The Last Lonely Christmas

by Claire Sanders

  “They weren’t happy about it, but they said they’d give us a full refund. However, they would like to talk to us about an updated inventory tracking system that would interface quite smoothly with what we’re already using.”

  “That sounds reasonable,” Mr. Alden replied. “Do you foresee any problems?”

  “Not yet,” Neil said, “but I’d like to investigate it further before committing to the purchase.”

  “Good idea.” Mr. Alden pursed his lips. “Return the merchandise Alexis purchased. Then follow up on the inventory program.”

  “Yes, sir,” Neil said. “Anything else?”

  “Yes.” Mr. Alden folded his hands on his desk and leaned forward. “Alexis Lange will be leaving us soon. Are you willing to take over her position? It will mean an increase in responsibility, but your salary will increase as well.”

  Neil looked at Mary, apparently stunned by the offer. “I’d be thrilled. Thank you, sir.”

  “Good,” Mr. Alden said in a perfunctory tone. “That’s all for now.”

  Realizing he was being dismissed, Neil got to his feet and walked to the door. He smiled broadly at Mary before leaving.

  Mr. Alden pushed his chair away from his desk. “One thing I cannot abide is an employee who lies. Everyone makes mistakes, but only those with integrity have the wisdom to tell the truth about it.”

  Was Mr. Alden accusing her of lying?

  “I toured the training room this morning,” he continued. “There’s only one cash register set up. That’s when I met with Neil. He explained that he hadn’t set up the others because of the software problem he’d uncovered. Alexis Lange presents herself as a competent, self-assured professional, but it’s all an act. I don’t know if I’m madder at her for continually lying or at myself for being fooled by her.”

  How in the world was Mary supposed to respond to that admission? She chose to say nothing.

  “You’ve been with us for many years,” Mr. Alden said. “In that time, you’ve proven yourself to be reliable, trustworthy, and of undeniable integrity. I’d like to offer you a promotion as well. I’m thinking about creating a new position for someone who would work directly under me. We could call it assistant director of operations. Of course, it would come with salary and benefits commensurate with the new responsibilities.”

  Mary closed her eyes and sent of prayer of gratitude heavenward. A few minutes earlier, she’d expected to be fired. Now, her boss was offering a way she could rebuild her savings. The Lord was behind that kind of grace.

  “I appreciate your confidence, Mr. Alden,” she said, opening her eyes. “It sounds like an exciting challenge.”

  “You’ve earned my trust, Mary. That’s a precious commodity. I’ll call the H.R. department and get it all set up. To make things easier, I’m going to make your new position effective January first.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Alden.”

  He stood and shook her hand. “Let’s make this our biggest Christmas yet.” He escorted her to the door and opened it for her. “Mrs. Stenger,” he said to his secretary, “find Alexis Lange and ask her to come to my office.” Then, in a voice that only Mary could hear, he said, “I’ve got some firing to do.”

  Mary walked past Neil’s desk on her way back.

  He jumped out of his chair, followed her into her office, and shut the door. As soon as she faced him, he grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. “Can you believe it?” he asked. “Not only do I get a promotion, I get to watch the wicked witch ride into the sunset on her broom!”

  “Put me down!” Mary said between laughs. When her feet touched the floor, she gave him the rest of the news. “I’m being promoted too. Say hello to the new assistant director of operations.”

  “Hot dog!” Neil shouted. “This is the best Christmas gift ever! We’ve got to celebrate. Dinner tonight. You don’t mind if Stephanie joins us, do you? I’ll give her a call.”

  “Hold on a minute,” Mary protested. “Let me catch my breath.” She sank into her chair.

  Neil sat on the edge of her desk. “What did Mr. Alden say to you?” Before Mary could answer, Alexis strode past her office window. “I bet Alexis is on her way to Mr. Alden’s office now,” Neil continued. “I almost feel sorry for her, but she did this to herself.”

  “I can’t believe she outright lied to Mr. Alden,” Mary replied. “Didn’t she realize he’d find out the truth?”

