A Christmas Story... The Miracle of Love

On Christmas Eve at 3pm every employee at Bentley and Associates was either headed out the door for home, or standing around in the kitchenette sneaking a shot of Christmas cheer into their coffee and chatting with the other employees. That is except one department. Hildy Johnston was keeping her staff until five o’clock, if not longer, to finish a sales report that was due the following week. Something in the figures didn’t balance and Hildy refused to let anyone leave until the discrepancy was found. She didn’t care that it was Christmas Eve. It didn’t matter that her employees had families to get home to or travel plans waiting for them. If they had to work all night, she didn’t care.

The books would balance tonight or heads would roll. It was at the department manager’s discretion as to what time they would finish up. Three o’clock was usually the latest and only because the printing department had to work until then. But year after year Hildy had refused to let the staff leave early. As everyone else left the building, they said “Merry Christmas” to the Sales Accounting department, shaking their heads once again at Hildy’s mean streak.

Finally, at eight pm, one of the junior accountants found the error. It had been inputting errors from an original invoice into the data banks so the company was not short the thousands of dollars Hildy thought they were. With the books balanced, the staff made a mad dash out of the building, not one person saying good night nor Merry Christmas to Hildy. Slowly Hildy cleaned off her own desk, shut down her computer, and headed out into the night. She wasn’t in a hurry to go home. What for? She thought.

Her family had disowned her when she was very young because of her lesbian lifestyle. Her girlfriend had left her years ago, taking all of their possessions with her including the cat. Hildy had come home late one Christmas Eve to an empty apartment and a goodbye note. Since then, Christmas meant nothing to her, just a couple of day’s loss in work that would have to be made up later on. As she walked down the quiet street to a nearby pub, a happy drunk dressed as Santa stumbled into her. As he went to hug her and wish her a Merry Christmas, she pushed him off to the side and cursed him.

“Asshole! Watch where you’re going.” She yelled at him, and then entered the pub. As the hostess greeted her with a smile and wished her a Merry Christmas, Hildy flashed her a scowl.

Taken back, the hostess led the sharp-tongued woman to a small table in the back of the dining room. She handed her a menu and left. The waitress serving Hildy had been on the receiving end of Hildy’s cold remarks before and knew better then to try and make pleasant conversation with her. She simply approached the table, took her drink and dinner order and left. As Hildy sat and ate her dinner, she was only interested in writing in her organizer for next week. The two days off for Christmas would have to be made up for somehow. She couldn’t allow her time management figures to shift. It didn’t matter that other department managers “wrote off” Christmas and Boxing Day, she would ensure her employees made up the time.

With her dinner finished and bill paid, Hildy left the pub. She didn’t even leave the waitress a tip; the bill was paid in exact change. Walking back around the corner to the company’s parking lot Hildy saw a woman standing on the corner playing her guitar and singing Christmas carols. Her opened guitar case contained some coins and bills from passers by. The woman’s clothes were old and a bit shabby but her face had a kind and happy expression on it. She smiled when Hildy looked at her, but the cold-hearted woman just ignored her and walked past her.

“Merry Christmas Hildy!” A voice rang out as she approached the parking lot.

Hildy quickly turned only to see no one there. The guitar-playing woman was gone, only the wind could be heard in the night. Hildy shook her head in disbelief. Where had the woman gone? She had been right there seconds ago. Hildy looked around the empty streets. They were quiet as people were at home with their loved ones. She listened for the sounds of anyone, but nothing could be heard.

“Maybe it was the food.” Hildy said into the wind as she hurried over to her car.

The engine roared to life and Hildy headed home to her apartment. Ignoring the greeting from the security guard, she headed into the elevator and arrived at her floor. Taking her key and entering her apartment, she was greeted by the sounds of emptiness. Flipping on the hall light, she hung up her jacket and set her purse and laptop down on a small table. She walked down the hall into her bedroom.

Again, when she turned the light on, she was greeted by the stark solitude of the sparsely filled room, which contained only a double bed, a dresser and a night table on either side of the bed. In silence she changed into her pyjamas, bathrobe and slippers, then headed back into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. With the cup in hand, she went into the living room and flipped on the television. Even this room was lacking in furniture with only one couch, a chair, a coffee table, two end tables and an area rug.

The news for the evening was the whereabouts of Santa Claus and Hildy quickly flipped the channel. Every station was showing Christmas shows and she finally turned off the TV in frustration. Turning on the stereo, again she found nothing but Christmas carols. Hildy got up and shoved in a CD. At least it was something to listen to that didn’t involve “good will towards mankind.”

