Homecoming

The town where film producer Becca Andrews grew up was the last place she wanted to spend her long-awaited vacation. But a last-minute call from the studio spoiled any plans of lounging on a beach in Aruba.

“Good afternoon, this is your captain speaking. The weather in Toronto is a crisp minus five, and snow is predicted for this evening. We are beginning our descent and will land shortly at Pearson International Airport. On behalf of our crew, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for flying with Air Canada.”

The little girl seated next to Becca couldn’t sit still. She’d squirmed and fidgeted the entire flight. Excited about Christmas, she repeatedly asked her mother, “How long until we get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house?” Becca sighed and stared out the plane window. She remembered being excited at that age too: surprises under the tree; the year she was an angel in the pageant; and riding her horse in the Santa Claus parade. Growing up in a small town had been magical.

Becca put on her headphones to block out the little girl’s chatter and cast her mind back over the events that had put her on this plane to Toronto. Three days earlier, Becca’s production team had finished filming All is Bright, a made-for-TV movie in Victoria, the perfect backdrop for the feature’s Christmas setting.

Since arriving on the West Coast twenty years ago, Becca had fit perfectly into the world of film production and never regretted leaving her childhood home. With the exception of hearing what movies were being shot, and where, she rarely allowed Ontario to cross her mind, especially at this time of year.

It was time for a break, and Becca couldn’t wait to lie on the beach sipping a strawberry daiquiri. As soon as her production crew could pack up their gear, she’d be on her way to Aruba. But then she was blindsided by a call from Joan Templeton, the Canadian production manager for Buffalo Plaid Productions. “I hear All is Bright is a wrap.”

“Hey Joan – great to hear from you. In fact, we completed filming ahead of schedule.”

Joan hesitated. “Becca, you know the other team is filming Homecoming in southern Ontario?”

Of course Becca knew! The two actors starring in Homecoming were the biggest Canadian names ever featured in a Buffalo Plaid movie. The other reason the movie caught her attention was that it was being filmed in her hometown.

“Becca, filming is behind, but we have a bigger problem. Chuck, the production manager, was injured on set and will be off for some time. We need you to fly to Ontario and take over.”

“But Joan,” she gulped, “I’m heading to Aruba in three days!”

“I know you are,” Joan paused. “I’ll make it up to you. I’ll double your vacation time and throw in a substantial bonus. You fly out in three days … to Toronto. I’ll email the details for you to read on the plane. Good luck. I know you’ll do a great job.” Then she added, “I’m really sorry.”

Sorry? Joan had no idea. Not only was she missing out on Aruba, she was heading back to face a town clouded in dark memories.

Twenty years ago, life had changed dramatically for Becca after she graduated from film at Queen’s, and the shards of memory still cut deep: her parents driving to Christmas Eve service; black ice on the bridge; the OPP constable at the front door with a paralyzed look on his face. The images still haunted Becca. Her parents had died in that frightening crash. The shock of it all made it almost impossible to cope with her complicated grief.

The job she accepted with Buffalo Plaid out in British Columbia was a chance for her to run far away and escape not only the season, but the town. Becca skimmed over Joan’s notes once more before they landed. Homecoming ticked all the boxes for a holiday movie. The plotline was simple and predictable: the Farraday family was planning to surprise their parents with a gathering on Christmas Eve. They had not all been together in one location for many years. There would be twists and turns in the plot including “challenges” getting everyone together at the same time and place, but at the last minute, everyone would arrive for a homecoming. Of course, she thought – it’s a Christmas movie!

The plane bumped down onto the frozen runway and jolted Becca back to reality. As they got up to leave, she let the little girl and her mom push into the aisle in front of her. The child flashed a smile, “Merry Christmas!” she bubbled.

Becca made her way to find the hired car that would take her to the small town about 150 kilometres away. As they drove, she gazed out the car window and watched the Ontario farmland fly by. A field of horses caught her attention. As a young girl growing up in Ontario, Becca had fallen in love with horses. O’Hara Horse Farm was her hangout after school. When Mr. O’Hara asked if Becca would be part of the show crew he was putting together for his hitch of Friesian horses, she had jumped at the opportunity. The early mornings in the barn and getting the horses ready to show at local fairs were special memories.

Along with horses, Becca had fallen in love with Dylan O’Hara, the farmer’s son. He was the other reason she had left, and the person she wanted to avoid when she was in town.

They arrived at The Harbour Inn 90 minutes later. As she walked up the steps, she heard an old familiar voice. “Becca Andrews – as I live and breathe, it is you! I said to Bert, it couldn’t be, but here you are. Our local-girl-made-good is back home!” Bert and Lizzie had been best friends with her parents. “Thanks for putting me up.” Becca mustered a smile, just as Bert came around the corner and gave a bear-hug that threw her even more off-kilter. “Gosh, thanks Bert!” she muttered, holding back tears. She was due on the set the next day, determined not to let her personal feelings get the better of her.

Early the next morning, Becca arrived at the county fairground, which was set up as base camp. Wardrobe and food trailers, dressing room trailers and transportation trucks occupied the entire outdoor arena area. Becca found the office and checked in with Kyle, the film’s director. He seemed preoccupied, but relieved to have her on board.

Becca listened as Kyle gave her an update. “The weather has been made to order since we started filming. There was snow the first week of shooting, and cold temperatures have kept the winter framework in place. That’s a bonus.” Kyle continued, “Filming at Wainwright’s Christmas tree farm is done; so are most of the in-town scenes. If the weather holds, we’ll film the ice-skating scenes on the bay either tomorrow or the next day.”

He was tapping his pen nonstop on the desk. It sounded like the ticking of a clock. “Timing is tight.” Kyle frowned. “Our biggest challenge is the scene where the family arrives for the surprise homecoming. The script calls for each of the Farraday children to arrive bundled up in seven sleighs with their families. The parents’ house is ideal: historic colonial-blue with a white wraparound porch that’s decked out with fresh cedar garland,” Kyle continued. “They call it the old Evans house. Classic calendar picture … it’s located at the top of Main Street.” Becca could easily picture the setting. She knew that this parade of horses and sleighs heading up Main Street would create the perfect destination for the grand finale.

Kyle went on to say, “We’ve only located a few sleighs – and they’re in questionable condition. And we’ve yet to find enough horses and harnesses and drivers for the sleighs. We got in contact with the local heavy-horse club, but their members are few and far between. Heck, most of them seem to be dead. We’re pretty much snookered here. So what are your thoughts? We can’t waste time. In fact, what we need is a freakin’ Christmas miracle.”

“I know the Evans house. It’s perfect!” Becca said. Kyle gave her a puzzled look.

“And just so you know, I grew up here. And I used to show horses for a local farm. Let me look into this.”

“Amazing! Joan definitely hired the right person!” What Becca didn’t mention was the fact she was desperate to steer clear of the one person she knew who could really help.

She was still trying to figure out how to deal with the horse dilemma as she walked up Main Street the next morning. Buffalo Plaid had done an incredible job sprucing up the town. The gingerbread storefronts were more tired than Becca recalled, but twinkle lights hid the blemishes. Large evergreen wreaths with massive red bows hung from the street lamps and helped to polish the town’s sparkle.

Then she saw him.

Dylan O’Hara was walking from the opposite direction. No, she panicked, I’m not ready! The storefronts and the people passing by blurred into soft focus. All she could see was Dylan as he walked closer, then halted an arm’s length away. In the twenty years since she’d last seen him, his cornflower blue eyes hadn’t changed a bit. Just like the town, they sparkled too.

“Hey Becca.” He hesitated. “I heard you were in town. Welcome back.”

Becca answered in a quiet voice, “Thanks Dylan.” She took a deep breath. “It’s strange to be back.”

“No doubt.” Dylan looked around as if he was lost in a strange place, and didn’t know which way to turn. “Wanna grab a cup of coffee? That is, if you have time …”

Courage, she told herself. “Okay” she answered.

The two crossed the street to Bean There Café, which had been renamed Cup O’ Joy during filming. In a tip-of-the-hat to the movie shoot, the shop’s owner was offering themed coffee choices. They decided on Jingle Bell Java and settled into a booth by the front window. Becca gazed out at the street scene. It was no surprise the location scouts from Buffalo Plaid had set their sights on this town.

“You look like you’re a million miles away.”

“Well, actually, I had planned to be far away. This was supposed to be my holiday time. In Aruba. On a beach.” Becca sighed. “And I’m filling in for the production manager who got hurt. So yes, my mind is elsewhere.”

The two sipped coffee and stared out the window. It felt like time was standing still – she and Dylan sitting here, just like they did twenty years ago.

“I’ve been following your career,” Dylan commented. “I’ve watched every movie you’ve worked on starting with Camouflage Christmas right up to last year’s Time’s Up Santa.”

“I was hoping no one watched Camouflage Christmas. It was my first big project, and definitely not my favourite.” Becca knew if she ever wrote a script, it would be called No Time for Christmas.