  “People like Alexis aren’t interested in things like honesty and reliability. She gets along on her good looks and charm. But underneath those qualities, there’s nothing but ambition and deception. She blamed you for her failure, didn’t she?”

  “I’d rather not answer that question.”

  “Uh-huh. She tried to incriminate me too, but when I met with Mr. Alden last week, I set him straight.”

  “Plus, you had the evidence to prove it.”

  “So…” Neil rubbed his hands together. “What about it? Dinner tonight?”

  “I’m sure that would be okay but…there was something I was going to ask you…I guess my promotion has rattled my brain so much I can’t remember.”

  “Was it about the store?”

  “No…I don’t think so…”

  “Are you having a computer problem?”

  Mary bumped her forehead with the heel of her hand. “That’s it. I mean, I’m not having a problem with my computer, but if we’re really going to celebrate with dinner tonight, can you pick me up at my house? That teenager I was telling you about will be there.”

  “Oh, sure. That’s no problem. How about six o’clock?”

  “Six thirty would be better. Where do you want—”

  Mary’s question died in her throat when Alexis’s high-heeled footsteps sounded in the hallway again. She returned from Mr. Alden’s office with her head held high and a perfectly formed smile on her face.

  Neil’s gaze followed Alexis until she turned the corner. “Do you think Mr. Alden fired her?”

  Mary shrugged. “She didn’t look upset.”

  “Maybe you should go and check on her.”

  “Me? Why not you?”

  “You’re a girl, that’s why.”

  “You’re the one who worked with her.”

  Before they could settle their argument, Alexis opened Mary’s door. “Oh, hello, Neil. I’m glad I caught you both. I wanted to let you know that I’ve taken a job with Sullivan Enterprises. They’re a retail management firm out of New York. If you need anything during the transition, you can reach me through e-mail.”

  “Really?” Neil asked. “That’s hard to believe.”

  Alexis smiled her perfect smile. “Oh, I never planned to stay in this small store for long. I’ve got my sights set on big money. And, Mary? No hard feelings about the mix up with the training schedules. I know how hard it is for you to keep up sometimes.”

  Neil stood up, his hands clenched into tight fists. “Now you listen to me, Alexis Lange. If you think I’m going to stand by and let you insult—”

  Mary stepped between Alexis and Neil. “I wish you all the best in your new position, Alexis.”

  “Th-Thank you.” Alexis shook the hand Mary offered and walked regally out of the office.

  “Why didn’t you let me finish?” Neil asked. “I have a lot of things to get off my chest.”

  Mary placed a calming hand on Neil’s arm. “A friend of mine used to say, ‘you wouldn’t put dirt in your mouth, so why let dirt out of it?’”

  Neil rolled his eyes. “I don’t know who this friend of yours is, but she sure has a lot of sayings.”

  The friend Mary often quoted was the director of the Good Shepherd Home for Children. But Neil didn’t know her life story and Mary had no desire to fill him in.

  “Come on,” she said with a wide grin. “We have some cash registers to return and some software to investigate.”

  * * *

  Robin jumped up and down when she saw Mary’s car pull into the driveway that evening. “Daisy and
I have been waiting for you!”

  Mary rubbed Daisy’s ears. She reached out to hug Robin but then withheld the action. Best to wait for the child to ask for affection than to force it on her. She got a small sack of groceries from her car. “I bought the hot chocolate.”

  “Did you get marshmallows too?”

  “Of course. Let’s go through the front door to the dining room. I put a box of dishes and the microwave in there.”

  Will and Grant were installing sheetrock in the kitchen, their clothing and hair covered in a fine, white powder. Mary pushed aside the plastic sheeting Will had hung in the doorway to keep the dust under control. “Can you two take a break? Robin and I are preparing hot chocolate.”

  Will grinned at her. “I’m sure we can find time for that. How was your day, Mary?”

  “Full of surprises. The hot chocolate will be ready in about five minutes.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Mary found four cups and placed them on the table. “I have a gallon of water and a carton of milk. Which do you prefer?”

