by Ian Shimwell
Her mother suggested that they call the police but father countered that he should at least have a look first.
“I think we would be arrested for being silly if it was only a pile of rags,” her father said and then set about putting his coat and shoes on.
Tess knew though, staring into the dark shape. It had moved. It was something more, something remarkable.
Tess and her mother watched from the window. Mother had the telephone in her hand in case an urgent call to the authorities was necessary. And then they saw another dark shape, but it was only father moving through the driving snow. Finally, he did reach the huddled form. Tess could tell her father was apprehensive as he moved the dark mass by what she could only surmise was the shoulders. Father then stopped. Perhaps the figure was no more or it really was a pile of old clothes. But why would anyone dump old clothes on them on Christmas Eve of all times? It had never happened before on any day.
After what seemed longer than it probably was, the shape moved. Tess and her mother were stood there transfixed. The dark figure stood up and then seemed to be actually talking to father. Several minutes passed and father left the dark figure in the snow and returned to the house.
Of course, when he did come in, he faced a barrage of questions from mother: “Who is he? What’s he doing in our garden?” That sort of thing.
Tess looked at her father closely. He had a strange kind of glazed expression. Father was possibly in some form of shock.
“He wanted to know if he could stay the night.”
Mother was outraged. “On Christmas Eve? This is too bizarre for words. I hope you told him where to go. I mean, the Salvation Army have shelters or something, especially at this time of year, don’t they?”
Tess spoke quietly which effectively cut through babbling like a hot knife through butter: “What did you say, Daddy?”
Her father rubbed his forehead with what seemed like total disbelief. “I said that he could.”
Tammy
Tammy could not believe what her husband John had just said, but then relaxed slightly. “You are joking, right?”
It was then, the stranger from the garden followed John into the kitchen.
“You weren’t joking…”
The stranger whom sported a beard was in his mid-thirties, guessed Tammy. And he was decidedly strange. A black cloak stroke coat shrouded most of his head and body and he held himself, well differently. The man then discarded his cloak or coat. Tammy almost snatched it off him and hung it up in the lean-to outside. She also quickly washed her hands. The coat was that filthy, even Squeaker wouldn’t have gone near it – if she would have had the energy in the first place, Tammy mused.
When Tammy returned, the stranger spoke. “It is very kind of you three people to take pity on a poor wanderer and afford him shelter especially on this bleakest of Christmas Eves.”
Tammy was again struck by his ways. His voice resonated a kind of knowing kindness. His bright blue eyes seemed to pierce into one’s very being and his clothes consisted of what was little more than off-white and frankly dirty rags.
But it was Tessy who spoke next. “Why are you not wearing any shoes?”
Tammy looked. The stranger’s feet were filthy but he was indeed barefooted.
Again the stranger spoke with kindness. “That is a very good question..?”
“Tess,” said Tess.
“I walk through the light of life but also through the shadow of tortured souls. I have to feel the joys and pains at first hand – or should that be first foot.” Tess smiled involuntarily. “That is why I cannot wear protection upon me feet.”
“So you can feel more?”
The stranger confirmed that Tess understood perfectly. John then decided to usher the assemble into the living room, but Tammy held him back for a moment.
“Why have you brought this… probable nutcase into our home? He could be anyone.” Tammy still could not believe what was happening.
“Only probable?” Tammy looked at John with real fury so he continued but stammered slightly. He was clearly unsure of himself. “I… I don’t know. Of course my head told me to throw the beggar off our property, but his eyes… Tammy, there’s something different about his eyes… him.” Tammy hesitated in her response so John carried on: “You’ve felt it too, haven’t you?”
Now it was Tammy’s turn to be on the defensive. “I… admit he’s different. Oh, I must need my bumps feeling, but I suppose we could put him up for the night. He can stay with Squeaker in the cellar, but I insist the cellar door is locked as a precaution.”
“In case Squeaker attacks us during the night?” John asked as seriously as he could manage.
Tammy arched an eyebrow threateningly.
“Agreed,” said John quickly and they joined their visitor and daughter in the living room.
After they all had sat down, there was an awkward silence which Tammy decided to puncture. “Would you like some tea – there’s still some left in the pot.”
The stranger clasped his hands together. “A simple water will suffice, thank-you.”
John hastily offered to get the water and Tessy, possibly feeling uncomfortable, decided to join him. Which of course left Tammy and the man from the garden alone for several moments.
The stranger seemed to look into her with those bewildering blue eyes. “I was surprised you so readily allowed me into your home, Tammy.”
“I didn’t have much choice,” but then Tammy realised. “Hey, how do you know my name?”
His eyes seemed to probe even further into Tammy’s. “Perhaps I overheard your husband, John mention your name; perhaps I could have been following this family for a very long time for a hidden motive – or perhaps I already know more about you than you do yourself. Perhaps I could tell you the number of follicles or hairs you have upon your head.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“Tammy, may I ask you: Why have you started – now what is the current term? – yes, shoplifting? Do you believe it’s a victimless crime? And why, may I say, has your drinking increased? I have enjoyed wine myself once… but a bottle of red to yourself every night, before you start on the spirits. What is going on with you, my friend?
