THE PERFECT GIFT: A CHRISTMAS STORY

The air was cold and blustery. Thick, fluffy clouds resembling flocks of sheep hovered across the sky with the threat of yet another snow storm. Maryland residents were not particularly fond of driving in snow, although in the last few years they had their share of inclement weather.

There were several mountains of plowed snow near the already crowded parking lot as Christine parked her car in the back of the store for her second week at a new job. She was home for the holidays and wanted to earn some Christmas money to buy gifts for her family. Seeing a "help wanted" sign hanging on the inside display window of the large "Funtime Toy Factory," she decided to apply since she had some retail experience working at the bookstore on campus. The manager had hired her on the spot, and began her training the next day.

"Do you have anymore of these radio controlled sports cars?" a tall, slim middle-aged man inquired pointing to a customer in line who had grabbed the last "classic remote sportster."

"I'm sorry, we are waiting on another shipment," Christine said, stretching her neck above the tower of boxes placed on the counter by a woman with two anxious young children.

"When do you expect the order to arrive?" The man persisted inching his way toward the front of the line.

"Friday morning, after 10:00 AM," she said, momentarily glancing up to see the agitated lines of frustration on his face. The female customer cleared her throat in hopes to get the clerk's attention.

"Oh, will that be cash or credit?" She said blushing, looking at a line now at least ten deep.

"Cash!" the woman answered as she turned and sternly reprimanded her children for their impatience.

"I need assistance at aisle 5," Christine spoke into the intercom, hoping her sound of desperation wasn't noticeable. She saw the man turn abruptly and mumble something under his breath as he headed toward the exit.

Chapter 2

Ten long hours later, Christine pulled in front of a single family home where she lived with her aunt and her younger sister, Abigail. Walking inside, she plopped herself down on the couch.

"Christine! Come quick and look at the Christmas decorations!" her energetic, bright-eyed sister with shoulder length golden curls said as she bounced into the living room.

Even though exhausted, she smiled, "okay, let me get up."

The young girl watched with anticipation as her older sister pushed herself up, and followed her into the family room where a 6' artificial evergreen tree stood looking majestically over the room. Several cardboard boxes marked "Christmas" on the side, were piled on top of each other.

"Gracie says if it's OK with you, we can trim the tree after dinner," Abigail said, her shiny, emerald eyes danced in hopes of an affirmative reply.

"Sure." Christine sighed, thinking perhaps she would get some energy after having a bite to eat.

She watched as Abigail, Abbey for short, rushed into the kitchen where their Aunt Grace was ladling out a large pot of beef stew into several soup bowels. She remembered the day she and her younger sister moved in with her mother's sister permanently when their real mother, Lana died of alcohol poisoning several months after Abigail, who was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Effects, (FAE)1 was born. Although very similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, (FAS)2 children with FAE showed some of the characteristics of FAS, including mild to severe brain damage which can result from exposure of the fetus to alcohol at any time of the pregnancy. Their father had divorced his wife which was one reason she turned to alcohol in the first place.

Christine had roots of anger and bitterness in her heart. Why did her mother do something so stupid as drink during her pregnancy?

She searched for answers during the stressful time when Social Services were looking for a placement for the girls. Abbey was only two years old and Christine was sixteen when their Aunt Grace offered to take over as their legal guardian.

Both girls loved her. Grace had never married, lived alone and loved them as her own children. The arrangement was perfect for all of them. They loved each other, and they were happy, but Christine had some personal issues to deal with.

Chapter 3

"What month is this?" Abbey asked as she scooped up a piece of beef on her spoon and nibbled on it.

"This is December. We celebrate Christmas on the 25th of the month." Grace reminded her.

Christine glanced up, her eyes meeting her Aunt's. This was the second time in two days Abbey asked what month it was.

"Whose birthday is it?"

"We celebrate Jesus' birthday. Remember how He was born in Bethlehem?" Grace retold the wonderful story which always fascinated Abbey. "Mary and Joseph needed a room for the night, but because the inn was full, they stayed in the stables."