  Robin pushed her lips to the side. “Daddy always makes it with water.”

  “Let’s make both kinds. Then you can see which one you like best.”

  Robin nodded her agreement. Mary poured milk in one cup and water in another. “Do you want to heat them?”

  Robin carried the cup of water to the microwave with the speed of a snail. Then she repeated the action with the cup of milk. “How long?”

  “Two minutes ought to do it.” Mary watched the girl push the buttons. “Can Daisy have milk?”

  “Sure. I give her the leftover milk from my cereal every morning.”

  Mary found a bowl, placed it on the floor, and poured a little milk into it. Daisy wagged her tail in thanks and lapped up the treat. Mary then filled the bowl with water.

  When the microwave dinged, Will and Grant entered the dining room. “I hear there’s a pretty girl giving away hot chocolate in here,” Will said. “How can I get some?”

  Robin’s smile and twinkling eyes showed Mary how much the girl enjoyed the attention. “Sit down and I’ll serve you,” Robin said. “Mary, we need two more cups.”

  “Coming right up,” Mary said, enjoying the game as much as her young counterpart.

  Grant collapsed into the chair at the head of the table. Now that she could see him close up, Mary realized the boy was almost as tall as Will. Grant’s dark hair fell below his collar and covered most of his face. “How much longer are we going to be, Dad? I need to get some work done on my project tonight.”

  “What time do you need to be home?” Will asked.

  “Could we be back by eight?”

  “You got it.”

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Mary said, “but I asked one of my coworkers to come by tonight. He’s really good at computers.”

  Grant’s gaze flicked to his father and then back to Mary. “Uh…I guess so.”

  She couldn’t blame Grant for his lack of enthusiasm. She had sprung Neil’s visit on him. “Well, if it doesn’t work out, you could always say some secret words, and I’ll get my friend away from you.”

  Grant grinned, changing his face from sullen to friendly. “Now there’s an idea. What should the secret words be?”

  “Green bean,” Robin suggested.

  “Pooper scooper,” Will said.

  “Smelly jelly,” Robin interjected.

  “Pig jig,” Mary piped up.

  The three rhymers broke into laughter. Grant rolled his eyes. “You guys think you’re so funny.”

  The microwave dinged again and Robin gingerly removed the cups. Mary found spoons and passed them to the girl. “Now,” Robin said with the earnestness of a five-star chef, “I’ll stir in hot chocolate mix. Mary, where are the marshmallows?”

  “Right here.” Mary dug through the grocery bag until she found the promised treat. “Shall I pass them?”

  “No, I’ll put them on top after I mix the hot chocolate.”

  Mary glanced at Will and his son. How patient they were to put up with Robin’s cooking experiment. But they weren’t simply tolerating the girl’s play, they were actually enjoying it.

  Will sipped from his cup. “Wow, Robin. This is the best hot chocolate I ever had. I nominate you to be the official hot chocolate maker of the Stewart family.”

  “I second that nomination,” Grant said. “This tastes better than the kind Dad makes.”

  “That’s ’cause I made yours with milk instead of water,” Robin explained.

  “What else can you cook?” Will asked.

  “Mud pies,” the girl answered in all seriousness. Robin dipped a spoon into one of the remaining cups, tasted the hot chocolate, and then repeated the action with the other. “I like the milk one better than the water one,” she told Mary.

  “That’s fine,” Mary answered. “I’ll have the other.”

  Will lifted his cup toward Mary. “Can you cook more than mud pies?”

  “I can cook, but I usually don’t go to the trouble. Besides, until you finish that kitchen, there will be no cooking in this house.”

  Will sipped his hot chocolate. “We ought to be finished in a week. Just in time for Christmas.”

  “Are we going to have a tree this year?” Robin asked. “I want a tree.”

  “What’s wrong with the tree you had last year?” Will asked.

  Robin sighed as though she were arguing with a stone. “That was just a little tree for my room. Why can’t we have a big tree?”

  “Because we don’t have enough space for a big tree,” Grant answered.

