Christmastime 1940

by Linda Mahkovec

  The shopkeeper chuckled lightly as the door closed. “There goes a man in love,” he said, to no one in particular.

  At Drooms Accounting, the staff discussed their plans for the holiday as they worked, all of them wondering at the fact that their boss was late. They broke up the merriment when Drooms hurried in.

  For the first time, Drooms saw himself through their eyes, and the effect his presence had on them. He started to speak, but then went into his office, stopping Mrs. Murphy as she walked by.

  “Mrs. Murphy, good morning. Please, call everyone together. I want to announce some changes.” He saw the employees exchange nervous glances and make themselves busy at their desks.

  “Oh, Mason. I want to speak to you first, in private. Please, come inside.”

  Drooms closed the door, took his seat, and gestured for Mason to sit down. He was puzzled when Mason remained standing.

  Mason locked his hands in front of him and straightened, as if gathering strength for a battle.

  “Before you begin, sir, I must speak my mind about the takeover.”

  Drooms cocked his head to the side, and knitted his eyebrows in confusion. “Takeover?” He then remembered his earlier intention that Mason referred to, and waved it away. “Oh, that. Bad idea. I’ve changed my mind. Henderson’s a good man.”

  After a moment of surprise, Mason’s shoulders relaxed somewhat. He looked down and put his hands on the back of the chair in front of him.

  “Well then, I guess I know what this is about. Let me speak plainly. I know you’re upset at my taking a second job. But I honestly don’t believe it has affected my performance. However, if –”

  Drooms jerked his head back at the preposterous idea. “I couldn’t be more pleased with your work. Please, sit down, Mason.”

  Mason sat down hesitantly. “But – I thought when you gave the Carson account to Finch that you –”

  Drooms’s effervescence vanished for just a moment. “I thought you were leaving me, Mason. Going over to Henderson. I saw you two shaking hands.”

  Mason dropped his mouth, searching his memory for when he had last seen Henderson, and then he remembered. “That was just a holiday wish of good cheer. Why would I leave?”

  “Forgive me, Mason. I haven’t quite been myself.” Drooms didn’t want to dwell in the past. He waved his hand again, as if brushing aside his old ways.

  “Look. I know I’m not always the easiest person to work with, but I’ve been thinking things through and – well, I’m going to make you a partner.”

  Mason thought he must have misunderstood him. He shook his head lightly, and leaned forward, waiting for Drooms to repeat himself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear –”

  “Partner. I’m going to make you a partner.”

  Mason tried to read the unusual expression on Drooms’s face. It seemed to be one of unbounded happiness.

  Drooms had expected a different response and hoped he hadn’t been presumptuous in thinking that Mason would want to be a partner with him. “That is, if you’re interested.”

  “Partner? I don’t know what to say. Of course! A partner?” Mason’s expression bounced back and forth between confusion and joy.

  “It’s long overdue. I’m only sorry I didn’t realize it earlier.” Drooms handed him an envelope. “Here’s your bonus, Mason.” He waited as Mason sat speechless. “Well, open it.”

  Mason opened the envelope and was overcome with emotion. Inside was the end to his immediate financial pressures, and a brief vision of himself as he presented his wife with the new coat she had so admired. He stood up. “Excuse me, sir,” but his voice broke. He held up a finger. “A moment, please.” He left the room to compose himself, and stepped out into the hall.

  The other employees saw Mason leave Drooms’s office visibly shaken, holding an envelope. They kept their heads down, eyes on their desks, afraid of what was coming next.

  Drooms stood in his doorway and cheerfully called Mrs. Murphy. “Please, step inside.”

  An angry Mrs. Murphy, who had also witnessed the distraught departure of Mason, stomped into Drooms’s office and shut the door behind her, not waiting for him to speak.

  “Mr. Drooms. In all my years I have never spoken out against you, but if you have gone and fired your best employee, after all these years –”

  “Fire Mason? Why would I do that? No. I’ve made him a partner.”

  She covered her mouth, and her eyes crinkled with happiness, and then began to fill with tears.

