A Christmas Kind of Perfect

by Christine Schimpf

  Conrad returned the phone to the holder. “Don’t give her a hard time now, Uncle Elmer.”

  Uncle Elmer waved his hand in Lila and Conrad’s direction. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. You kids never want to talk about the tough stuff, do you?”

  He said it with a chuckle in his voice, but his words caused Lila to wonder if part of what he meant wasn’t true.

  Conrad turned to his uncle and thumbed toward the back of the room. “Listen, I’m going to shut things down back there. Thanks for coming down.”

  “You’re welcome,” Uncle Elmer said. “I’m proud of you, Conrad.” He gave Conrad a bear hug.

  Conrad returned the surprise affection with a couple of hefty pats on Uncle Elmer’s arms.

  Uncle Elmer turned to Lila. “Santa Claus will be here Saturday afternoon at one o’clock.”

  “Excellent. I can’t wait to transition into Christmas,” she said and walked him to the door.

  After Uncle Elmer left, she turned off the lights and locked the door. The front part of the store grew dark. The amber light cast from a Tiffany lamp on the checkout counter illuminated Conrad and created an unexpected intimacy between them.

  “I need to stir up a batch of scones for tomorrow. I’m trying to stay the course that Melanie put in place for me. We thought to switch it up a bit from cranberry to blueberry. There’s a new recipe waiting for me in the kitchen.” Was she rambling? A nervous tension stretched between them like a taut cable supporting two trees falling away from each other.

  Conrad smiled. “Don’t forget the cinnamon.”

  Lila frowned. “Cinnamon?” She was almost certain that wasn’t on the list of ingredients. “I don’t remember reading that in the recipe.”

  He cocked his head to the side and wore a mischievous grin. “It brings out the flavor of the blueberries.”

  “Are you serious?” Lila wasn’t certain if he was legitimately sharing a baker’s secret or playing with her the way he used to. Too many times in the past he’d gotten the best of her in a mistruth or real-life fable, only for the two of them to cut up laughing later.

  Conrad grinned and held his ground. “Well, don’t believe me, but they won’t be as good. I can vouch for that. I’m a scone expert.” He stood as if he taught a class on the subject.

  “Oh, Conrad, you of all people realize what a nervous cook I am in the kitchen. If it’s really important, tell me.”

  Conrad threw his head back in a boisterous laugh. “All right, I give up. I probably watched one of those famous chefs mention it on TV.”

  “OK, now you’re pulling my leg. Do you mean to say that you watch cooking shows?”

  He advanced toward her, placing his hands on the wall on each side of her and playfully smiling down at her as he used to years ago. “Only when I visit my mom, but I had you there for a minute, didn’t I? You actually believed I watched cooking shows.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past you. You probably do watch…”

  Her hands landed on that same place they used to on his chest. Lila’s eyes met his—the ones she’d fallen in love with so many years ago and again right now. She never thought it possible, but she found it again—loves. Their laughter faded. Their breath frantic and labored.

  His lips brushed hers, first one way, and the other, in their familiar way she remembered oh, so well. Her resolve weakened right along with her knees. With his kiss, every year they’d been apart melted away. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She wrapped her arms around him as he cupped her face and kissed her cheeks, the top of her nose, her mouth, over and over again.

  Restraint was gone. She could never be close enough to him. Conrad. Guided by her heart, she responded as she had so many years ago, with so much more meaning than with any other man. His touch awakened what she thought died so long ago.

  Then Conrad stepped back, lowering his hands and looking away from her.

  He didn’t need to say a thing. They’d stepped over a line that shouldn’t have been crossed.

  Before he could explain, Lila pressed a finger across his lips. She didn’t want his apology. Instead, she wanted him to tell her he was hers forever, but he couldn’t do that, not yet.

  Conrad lowered his head, his forehead resting against hers. “I need to get my life in order.”

  “Um-hmm,” she agreed, realizing what he needed to do. But the thought wasn’t given a chance to linger when his lips claimed hers all over again.

