Unforgettable Christmas Dreams: Gifts of Joy

by Rebecca York

  ***

  Unable and unwilling to grab a bite at the employee cafeteria, Sarah texted her friends from the visitor’s lounge on the main floor. Hey, girls, I’m here. Got Dunkin’ Donuts for us. See you soon.

  She garnered a spot in the back where the three would be able to quietly converse, grateful that very few people were in the lounge. Those who were had their own loved ones to care about, and wouldn’t pay them any mind.

  She’d just taken three Dunkin’ caramel lattes from the bag, and three donuts to share. Using a plastic knife, she cut the Boston cream, the double chocolate, and the jelly donut into threes. Before she completed her surprise, she was ambushed from behind.

  Carrie grabbed her, and swung her around in a bear hug. “So good to see you, my friend.” She sounded gruff, but fought back tears.

  “You too,” Sarah said, then put her arms around Kate, who was waiting her turn. “Hey, no tears alright? I love you guys and didn’t come here to ruin your makeup.” She wiped a tear slipping down Kate’s cheek. “Look what I brought.”

  “Oh, my.” Carrie grabbed a latte. “Caramel, my favorite.”

  “And you remembered my Boston cream,” said Kate, taking a napkin and snagging the biggest portion.

  “It’s only been a few weeks since our last margaritas, girls. I’m not going to forget anything that soon.” She took a latte, and gestured toward the chairs.

  When they were all seated, she told them about her decision to go to a clinic and terminate the pregnancy. Kate shook her head. “You can’t do that!” she cried. “I won’t let you.”

  Carrie looked disappointed. “You’ve got to make the right decision for yourself, but promise us one thing. You won’t act too quickly. Wait until Christmas is over. There is still plenty of time.”

  That’s what Mick said too, but Sarah wasn’t one to wait. “I’m going to confirm with a doctor—maybe I can see my own doctor here? And then I can schedule the procedure for the first week in January.” She clung to both their hands. “Mick wants me to have the baby, and says my attitude will change. But it’s Rick’s! I don’t want his child! Mick thinks I will still love him or her because they are also mine. But what if I don’t?” Her eyes misted and she couldn’t look at them. She picked up a chocolate donut and broke off a piece.

  “Mick’s right, but who is Mick?” Kate stopped eating and gave Sarah her full attention. “Have you met someone?”

  She gave them a brief update on the latest happenings with Mick. Then, after a reluctant check of the time, they stood, not wanting to leave but their break was over.

  “Call us in a few days,” Carrie told her. “Let us know what’s going on. But don’t, don’t, do anything foolish, anything you’ll regret, and can’t undo.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” She stuffed the leftover donuts in the bag. “Kate, take these. You two can share them at lunch.”

  Kate took the bag and put them in her tote, and her best friends left, lattes in hand.

  Sarah’s heart bled when they gave her half-hearted smiles at the doorway, then they were gone. Feeling foolish, she used a tissue and dried her eyes. She didn’t want to leave the hospital, leave her friends, leave the familiarity of all she had loved and lost. Rick had left her no choice.

  Chapter Eighteen

  From the parking lot of Penn Med, Sarah called her Ob/Gyn to see if an appointment that afternoon was possible, but was told her doc was booked two weeks out.

  “The soonest available we have is December 28th. Would you like to make an appointment?”

  “No, actually I’m in Philly today but I’ve moved to Heaven, which is about an hour’s drive. Would you be able to recommend an Ob/Gyn closer to me?”

  “Let me look one up and I’ll call you back. Is this the best number?”

  “Yes, thank you so much.”

  Disheartened, but not surprised that they couldn’t fit her in, Sarah drove back to her sister’s home and did some research on local doctors--she also checked out career opportunities.

  Paying exorbitant fees to fly to Hawaii right now seemed foolish, especially knowing that her friends had no chance of getting the time off to accompany her. Would Mick come? She couldn’t imagine him on a beach. In her heart she knew that moving to Hawaii was never going to happen.

