The Gift

The old woman sat in her rocker in front of the fireplace watching the yellow and blue flames dance, and hearing the crackle of burning dry oak wood spitting red glowing embers up the chimney. The house lights were off; the only illumination coming from the fire. The flames made shadows jump like phantoms on the walls, and played tag on the old ladies wrinkled face. An old tom, tortoise shell, cat sauntered across the room, jumped onto her lap, kneading the red wool blanket across her legs, and rolled into a furry ball. She played with a rustic gold chain around her neck , and placed her other shaky, arthritic hand on his head, gently patting it. “Well, Markus, it’s just you an’ me tonight,” she said, sadly stared at the fire. It was Christmas Eve.

She thought of her two sons and daughter, in their fifties, married, with grown children, married or in collage. All had decided to travel to Utah this year and celebrate Christmas, and the New Year skiing. They insisted she go with them, but she explained she would not be able to take the cold weather. Go, have a good time, and please, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. But it won’t be a real Christmas without you, they said. I’LL stay in California where it’s warm, thank you.

The family had been gone four days, and she missed them. Oh, how nice it would be , she thought, to have them here this Christmas Eve with their smiling faces. They would be standing around this fire, drinking eggnog, laughing; grandchildren running to and fro, excited, anticipating tomorrow mornings opening of presents. Well, they weren’t there, and she would just have to make the best of it. She hoped they would stay safe. I expect they know how much I love them, she thought, sometimes you forget to say how you fee, and then they are gone.

She rocked back and forth in her rocker. A chill rushed through her body; her trembling hands brought her shawl up over her shoulders. The warmth of the fire made her eyelids heavy, and she nodded off. She did not know how long she had slept. She had no dream, and awoke hearing her as the grandfather clock stroke twelve. Half awake and groggy she saw the fire was almost out It seemed a mist had settled in the room. She felt weighted down when she attempted to stand. Through the grey mist she could make just see figure sitting cross legged on the carpet, next to the fireplace. She felt strange, but not afraid. The haze covered the persons face and with a shaky voice asked, “Who… who are you?“

“Don’t you know me, Lucy?” a man asked leaning towards her.

A sudden shock rushed through her body as she recognized her long dead husband’s dark, handsome features. He raised his hand brushing his sandy brown hair away from his forehead, as he had the habit of doing. To her amazement and confusion, In front of her sat the crooked, slender nose, and large brown eyes that she had loved so dearly. His smile the same sweet one she remembered, and dreamed about, for so long.

“I’m imagining this,” she said placing her hand over her mouth with astonishment. “Is it really you Mark? Oh, I wish I weren’t dreaming.”

“What is a dream, but a part of reality, ‘ Is all we see or seem, but a dream within a dream.’ Lucy, to you I’m real…touch me.” Mark said holding his arm out. She stretched out her arm and her fingers touched his hand.

“Mark, it’s been thirty-two years this Christmas, since you left us. I’ve missed your touch all of these years. Oh how I’ve longed to see you and feel you once more, and here you are. I‘ve prayed I could have just one more day with you to be able to say all the things I should have said.”

“I’ve come with your gift, Lucy.”

“Gift?…”

“Yes.… Do you remember when we were young. You were so beautiful…”

“And you so handsome,” Lucy interrupted. “Remember the first time we met. You and your friends were skinny dipping in the river, and my friend Irene and I stole you boy’s clothes, an’ spread ’em all over the country side.” Lucy giggled thinking how mad the boys got and had threatened revenge. “You figgered out who did it and came looking for me an’…”

“Yeah, but when I saw how pretty you were I forgot all you’d done, an’ asked you out.”

Lucy closed her eyes for a moment thinking and said, “ On our wedding day you were nervous. I didn’t think you was going through with it. But you did. You made me so happy. We had many good times, didn’t we. Then along came our life’s joy, our children. June first, then Roy and Jimmy. They just made things better than ever. I wish you hadn’t had to work so hard to feed an’ take care of us, but you always said you were the luckiest guy in the world.”

“Yeah, we had a great life together…I only wish…”

“Oh, Mark, why did you have to leave us so soon…so suddenly,” Lucy paused and reached for a hanky on a table next to her. “ I’ve missed you so.”

“I‘ve missed you too, Lucy. But, I have always been constantly in your heart; in your mind; in your dreams.”

“Yes!”

“We were one in life, and we will be one again…”

Lucy closed her eyes for only a second, and Mark was gone! The mist had disappeared, and morning light filtered in through the window. A tear came to her eyes as she thought, it was only a dream, so real, so warm, so nice to feel his nearness. She took off her glasses, rubbed her eyes, and threw off her red blanket. Standing up she went into the kitchen, made a pot of coffee Lucy sat at the kitchen table looking out the window. It was a beautiful California morning, the sun shining and a few white clouds doting the sky. She watched the neighbors black cat sneak on his belly towards a blue jay. Lucy went into the bathroom. Removing her glasses, she filled the sink with hot, steamy water, splashed it onto her face, and scrubbed. Eyes still closed she grabbed a towel off the bar to dry. Through drying she wiped off the steamed mirror. When the glass cleared there was a strange women looking back at her. Young, no gray hair; no wrinkles. She thought, I must be seeing things!, my eyes must be playing tricks, and rubbed vigorously on the glass mirror. She stepped back, hand to her mouth in astonishment.

“My God, it’s me!,” Lucy exclaimed.