  20

  Lila was at the store, behind the counter checking out Mrs. McPherson, a loyal customer and a member of the Christmas choir when Elmer Hamilton, dressed as Santa, stepped in line as if he were the next customer.

  “May I gift wrap this for you?” Lila asked Mrs. McPherson.

  “Yes, please,” Mrs. McPherson folded her arms across her chest, and Lila sensed she wasn’t in the slightest hurry.

  Lila wrapped the gift and then twirled and twisted glittered satin, creating a bow, and secured it with heavy-duty tape to the top of the box.

  “Oh, how lovely. Thank you, dear. Are you staying here in Sister Bay for good? I’m sure Melanie could use the help after the babies arrive.”

  Lila shook her head. “No, Melanie’s mother will be operating the store during her maternity leave, and I’ll need to return to New York.”

  Mrs. McPherson wore a frown. “Oh, that’s a disappointment.”

  The sting of letting one of Melanie’s customer’s down caught Lila’s attention. But what could she do? Her life was in New York.

  “There’s so much noise in New York. Are you sure you want to go back?” Mrs. McPherson added.

  Lila giggled at the woman’s description of New York. “Well, unfortunately, it’s where I live now.”

  “Too bad. You’re a nice addition to the store. I’m going to miss your smiling face and those blueberry scones. Whatever do you put in them that make them taste so good?”

  Lila smiled, recalling it wasn’t her secret, but Conrad’s. More importantly, she remembered his soft kisses that night and his promise to straighten out his life. She was counting on the promise more than he realized. “Cinnamon,” she said, bringing herself back to the moment. “It brings out the flavor of the blueberries.”

  The woman gasped. “No kidding. I can’t say I’ve ever tried that. Thank you for sharing.”

  “Well, someone very dear to me told me about it, so the least I can do is pass it on.” Lila placed the wrapped gift into one of the striped bags and handed it to the older woman, but not before dropping in the flyer for the Ski Hill grand opening ceremony.

  “We hope you can make it to the grand opening ceremony for the Ski Hill. I placed a brochure in your bag to help remind you. Merry Christmas, Mrs. McPherson.”

  Mrs. McPherson accepted the bag and turned to leave. “I’ll do my best. It seems to be the event of the season. Merry Christmas, Lila.”

  “I’d be willing to bet it’s not the first time you’ve been asked that question.” Uncle Elmer rounded the counter for a hug before Lila could give him a proper hello.

  Lila snuggled into the velvety fabric of his embrace. “Actually, I do get that question from time to time.”

  Uncle Elmer shook his head. “I’m not surprised. You’re one of those rare people in this world who possesses a special way with people, Lila. I saw it when you were dating Conrad all those years ago.”

  Lila smiled at his praise, uncertain if that was true. “Thank you for the kind words. I’m so glad you’re here today. We’ve actually been getting phone calls reserving spots for all the children who want a visit with Santa.”

  “Your decision to start Santa visits the first week in December was smart. I’ve learned you’ve made decisions on other good ideas for the store, as well.”

  Lila’s mouth fell open. “Really? From whom?”

  Uncle Elmer patted his pillow-stuffed body. “Santa has his little helpers who are always watching, remember?”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake. Of course. Well, whoever it is, I’m
grateful for the compliment. It’s important I do well for Melanie in her absence.”

  He placed a firm hand on her back and gave it a couple pats. “Lila, you don’t impress me as a young woman who does a bad job at anything.”

  Lila shrugged. “I’m sorry, I can’t agree with you there. I seem to manage to make a lot of bad decisions that end up hurting people.”

  “People? Or Conrad?”

  Lila stopped and turned to face him. “How did you guess?”

  Uncle Elmer chuckled. “Not by magic. Don’t forget. I spent a lot of time with you two, years ago. I may be old, but I can still recognize the spark in both yours and Conrad’s eyes.”

  “Well, he’s destined for a whole different life now, isn’t he?” Lila said rubbing a spot from the floor with her shoe.

  “You mean with Suzanne?”

  “Yes.” She hated to admit it, but it was the truth.

