The Christmas List

by Dixie Jo Jarchow

  But Max? Darn that man.

  A half a minute later there was a double tap on the door, and then it opened. Jennifer swished in and sat in the client chair. “What happened with Max? He looked all cute and confused, but definitely knew he had gotten the boot.”

  “Oh, he wants to go into business so I can be his little assistant and write his proposals. He’s got a lot to learn.” She straightened everything on her already immaculate desk.

  “You could do those things on contract. That fits in with your business plan, doesn’t it?”

  “Well, it’s not too much of a stretch, but I want to build my firm not his.”

  “Couldn’t you do both? I’m sure he’ll still need business plans and investment stuff. So what if you have to write a few proposals? It will give you a break from all those numbers once in a while, so you can do something creative. Kind of like the store does for you now.”

  Mandy lined up the pens in her drawer. “It sounds so much better when you pitch it than when he does. He just rubs me wrong, like sandpaper over wax. And he is so disorganized.” A tiny shiver ran through her.

  “If everyone was as organized as you are, they wouldn’t need you to help them, love.”

  “He’ll probably come back and ask again.” Mandy already regretted her harsh words. What if he never came back?

  “Are you staking your business’s future on that?”

  A tear slipped from Mandy’s eye and she wiped it before it made it past her cheek. “Can we just drop it and go home now?”

  “Sure, kiddo.”

  Mandy usually helped with the routine of closing up shop, but tonight she trudged to the back and waited by the power switch on the wall.

  They walked back to their apartments in silence .

  8

  Every day that followed, Mandy waited for Max to come to the store. At first she tried to hide it, but when Jennifer moved a chair to the front counter for her, she sighed and sat. Fat, furry flakes dropped heavily from the sky. A white Christmas was forecast, and all the customers who came to the store seemed excited.

  “He’s not coming back,” Jennifer told her. “Don’t worry, you’ve always got a place here at the boutique. I need you here. You can run this shop and get your accounting business off the ground while I open the new one. As a manager, the pay is better. The hours are lousy, but you’re used to that. Plus, we get to complain to each other every night without the other contradicting us. It’s a dream set-up.”

  “It’s not that. Well, it’s a little bit of that. I feel as though I faced my core challenge of helping small businesses and failed right off the bat. I should be able to help him.”

  “But you said he wanted you to be his secretary or assistant. That can’t be part of your plan.” Jennifer folded tank tops while she talked.

  “I should have realized that when he said partner, he didn’t mean that I would be his assistant. He meant a true partnership. My goal should have been to deflect his offbeat humor and repurpose his energy.”

  “All the buzzwords in the world won’t change that you did the right thing.”

  “No, I don’t think I worked with him in a positive way.”

  “Just when he got some money together and got all needy, you redirected him right out the door.”

  “He’s so innocent. I should go find him and help him.” Mandy went in back to get her coat. “Someone who isn’t me, might take advantage of him. But that’s not who I am. He’s a genuinely good person.”

  “If you ask me, and I know you haven’t, I think you should just move on. Max was a practice run. There are a ton of other businesses out there. We should do our marketing campaign like we planned and get you some new clients at a pace you can handle.” Jennifer smiled. “Let me make you some tea. I got some of that lavender stuff that smells amazing.”

  Mandy took one last look out the front window, sighed, and got up to help make tea. “I guess you’re right.”

  

  Mandy sat in her comfortable barrel chair at home and read under the warm ambience of the window. Maybe God had closed a door only to open a window. Wasn’t that in the Bible somewhere? Her memory, usually excellent, wouldn’t cooperate tonight.

  The phone rang.

  “Hello, Mom.” Mandy put a bookmark in her novel and set it aside. This call would take a while.

  “How’s my girl? Jennifer called me and told me a little of what’s happening.”

  “Fine. Well, not fine. The new client I had didn’t work out. Jennifer and I are planning to do a marketing campaign. I hope to snag some clients through that.”

  “Jennifer is such a good friend. Are you two meeting any nice men?”

  “Not really. It’s pretty exhausting working all day. I don’t exactly feel like going dancing after a full day of work.”

  “I know dear, but you have to make the effort. I wish you’d found someone suitable in college. It’s so much easier when there’s more selection.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. It will all work out. I’ll try to get out more, I promise.” She rolled her eyes. Didn’t her mom realize she was trying?

  “Your dad wants to talk to you.” The phone noises jumbled as her parents switched over.

  “Hi, honey. How are things?”

  “Great, Dad.”

  “Is Jennifer still offering you that manager position for the new store? It’s a great offer, and I hope you’re considering it. You want to own your own business, but you can do that on the side if you want to and still be a manager.”

  “I am thinking about it. The offer is there. She has to get a million details nailed down before she can move on the new store.”

  “Well, good. Just don’t let this thing pass you by. Being a manager of something is a lot better than an owner of nothing.”

  “I hear you, Dad.” Mandy was exhausted. How had her life become so complicated?

  They said their goodbyes and Mandy set the book on the table. Her mind was in turmoil and her stomach churned. There were so many decisions to make. How could she ever know what was right?