She had finished her tea and was drifting off to sleep, when a knock came at her door. Well shit, who could that be? She thought and got up to look out the peephole. It was her neighbour from the apartment next door. Hildy opened the door to the man. “What?!”

“Well, Merry Christmas to you too Scrooge.” Andrew bounced into Hildy’s apartment uninvited with a bottle of wine in one hand and a quart of eggnog in the other. “Have a Christmas drink with me, and don’t be so miserable.”

“You fuckhead. How many times have I told you it is NOT all right to drop in unexpectedly and especially at night.” Hildy fumed as Andrew pushed past her and headed toward the kitchen.

“Oh…my…god! Woman, it’s only ten pm and most ‘normal’ people are not in bed. Are the glasses in the same place? Well hell, you don’t have any wine glasses. How about cocktail glasses?” Andrew kept up a running monologue not allowing Hildy to get a word in edgewise. “Doesn’t matter, these juice glasses will work just as well. Got any snacks? What have we got here, peanuts. Boring, but they’ll do.”

Andrew turned toward the breakfast bar as he sat his confiscated items beside the bottle of wine he brought with him. As he worked to open the bottle Hildy stomped closer wrapping the belt on her robe tightly around her narrow waist.

“What the hell are you doing over here at this time of night anyway? Why aren’t you home with your sister?” She pulled out a stool and sat down, propping her chin in her hand as she waited for Andrew to answer. She knew nothing come hell or high water would get Andrew out of her apartment until he was ready to leave.

“No, I don’t know her, Andrew. Remember she’s never around when we’ve managed to get together for those ridiculous socials you insist on making me attend.”

“You can’t live your life as a hermitess. Ummm, wonder if that’s a word,” he mused aloud as he finally managed to partly fill two glasses with wine. His aim was off as he was fairly well intoxicated already due to some earlier celebration he must have been having.

“Come on brat. Let’s watch “It’s A Wonderful Life”.” He said as he stumbled back toward the living room and the couch. He picked up the TV controller and began flipping channels until he located the movie he wanted to see.

Hildy rose and followed him, carrying her glass carefully. She didn’t like wine but was too much of a lady to hurt Andrew’s feelings by leaving it on the bar. She moved toward her chair and sat down. She glanced at the TV and noted Jimmy Stewart standing at the water’s edge, getting ready to end his life. She shook her head with the witlessness of repeating the same black and white movie every year and wondered why it was forced down people’s throats as often as it was.

Without looking her way, Andrew stated, “Where she usually is, out on the streets raising money for one of her charities. It’s been worse this year, as most people haven’t had any extra money to chip in to cover Christmas at the Battered Women’s Center. Stevie thought maybe with last minute shoppers, she just might get enough money to pay for a large lunch for them on Christmas Day. If she can’t get the money, the center isn’t going to have any kind of a dinner. They’ll all have to go to the soup line at the church down the street if they want to eat. She’s gonna call later and let me know where to pick her up.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and laid it on the coffee table.

“I’ll never understand why the hell she gets so embroiled in this holiday shit.” Hildy grumbled as she leaned her head back on the chair. She lifted her head when she heard soft snoring from Andrew. Looking over she noted that in his semi drunken state he had turned around and was stretched out on the couch, sleeping. Rather than trying to wake him, she once more tilted her head back with her eyes closed as she listened to the sad tale on TV. It wasn’t long before she too fell into a light sleep.

The startling sound of a phone ringing pulled Hildy from her sleep. She lifted her head and grabbed the back of her neck as pain from napping with her head straight back hit her body. She staggered to her feet while reaching for the cell phone that continued to ring. Andrew never moved as his snoring chimed in with the shrill sounds of the phone.

“Hi. Who’s this?” a bright bouncy voice asked from the other end of the line.

“Hildy. Who’s calling?” She managed to say as she perked up from the sound of the voice on the phone.

“It’s Stevie. Do you mind if I ask how you got Andrew’s phone and why you’re answering it and not Andrew?” The voice asked.

“He’s here in my apartment. Seems his early Christmas cheer may have caused him to become indisposed.”

The laughing voice replied, “You mean he’s drunk on his ass and more than likely passed out.”

“You could say that. Would you like for me to try to wake him up?” Hildy asked wanting to finish the call.

“Oh no. I’ll try to figure out some other way to get home. I wonder if the taxis are still running.” Stevie mumbled into the phone.