"With all the animals!"

"Yes, there were cows, sheep, and donkeys near baby Jesus," her aunt said, smiling.

"Abbey, your food is getting cold. Please eat," Christine urged, knowing with her disability, her sister needed the calories to prevent any seizures.

"I'm not hungry," the younger sibling pushed the bowl away and crossed her arms.

Christine felt another power struggle coming on. "Abbey, please eat, you know how sick you get when you don't."

"How about a peanut butter sandwich?" Grace suggested. Christine shot up from the table, hoping that would appease her sister's finicky lack of desire for food.

She made the sandwich, cut it in half and slid the small plate in front of Abbey who defiantly refused to eat. "I don't like that!"

"Just eat half then, okay?" Christine picked up a half of the whole wheat sandwich, and held it up to her sister's mouth to take a bite. Abbey turned her face away.

"Abbey!"

"I'm not hungry!"

"Fine then, but none of your favorite snacks either. Only liquids or healthy snacks after dinner." She pushed her chair away from the table and went to her room.

Abbey smiled. Taking her sister's departure as a good sign of triumph, she cast a look of innocence at her aunt.

"You may go," she whispered.

Christine felt overwhelmed with frustration. How could I see to it that she followed the doctor's orders if I can't even get her to eat?

Chapter 4

On Friday morning there was already a crowd waiting outside the store when the doors opened at 10:00 AM.

Christine held it opened as she watched the vast amount of people pouring into the store. She thought she saw the end of the crowd and was about to close the door when she felt resistance on the handle.

Turning around she came face to face with the customer from the other day. "Has the shipment of radio controlled sports cars arrived?"

She was slightly taken back, not even a 'hello' or a 'good morning.' She noticed his eyes were puffy and slightly red, looking as if he may have been crying or not sleeping in several days.

"Hmm, they usually deliver around 11:00 AM," she said, feeling his scrutinizing gaze upon her.

The man sighed. "I'm running late as it is. Would you be so kind as to hold one for me?" His hard, cold expression softened. His harsh, critical gaze now looked upon her with hopeful eyes.

"Well..." she hesitated, knowing they didn't usually hold items for customers.

"Please? I would deeply appreciated it," he whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Christine felt a surge of electricity in his touch. "Okay," she smiled. "What time can you come back for it?"

"Can you hold it until 4:30? I have a meeting this afternoon."

"Okay, I will put one aside for you," she said smiling.

His eyes actually twinkled as it caught the glimmer from the sunlight. "Thank you so much, Miss...?"

"Christine, my name is Christine."

"Thank you Christine, my name is Donald, Donald Barkley. I will see you at 4:30." He waved as he turned and made his way back to the parking lot.

Chapter 5

Christine glanced up at the clock. It was 20 minutes past 5 and she saw no signs of Donald Barkley nor received any phone calls from him. A single box containing one of the year's hottest toys on the market sat hidden on a shelf underneath her register. They had sold out again a couple of hours earlier. Whenever someone asked if she had any in the back, she told them no.

She could get written up over that, even possibly fired. Still something told her to hold on to the precious gift. I wonder if it is for his son or daughter. Is he even married?
She hoped not. For in that single touch, her whole body became a flame.

"Well, see you tomorrow Christine," a female co-worker waved as she was about to walk out the door.

"Donna, wait." Christine called after her, catching her at the front entrance.

"Can you ring this up for me?"

Donna looked over the item with a curious stare. "From what you told me of Abbey, she probably wouldn't like cars. Who is this for?"

"Well, this man... Donald Barkley wanted one and we had run out, so he asked if I would..."

"Hold one for him?" Donna interrupted.

Christine blushed.

Donna chuckled. "I don't blame you. I saw the two of you exchange glances. One look from him, and I'd probably do it too."

Christine paid for the sports car and placed it in a shopper's bag.

To order see link for Lotus Books below:
"Rainbow Classics: Volume One"