Her hands, and arms looked young and fresh. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She felt dizzy and sat on the edge of the bathtub. She thought, I must be dreaming again. She Stood up looking at the person in the mirror. It’s was her as she looked thirty-two years ago. There came a tap, tap, tap on the door. “Mom, common, hurry,” a voice said, “We‘re all waiting. Hurry!”

“Hold your pants on. I’m coming!” Lucy said opening the door she walked into the living room. A Christmas tree sat in the far corner of the room, lights blinking, it’s tinsel carefully hung from its boughs, and sitting on top a beautiful white and gold angel. Stacked under the tree were colorfully wrapped presents . June, 22, was still in her robe, sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her. Roy and Jimmy lay spread out on the carpet in front of the tree. June was attending collage, Roy had enlisted in the Army, and would be leaving for boot camp, and Jimmy still had high school to finish .

Mark, already dressed sat in his easy chair. “’Bout time honey, these kids are eager to tear into these presents,” he said with a smile. “Come, sit with me.”

Lucy sat on his lap, placed both arms around his neck. “I love you, sweetheart. Merry Christmas,” she said and kissed him.

Presents were opened. A sweater for Jean, a watch for Roy, and a knife for Jimmy. The Children opened all their presents, and handing mom and dad theirs. Two were saved for last. Mark smiled as Lucy slowly opened hers. “Oh, how beautiful, a gold chained heart. And it says, I love you. How beautiful, thank you darling. I love you so much. I hope you know how much?” She felt a tear, bit her lip, and kissed him.

“Gee, precious, I’m glad you liked it. I love you. Now I’ll open mine.” He said. He fumbled with the wrappings, and brushed his hair back off his forehead. A fancy pen set with his name inscribed on the barrel. His eyes sparkled. He smiled and said, “Thank you honey. Just what I asked for and need.”

“Well, I wanted to buy you that new Corvette, but it’ll just have to wait for next year.” she laughed as she clasped the shiny new chain and heart around her neck.

“That’s alright, I’d rather have the pen set. I just wish I didn’t have to work this afternoon.”

“Stay home, dear, please. You shouldn’t have to work on Christmas.”

“Yeah, well maybe next year. “

“Please, please stay home. I love you.”

“Boy, you haven’t givin me this many ‘I love you’ since we were first married. I thought you were just putting up with me. I love you too, honey. Merry Christmas,” his arms around her waist, he kissed her neck.

At one o’clock Christmas dinner was served, and they sat down to glazed ham, sweet potatoes with marshmellows, potatoes, and corn. Through dinner Lucy would look at Mark, a faraway look in her eyes.

“What you thinking, Hon?,” Mark asked.

“How much you mean to me. You are a wonderful husband.” She said, her eyes misting up.

“Your awful emotional today. I know it’s Christmas an all, but I haven’t seen you this soulful since you ran over the neighbors cat.” He said and laughed.

“I don’t know,… I just wanted you to realize it,” Lucy said pushing away from the table. She started picking up dishes. “ June, give me a hand with these, and you guys go and take it easy and stay out of our way.”

Mark dressed for work came out of the bedroom. Lucy had packed his lunch with leftovers from dinner. It was three-thirty and he had to be at work at four. Mark grabbed his lunch pail, gave her a kiss on the cheek, waved goodby to the kids, and walked out the door. Lucy stood there a second after the door closed, then ran out after him. He was opening the car door ready to climb in when she reached him. “Don’t go Mark. Stay home.”

“You know I can’t. Someone else would have to leave their family to cover behind me.”

She rushed into his arms, “Hold me, Mark.”

“What’s this all about? I’ll be home before you know it.”

“I just…I just want you to know how much I care for you an’ apreciate you. I love you so much.”

“I know you do honey. And I love you, but I have to go.” Mark got in and started the car. He rolled down the window. “Come here.” She bent down to the window and Mark gave her a long kiss. “You are the greatest wife, most wonderful mother, and I don’t know what I would do without you.” He shifted into reverse and backed out of the driveway.

As he drove away Lucy waived good-by and yelled after him, “I love you!”
Mark’s arm came out the window and waved as he drove up the street. Lucy walked back into the house. The children were gone their separate ways. She had a screeming headache and went into the bedroom and layed down. Through the throbbing of her head her mind’s eye saw the drunk speeding down the street and running the red light. She didn’t think she she could take the notifying phone call. Lucy closed her eyes and drifted off…

The old women opened her eyes. The early, morning sun was shining through the window. Markus still lay on the red blanket. Her glasses had fallen off her nose, and lay next to the cat. She picked them up and put them on. Lucy pushed Markus off and stood up, grimacing, as her legs ached, from sitting so long. The fire had gone out and it was chilly. She shuffled into the kitchen and took down the coffee. After it was brewed she sat down at the table and sipped from her cup. Looking out the kitchen window she saw the neighbors cat sneaking through her flower garden hoping to find a bird. The phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Hello mom, it’s June. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, dear. Are you all having a good time?”

“Yes, we’re having a wonderful time. I hope everything is okay with you. We worry about you.”

“No need, I’m fine here. You all have a swell time. I had a dream last night. Your father gave me a gift.”

“A gift?…”

“A new day, a chance…”

June interrupted, “Mom, are you sure you’re alright?”

"Fine. I love you guys. Hear me? I love you all.”

“Yes, mother…We love you too. Well, we gotta’ get to the slopes. See you in a couple days.”

“Please drive careful…Love you. Bye.”

Lucy sat back down, took a sip of coffee, played with the golden chain around her neck, and thought of the Christmas so many years ago. “Thank you Mark for the wonderful gift. On that fateful day I hadn't said,... I loved you.”