“I don’t think so. It’s Christmas Eve and, like every other fool in the city, they closed down around nine pm.” Sighing deeply and already regretting her next words, Hildy continued. “Tell me where you are and I’ll come and get you.”

“Well, I’m not quite ready to leave but I could use your help. Andrew was going to help me out this evening but it sounds like I can’t count on him after all.”

“What do you need for me to do?” Hildy asked tentatively, wondering what she had gotten herself into.

Laughing Stevie replied. “Why don’t you come on down here and I’ll explain it to you after you get here.”

Stevie knew about Hildy and her aversion to crowds and holidays. Andrew had been trying to link them up for months and Stevie conveniently avoided being around each time Andrew suggested a date. She had no desire to date anyone that was as antisocial as Hildy. However, she had seen Hildy on several occasions and had to admit she was one damn hot looking woman. Knowing what she needed Andrew to do for the children at the home only added to the pleasure she felt at being able to trick Hildy into becoming involved. She knew the Santa Claus suit she had picked up for Andrew would easily fit Hildy’s tall, lanky build. With a little padding Hildy would make a great Santa.

Stevie gave Hildy the address then hung up the phone. Hildy laid the phone back on the table before rising to dress and go to pick Stevie up. She reached along the top of the couch, removed the throw and covered Andrew, leaving him to sleep off his drunken stupor. Quickly she changed into some comfortable clothing and grabbed her jacket as she went out into the frosty night air. As she walked out of the door, Andrew rose up in his elbow and smiled, knowing that finally he was going to get Hildy and Stevie together. Once the door closed, he lay back on the couch and immediately fell back to sleep.

As she drove across town, the silence of Christmas Eve began to close in around Hildy. The bright lights shone over empty sidewalks as stores had finally closed and people had gone home to be with their families. The multicoloured lights flashed iridescently brightening the otherwise dull interior of her car as she passed the empty blocks. Even the beggars, like the beautiful woman playing the guitar, were no longer on the streets. It was as if she were the only person left alone and out on the town. She realized the emptiness of her life as she drove the few short miles to her destination. Flipping on the radio, the only sounds were Christmas songs as Hildy turned the volume low. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she realized how alone she was this day and all days. She wondered how she had lost her humanity and become the automated bitch that ruled her office with an iron hand. Looking at the now empty town, she realized everyone but she had some place to go.

Meanwhile, Stevie was gathering her little troops together as she once again told the Christmas story. They sat in wonderment as the room darkened and Christmas music played softly in the background. Stevie looked at the joy shining from their faces and thought again of the hardships that surrounded their young lives. As she recited the Christmas tale, her eyes circled the room, noting all the frightened women with bruises and marks from the domestic violence that heightened during the holiday seasons. Love can be so cruel she thought to herself as she nodded in recognition of several repeat women.

Stevie had left the Santa suit in the front of the room with one of the house parents so that they could catch Hildy as she came in. She only hoped Hildy would not openly refuse and disappoint the children that were awaiting the arrival of Santa. She had not been able to raise enough money for a grand dinner on Christmas day but had been able to buy a small gift for every patron currently in the building. For the millionth time, Stevie wished she had enough money that being charitable would not be such a burden on her. She gave what she could and, on this occasion, all she had to give was herself.

Hildy parked the car in the nearly empty lot, wondering if she had come to the right building. She wished she had kept the phone instead of leaving it behind with Andrew. She could see lights on inside the building and hearing the soft strum of a guitar guessed this must be the right place. As she walked toward the door a velvety voice began to sing Christmas carols. The sound of the voice swirled around her, entrancing her with its deep melodious tones. She could barely wait to see to whom the voice belonged. As she opened the door the warm and spicy odours swirled around her body, drawing her deeper into the merry building. To her right she could see a blanket of children sitting quietly on the floor, each face shone with a sense of awe as they listened to the words the woman was singing.

Hildy’s eyes, drawn finally to the singer, opened wide with amazement as she saw the beggar woman that had been standing on the corner playing her guitar hours earlier in the evening. Again Hildy saw the kind and radiant expression on her face as she sang for the children. Her lips were smiling softly even while the words flowed from them. Her eyes held love for the children gathered at her feet. Hildy noted that the ragged coat had been removed and the woman was wearing a deep ruby red sweater that heightened her blonde coloring. Her hair flowed softly around her head like a golden halo as she raised her face upward on a string of high notes. Hildy watched her long slender fingers strumming the strings as the music accompanied her singing.