Tammy was now shaking. “I want you out of my home.”
The stranger came forward and sat next to Tammy. Without warning, he held her trembling hands.
“Who are you?” Tammy cried, lost in the moment.
“I am simply a man who has once walked in the wilderness. I am a teacher, a healer. I am…”
John and Tess entered the living room somehow holding the glass of water between them.
“My, my,” said Tammy quickly distancing herself from the stranger. “You took your time.”
“There’s a lot to making water, you know,” said John trying not to sound silly.
“It doesn’t just come from the tap,” said Tess smiling before handing it to their guest.
The stranger sipped at the water. “It seems an eternity since I tasted anything and this tastes… tasteless. Perhaps tomorrow though, things will seem different.”
“So, you’re staying with us on Christmas Day itself then?” asked Tammy with annoyed disbelief.
“A most kind-hearted invitation. One which I accept most graciously.”
Tammy could not believe what she was hearing.
“Is Dolly not joining us?” the stranger suddenly asked.
Tess’ expression darkened. Seemingly reluctantly, she went to the corner of the room and fetched Dolly. She almost threw it at the stranger. “Here, you have it.”
The visitor sat Dolly down next to him. “Can Dolly really complete your family of four?”
Tess stared at him angrily; John was taken aback and Tammy viewed him with suspicion.
“Of course Dolly can’t. She is just an old doll. She is not a lost soul – trust me, I know.” Smiling, he handed the doll back to Tess.
And then Tess did something she had not done for years
. She hugged her doll and Tammy saw tears of relief in her daughter’s eyes.
The stranger then asked Tess what particular present she hopes for, for Christmas who replied: “The world hospital play set.”
“A good choice. Hospitals should heal the sick – and I have a tendency towards healing.”
Bizarrely, John then suggested that they all play a game to while away the remainder of Christmas Eve.
“How about Happy Families?” asked Tess hopefully and without irony.
“A wonderful idea,” agreed the stranger who then took it upon himself to shuffle and deal the cards. “Although maybe you shouldn’t just play at it?”
So, in turn, each player enquired over a particular family member in order to collect the most complete families.
“Oh, I nearly forgot, we have one card missing from the Brown family actually,” Tess pointed out.
“Ah, I see,” responded the stranger. “Assuming no one minds, I’m improvising with the instruction card and pen.” He scribbled away furiously. “The Brown family,” he announced and placed all four cards on the table.
“But the missing member,” said Tammy questioningly. “You have drawn a silhouette of yourself.”
“I am – or should be a member of everyone’s family,” the visitor said mysteriously.
The game eventually finished with Tess happily winning. Everyone agreed to call it a night and, for some reason, it was Tammy who was left to ‘put the stranger to bed’.
Tammy led the stranger down the cellar steps and into the dusky atmosphere.
“The light’s not very good in here,” Tammy said apologetically, “and it’s a bit damp – but you have a camp bed and a dry sleeping bag.”
He stopped and turned round to look at Tammy. “Do not worry, I have managed with worse. Once, many years ago, I had to spend the night in a stable.”
They heard a slight rasping squeak. “Oh, that’s Squeaker.” Tammy pointed in the poor light at a dark unmoving cat, curled up in his basket. “Squeaker’s our family cat – he’s very old and doesn’t move a lot, but has virtually insisted on spending, what will probably be, his last days in the cellar.”
The stranger enquired why they hadn’t had their cat checked out at a vetinary practice.
“Because we are afraid he won’t come out again,” admitted Tammy.
“I see, but even so… if the poor creature is suffering…”
Tammy agreed that they will have Squeaker seen to as soon as possible. She looked at the stranger and then at his bed. “I’ll say goodnight then and see you on Christmas morning.” She started walking up the cold, stone steps but stopped and turned to look at their strange guest. “I hope you don’t mind, but I am going to have to lock the cellar door, just as a precaution you understand.”
“I understand,” smiled the stranger. “It is sadly a dangerous world you live in.”
Tammy hesitated further. “Oh, by the way, those things you mentioned earlier, though I have no idea as to how you know. The shoplifting and the drinking – you won’t mention any of that to John, will you?”
The stranger came into the light. “I only spoke of such things to hold a mirror to say, your soul. I know why those things started to happen. I know about your painful loss. I know that your relationship with John has started to fall apart.”
“You know… a lot. Can you help me?”
“I… can try,” he said uncertainly, “but unfortunately I am here for a far graver and greater reason.”
Tammy looked at the man with mounting curiosity. “I have my suspicions about you and they are too crazy to even think out aloud, let alone speak – but you speak of ‘a greater reason’. What is your real purpose for coming here?”
The visitor then shocked Tammy by breaking down in a flood of grief-filled tears. For a seemingly kind and assured man, he now looked painfully vulnerable.
The stranger wiped away his tears and spoke with a heart-felt and unimaginable sadness: “I bring the gift of Christmas to all humanity.”