  Robin looked at Mary. “Your house is practically empty. You could get a big tree, and I’ll help you decorate it.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Mary said. “I’m going to have some guests for Christmas lunch and I have no decorations.”

  Robin pounced at the opportunity. “Will you get the tree tonight? Or tomorrow night? I’ll make the decorations. I learned how in school.”

  Mary grinned at the girl. “I have some supplies in my office upstairs. If it’s okay with your dad, we could go up there and get started.”

  Robin turned pleading eyes toward her father. “It’s okay with me,” Will said, “but we’ll be leaving soon.”

  Robin called to her dog and the two ran up the stairs. Just as Mary was about to follow, the doorbell rang. She opened the front door to find Neil smiling at her. “Ready to go, Mary? Stephanie can’t make it, but you and I can still have a celebratory dinner.”

  “Come on in.” Mary led Neil through the living room and into the dining area where she introduced her friend to Will and his son.

  Neil turned his attention to Grant. “Mary told me you’re working on some kind of technology project. What’s it about?”

  “It would be easier if I showed you,” the boy answered. “My laptop is in my dad’s truck.”

  “Why don’t you and Grant go upstairs and work at my desk?” Mary suggested. “That way, you’ll have my computer if you need it and you won’t be in Will’s way.”

  “Good idea,” Neil replied. “I’ll meet you upstairs, Grant. I’d love to see what you’re working on.”

  Grant hurried out of the room while Neil headed upstairs. Mary gathered the cups and spoons. “Would you like me to clean up?” Will asked. “We have a rule in our house: if you cook, you don’t have to clean.”

  “That sounds like a good rule, but I want you to finish that kitchen. I’m going to rinse out these cups in the bathroom and then go upstairs with Robin until Neil’s ready to leave.”

  Will stuck his hands in his jeans and frowned. “Is Neil your boyfriend?”

  “No, he’s just a coworker and friend. Besides, he’s much too young.”

  “Never can tell these days. Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “Gosh, no. Ever since college, all I’ve done is work, work, work.”

  Grant shouldered his way between them and headed upstairs. Will rubbed the back of his head and
turned toward the kitchen. “I’m almost finished with the sheetrock. Then, I’ll get started on the floor tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” Mary said as he walked back into the kitchen. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”

  When she made it to the spare bedroom where her desk and filing cabinet were located, Mary found Grant and Neil hunched over a laptop. Robin sat on the floor, surrounded by craft materials. “Let’s take this stuff to my bedroom,” Mary said to the girl. “Then we won’t be in Grant’s way.”

  Robin filled her arms with glue, glitter, and scissors while Mary gathered the pieces of colored paper. Robin organized the materials on the foot of Mary’s bed and then began to fold the paper. “I’m going to make snowflakes with dots of glitter. My teacher showed me how to make glitter dots without making a mess. Can you get the tree tomorrow? A really big one?”

  Mary separated the paper by color and laid it beside Robin’s materials. “I won’t get it tomorrow, but I will get one.”

  “And you won’t decorate it until I’m here?”

  “I promise.”

  Robin threw her arms around Mary’s waist. “Thank you, Mary. It’ll be so pretty. Just wait and see.”

  Mary’s heart melted at the affectionate touch and she stroked Robin’s hair gingerly. But the embrace didn’t last long. Robin had too much to do.

  Mary kicked off her shoes and sat on the floor next to Robin. The girl neither needed nor wanted help, so she stepped across the hall to find Grant and Neil engrossed in the world of computer codes and digital design. Then she heard Will’s slow step on the stairs.

  “It’s almost eight o’clock,” he called in his baritone voice. “Who’s ready to go home?”

  “Not me!” Robin called.

  “Me either,” Grant said. “Neil’s showing me how to streamline the programming so that the virtual buildings look more lifelike.”

  Will rubbed the side of his nose with a finger. “Looks like I’m the only one who’s hungry.”

  “Maybe I should order pizza,” Mary suggested. “What kind does your family like?”

  “Every kind.” Will pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. “Here’s some money to cover our part.”