  She wanted to be near her sister and brother-in-law, and be a good auntie to Liam and the new baby. One way or the other she’d need a job and an apartment. She filled out a few on-line applications for nursing positions and sent her resume to a dozen out-patient clinics and smaller hospitals. After the chaos of Penn Med, she was ready for something less hectic.

  She took Keats for a short walk, then shooed him back inside, and decided to treat herself to lunch. The only place she really knew in town was Nick’s Bar and Bistro, but Byron would be working and she’d find it awkward. So, she strolled down Main Street and window-shopped, admiring the work involved in creating the festive displays to lure shoppers in.

  Heaven was the quaintest town she’d ever been in, and over the past year she’d discovered that they made a huge deal out of every holiday. At Easter, they’d had a beautiful service at the church--ladies all dressed and wearing hats, organ music played, accompanied by a wonderful vocalist. The town park had an Extravaganza with egg hunts set up in different fields to separate the toddlers from the older children. Several bounce houses entertained the kids, along with bean bag games, volleyball and horseshoes.

  Valentine’s Day, the store windows were decorated with pink and white lace and red hearts. The town center had bands set up throughout the day, and people young and old would come to dance.

  The Fourth of July was all about bonfires and cookouts along the mile-long lake. The festivities included beach volleyball, water skiing events, and an enormous fireworks display in the evening. Of course, the entire town decorated in Red, White and Blue.

  But Christmas was by far the most celebrated holiday of the year. The town square had entertainment every night, and on weekends they would put on a three-act play. The outdoor stalls did a lively business, and several restaurants were located within easy walking distance.

  It was a wonderful town to live in, with train service to Philadelphia as well as New York. If Sarah decided to keep her baby, she couldn’t ask for a nicer place to raise her child than this. It made her heart hurt realizing that the price of keeping her baby might take away some of her sister’s joy. Meghan deserved happiness more than anyone. More than herself. After all, Sarah was the one who’d made the mistake. Their see-saw relationship should have ended a long time ago. And she carried the burden of proof.

  Remembering a sushi restaurant down the street, her pace quickened. As she past the shop Heavenly Crafts, her feet slowed and she peeked in the window. To her surprise Jennie was standing there—Jennie saw her and waved. Busted. Sarah would have to pop in for a minute and say hello.

  The doorbell chimed as she entered. “Hi, Jennie.” She gave her a hug. “You look great as always. How’s business?”

  “It’s good. Quiet right now, but for some reason it picks up again after two. Seems like there’s always a lull about this time. Mothers wait until their kids are out of school to visit my craft shop anyway,” Jennie said with a laugh.

  “Not surprised. This is really amazing.” Sarah looked at all the little cubicles with the child-size tables and chairs, and the enormous inventory of games, and toys, educational and fun for the young and the old.

  “Thank you. It keeps me busy.” Jennie looked at her place with pride. “Of course, my kids love to bring their friends here, so I couldn’t ask for more.”

  “You’ve made your shop so enticing. It’s like a small Disneyland for kids.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I try to make it inviting. We do a lot of birthday parties in here.”

  “It’s perfect.” Every wall was brightly colored, with a rainbow on one, a huge pink castle on another, and a live-action railway with a caboose that appeared to be go
ing through a mountain on the third. “Very inventive.”

  “I try,” she said modestly. “Anyway, I’m so glad you dropped in. Nick and I always throw a big party on Christmas Eve. We’d love you to come and you’re welcome to bring a plus one, if you have someone in mind. Meg and Byron have already accepted, and I wanted to personally extend the invitation to you.”

  “That is so sweet, but I should probably stay home and take care of Liam that night, and allow Meg and Byron a night off.”

  “Oh, nonsense. Kids are welcome too. We have an enormous upstairs playroom, and I’ve hired a sitter to take care of the smaller children.”

  “Then I should definitely be able to make it. Thanks so much.” She turned to leave. “Jen, how’s that sushi restaurant up the street? I thought I might grab a bite to eat.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s already half past one.” No wonder her stomach was rumbling.

  “What? Not Nick’s?” She grinned. “Okay, I guess there’s more than one restaurant in town. The sushi is fresh and delicious. You’ll enjoy it. Need any more recommendations?”