  “And I’m giving you a well-deserved raise, starting with this bonus,” he said, pressing the envelope into her hand.

  She stared at the envelope, opened it, and gasped. She tried twice to speak, pulled a hankie from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes. Then, like Mason, she left the room to compose herself.

  The staff stared in disbelief.

  Drooms saw their expressions and came out.

  “This isn’t going as planned. This isn’t what I had in mind. Wait. Just a moment.”

  He stepped outside the office and gestured Mason and Mrs. Murphy back in. “I’m going to need your help with this.”

  He then addressed all of them, with Mason and Mrs. Murphy standing on either side of him.

  “Now, gather round, please. The changes I was referring to are good changes. We’re a good team and we’re going to be even better,” he said, placing an arm around Mason, “with Mason here as partner. The firm will henceforth be called Drooms and Mason.”

  After a moment of astonishment, they broke into a round of happy congratulations. Drooms shook their hands as he handed out envelopes.

  “Here are your Christmas bonuses. I couldn’t be more pleased with you. Now, you should all be home with your families. Go. We’re finished here.”

  Amid wishes of “Merry Christmas,” “Thank you, sir,” and “God bless you,” they excitedly gathered their coats and hats.

  Drooms called out to them as they left, “And don’t come back until the New Year!”

  As Mason prepared to leave, Drooms walked over to him and patted him on the back.

  “Give my regards to your wife, your family, Mason. By the way, how are the twins? They must be nearly five now.”

  Mason smiled. “Almost ten. Doing very well. Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas.”

  Drooms left the office, and enjoyed the bustle as he walked along Fifth Avenue. So many happy people everywhere.

  When he passed the Salvation Army bell ringer, he took out his wallet, folded some bills, and stuffed them in the bucket. He tipped his hat to the carolers on the corner and wished them a Merry Christmas.

  He looked up at the sunny blue sky, at the snow piled along the sidewalk, and rubbed his hands together as if for warmth, but in truth, it was in excitement. Life, he thought, is richer and deeper when there is love in your heart.

  Drooms made his way to a side street and searched for a store he had passed not long ago. There it was, an art supply store. Its windows were decked with pine garlands and colored lights, reminding him of the night he and Lillian had set up her tree. He gazed at the display of beautiful wooden boxes full of assorted paints, pencils, and crayons.

  Fifteen minutes later, Drooms left the store carrying a large flat box tied in red ribbon. He made his way home in a hurry, all the while telling himself, It can’t be too late. I won’t let it be.

  *

  Lillian and the boys returned late in the afternoon. As they mounted the stairs, Lillian saw that the drawing outside Drooms’s door was gone. It was as if another version of herself had placed it there, in the overwrought emotional spikes of the night. She would give it no more thought. He was a closed man, whatever his reasons. And just as well. She was better off alone.

  The boys had two little bags of oranges and hard Christmas candy. Gabriel started to run towards Drooms’s apartment. “I want to give Mr. Drooms some candy.”

  “Yeah, let’s show Mr. Drooms what we got,” said Tommy.

  “No, come inside, boys
. You can hang the candy canes on the tree. Come, help me get dinner ready.”

  She ushered them inside and turned on the lamps. The boys placed their things on the coffee table, stepped out of their stiff shoes, and peeled off their coats.

  “Get out of your good clothes.” As they ran into their bedroom, she called after them. “And put them away nicely!”

  When the phone rang, her pulse quickened and blood rushed to her face. She frowned that her heart had not kept pace with her mind’s decision. But it was Izzy on the line, asking if Lillian could run downstairs for just a moment. She and Red were on their way and wanted to stop by to wish her a Merry Christmas.

  After she hung up, Lillian set out a fruit cake for Izzy and a tin of cookies for Red. She gazed out the kitchen window at the fading day. Across the way, golden light poured from the windows of the apartments, spilling onto the snow-filled ledges. A few windows revealed Christmas trees, some already lit for the evening. On the sidewalk below, a group of children were putting the finishing touches on a snowman, adding a carrot nose and stick arms. People were coming and going from the apartments; a mother stood in a doorway, calling her children in from play.