Finally an older woman walked up to Hildy and broke her enchanted gaze on the beautiful woman before her.

“Are you Hildy?” the woman asked as she took her by the arm and drew her further down the hall.

“Stevie asked that I meet you at the door. Come, we don’t have much time.” The woman stated as she led Hildy into an empty office. “Here put this on. The children will soon grow impatient and I don’t know how much longer Stevie can hold them enthralled.”

“Yes, she gave me the outfit and asked if I would see that you put it on. The gifts are already in the bag and just waiting for you to deliver them.”

“ME! What do you mean, outfit and deliver them?” Hildy stated as the red velvet suit was pushed into her hands.

“Well, Santa can’t come to visit without looking like Santa. Hurry and dress. I’ll be right outside.” The woman stated then she turned and walked back out of the office leaving Hildy standing in the middle of the room with a Santa outfit draped across her arm.

Hildy blinked and then blinked again. What had she gotten herself into? Her? Santa Claus? These kids needed some one who was happy and kind. Not someone like her who hated the world including herself. Her brain was screaming NO, at the same time her hands were moving and within minutes she stood before the mirror dressed as Santa Claus. I can’t do this, she thought. I can’t go out there and pretend I’m something I’m not. But at that moment the woman re-entered the room. “Oh good, you’re ready. Here’s the bag with the toys. Each toy is labelled boy or girl; you just have to pass them out. Come on Santa, let’s ho, ho, ho.”

Hildy followed the woman out as Stevie finished up her last song. The children squealed in delight as Santa headed for an old office chair that had been decorated in red ribbons. Hildy sat down and started to hand out the gifts to each child. As they approached her, she noticed how all of them wore shabby clothing and some even had the odd facial bruise. What had these poor kids done to be treated this way? Hildy thought and wondered what she could do to try and help. Try and help? Where did that thought come from she wondered?

Finally there was only one child left to get a present. She was very tiny for her age and was too frightened to approach Santa. She clung to her mother for dear life and finally Stevie came up to her and talked softly with her. She took Hildy’s hand and held it out for the little girl to touch. “It’s ok honey, Santa won’t hurt you.”

Finally the little girl took Santa’s hand as she was handed her present. The child looked at her mother and for the first time that evening she smiled. She also did something she hadn’t done in a long time. She talked. The little girl had a stuttering problem and had been the victim of many a backhand from her father. She had given up trying to talk deciding it was safer to just say nothing. But at this moment she looked into Hildy’s eyes and tried her best. “Thhankk you Sssannta.”

The tears ran down Hildy’s face, she couldn’t help it. The gift that this child had given her, in fact all of these children had given, was one of trust and hope that there would be a future for them in this world. Hildy looked over to see Stevie smiling at her. There were so many words Hildy wanted to say to this woman, but the right ones couldn’t be found. She just simply smiled back at the warm eyes that had found hers.

“Would you like something to eat and a coffee Santa?” Stevie took Hildy’s hand and led her over to the table. Hildy just took a coffee and left the food for the mothers and their small children. They obviously needed the food more then she did. The two women chatted for a while until it was time for the shelter to close its doors and get everyone to bed. There was food to be cooked in the morning and more hungry mouths to feed.

Hildy went back into the other room and took off her Santa suit. Again she looked into the mirror and wondered whom this woman was that stood before her. She was not the same person that had stood here before. There was a change in her; not physically perhaps but something was different. Maybe she would figure it out when she got home. Home! Dammit, Andrew was probably still passed out on her couch. She left the room and found Stevie waiting for her. “Um, Andrew is probably still asleep on my couch, would you like to come back with me and we’ll wake him up?”

“Sure, I need some sleep tonight; it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.” Stevie grabbed her coat and guitar and the two women left. Driving back to her apartment Hildy wondered what Stevie meant by a busy day tomorrow.

“Yes, we’re making Christmas dinner for all of the women and children in the shelter. In fact I’m afraid this year with the city cut backs, we’ll have some homeless people needing a meal as well.” Stevie had tried very hard this year to raise more money for the Christmas food drive, due to her they wouldn’t have to go to the church, but there wasn’t a lot to go around. Even the donations from small businesses had been poor this year.

Hildy parked the car and the two women entered Hildy’s apartment to find Andrew still asleep and snoring. Hildy wanted to wake him but Stevie stopped her. “Let him sleep if you don’t mind. I need him tomorrow to help in the kitchen.”

Stevie patted her pockets “Damn I left my keys in the apartment earlier.” She checked Andrew’s pockets that were easily accessible but with no luck. “Looks like I’ll have to wake him after all” She said regretfully.

