual routine check-in. "Are you still in Phoenix City, or did you run off somewhere else? Haven't seen you in forever. The holidays are coming up—do you want to come to our place for Christmas dinner?"
It was purely perfunctory.
After all, you're technically our daughter and still unmarried, so we should ask. But Brianna knew perfectly well that Matilda wouldn't come—it was the same every year.
Matilda usually declined politely, but she was in a bad mood today and asked, "Do you actually want me there?"
Brianna's tone grew cold. "Come if you want. It's just setting one more place. Though Paul's grandparents will be joining us for dinner too."
Translation: 'You'd better not come.'
Matilda let out a bitter laugh and hung up without another word.
The day before Christmas, Connor also sent Matilda a text asking where she planned to spend the holidays and whether she wanted to come to Brookford City.
Also purely routine.
If he really wanted her there, he would have invited her much earlier. Why wait until the last day?
Besides, Connor probably still didn't know she'd ended up in a border town.
She texted back: "Sure."
Soon, Connor called, his voice somewhat hesitant. "Matty, are you really planning to come to Brookford City?"
Matilda asked back, "Not welcome?"
"Of course you're welcome—we're family. We should definitely have Christmas dinner together. But Christmas morning, Susan, Amy and I are flying to Riverbend City for vacation. We already booked the tickets. Do you want to come along?"
Matilda smiled to herself—Connor was so fake. Book holiday tickets at this late date? Unless they were outrageously expensive ones.
She decided to test him. "Sure, book me one too."
"Well... let me see if I can find anything."
Half an hour later, Connor texted: "Matty, can't get tickets. Riverbend City flights are completely sold out right now."
Matilda didn't reply.
Because just then, Levi came running over excitedly. "Dr. Spencer, our clinic's vehicle is here!"
For the first time in days, Matilda showed a genuine smile. "Really? Let me see."
It was a black SUV—seven-seater, high clearance, equipped with a bull bar and roof rack. Very rugged-looking.
Levi had never driven such an expensive vehicle. He ran his hands over the leather seats in amazement. "My God, even the seats are genuine leather—you can smell it!"
Matilda laughed. "Go ahead and take it for a test drive!"
Levi was practically bouncing with excitement. "Can I really try it out?"
"Go for it. I'll watch the clinic," Matilda said with a smile.
Few people came for medical care during the holidays unless it was an emergency, so the clinic was pretty quiet these days.
Half an hour later, Levi returned after filling up the gas tank. He called out excitedly for Matilda, "You have to drive it too! This thing is incredible!"
Matilda laughed. "It really is impressive."
She only took it for a few minutes to get familiar with the handling. It drove similar to her old Land Rover.
Sarah watched enviously from the side. She didn't have a license, but she felt having a vehicle like this instantly elevated the clinic's status.
...
Christmas Day.
Levi came to cover the clinic shift but told Matilda she could take the next couple days off.
Matilda actually felt uncomfortable with that. "Why don't I cover instead? I don't have family here or anywhere to go. I might as well stay at the clinic."
Levi was Native American and wasn't particularly invested in Christmas, since his tribe's most important celebrations weren't Christian holidays.
He'd gotten a bundle of small fireworks from somewhere and handed them to Matilda with a grin. "Take the car out for a drive. Find somewhere to set these off—give yourself a little ceremony."
Matilda didn't argue further. She put the fireworks in the car and went to the town's little restaurant to buy some cornbread for provisions.
The restaurant was nearly empty today. The owner's wife cut the bread while saying helplessly, "Matty, you should go find that Major husband of yours today. It's normal for couples to have conflicts, but you shouldn't keep ignoring him. You really embarrassed him the other day."
Matilda took the bread. "It's complicated between us—can't explain it in a few words."
The owner's wife said, "But you did care about him once."
"I wouldn't say I loved him. At most, I liked him," Matilda replied.
The owner's wife sighed. "You're still young. It's rare to find someone who both likes you and whom you like back."
Matilda smiled. "You talk like you're ancient. You're only a few years older than me."
The owner's wife shook her head.
...
Matilda drove to an old outpost that tourists always visited.
It was a border station from the late nineteenth century. Back when the American West was constantly at war, this place had remained relatively peaceful. The guards stationed here barely knew what was happening in the outside world until the military took over and they realized the times had changed.
The outpost was simple, preserving artifacts from that bygone era. No electricity, but symbolic value.
Being Christmas Day, there were no tourists. She sat alone by the stone platform, reflecting on how things change.
Her phone rang—Connor calling.
"Matty, didn't you say you were coming for Christmas dinner? Where are you now? Susan and I have everything ready—we can start eating any time."
Matilda said, "Something came up last minute. Can't make it."
Connor first sounded relieved, then complained, "You could've said something earlier if you couldn't come. Susan prepared so much food for you—she even bought three whole lobsters."
"Sorry, work emergency. I forgot to give advance notice. Have fun on your Riverbend City trip tomorrow."
Connor said, "Tickets were really hard to get this year—holidays, you know, and flights are so expensive. Maybe next year? Next year I'll definitely take you on vacation. All four of us together."
"Sounds good." Matilda hung up.
She opened a booking app and saw there were clearly still tickets available, just slightly more expensive than usual. Connor would never be willing to spend that money.
Even for discount tickets, he'd be too cheap.
While she was looking at her phone, she suddenly heard rustling sounds nearby—like someone walking toward her.
She immediately went on alert.