  Lillian began to prepare dinner. She put a crocheted tablecloth over the table, and in the center placed the sugar-dusted gingerbread with a sprig of holly on top. She then turned on the oven and put in a casserole she had made the day before. As she took out some vegetables and began to wash them, she mentally made sure she had everything for Christmas dinner the next day.

  The boys emerged in their day clothes. Gabriel ran to the kitchen and impulsively hugged her. “I love you, Mommy!”

  Tommy also hugged her. “Me too, Mommy!”

  Lillian’s hands were full with wet vegetables, but she embraced them both. “My boys!”

  Tommy picked up the box of candy canes from the table. “Can we hang them?”

  “Yes,” said Lillian. “And let’s have some Christmas music.”

  Tommy turned on the radio, and dramatically mimicked the crooning. Gabriel joined him and they tumbled onto the couch laughing. They opened the box of candy canes and began hanging them on the tree.

  A few minutes later a horn tooted twice. Lillian went to the window and saw Izzy and Red standing next to a cab. She waved at them and motioned that she would come down.

  “I’ll be right back, boys.” She put on her sweater and took the fruit cake and tin of cookies.

  When Lillian saw Izzy and Red, she was struck by how happy they seemed. She handed Red the tin, and the fruitcake to Izzy.

  “Your famous fruitcake?” asked Izzy.

  Lillian nodded. “My mother’s recipe.”

  Izzy elbowed Red. “It’s loaded with brandy – delicious!” She turned to Lillian. “Thanks, Lilly. We’ll have it tomorrow. Red is having Christmas with me.”

  Red reached into the taxi and handed a bag to Lillian. “Merry Christmas!”

  She saw that inside was a bottle tied with a ribbon around it and two giftwrapped boxes.

  “Games for the boys – from me and Red,” Izzy said, as she linked her arm with Red.

  “You didn’t have to,” said Lillian, “but thank you. The boys will be so pleased.” She looked at the presents and imagined them under the tree. They would help to fill in the gaps. “They’re opening their presents tonight. Thank you, Red. Thanks, Izzy.”

  Lillian looked from Izzy to Red who kept exchanging glances, and squeezing each other’s hand.

  Red finally nudged Izzy and laughed. “Go ahead. Tell her!”

  Izzy took off her glove and held up her hand, displaying a ring.

  Lillian gasped at the news. “Engaged?”

  “Red leaves end of next month. We’re getting married before he goes.”

  Red threw his arm around Izzy and kissed her cheek. “I’m the luckiest fellow in the world!” He lifted her for a second in sheer exuberance and kissed her again, then gave Lillian a kiss on the cheek.

  Lillian laughed at the joy they couldn’t contain. “That’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you both.” She took Izzy’s hand and admired the ring. “It’s beautiful.” Her voice quivered as she spoke and she felt tears in her eyes. She tried to laugh her emotions away, but by then Izzy was also starting to cry.

  Red took over. “No time for that. This is supposed to be a happy day.”

  Izzy laughed and dabbed her eyes and gave Lillian a quick hug. “Well, we gotta run. We’re making the rounds. Merry Christmas, Lilly!”

  “Merry Christmas! Take good care of yourself, Red.”

  Lillian waved goodbye as they climbed into the taxi. She laughed when Red planted a big exaggerated kiss on Izzy’s cheek.

  Lillian watched the red tail lights disappear around the corner with the happy couple inside. She held her sweater close. Dusk had now settled on the sidewalk, on the row of brownstones.

  She looked down the street, empty and quiet now. Mounds of snow lay on the edge of the sidewalk and in between the cars. Some cars had never been dug out, and remained white mounds with black showing through where the kids had knocked off the snow. She gazed up at the dark sky and slowly walked back inside.

  *

  While Lillian was downstairs, there was a knock at the door. Gabriel was at the window where he saw Lillian take the gift from Red. Now he raced Tommy to the door and shrieked with delight to see Drooms standing there with presents stacked in his arms.

  “Hi, Mr. Drooms!” His eyes opened wide.

  “Wow! Presents!” said Tommy.

  Gabriel gave him a big hug. “I knew you would come! Are these for us?”