“Or you can stay here too, if you like. I’ve got a double bed, and I can find something for you to wear.” The words were out of Hildy’s mouth before she could censor them.

“Oh thanks Hildy, but I don’t want to put you to any trouble.” Stevie replied. Having made the offer, Hildy felt obliged to persist.

“No trouble.” She reached into the linen closet and pulled out a fresh towel and an extra toothbrush. “Here, all set. Go for it.”

A yawn came out of Stevie’s mouth so big her jaw cracked. “Oh my, I’m sorry.” Stevie blushed as she took the towel and tooth brush. “I guess I’d have to be stupid to pass up such a good offer.”

Hildy changed back into her pyjamas and glanced at the clock. It was now midnight and officially Christmas Day. She smiled at the thought of seeing the children again tomorrow as she climbed into bed. Stevie returned drying her hair with the towel. She climbed into bed beside Hildy and thanked her again for everything she had done tonight.

As seemed to happen too often around this woman, Hildy didn’t know where the words came from; they just simply appeared and couldn’t be taken back. “Do you need any help tomorrow?”

“Yes! Oh thank you Hildy. That would be great. But don’t you have plans for yourself for tomorrow?”

Hildy didn’t want to explain that her plans had been to work at her computer all day to catch up on office work. “No, no plans this year.”

“Great, thank you Hildy. Goodnight.” With that Stevie leaned over and kissed Hildy good night on the cheek before curling up in bed, under the covers.

Hildy snuggled down as well and turned off the small bedroom light. She stared at the blackness of the ceiling for a while until sleep claimed her. She didn’t know what she was in for tomorrow, and at this point she didn’t care.

The alarm went off and both women stirred under the warm covers. Neither one wanted to get up as Hildy smacked the button on her clock to shut it off. It was then that a sleepy looking, hung-over Andrew came wandering into the bedroom and saw his sister with Hildy. “Oh shit, I forgot to pick you up!”

“That’s ok Andrew. Hildy rescued me and played Santa for the kids. I couldn’t get back into the apartment since my keys must be inside of it and I couldn’t find your set.” Stevie got up out of bed to use the washroom.

“Hildy! Hildy played Santa!” Andrew shook his head and wished that he hadn’t. “Ouch! Teach me right to drink cheap wine.”

Hildy smacked her friend as she went out into the kitchen and made a big pot of coffee for them all. She took out some frozen bagels and popped them into the toaster oven to thaw. When Stevie came out from the washroom Hildy took her turn, then Andrew took his.

By the time the coffee was ready, and the bagels were toasted, everyone sat down to breakfast. “We should be down there by 11am.” Stevie commented. “I want to get the turkeys into the oven and have them cooked by 6pm. I just hope we have enough food this year to feed everyone.”

Hildy sat quietly and just nodded at her new friend’s comments. When they left to return to the shelter, Hildy dropped Stevie and Andrew off. “I have to do a couple of errands and then I’ll be back.”

Hildy drove over to a 24-hour mini mart and bought up every thing she could that was actually food and not chips or chocolate. She loaded up the car with boxes of frozen foods, canned food, bread, and several gallons of milk. She hoped her credit card was approved. She had never spent this much on it before. She even remembered cans of juice in case someone couldn’t drink milk. Hildy drove back to the shelter and pounded on the back door. Andrew answered it wearing a reindeer apron and a red Santa’s cap. When he saw what Hildy had done, he just looked at her. “Alright, what have you done with the Scrooge that I know?”

“She’s changed Andrew, and I’m not going back to who I was any more.” Hildy pushed past Andrew with a box full of food as Andrew went to get one of the other boxes. Setting the box down on the counter she looked up to see two green eyes smiling back at her. “Merry Christmas Hildy!”

It was the voice. The voice from last night that Hildy had heard as she left the pub. “It was you, wasn’t it?” Hildy asked.

Stevie walked up to Hildy, and put her arms around her. “I knew you’d find your heart again Hildy. Welcome back.”

Andrew came back in with his arms full of groceries. “Come on you two, there’s still more out there.”

Hildy looked around the make shift dinner tables to see everyone with their plates full of food. Even the homeless who had come to the shelter looking for a hand out were welcomed. No one went hungry this year. Hildy had made sure of that and knew in her heart she would continue to help out these women, find them jobs and places to live. Maybe even start up a day care in the office building.

Stevie got up to play some Christmas carols on her guitar and even Hildy sang along with them. It was indeed the best Christmas Hildy had ever had.