  Sarah hesitated for a second, then decided it was okay to share her decision to remain here. “I’m moving to Heaven. Gave up my apartment in Philly. So I’m going to be looking for a good doctor, a dentist, a job and a place to live.” She laughed. “Meghan says I can stay as long as I want with her, but they are newlyweds and having a baby. I don’t want to get in the way.”

  “I’m so excited that you’re moving into our beautiful town, and I’m sure Meghan is thrilled. If I hear of anything apartment-wise, I’ll let you know right away. As far as doctors are concerned, I use Doctor Shelby—she’s five minutes out of town. Both my girls and I go to her.”

  “Thanks so much. I did some Googling and her reviews were very good.” She stepped toward the door. “See you soon!”

  When Sarah got back on the street she stopped at the following corner and found Doctor Shelby’s number, then called and made an appointment for the following Monday. Step one--completed.

  The sushi restaurant had a long sushi bar, and two rows of tables that sat four along the wall, and smaller tables for two near the window. There were only a handful of customers so she chose a window seat, and put her coat and gloves on the empty chair across from her.

  A young Asian man approached with an ice water, and a menu. “Hello, I’m your waiter, Tom. Would you like the luncheon sushi menu or the full menu?”

  “Lunch, please.” She took a sip of the water and perused the luncheon specials when he left to wait on another table.

  The enticing photos made her mouth water and she wished her sister was with her so they could try several items.

  When Tom returned with a steaming bowl of miso soup, she ordered a spicy tuna roll and four pieces of sushi; two salmon and two eel.

  “And to drink, miss?”

  “Water’s fine.”

  While Sarah waited she used her phone to check new real estate listings. There were a few first and second floor apartments that were easily affordable but short on glamour--unlike her place in Philly. She’d been in a high-rise with a balcony that overlooked the community pool. Most of the buildings in this town were no more than four stories high. Sarah’s place had been a two-bedroom, the location central to everything, and recently updated.

  Her mind clicked forward. She didn’t want to settle for something less than she had before. She wanted a positive change and the comfort of her home was important to her. She wasn’t penniless. She had a fifty thousand annuity that she’d bought when she and Meghan had sold their parent’s home. After everything had been paid off they’d had a little more than a hundred grand between them. It wasn’t much, and they would pay it back tenfold to have their parents instead. But, she had another eight thousand or so in her savings, and could perhaps get a loan against the annuity. It was locked in for five years, but she’d hoped to leave it for her retirement.

  Did she have enough savings for a deposit on her own first condo to buy? Her foot was tapping away under the table and her thoughts were flying. She spooned her soup and sipped on her water, wishing she could cancel her order, but it was too late. Tom carried her sushi on a tray and placed it on the table. She had just picked up her chopsticks and was about to taste the first bite, when her cell phone rang.

  She glanced down at the name. Rick?

  Her hand shook and she dropped the chopsticks. What the hell? Had someone told him? Did he know? Or was he already tired of his wife and wanted her on the side?

  Her stomach lurched and the food in front of her lost its former appeal.

  No way would she answer him. She turned her phone off, stuffed it back in her handbag, and left a twenty on the table.

  More determined than ever, Sarah marched down the road, heading toward a real estate office she’d seen before. The office was down a side street, three blocks from Main, and she walked in with her back straight, a plan of action, and hope in her heart. Rick could go to hell. Sarah Shaunnessy would remain in Heaven.

  “Good afternoon!” A red-headed woman about fifty came around to shake her hand. “Name’s Toni Malone, and I’ve been in business here for fifteen years.”

  “Then I’m probably in the right place. I’m Sarah Shaunnessy, and I’m looking for an apartment to buy. I can’t go higher than a hundred thousand—otherwise I’ll need a nice place to rent.”

  “You won’t get a two bedroom for that price--unless it’s an older model. But why don’t you sit down and we can go through my listings and see what we have?”

  “I like that idea. I’m living with my sister and her husband at the moment, but they’re having a baby and I don’t want to freeload for long.”

