A/N Tell me something, if you were in Phoebe's position and you had a run in with "the other woman" and you didn't know who she was, would you want your best friend to tell you? I truly can't decide. Not that this has anything to do with this chapter, because it doesn't. It's just a question I'm struggling with. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Now, be sure to stop by the gift shop as you leave Peterson Farms, I'm sure you'll find something you'll like….


A Slice Of Life

Chapter 52

It's a little on the early side, but Gina is already at her post in the attendance office. She's got a test to study for and wanted a place away from her friends to study. She knows the attendance office will be pretty empty until right before the first bell, which is why she chooses to set up shop there. She sits at a small table just outside the room where the teacher's mailboxes are kept. A few early bird teachers have come and gone already, mostly ignoring her as they pass on by on the way to their boxes. She sees Ms Abernathy walk past, giving Gina a friendly nod. Gina smiles in return then turns towards the door as Travis Cooper comes walking in. Again Gina pays little attention, until she hears their muted conversation. She leans back in her chair until the back of her head rests on the wall. Leaning a bit towards the open door, she gets an earful of what's being said.

Travis reaches into his mailbox, pulling out a folded note. He recognizes Amanda's flowing script immediately and a smile starts to play on his lips. Hearing his name, he refolds the note, placing it in his pocket.

"Oh, hey Sally. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

Sally speaks up a little louder. "I said good morning, but you were distracted by a note from an admirer perhaps?" She raises an eyebrow questioningly.

"Huh? Oh, hi Sally, no, ha ha. Just a note from Ms Pearson."

"Ohhh. You two have been spending a lot of time together, anything serious?"

"Serious?" Travis thinks about him and Amanda for a moment. Just what were they? He knows how he feels, and he thinks she's on the same page, at least that's the feeling he gets from her. "Well, you might say that's the direction we're moving in."

Sally gives him a look that he can't quite decipher. "Oh, that's interesting."

Her response comes off as a bit judgmental and it annoys him. "What do you mean by interesting?"

"Oh, well, it's nothing, really. It just makes me wonder what she was doing with Arnold the other morning before work if she's in a serious relationship with you."

His mind casts back to the last two times he's witnessed Arnold and Amanda together, his annoyance slowly starting to turn to anger. "What do you mean? Just where and when did you see them?"

Seeing his red face, Sally starts to take back what she had said. "Oh, well, I'm sure it was nothing, just a coincidence. I'm sure there's no way they had come from the Travel Lodge."

"What?" Travis all but yells as he takes a step towards her, "You saw them coming out of the Travel Lodge? When? When was this?"

Sally looks at him with shocked eyes now, quickly regretting even bringing the two of them up. "I never said I saw them coming OUT of the motel, they were just standing in front of it. Nothing more, it was completely innocent I'm sure."

Travis counts to ten, trying hard to control his words. "And just when was it you saw the two of them just happen to be standing in front of the Travel Lodge before work?"

Sally is extremely nervous now and wishing she had just kept her big mouth shut. "It-it was sometime last week, like Wednesday or Friday."

Travis thinks back to the prior week. He remembers seeing Helga after school one day looking for Arnold. He glares at Sally. "You mean the day his car broke down and he walked to work?"

"Well, if that's the excuse they used…."

"What do you mean, excuse? Of course it was car trouble, Helga even came to the school to pick him up. As a matter of fact, I just saw her the other day picking him up after work, so no. You're wrong, Amanda probably just passed him by just like you did and stopped to offer him a ride. The rest of what you think you saw is just coincidence."

She starts to slip around him and head for the door to make her escape. "Sure, that's it. It's all just coincidence. Strange though, that particular part of downtown is pretty far from the boarding house and his normal route to work. Even if he did have car trouble, it makes one wonder what he was doing in that part of town so early in the morning, but like you said, I'm sure there's nothing to it. I-I've got to be getting ready for my class. I'll see ya, Travis."

She leaves him standing alone, her words milling around in his head. He fingers the note that sits in his pocket and knows that Sally is wrong, but decides to ask Amanda about it later regardless. He chalks it up to a lonely, bitter woman who's own life is so boring she has to stick her nose into other's lives for excitement. Knowing that most of the other teachers are not in to believing idle gossip, he hopes that the rumor has not spread too far.

Gina almost falls out of her chair as Ms Abernathy quickly exits the back room. She pretends to busy herself with her textbooks and goes unnoticed. Travis slowly leaves the room a couple of minutes later. He walks past her lost in thought. Gina and the girls were unaware of any rumors going around about Arnold and Amanda and figures that the rumor mill had luckily not worked its way to the students.


xxxxx

Travis briskly walks to Amanda's classroom. He's hoping she's there and that they can have a private talk before her students start filing in. Reaching the door, he looks through the small window and sees her sitting at her desk talking on her phone. He wonders who she's talking to so early in the morning and opens the door without knocking. Seeing him, Amanda says her good-byes to the person on the other end.

"Oh, hey, someone just walked in, I have to go. I'll talk to you soon. Okay, yeah. Bye." Looking up she gives Travis a cheery smile. "Well good morning, handsome. What brings you this way so early in the day?"

Travis slowly strides up to her. "Oh, nothing. I didn't mean to interrupt your phone call. I hope it wasn't important."

"Oh, no, just a friend from back home." She gets up and sits on the corner of her desk, her skirt hiking up a bit which does not go unnoticed by Travis. Clearing his throat he asks her about the day she saw Arnold on his way to work.

"So, uh, last week there was a day when Arnold's car broke down on his way to work and he said he walked the rest of the way. Do you remember that?"

Amanda finds Travis's question to be a bit odd and wonders where he's going with it. "Well, I vaguely remember something like that happening. Why?"

"I was just wondering how much you knew about what happened that morning."

"Me? How should I know what happened to Arnold that day?"

He finds Amanda's avoidance to his question suspicious. "Well, because it seems you were seen with Arnold that morning and I'm just curious as to how the two of you just happened to be at that exact spot at the same time."

A lightbulb goes off in Amanda's head. "So there were witnesses." She thinks to herself. She also thinks about how glad she is that she chose that exact spot to wait for Arnold. Plus, if she plays her cards right, she can deepen Travis's suspicions even further.

"Seen?" She asks, pretending to not know what he means. "Seen where, and by whom?"

"Seen by Sally. She said she was driving into work and passed you and Arnold on the street right out front of the Travel Lodge."

Making herself, hopefully, sound like she's lying, she gives him the answer he's waiting for. "Oh, um, yeah. Now that I think about it, I do remember seeing Arnold that day. His, uh, car broke down and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I got out of my car to offer him a ride but he, um, he declined."

"So his car just happened to break down in front of the Travel Lodge, and you just happened to be driving past at just the right time? A little coincidental, no?"

Now, if Travis had listened to what he had just said, he would have realized that he was accusing Amanda with almost the exact words he was just defending her to Sally with. Unfortunately, though, suspicious minds do not think clearly so he'd missed the irony of what he just said.

Pleased at how things have started to play out, Amanda decides to keep Travis guessing just a little longer and decides to not answer his question. Getting off her desk she stands up and walks past him to the white board on the wall.

"Think what you want, Travis, but I can't get into this with you right now. Class is due to start at any moment and I have work to do. If you're so concerned about what went on that morning perhaps you should go talk to Arnold about it. After all, we all know he doesn't lie, right?"

Before Travis has a chance to respond the first bell rings and soon the room begins to fill with Amanda's students. He passes Tonya on his way out and she watches him over her shoulder as he stomps down the hallway.


xxxxx

Phillip lays on his back in the middle of his mommy and daddy's bed and stares at the pattern the ceiling light makes above his head. He contentedly kicks his legs and flails out his arms as he coos. Every so often he gives his lips a purse and blows little raspberries, causing bubbly drool to slide down his chin and pool in-between the layers of his double chin. He's just eaten and his belly is nice and full and it makes him happy to hear his mommy's voice as she softly hums to him while she stands in front of a full-length mirror critiquing the outfit she's chosen to wear for their little outing to Peterson Farms.

It's another cold day and she's hoping they're not going to have to deal with snow as they make the hour and a half drive out of town. With Peterson Farms being at a slightly higher elevation then they are, she's not 100% sure they will be that lucky though. Because of this, she wears a pair of thermals under her jeans and sweater. With a pair of wool socks and her Sorel boots to complete the outfit, she begins to brush her hair. She decides to leave it down for extra warmth and is about to pull on a pink beanie when she hears Arnold bellowing from the bottom of the stairs.

"Come on, Helga, we've got to get going if we're going to make it to the farm by 11!"

"Keep your shorts on!" She yells back as she grabs Phillip from the bed. "We've got plenty of time, criminy."