That night, after they had said their good byes to the guests of the shelter for the evening, Hildy drove Andrew and Stevie back home. Andrew was tired and went back to his own apartment, but Stevie followed Hildy into hers.

“I don’t know why you chose to help us out but I have never been more pleased than the way the day has turned out.”

Hildy blushed reaching out for Stevie’s hand and drawing her toward the couch. “Sit with me and I’ll try to explain.” After a moment’s though she started,

“It’s been many years since I’ve had a reason to celebrate with happiness and generosity. My heart nearly broke on Christmas Eve when my girlfriend decided I liked my job more than her. She never understood that the hours of work I was doing was to provide the means to pay for her lifestyle.”

“I’d worked late on Christmas Eve. After getting off work, I rushed to go by the jewellers on the way home. I was picking up a set of rings that I’d commissioned just for her. I was going to ask her to commit her life with mine. I was so excited that I could barely wait to get home.”

Stevie moved closer toward Hildy and wrapped her arms around Hildy’s waist as she leaned into her body, waiting for her to continue her story. She hoped that her physical presence would make it easier for Hildy to talk.

“I drove into the driveway and realized all the lights were off. I didn’t know what was going on. I knew she wouldn’t have gone to bed without waiting up for me; after all it was Christmas Eve. As I opened the door, I knew something was wrong. The house was dead silent. No decorations were lit to greet me. I walked from room to room and felt the eeriness of being all alone. My heart plummeted as I realized there was no one in the house but me.”

“I finally walked into our bedroom which looked like a tornado had swept through it. Clothes were tossed everywhere. Drawers were hanging open. The closet door was flung back against the wall and I could see all of her clothes were gone. In a daze, with her ring box still clutched in my hand, I sat down on the side of the bed. It was then that I saw the note lying on my pillow. To this day I still remember the words that burned into my soul.

‘Happy Holidays, my not so loving Darling.

I am tired of never having you here with me. I might as well be living alone, giving me the freedom to date and see people during the holidays. Your drive to succeed has been killing our love for a long time. This is it. I can’t stand anymore. By the time you have gotten this note, I am sure it will be Christmas Day. Merry Christmas, Hildy, if you can tear yourself away from work long enough to read this. I will not be coming back. I guess you can say this is my Dear Jane letter. Have a happy life.’

I sat void of all feeling throughout the night and finally curled into a tight ball and lay listlessly through Christmas Day. Towards evening, my hand began to burn and I realized the ring box was cutting into my palm. I slowly rose, walked into the bathroom and flushed her rings down the commode. I watched them disappear in much the same manner as my whole life was taking. Afterwards, I ripped down all the decorations and demolished all memories of the holiday. Until this very day, I couldn’t see anything to do with Christmas without feeling the pain of losing her. Finally, work did become my obsession and I no longer needed to celebrate any holidays. My mistake is that I had forgotten what the Season means to so many people.” They were both silent for a moment then Hildy went on,

“Stevie, last night you brought back the meaning of Christmas to me as I listened to you sing and watched the children’s faces, joyful despite being surrounded by tragedy in their lives. It was as though my frozen heart began to thaw and I understood she left me not because of the Season but because of me. After spending today with you and Andrew, I realized I am now in a position that I can make an impact on others’ lives. I want to see the hopelessness and sadness hidden for just a few hours if possible. I want to see love of the Season shining from a happy child’s face. Thank you for letting me be part of Christmas.”

“Oh Hildy, no. Thank you for letting the barrier drop from around your heart and for opening back up and letting us in. I knew the real you was still hidden inside just waiting to come out. I know who the anonymous donor is at the SPCA and the Children’s Club. I’m on those committees too you know, and I am the one that handles donations and collections. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

“I wanted the loving, caring woman I knew lay within you, not the cold professional that would walk right past me on the street corner without really seeing me. I knew she was inside somewhere just biding her time to come out.”

Stevie sat up beside Hildy and reached up turning Hildy’s face toward hers. She brushed her lips across Hildy’s cheek, catching the tears that were slowly sliding down her face. For long minutes she simply stared into Hildy’s wide open, glistening eyes before leaning forward and gently kissing her on the lips.

Hildy reached out and wrapped her arms around Stevie pulling her close into a tight hug as they settled down in the darkening room while around them Christmas music filled the night air. Two hearts beat as one as both realized a new season was beginning for them too. As they slowly drifted into an exhausted sleep, a voice on the radio called out: