I was mentally and emotionally exhausted when Lisa knocked on the door jamb to the master bedroom. Her brow was knitted and she was slightly pale.
“Do you know what’s wrong?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Phoebe's upset because she’s not getting her Christmas wish.”
“I finished writing the book, she has to get her wish now.”
“The odd twist to this is...Phoebe’s Christmas wish was for you and McKinley to fall in love. With each other.”
“When he left she knew there was no way she was going to get her wish.” I said, guessing the rest. “If only she'd confided in me a couple of weeks ago. I could have explained to her that Christmas wishes involving other people don't usually come true.”
“What good would that have done?”
“She could have asked for something else. Most little girls ask for ponies.”
“Phoebe's not most little girls.” Lisa pointed out.
“A snowmobile. She could have wished for a snowmobile.” I looked through the window at the darkness outside. “I feel terrible.”
“She’ll get over the disappointment with a little time.”
“I didn’t.”
“You were coming from a different place and had a different purpose when you made your wish.” Lisa entered the room, reaching out, she gave me a hug. “You did everything you could to help. Every choice was made with love. I know that. Someday Phoebe will see that too.”
“I hope so.”
Lisa placed an envelope on the nightstand on her way out the door.
“What’s that?”
“It came in the mail. I forgot about it with all the excitement.”
“Did you tell anyone about this trip?”
Lisa shook her head. “I'm assuming it’s from one of your new friends here in town.”
“Or maybe one particular friend?” I asked.
“Maybe.”
I stared at the envelope for several minutes before picking it up and opening it. The front of the card depicted a beautiful winter scene with snow, trees native to the area, and a bright dot of warm white showing in the distance much like the light I had seen earlier in the evening. There was no pre-printed sentiment inside the card only a handwritten note.
When all hope is lost...that’s when the wish arrives.
I ran my fingers over the script that reminded me so much of my mother’s. A light illuminated under my hand revealing more words.
Love Mom and Dad
******************
“Your Aunt Jess and I...we love you so much. We’re sorry about the wish.” Lisa said, beginning our agreed upon speech to Phoebe as we sat at the dining table the next morning.
“I know.”
I thought about showing her the card. I remembered all of the times in my life that I seemed to be functioning on false hope, I hated the thought of Phoebe working through the same feelings of embarrassment and remorse later on in her own life.
“It’s gonna be okay.” Phoebe said, taking turns looking at us. “You’ll get over it soon.” The eight-year-old said before changing the subject. “You two had better finish eating your breakfast or you’ll make us late for gift opening.” She instructed as she stood up and left the table.
Lisa and I looked at each other.
“What just happened?” I asked.
“Eight going on thirty-eight.”
Perhaps Phoebe was more resilient than I anticipated, perhaps children bounce back more easily than the rest of us. We decided not to question it and cleaned our plates. Homemade Pain Au Chocolat is something that should ever go to waste.
We made ourselves comfortable in the great room with a second cup of coffee while Phoebe played Santa.
“Who should get the first present?” She asked. Phoebe was reaching under the tree, for a large present in the back when the front door opened. We heard the sound of heavy boots as they walked through the house. When they stopped, McKinley stood on the far side of the room. He looked around, his eyes stopping at me.
“Jess.”
“McKinley.”
“A word?”
I cannot tell you what happened in McKinley’s life during the hours between the time he left the night before and Christmas morning. I won't tell you what he said to me as we stood in the kitchen that morning, I promised him I'd keep it to myself.
I'll say this instead, if this were a fairy tale my next words might be ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ If this were a Bronte novel, I might say, ‘Reader, I married him.’ Our journey to love did not fit either one. The journey we're on now is not always easy or smooth but it is thoroughly and uniquely ours. McKinley found a way to see things from my point of view and I from his. Eventually we found our way, away from the past and into the present with a firm foundation at its center. One that includes a precocious eight-year-old girl and her mother. An eight-year-old girl going on thirty-eight.
"Not Necessarily The End”
I finished reading. It my first public reading of this novel. There have not been many hardcover sales today. The book that became “Once Upon A Christmas Wish” skyrocketed to alarming heights while in presale. The publisher was having a tough time keeping up. Today the store was full of people seeking autographs and selfies. More than a few were not regular fans, they were new to my work. I suspected many were curious to discover what the fuss was all about.
The audience was fully engaged. A few people teared up a bit and one woman was still winding down. She had been openly sobbing. I felt bad the story had upset her so much and I found myself wondering if this book should have been published at all. When one is standing in a bookstore crowded with people who came in because of said book, it's a bit late to question whether publishing had been the best move.
“Questions?” I asked as I pointed to an energetic hand at the front of the room.
“Is McKinley still a part of your life?”
Of course, the most difficult question had to come first. I took a deep breath before giving my pre-planned McKinley approved answer. The positive yet non-specific one crafted to protect McKinley’s privacy.
“Damn right he is.”
I looked in the direction of the all too familiar voice. To the dark hair, hazel eyes and well trimmed beard. McKinley was standing behind the audience near the display window of the store next to a sign that read:
Book Signing
Jess Windstrom
Once Upon A Christmas Wish and A Mountain Man’s Christmas Miracle
Today Only!
When all hope was lost Phoebe’s Christmas wish did come true. It's something we are both truly grateful for.
“He’s still here.” I answered with a grin. McKinley and I smiled at each other for a moment before I moved on to the next question.
Phoebe’s Christmas Movie List
1. The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
3. Elf
4. Prancer
5. A Christmas Carol (1938)
6. White Christmas
7. Christmas Vacation
8. A Christmas Story
9. It’s A Wonderful Life
10. Miracle On 34th Street (1934)
11. The Santa Clause
12. Home Alone
Honorable Mention : Die Hard
1 comment:
Very good
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