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A Little Christmas Spirit by Kelvin Bueckert
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Rated "G" by the Author.
A gang of men bent of discovering a stash of drug money was about to meet up with a man disgruntled about missing a Chuck Norris marathon on Christmas Eve...not the typical cast for a heartwarming Christmas story...but then, nothing that happened that night could be described as typical...including the miracle...or was it really a miracle?
"My Mamma always said take the opportunity to wrestle with your problem when it is small. Otherwise it'll grow up, get some tattoos, join a gang, and start carryin' a shotgun." Trav laughed. "What do ya think? I'm not carryin' a shotgun, but I think the rest is pretty applicable. Don't you?"
"Is that a threat?" Liam asked with fear in his voice.
"No. You know me well enough to know that I don't make threats. I make promises." Trav paused as he adjusted his black toque. "I ain't an unreasonable man. My problem is with you two, not with the kid. And remember; don't go draggin' other people into this. Just dump the kid and get back here understand?"
"Someday...someday you'll get what you deserve." Kara’s voice trembled with barely restrained tension.
Trav's pockmarked face broke into a toothy smile.
"Someday maybe, but not today. Not unless you got your guardian angel on speed dial! And I think if you're waitin for angels to rescue ya, you'll be waitin for a long time." Trav turned his back and then began to walk toward a black van parked beside the sidewalk. Coarse laughter filled the air as the gang of men he led followed him.
Trav seemed intelligent enough but there was cruelty behind those dark brown eyes. He was a lithe, muscular man. Handsome, and very charming to those he wanted to manipulate. The crimson dragons embroidered along both arms of his black leather jacket testified to the very real danger that he embodied.
Liam exhaled a slow stream of condensation. "I thought Trav would punch you for what you said."
Kara stepped back as Liam approached her. She eyed the black hair combed rakishly over one of his glittering blue eyes. He looked rugged, as if he had grown up on farm. He hadn't but that was his look. Harsh purple bruises marred his smoothly shaven cheek. Otherwise, his pale features didn't show much color or emotion.
"I know." She repeated slowly, feeling the words dribble from her lips like distasteful drool. "What a way to spend Christmas Eve." Kara shrugged her slim shoulders. "There's no point in
thinking about it. All I need is a little time." Her voice caught. "Just a little more time."
"It isn't going to get any easier. You know what Trav has in mind for us." Liam lowered his deep rich voice to a whisper. "Come closer. They're watching us. Kiss me. Go on."
"Kiss you! At a time like this?"
"Just do it!" He lowered his voice. "Trust me. Please."
Kara wrapped her arms around him.
Liam pulled a revolver from his parka pocket.
Kara's trembling body blocked the sight of the weapon from the men in the van.
Liam carefully popped open the bullet chamber. After a moment, he began to load it with a supply of ammunition.
"The good thing is that they were more interested in beating me than searching me. The stupid thing is that I didn’t have the thing loaded. It is now...Now go on and do what you have to do...they're watching us..."
She bit her lip. "I'd a moment first. Trav promised us fifteen minutes to drop off the child before he dealt with us...didn't he?"
***
Charles McDowell placed a tin of peanuts on the small wooden table beside his rocking chair.
He put a finger to his grey handlebar mustache.
A large cup of steaming tea was at hand, his pipe was filled, and of course, who could forget that precious tin of peanuts?
What else did he need?
Charles grunted to himself as he bustled back to the kitchen. Let the world have their sappy Christmas traditions, he was going to have fun! He had worked for sixty years, now at last he could enjoy life and that is just what he was planning to do! He plucked a container of sugar from the kitchen table and then headed back toward the living room.
There were no more mortgages to calculate for him. Let the boy take care of the bank. God knew how hard it had been to motivate the brat to do something.
His fingers trembled slightly as he added a healthy dose of sugar to the cup full of tea.
His narrow face spread into a grin of mischief.
The sound of splashing in the distance was good news.
Yes, a tempest was a tempest whether it was in a teacup or in a bathtub.
Melissa, his wife, was busy enjoying her bath. She had been busy with this for the last hour.
He knew he would have another hour or two of peace at least. It was high time to get started with his movie mayhem marathon. Charles lowered his large framed body into his favorite black rocking chair and then picked up a remote control. He aimed it at the fifty inch television in the corner of the room.
Aha, let the good times roll!
Here was the FBI warning that seemed to drag on forever.
Then the scowling face of Chuck Norris arrived on screen.
Life was about to get interesting at last!
"Charles!" Charles pushed pause on the remote. Chuck Norris's scowling face froze in position.
"What?"
"Can you get a bottle of bubble bath?"
"Bubble bath? I thought you had that already dear."
"I'd like the honey lemon scented one. Be a dear and fetch it for me won't you?"
"Well, where is it?"
"Check the closet by the front door. There's a bag there with a bunch of hairspray and make up. The bubble bath should be in there somewhere. Hurry please..."
Charles was confused.
Why would Melissa keep bubble bath in the closet beside the front door? Who did that?
Why was he even asking questions like this?
He had been married long enough to know better.
Things would be far better in his life if he just did what he was told.
"Okay, okay." Charles hoisted himself from his chair and continued grumbling as he shuffled through his lavishly furnished living room.