He's moved to the kitchen to make sure Phillip's diaper bag has everything he'll need for the day. "Yeah, well, if we hit snow, that's going to slow us down and you know how I hate to be late."

Helga joins him in the kitchen and starts to strap Phillip into his carrier. "You need to chill, Arnoldo, it's not like they're going to kick us out if we're a few minutes late."

"Well, you need to sharpen your time management skills and stop making us late all the time."

She sticks her tongue out at him and pulls the blue beanie he's wearing over his eyes. Giving a chuckle he pulls it back up and grabs her around her waist, pulling her close to him.

"Stick your tongue out at me like that again and I'll make you put it to good use."

She gives him an innocent look. "What, and make us even later than we're already going to be?"

He smiles at her and gives her a quick kiss as he grabs Phillip's carrier and heads towards the door. "You're right, you've already made us late enough."

With the Subaru finally all packed up they start the hour and a half journey out of town as the first snowflake of the day gently hits their windshield.


xxxxx

It's a quiet morning at Peterson Farms, but that's not unexpected for a Tuesday morning. Knowing how their customer traffic has been going since Thanksgiving, Lila doesn't expect to see much business until later in the afternoon. She lets herself into the small gift shop and looks around making sure everything is in its place. It's a simple little store with a log cabin feel. On the walls hang various hand-painted signs and pictures of around the farm. The frost covered windows are adorned with checkered Kelly green and beige curtains that have the silhouette of pine trees in the beige squares. Against one wall is a pot-bellied stove that provides the little shop with warmth during the cold winter. On one wall is a coo-coo clock that signals in the passing time.

As Lila puts the finishing touches on a display of handmade soaps and potpourri she gives a glance at the clock as it tolls in the 11th hour of the morning. Knowing Helga, she's not surprised at the fact that they are late and figures the unexpected snowfall hasn't helped matters either. After a few more minutes she finally hears the crunch of tires as they move atop the graveled parking lot. With no other customers in the store to worry about, she runs outside to greet her friends.

As Helga gets out of the car she runs up to Lila, giving her a tight hug. Lila hugs her back, happy to see her friend.

"Oh Helga, I'm ever so happy that you and Arnold could make it up to see us today. I've missed you guys oh so much."

"Yeah, we've missed you guys too. Wow, we haven't been up here since you've expanded. You've got a really nice place here."

"Thank you oh so much, Stinky has been working day and night these last few weeks in preparation for the holiday rush."

Having taken Phillip out of the car, Arnold walks up to the two women. Still holding Phillip's carrier, he gives Lila a one armed hug as she gushes over their son.

"Oh Helga, I'm ever so certain that Phillip is just the cutest baby I've ever seen. You both must be so happy."

The two parents look at each other, a mixture of pride and happiness beaming from their faces.

"We couldn't be happier." Arnold says, just as Stinky finally walks up to join them.

"Well, willikers, I thought I heard a car pull up. I hope the snowfall didn't make your drive bite."

Arnold gives Stinky's outstretched hand a hearty shake. "No, not at all. As a matter of fact, once we got out of the city it made for a really pretty drive."

"Why are we standing out here in the cold?" Lila says as she rubs her arms for warmth. "Let's go inside."

She leads the group into the warmth of the gift shop. Locking the door and placing an "Out To Lunch, Please Ring Bell For Service" sign in the window, she leads them through a side door that takes them back outside where they come across a path that leads to a small house.

It's a quaint country cottage that exudes warmth and hospitality. They've painted it a soft yellow with white trim. There is a porch that is enclosed by white picket fencing, two rocking chairs sit side by side with a small table between them. In honor of the season, they have wrapped pine garland around the picket fencing and up the pillars that lead to the rooftop which is lined with colored Christmas lights. Through a picture window you can see a festively decorated tree adorned with handmade ornaments and popcorn garland.

As they enter the house, the smell of pine and cinnamon fill their senses. A small fire glows warmly in the fireplace, every so often a crackle can be heard coming from the burning logs.

They are led to the kitchen where a large pine table sits, log benches line either side of its length. It is adorned with a festive table runner that spreads from one end of the long table to the other. A centerpiece of pinecones and evergreen branches sits sentinel over a spread of homemade cheeses and bread freshly baked that morning. There is a tureen filled with soup that has been simmered with winter vegetables straight from the garden. A pitcher of mulled cider sits eagerly waiting to fill Mason jar glasses with its spicy sweetness.