John
John smiled as he walked downstairs. It was Christmas morning; the snow had settled, creating a smooth gleaming white blanket – it truly was a white Christmas. He knew Tessy would already be downstairs and have probably opened half her presents. He had clean forgot that there was someone else in the house. So when he opened the living room door, he had quite a shock.
The stranger was sat cross-legged, assembling one of Tessy’s toys with Tess herself sat close to him.
“What is going on?” John asked worriedly.
“We’re just trying to construct the operating wing of this world hospital – it might be easier to build a real one,” the stranger said jokingly.
“Tess, has he harmed you in any way?”
Tess answered her father with surprising force: “Of course not, Daddy. My friend is only helping me with the bits you normally find impossible.”
“Oh.” John was starting to have that sinking feeling.
The stranger clicked a piece firmly into place. “There – this hospital wing is now officially ready to receive patients.”
A clear thought edged John’s confusion to one side. “Hey, how did you get out of the cellar? Tammy was certain she locked it.”
“All doors are open to me, my friend.”
The stranger’s eyes settled into John’s. John sensed hidden depths in them of great magnitude.
Tammy then walked in and cheerfully wished everyone a happy Christmas.
“Oh,” said the stranger, suddenly rising to his feet. “I nearly forgot, in all the excitement of the world hospital, I have a Christmas gift for you all.”
John didn’t understand. “What kind of gift?”
“A feline one,” smiled the stranger.
A light brown cat sprang into the room, jumped into Tess’ arms and licked her face.
“Squeaker!” cried Tess with a wondrous joy. “You’re better –and back to your old cheeky self.”
“I don’t believe it – a Christmas miracle,” stated Tammy.
John looked at their Christmas guest evenly. “Are you somehow suggesting that you are responsible for our cat’s miraculous return to health?”
The stranger winked at Tess. “I know a dog – or a cat should be for life and not just for Christmas, but I couldn’t resist.” Tess laughed and he turned his attention to her father. “I will leave it up to you my friend, as to what you believe…”
John shook his head in bewilderment. He loved to see Squeaker playing and being, well Squeaker – but he didn’t know what to think.
Tammy decided it was time to start making breakfast and asked Tess if she would help her.
Tess was about to join her Mum, when the stranger touched her arm to stop her. He then seemed to change his mind and almost ushered her away.
John now had the uncomfortable feeling that the stranger wanted to talk to him alone. “So, what is it you want to chat about – how Christmas seems to get earlier every year?”
“If that’s what you really want to say in our all too brief time together. Please don’t tell your wife, but I am about to break her confidence.”
“All right,” said John thoughtfully, “you have my attention.”
“Did you realise that since… your shared tragedy, Tammy has begun to drink heavily?”
“I know she likes the odd glass of red wine… or two.”
“She also seeks some sort of escape by stealing from shops.”
John nodded. He had suspected, but had pushed it to the back of his mind.
“And what about you… John?”
The stranger’s eyes seemed distant and, for a moment, John felt he was travelling into them. “Predictably you are not always working late at the office…”
John saw himself with a work colleague, Fiona. He saw him… them at a bar. He closed his eyes. “I… I realise I have behaved badly, but Tammy has become so cold and distant.”
The stranger smiled and held his hands as if in p
rayer. “I know things have been difficult for you all as a family but seeking distractions will only drive you further apart.”
“I know,” conceded John, “but what can I do about it now?”
“Re-assess and re-affirm your foundations from which you can still build from. Sow your seeds in good soil to grow… and bear fruit – at home with your family.”
John breathed heavily. “Well, thanks for the advice, friend – I think I know what you mean.”
Tammy and Tess returned and all four of them had s simple breakfast in the dining area and Squeaker squeaked as, for the first time in a long time, he ravenously gobbled up his cat food.
After a while, Tammy enquired if their visitor would be having Christmas dinner with them.
“You asked so graciously, Tammy – and believe me, I would love to, more than you could imagine.”
“So, you’re leaving us then?” Tess now couldn’t contemplate life without their mysterious friend.
“I am afraid so, Tess. I have much… work to complete today. Yes, even on Christmas Day.” The stranger then produced a wooden artefact from behind him. “However, I will not leave before I give this to you, Tess – call it a bonus Christmas present, if you like.”
Tess studied the wooden creation in her hands and instantly marvelled at it. “It’s… it’s…”
“It is, quite remarkably, a specially and specifically made entrance and reception area for your world hospital,” completed John for his daughter.
Tammy stared at it in disbelief. “It’s the only main section that was missing from her hospital.”
“And it fits perfectly,” cried Tess excitedly as she slotted it into place with a satisfying click.
“But how could you possibly know?” asked John although he sensed he was afraid of the possible answer.
“Lucky guess?” suggested the stranger.
“And the craftsmanship and detail on the intrinsically carved wood – how did you make it?” wondered John out aloud.
“Apologies,” said the stranger, “I couldn’t sleep for a while so I went exploring in the cellar and I happened upon your toolbox, John. I took the liberty of using your fine tools on the various pieces of wood that had been left discarded downstairs. Perhaps some were destined for kindling… However, in the interests of modesty, I should admit I’m rather good with wood. I used to be a carpenter, long ago…”