  “What are their names?” Toni’s fingers danced over the keyboard as she pulled up her listings. “I might know them.”

  “Meghan and Byron Watts.”

  “Of course. I sold them that lovely bungalow they’re in right now.”

  Sarah leaned back, somehow not surprised. New beginnings. Rick had been one of her biggest mistakes, but this might prove to be the wisest decision she’d ever make.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Mick kept an eye on the waiting room, which was filled to capacity. Raymond Charles, one of the vets, had an appointment for ten a.m., and it was now after eleven. The wounded soldier was in his late twenties, had a heavy mustache and beard, broad shoulders, and no legs below the knee. Raymond was there to be fitted for prosthetics, so it was understandable that his patience was short. He rolled his wheelchair to where the receptionist sat behind two windows, safe from everyone’s wrath.

  Grumblings could be heard all over the room. This was not unusual at Veteran’s Hospital; they were overcrowded, and appointments almost always ran late.

  “Ma’am! I’ve been waiting over an hour. Put that phone down and listen to me!” The man thumped the sliding window, and the receptionist raised her eyes.

  Mick put the folder he’d been about to file away, down on the desk.

  Mary had been doing this job for ten years and was used to dealing with unhappy patients. Still, Mick stood behind Mary in case things went south. He’d been rearranging schedules, and making new appointments, doing his share to keep the office moving efficiently, but he had no control over the doctors, or the surplus of patients, or the tempers that flared.

  “Yes. Your name please?” Mary adjusted the reading glasses that kept sliding down her long nose.

  “My name....is Ray Charles. Yeah, spelled like the singer.” His voice came out more of a hiss than a normal tone. “And I want to see the doctor now!” His shout rattled the window, and Mary shot Mick a worried look.

  “I’ll go out and see if I can calm him down,” Mick whispered.

  Mary gave a grateful nod, then spoke to the angry man. “I’m sorry for the delay, Mr. Charles, but the doctor will see you at the first possible moment. He’s with someone right now. There are two more patients in front of you, but the wait shouldn’t be too much long
er.”

  “I’ve waited long enough! Haven’t I given up enough for this damn country? You think I should give up one more minute of my time?” He snarled, then pounded his fist on the arm of his wheelchair. “Get me the doctor now.”

  “I will see what I can do, but as I’ve just said, he’s busy with another patient. Please stay calm or I’ll have to call security.”

  “You do that, ma’am, and then you’ll really have a problem on your hands.”

  Mick opened the door to the outside waiting room and was met with scowls coming from all directions. “He’s right,” one older man said gruffly. “Look, kid’s got no legs. And now treated like this? It’s a damn shame.”

  A dark-skinned female missing an arm shoved her way up front. She lifted her chin and glared at Mick. “What about you? You got something to say to these people?”

  “Yeah.” Mick made eye contact with each of them in the waiting room. “You all have a right to be angry, but you can’t do it here. I’ve served too, and I see this same thing near every day. Our receptionist is not responsible—she’s doing everything she can to improve the situation, but the doctors are overworked and understaffed.” He looked at all the angry faces who remained unconvinced, shaking their heads, muttering to each other.

  “Sir,” he addressed Ray Charles. “You need to speak to your treatment team. They are your go-to-people. Failing that, you can talk to a Patient Advocate—they are here to help you get the best possible care. Write to Congress, take it up with your local officials, but please don’t take it out on the receptionist or volunteers like me. We are here to help.”

  Ray Charles had tears in his eyes. “This is shit, man. We’ve all done enough. It’s time you took care of us.”

  “Tell you what I can do. I’ll grab coffee from the machine in the hall for each of you.” He nodded at the older man who’d stood up for Ray Charles. “Will you help me carry it in?”

  Placating the angry vets with a cup of coffee had taken some of the heat from their grumblings, but it wouldn’t make any real difference. It wouldn’t grow legs back or restore their dignity. And those who lost limbs were not the only losers who came home from war—what about the millions of vets, like him, that suffered PTSD and drug addiction, and worse?