The two couples partake in happy conversation while every so often turning their attention to Phillip when he calls out, wanting to be noticed. Eventually the topic turns to Rhonda and her upcoming New Year's Eve party.

"So I hope you two are going to be able to get away for Rhonda's party." Helga says through a mouthful of buttered bread.

"We want to, but we're a bit concerned about making the long drive back to the farm at such a late hour if we do. Plus we'd have to make sure someone could be here early in the morning to tend to the animals." Stinky says, a bit saddened.

Arnold looks at Helga, both of them thinking the same thing. He turns to Stinky with a big smile on his face. "If you can get someone here in the morning for the animals, Helga and I would love for you to spend the night at the boarding house. We've certainly got the room."

Her face brightening, Lila clasps her hands in front of her chest. "Oh Helga, that is just oh so nice of you to offer, I'm sure Stinky and I would just love to stay the night."

"That's right." Stinky agrees, "It'd be just like old times when we were kids and the guys would all stay at the boarding house for a sleepover."

"It's settled then." Arnold says with a nod of his head, "You work on getting someone to tend the animals and we'll have your room all ready for you."

They spend another half hour enjoying a dessert of pumpkin pie and whipped cream when they hear the sound of a buzzer.

"Oh, someone's at the gift shop. I'd better to let them in." Lila says as she gets up. "You two feel free to pick out any Christmas tree you want, on us, and let me know before you leave, we have a gift for Phillip."

Ignoring their pleas to let them pay for their tree, Stinky leads them out to where they have set up a small Christmas tree lot. They don't have a huge selection of trees, but what they do have are full and lush and just perfect for Phillip's first Christmas.

While Stinky helps Arnold tie their tree to the roof of the Subaru, Helga stops by the gift shop to say her good-byes to Lila.

"Here, Helga, this is for Phillip, from Stinky and me. I made it myself." Lila says as she hands her a small wooden object.

Holding it up Helga sees that it is a round, wooden plaque. Burned in the middle of it are the words "Baby's First Christmas". Under that, just as with the other ornaments they have received, are Phillip's name and the year. A gingham ribbon of the same Kelly green and beige design as the gift shop curtains, has been strung through a hole at the top of the ornament for hanging.

It takes a great effort for Helga to refrain from giggling. "Oh, Lila, it's just lovely. Thank you so much. It will be the first thing we hang on our tree."

"I'm oh so glad you like it." Lila replies, pride in her handiwork shining from her eyes.

With final good-byes, Lila and Stinky stand arm in arm as they wave their friends off. Once they are back on the road Helga holds up the ornament she received from Lila. Arnold gives it a quick glance.

"Don't tell me." He says through a chuckle.

"Mm-hmm." Helga says with a nod of her head. "This makes three and counting."


xxxxx

It's dark by the time they make it home, the steady stream of snowflakes glow in the moonlight as they fall from the sky. There are two packages sitting waiting for them on the porch and Helga has a strange suspicion that she knows what they may be. Picking them up, she holds the door open for Arnold as he struggles to get their tree into the house. It's past Phillip's nighttime snack and he fusses, wanting out of the restrictions of his carrier. They choose to set the tree up in the larger living room and Helga sits on the couch feeding Phillip as Arnold struggles to get the tree to hold firmly in its stand.

Once upright and sturdy, Helga talks Arnold into putting the lights on it and when he's done they sit on the couch, admiring his handiwork. It's peaceful in the house as they sit in the dark, the only light coming from the strands that glow on the tree. As always at this time of year, their minds each cast back to when they were young and awkward in their love for each other. Neither has to speak to know what the other is thinking. Helga holds Phillip as she rests her head on her husband's shoulder. Remembering the packages she picked up off the front porch, she hands them to Arnold to open.

They see that the first one is from Rhonda, and with a knowing smile, he opens the package to find a delicate crystal snowflake with the now familiar words of "Baby's First Christmas" written across it.

They laugh as Arnold picks up the second package which they find is from his grandparents. "Two guesses as to what it is." He jokingly says.

"Gee, I wonder." Helga replies.

Opening it they find this ornament to be in the shape of a sleeping angel. In this case the word "Baby" is replaced with the word "Great-Grandson". Getting up, Arnold hangs the two newest ornaments on the tree next to the other three they have received.

Sitting back down, he places an arm across his wife's shoulders, his free hand gently stroking his sleeping son's head. They sit in silence as the brightly colored lights twinkle in random patterns, filling the room with a soft glow.