  Uncle Elmer laid a hand on Lila’s shoulder quieting her preoccupation with the floor. “Can I give you some advice or better yet, a gift from Santa?”

  Lila brought her hands to her chest, grateful for the shift to a lighter mood. “How could I refuse a present from Santa?”

  Uncle Elmer set his toy bag on the floor and began riffling through it. “Now, where is it?” he asked himself as if he was searching for a gift intended especially for her. He smiled when he retrieved a gold-wrapped gift from the bag and placed it into Lila’s open hands. “It’s our dreams in life that help us stay alive. Anyone can understand by looking at your success you’ve reached the big dreams, but don’t forget about the little ones. The very first dreams that were born with you. Oftentimes, they hold the most importance.” He placed the box in her hands.

  She could almost close her fingers around it. It was heavy but not so much so that she needed both hands to support it. Curiosity brewed, she couldn’t imagine the contents. It was delicate and held enough meaning for him to want to give it to her along with his advice. She brought it in close to her heart.

  “Thank you, Uncle Elmer. Whatever it is I’ll cherish it always because it’ll remind me of this special time in my life.”

  “You open it when the time is right, not necessarily on Christmas morning.”

  Lila turned her head slightly. “When is that?”

  He began to scan the store. “I’m quite certain when that times arrives, you’ll recognize it. Now where is Santa’s chair?”

  21

  The second week in December found Lila standing on the sidewalk in front of the display window. She was doing her best to ignore the freezing rain that pricked the back of her neck. She shivered and wished she’d grabbed her coat. Her reflection in the glass was one of sheer determination. For the third time, she repositioned the chalkboard easel that read “Santa’s Here Today” and of all things to happen next, the phone rang. Oh no!

  If Melanie were still running the store, the decision to place the announcement board outside wouldn’t be an issue because she’d have had it out there all morning. Unfortunately, Lila forgot all about it while she prepared for the upcoming Twelve Days of Christmas Sale. The idea to run a sale on each of the twelve days before Christmas came to her after enjoying the carol played on the radio. It wasn’t as if she’d needed more to do. The problem was figuring out how to turn off the ideas for the store.

  She was convinced the sale would pull customers into the store and double Christmas sales. Who doesn’t love a discount during the holidays? Now that Melanie received a good report from her accountant, Lila wanted to help make deep inroads into the black. The only problem was her return trip to New York. She wanted to postpone, not by much, a week or two. That way she’d have the opportunity to run the Christmas Blues Sale, an idea that she woke up with this morning. She never imagined running the store would give her so much satisfaction, but that’s exactly what had happened.

  Sprinting into the store, Lila tried to remember where she’d last placed the phone. It was now on the third ring. At least she thought of propping the door open with the umbrella stand, or the call may have switched over to voicemail. That was a big no-no in the small retail business.

  She slowed her pace when she’d passed Santa’s corner. This was Uncle Elmer’s second Saturday in the store playing Santa, and so far, it helped sales. The last thing Lila wanted to do was to appear frazzled in front of him, the photographer, the little boy sitting on his lap, and the parents who appeared to be enjoying the visit as much as their son.

  On the fourth ring, Lila reached the checkout counter. She brushed away the unused wrapping paper, scolding herself for not having a clean surface as Melanie preferred. If only she was more like Melanie, but the truth was she wasn’t—not in the store or in the kitchen. She breathed a sigh of relief. The phone sat next to the tape dispenser, as if it belonged like a shaker of salt next to the pepper on a kitchen table.

  Lifting the phone to her ear, she inhaled slowly and shifted her tone from panic to welcoming and answered the call. “Good morning, Window Shopping, this is Lila, how may I help?”

  “It took you long enough. Did you misplace the phone again?”

  Melanie caught her again! “Oh, Mel. I was working outside, and with my luck, the phone rings.”

  “Well, I’m awfully glad you answered it because…they’re here.” Melanie giggled on the other end.

  Lila paused. Did this mean what she thought it meant? “Oh, my goodness. The babies? When? How? Are you OK?”