As conversation became easier, Becca began gathering the nerve to explain the company’s predicament, but Dylan beat her to the punch. “I heard Buffalo Plaid is in need of help.” He offered a wry grin. “In the horse and sleigh department.”

“How did you – never mind. I know. It’s a small town.” She sighed. “Yes, we do. Any interest in giving a hand? It would be kind of like the days when we did all those Christmas parades with your dad’s hitch.”

“Tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best to help.”

“Deal! I’ll ring you later.”

She called Dylan around five, and they discussed a plan. He picked her up the next morning at nine. As they headed out the door of The Harbour Inn, Lizzie handed Becca a thermos of coffee, and a boxed lunch. “You’ll both need to keep your strength up: Busy day you know!” Bert winked at Dylan. Becca rolled her eyes.

Dylan drove along a series of gravel sideroads as Becca warmed her hands with her coffee. They reminisced about the times they had shown horses at the Royal Winter Fair. “Remember the year we took our antique carriage and came home with a red ribbon?”

Becca replied, “My parents even came to see us at the Royal that year!”

The ease of spending time with Dylan and the unexpected warmth of being back in her hometown caught Becca off guard. After her desperate exit two decades ago, she had lost sight of this country calm. Is this what I gave up when I left? she wondered.

As they arrived at the Connery farm, a herd of horses thundered to the gate to greet them, prodding Becca back to the present. “If there’s one person that will bring your movie together, it’s Ben Connery,” Dylan smiled. Sure enough, Ben promised seven sleighs complete with seven teams of horses would be ready for the shoot. To top it off, he offered up his whole collection of sleigh bells to provide the jingle-bell sound. Perfect.

Becca shook her head at how smoothly everything was coming together. Dylan had come through big time for her. In fact, she thought, he always had. She’d been too fragile to accept his support and love after her parent’s car crash. But the accident and the aftermath had created too many emotional obstacles, so she ran.

The weather was picture-perfect on the day the final scene was to be filmed. The surge of energy spread contagious excitement throughout the town and the people who had gathered to watch. The Buffalo Plaid cast and crew were a tight team and they fed off the enthusiasm.

Becca’s winter parka kept her warm as she stood beside Kyle, listening to his directions and watching the film crew at work. A layer of mist hung just above ground level, creating a magical mood. In her headset, she heard the distinct drum roll from the town’s concert band, signalling the start of the parade and the filming.

The band and the carollers set the tone as they marched up Main Street, all decked out in red blazers and woolen toques. The Farraday family, wrapped in Hudson Bay blankets, followed in their sleighs. There was no need for the crowd to act in this scene – it was truly a heartwarming panorama. There were perfectly matched palominos, flashy teams of paints, and two teams of bays with white socks, all pulling the sleighs which jingled in time with their hoofbeats. Ben Connery couldn’t have chosen more handsome hitches if he had pulled them off the pages of a children’s storybook.

As the last sleigh headed up Main Street, Becca realized the driver was Dylan, holding the reins of a stunning pair of jet-black Friesians and grinning from ear to ear. He delivered the family in his charge to the front yard of the Farraday home just as the onlookers heard “OK, that’s a wrap!” A cheer from the crowd echoed through the town.

As if on cue, a baritone voice rose above the ruckus – “I’ll be home for Christmas …” with everyone – the band, the carollers and the film crew – joining in.

Becca was captivated by the scene. She remembered the words of her professor from film studies. “Tell a clear story; make it a simple tale with truth.” Fighting back tears, she thought about one of her favourite old movies, The Wizard of Oz. After travelling a long way and searching for answers, Dorothy returns home, realizing exactly where she belongs.

This was the town where Becca was born, raised, went to school, and yes, fell in love. It was a place of hills and forests, farm fields and hedgerows, of country roads lined with ancient maples; it was a place of summer and of snow. It was also where she experienced immeasurable heartbreak. She was seeing the town, and the season, in a whole new light. Her decision was as clear as the blue December sky.

Had Becca found the missing piece of her jigsaw puzzle – that happy ending to her own story? At that moment, she knew she would move back to her roots. “Becca!” Dylan was calling her name. She felt like she’d been awakened from a dream.

“Hop in!” He motioned for her to get in the sleigh. “Really?” She smiled.

Dylan nodded. “The woman who pulled off this Christmas marvel deserves a sleigh ride herself!” Becca settled into the seat and he handed her the reins. “I’d be honoured!” she said. Now her smile was mixed with tears.

As the two headed out of town into the countryside, snowflakes swirled around the red sleigh. The only sounds on the quiet country road were hoofbeats and the jingle of bells. Becca felt an old familiar shiver of excitement.

All was calm. All was bright.