  9

  “Hi, Mandy.” Max stumbled on the door jamb, coffee sloshing out of the small holes on top of the to-go cup, his dimples working overtime.

  “Max!” Mandy took a step forward, smiling into his eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you, too. I had a bunch of stuff going on. There wasn’t a moment I wasn’t thinking of you. Not a moment.” His smile broadened.

  Mandy’s chest squeezed so she could hardly breathe. Happiness flooded through her and a smile to match his burst across her face. “It was so silly of me. My vision is to build my firm into a big powerhouse by building a consulting firm that helps people.”

  “Wow. You outlined all that?”

  “Only since high school.”

  He took her hands in his and then pulled her into a warm, comfortable hug. “You are amazing. I don’t even plan what I’m doing tomorrow.”

  Mandy hugged him back.

  “Besides, I found someone else to organize my proposal.” He patted her back twice and released her.

  Mandy stiffened. “You found someone else? Who?”

  “Her name is Sophie. She’s a sweetie. Has this magic with documentation. She’s really a lifesaver. I’ll bring her by one of these days so you two can meet.”

  He glowed with pleasure and didn’t seem to notice she’d pulled away.

  “I can’t wait until the proposal is done, which should be soon,” he said. “They already like my concept so I’m hoping I get word quickly about when they want me to start building it.” His smile could’ve lit up the night.

  For Sophie or upcoming his project? She shoved the negative vibe out of her heart. “Well, that’s great. Am I still your accountant?” She held her breath. Could she get back her first client? Her start-up business hung in the balance.

  “I wouldn’t have anyone else. How about some ice cream? Hey Jennifer, want some ice cream?”


  “Max, what a surprise. What brings you here?”

  “Ice cream, and my accountant, of course.” He smiled at Mandy.

  “Chocolate and orange sherbet in a cone,” said Jennifer.

  “A cup would travel better.”

  Jennifer shot her a disappointed look.

  “Just being practical.” Mandy raised her hands and shrugged.

  “Practical it is, that’s why we love you so.” Max linked his arm through hers and turned them towards the door.

  “Wait, let me get my coat,” Mandy ran back to her office.

  Moments later, Mandy came back, wrapping her scarf around her neck and pulling her gloves on. “I’m ready.”

  Max held out his hand to take hers with a grin.

  Mandy smiled back, her heart soaring.

  They stepped into the world of white outside the window of the shop.

  

  “I’m so happy you came back,” Mandy told him as she ate her ice cream.

  “Really? I got the impression you didn’t want me around. You practically threw me out of the store last time,” said Max. “But it’s OK. I’ve been thrown out of lots of places. I’d probably throw myself out of places sometimes.”

  “I am sorry. I just got out of a job being an admin assistant, and I thought you were asking me to be your secretary. I really want to get my accountant’s business rolling. My dream is to help people. People like you, who are just starting out and need advice on financial matters.”

  “And here I thought you liked me.”

  “I do like you.” Was he fishing for more or just teasing her? She never knew with Max.

  “Well, good. I like you too. We should probably get this ice cream back to Jennifer. She mentioned there is a possibility you might be managing the shop.”

  “I might. I really would rather get the accounting firm up and running, but I admit I’m barely making expenses. If Jennifer wasn’t helping me out by renting me the office in back, I’d be a PO Box somewhere with nice letterhead. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.”

  “How do other accountants do it?” He held the door open for her, and they ventured out.

  “Most accountants work for another firm and save money to go out on their own. I never wanted to work for anyone else. I don’t have the money to take the leap and rent outside offices. If I can’t pay the rent, I work shifts for Jennifer so she can work on her second shop.”

  “Hmm, so you need a large chunk of cash? Won’t a bank lend it to you?”

  “With no equity, nothing they can take if I default, not a chance. So, no they won’t lend me any money. My parents think I’m nuts.”

  Max waved it off as he walked. “Parents always think their kids are nuts. My parents do.”

  “Well, you are…a little free-spirited.” She laughed with him. It was so easy to be with Max. He was a kinder, gentler version of Jennifer but with gorgeous eyes and a smile that made her forget what she was saying.

  “Ah, but my parents went so far as to disown me.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Really? That is a little drastic.”

  “They’re pretty well off, and they didn’t like that I donated my trust fund to several different charities. It was not a popular decision.”

  “You gave it all away?” She was flabbergasted.

  “Easier for a camel to get through a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven.”

  “I’ve heard that,” she said, “but I’ve never heard of anyone who actually did it.”

  “St. Francis of Assisi, or Mahatma Gandhi, or Mother Theresa? There’s biblical precedence in Matthew 19:21, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then follow me.”

  “You make me feel as though I’m a failure as a Christian.”

  “We’re all failures, just doing the best we can each day. I’m not perfect, no way, but God loves me and he loves you. Not like I love you, but in a more pure way.” He smiled.

  Ah, that smile. The dimples she longed to touch. Too bad he was so Max-like. He had nothing in common with the vision of her perfect man. No steady job and he wasn’t bothered by it. He’d been homeless, for goodness sake. He gave away a trust fund. Who did that? She needed a partner who supported her through all of life’s trials. She needed more clients. Maybe she could practice on Max. Jennifer was right, he was a disaster. Without someone responsible investing his funds, he would be a terrible business partner.