  “Slow down, Lila. Yes, it happened last night. I hadn’t felt well all day. I wasn’t sure if it was my mother watching my every move or my husband asking if he could do anything for me. Bless their hearts.”

  Lila leaned against the counter, relief filling her. She placed a light hand over her rapidly beating heart. “Leave it up to you to find humor in labor.”

  “Maybe now but when the pains started coming in ten-minute increments, we headed right for the hospital. Four hours later, our boys came into the world.”

  Ooh, Lila couldn’t wait to hold Mel’s babies in her arms. “I’m so happy for you. Congratulations, Mel. I was so afraid I’d be back in New York before they were born. Who do they take after?”

  “Benjamin has my dark hair and skin tone, but Brian is fair like his daddy. They’re gorgeous, Lila, if I must say so myself.”

  Lila could sense the pride in her friend’s voice. Even she couldn’t believe the whole ordeal was over. “No doubt. And the labor, how did you manage?”

  “With lots of medication. Benjamin was our first. He was a tough little bugger, but Brian was a piece of cake. Of course, he was smaller. I can’t believe they’re here. I’m a mother, Lila, a mother. I’m so happy, so ecstatically happy.”

  Lila shook her head fighting back her own tears of absolute joy. “And Jack?”

  “He’s beside himself. He’s called everyone on his list. He’s telling perfect strangers now, like the janitor and visitors for other new moms up here. It’s getting a little embarrassing.”

  Lila could picture the whole scene in her mind. She cried and laughed happy tears until they collected in the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away with her index finger. These are the blessing you receive when you follow God’s lead and make the right decisions. Life would never be as it was for Melanie again. She’d left the past behind and walked boldly into the next chapter. Lila battled the sting of regret and wondered if she, too, could ever be so blessed.

  “When can I visit?” Lila asked. She shoveled her dark thoughts to the side as if clearing away snow from the store’s front entrance.

  “Give me a couple of days. They told me once the meds wear off, I’ll be in for a whole lot of pain.”

  “That works for me too. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and Cathy and I go to church. On Monday, we start the Twelve Days of Christmas Sale, and Tuesday, well, you remember how maddening Tuesdays always are.”

  “You are a woman in charge, aren’t you? Seriously, Lila, I’m glad you came back to the church. You’re findin
g your center in life again, aren’t you?”

  “I am. Listen to this, Mr. Abbott gives me the nod if he needs me in the choir. I sing almost every week.”

  Melanie giggled. “Oh, I remember the official nod that tells you, ‘Now you may join the choir,’” Melanie said in a vibrato effect.

  “That’s the cue all right,” Lila couldn’t control her giggles. She’d lost count of how often Melanie caused her to double over in laughter since coming home. Her happiness quotient was sky high. It was so good to be home again for so many reasons. Melanie and Conrad were at the top of that list.

  The beep-beep-beep signaled an incoming call and interrupted them.

  “Oh, oh, is that duty calling?” Melanie asked.

  “Right. How’s next Wednesday for a visit?”

  “Perfect, I’ll be home. I can’t wait for you to come over.”

  “Give those babies a big kiss from Auntie Lila for me.”

  “With pleasure.”

  Lila said a quick good-bye and switched over to take the call. This time there was no need to feign a welcoming tone.

  22

  The days leading up to Lila’s visit with Melanie gave Lila a chance to daydream what it must be like to bring a new life into the world. After leaving Sister Bay, she didn’t give that idea much consideration. Now that she was near Conrad again, the thought entered her mind more often. In fact, Lila lost count of how many times she dreamed of becoming a wife and a mother. What power did Conrad have over her to cause these wanderings in her mind? Of course, Lila believed that nothing held as much meaning in life. A child produced from the love between a man and a woman was the ultimate gift a couple could give to one another.

  A rare lull in the store gave Lila the opportunity to gaze out the display window for the one hundredth time. A fresh snow was falling which appeared like confetti on a birthday cake. Why did her moods shift from excitement for Melanie to melancholy for herself these last couple of days? It didn’t take her long to figure that out—because she wanted a husband, a baby, and a family all her own as much as she desired her first bestseller.