  Drooms laughed as he handed them the presents. “Of course, they’re for you.”

  The boys ran to put them under the tree. Drooms looked around for Lillian. “Is your mother here?”

  “She’s downstairs kissing that man who gave her a present,” Gabriel said.

  Drooms stood staring, as if he didn’t quite understand. Then his smile slowly disappeared. What had he been thinking? Why had he been so hopeful, so happy? There must be some mistake. He bunched his eyebrows together, and focused on the floor, as if searching for something.

  “Don’t be a dope, Gabe. She won’t be long, Mr. Drooms. Come on in.”

  Drooms started to leave. The last thing he wanted to see was Lillian with someone else.

  “No, no, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas. I have to go. I’ll see you later, boys.”

  Tommy stood looking after him, once again disappointed at his sudden departure.

  Drooms quickly closed the door. He stood a moment in the hallway, and then leaned his head against her door. The sense of loss overwhelmed him. Her smile, her walk, her voice, had already become a part of him.

  He felt his heart beating at the words that were forming in his mind. “I love her,” he whispered.

  But then she was so loveable, of course others must feel the same way. How could they not? He ran several scenarios through his mind, thinking Gabriel must be mistaken. Yet neither boy had seemed surprised by her actions. Perhaps she had someone all along. Perhaps there was something between her and Rockwell. And why shouldn’t she have someone, someone who would treat her well and –

  He turned quickly and saw Lillian coming up the last flight of stairs, carrying a bag.

  He glared and looked behind her for someone else, listened for another set of footsteps.

  Lillian was surprised to see him standing outside her door. She glanced behind her to see who he was looking for, and then back to Drooms.

  “Isn’t your friend coming?” he asked.

  Lillian stopped, perplexed. “No. Why?”

  “The boys said you were downstairs kissing a man.” There. He had thrown down the gauntlet. He didn’t care if he sounded petty or jealous. He had to know where he stood.

  A slow smile spread across Lillian’s face, and she felt herself grow warm as a jolt of life coursed through her. She didn’t want him to see that she was blushing, so she kept her head dow
n and climbed the last few steps. She could almost laugh out loud at the thoughts that ran through her mind. Did he really think she had someone else? Was that jealousy in his voice? In a flash she knew that nothing had changed between them. A little scar tissue that would fade with time, nothing more.

  She stood before him. Behind her fears, and trying to convince herself that she wanted to be alone, she knew it was too late. There was the man she loved. Difficult, contrary, wounded – there he was with that look in his eyes, so much passion and vulnerability locked inside him. She couldn’t prolong his anguish any longer.

  “My friend, Izzy, and her beau. We exchanged gifts,” she said, setting the bag down.

  Drooms slowly closed his eyes and felt like an absolute fool. But when he opened them, he saw love in her eyes.

  Lillian held his gaze, controlled his gaze, as she waited for him to explain his behavior. She had made up her mind about him, and loved him as he was, but she wanted to be equally sure of his feelings for her.

  Drooms placed a hand on her shoulder. “Lillian. I’m so sorry for yesterday, for what I said. You know I didn’t mean it.” When she didn’t say anything, he took her hand. “Please tell me I’m not too late.”

  He lifted her face and searched her eyes for an answer.

  Though she wanted to throw her arms around him, she forced herself to remain still, and to speak calmly. “I don’t think you’re sure about how you feel.”

  “I’ve never been more sure about anything. Please give me the chance to show you.” He took both her hands. “I – I want to explain something to you. I want you to know why…why I – why I overreacted when I thought Gabriel was hurt.” He bent his head down and found that he didn’t know how to start, where to start. He swallowed hard. “I…, I – When I was –”

  Lillian placed a hand on his arm. “That’s all right, Charles.” She couldn’t bear to see him struggling with his pain. “You don’t have to tell me now.”

  The tenderness in her voice as she spoke his name, the light touch on his arm, was like balm to him. He put his hand to her soft cheek and knew that everything would be all right.

  Just then the door flung open and Tommy poked his head into the hall. “Mom! Look what Mr. Drooms brought us.”