  But it sure made her day when he stopped by to see her.

  “Here you go, Jennifer.” Max gave her the ice cream.

  “Thanks. Hey, Mandy, are you free to go over the inventory system today? I’m in meetings all day tomorrow so I’m hoping you can start inventory and man the shop for me.”

  “Sure.” Mandy let go of Max’s warm hand and hung up her coat. If she meant to manage the store, she needed to learn all the taskings. She turned to Max. “Thanks for the ice cream. I’ll look over that business plan if you’d like, from an accountant’s point of view, of course.”

  “That’d be so awesome. I’ll bring it by as soon as Sophie and I get it nailed down.” He whipped around and hurried out the door as if he were getting right on the project. However, knowing his past behavior, distractions could crop up and it might take a few days or a month for him to reappear or remember he was giving her the document.

  “He’s like a beautiful butterfly,” Jennifer said. “I wouldn’t count on having time to look at his plan though. I hope to close on the new store this month, and I need you. You’re vital to my expansion plans. I hope you realize how much I depend on you.” She wrapped her arm around Mandy’s shoulder.

  “You, however, didn’t buy me ice cream, and Max did, proving that I can be bought.”

  Jennifer laughed and then sobered. “I’m not joking, I really do need you for this expansion to happen. I’m planning on compensating you accordingly.”

  “I believe you, but you know my dream is to get the accounting thing going.”

  “You’ll have plenty of time once we get the second store up and running. But by then, I’m hoping you love it so much that you won’t want to leave me. You can still do accounting. I’ll need lots of accounting with two stores. You could even branch out into accounts receivable or billable. You could handle the website and open the online store or you could manage the people who do that stuff. You’re my rock, Mandy; you are always there for me. I’m the creative genius here who buys the stuff that sells. You make it all possible.”

  “Show me how this inventory program works before you make me cry.” Mandy’s heart overflowed. Her friend truly was trying to help her.

  “I’ll spring for dinner afterwards. You deserve it.” She handed Mandy a handheld scanner and proceeded to explain.

  Mandy looked out the front window at the glorious white landscape. Was Max with that Sophie right now, smiling his dimply smile and touching her hand?

  “Whoa, don’t crush the inventory gun,” Jennifer pried it out of Mandy’s hands and set it on the counter.

  “Sorry,” Mandy shook her head. What did she care if Max smiled at another woman? He wasn’t right for her. He was happy living in a box, or sleeping at Paint N Go. She needed more stability than he obviously did. She turned from the window and stalked back to her office. She was not jealous. She was not!

  Jennifer trailed her. “Come on, tiger, let’s go get dinner now. You seem hungry.”

  10

  As they walked home, Jennifer brought up the subject that occupied a lot of their down time. “Believing in God is OK, but didn’t God also say, ‘all things in moderation’?” Jennifer seemed intrigued by the idea of God, but had said didn’t want to commit her heart yet.

  “No, that was Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said, ‘All things in moderation, especially moderation.’”

  “Max has the same obsession with God that you have.”

  “It’s not an obsession.”

  “Let’s
see, an obsession is an unreasonable compulsion. I’d say he qualifies.”

  “That’s kind of what belief is: a surety or a feeling with no basis in fact.”

  “So you believe, even though there is no evidence whatsoever.” Jennifer looked puzzled.

  “Yep, and when the time comes, you’ll believe, too.”

  ”Ha. How do you know that?”

  “I just know.” Mandy hoped her grin wasn’t infuriating her friend. She was certain that God was working on Jennifer, because she could see the evidence. Jennifer wouldn’t be so curious if that door in her heart wasn’t opening up to let God in. Mandy just smiled at her friend and prayed for the blessing.

  Jennifer didn’t seem at all upset. She smiled too, seemingly content with Mandy’s answers.

  

  “Decision time, Mandy.” She pulled the paper out of her purse and smoothed out the wrinkles. The business plan was professionally done and printed on nice paper. Mandy applauded Sophie, whoever she was, even as she recognized some jealousy tinging in the depths of her soul.

  It was well thought out, but she saw where they could broaden the scope. When she read it through once and picked up her pen to make a few deft edits, she thought she could fully visualize what Max was attempting. It was brilliant. Excitement overtook her. God was coming through his work and her spirit soared with seeing of it. She smiled and checked over the few edits she’d made. She laid down and slept better than she had in weeks.

  The next morning, she looked over the document again and saw a phone number scribbled on the back side. “Call Sophie with edits.” Not a bad idea to call and help her fine tune the plan. Mandy’s fingers touched in the numbers.

  “Hello?” A throaty, deep voice answered.

  Mandy faltered for a moment. “Ah, is this Sophie?” Her own voice sounded squeaky and tentative to her ears.

  “Yes, this is Sophie. Is this Mandy?”

  “No. I mean, yes. Anyway, I had a few ideas about Max’s business plan, nothing major, it’s really almost perfect just as it is, but I have just a couple of changes we might make for tax advantages down the road.” Did she sound like a stiff, unfriendly accountant, or what?