***
Kara twisted her head. The sight of a barren, snow- covered street surrounded her. A black, star spangled canopy was stretched out above. A few tired flakes fell to Earth like fallen angels. In the center of the sky was a brilliant white moon. Houses filled with flashing Christmas lights lined the street in both directions. Obviously, this was a rich neighborhood, full of the Christmas spirit.
Too bad there wasn't enough to go around...
"This clear midnight, this gentle sadness, this turning to spring, perhaps my soul will fly again." She recited softly to herself as she rubbed her green-gloved hands together.
"That was beautiful." Liam had hidden the gun in the pocket of his parka. Kara could see a slight bulge where it was and hoped that Trav wouldn't notice it when he returned. "Sad but beautifully poetic..." Liam repeated.
He stepped forward and glanced down at the baby carrier sitting at Kara's feet. He stared at the sleeping form for a moment, and then turned away. "Trav is right, she'll be better off here, you know that. We don't know what'll happen next..."
Liam looked up and watched a small red Accent sputter past.
"We don't know what'll happen next...but whatever it is it won't be kid friendly. Go on...take her away before Trav loses his patience."
Kara watched her breath stream before her as she exhaled. There was no avoiding what had to be done.
"I thought I'd get away with it. That I'd get that money to the police before Trav caught me. I’m sorry that you two had to get involved in this..." Liam turned back to face Kara. Admiring her round, friendly face, her thin lips, the slight gap in her front teeth with she spoke or smiled.
There was a moment of silence before she spoke. "You did the right thing, that's all that matters in the end. I just...thought..." Kara knelt beside the plastic baby carrier and took in the sight of their child. Jayline, Marie...her tiny wrinkled face was red from the cold."I thought maybe we'd get away with it."
"Get going! We haven't got all night!" Trav’s gravelly voice floated toward them from its source in the van.
Liam touched the bruises on his cheek as he looked down down at his daughter. "God knows the only thing we've been given these days is trouble. She deserves better than we do. Just do it. Let the Angels watch over her." Liam's voice seemed to catch, but he controlled himself with a determined effort.
Kara lifted the baby carrier and began to walk.
Large piles of snow lining the sides of the street testified to the fact that a snowplow had recently passed through.
Tears trembled at the corner of her eyes, then fell to the frozen ground.
A prosperous two story, blue and white house stood before her.
Red and green Christmas lights seemed to twinkle from every position in the yard where it was possible to hang a string of the visual treats.
Reflections from the light show flashed past Kara as she made her way along the cobblestone path toward the front door.
At last, she reached a concrete stairway. She mounted the steps quickly and then set the baby carrier before a plain white door. For a moment, she paused, as if thinking better of her plan, and then she seemed to harden.
This was it.
Kara looked back toward the sidewalk. Liam was surrounded by Trav and his men. Obviously, they were reminding her of her duty.
It was time to face the music.
She pressed her finger firmly on the door bell button beside the door.
***
"Honey, can you get the door?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. Good grief! What else do you want me to do tonight?" Charles said as he straightened.
His left fist clenched the bottle of bubble bath. His mouth chomped hard as he finished a mouthful of peanuts. He swallowed as he swung the door open.
Nothing.
All he could see was the empty cobblestone path leading to the sidewalk.
It occured to him that those stupid lights had taken him two weeks to put up and tomorrow he was going to have to start taking them down again.
Work, work, work, when there were movies to be watched. Christmas indeed! Charles was about to slam the door, then he stopped. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the baby carrier. Then instinct took over and he reached down, grasped the handle of the baby carrier and pulled the whole thing into the house.
The door clicked as he shut it.
"Who was that?"
Charles shifted and then shoved his hands into the pockets of his rich blue bathrobe.
His gaze was drawn to the scowling face of Chuck Norris, still frozen in position on the television.
"We have a little problem, " he said as regret soured his voice.
"What do you mean? It's Christmas Eve, we don't have time for little problems. Speaking of problems, where is that bubble bath that I asked you to get?"
Charles padded over to the small table where his remote lay. He picked it up, aimed it at the television and then pushed the off button. He had a feeling that this was going to be a long evening and that he probably wouldn't enjoy it all. His eye roamed across the wall lined with expensive oil paintings. Each one portrayed a scene of peaceful landscape in the country. Oh, that some of that peace would seep through into the atmosphere of his home.
"Things have changed."
"What is so hard about getting a bottle of bubble bath out of the closet?"
I think you better come out here and see."
"Okay okay. I'll be right out! You know what Charles? Sometimes I think that it'll take a visit of another kind to get you to turn off that TV and think about somebody else. Really, we could have invited people over for Christmas Eve, but no! You wanted to watch that blasted TV... " This monologue continued, but Charles had learned to block out that kind of thing over the years. He did notice the voice growing more and more agitated the closer it got. He braced himself for the impact, but there was only stunned silence as she entered the room.
***
Kara stared out the van window.
Praying for some assurance that they had picked the right house.
The night remained clear and still.
Soft yellow streetlamps lit both sides of the street.
She turned her gaze away.
Befor her she could see the back of Trav's round head and the outline of one of his gold earrings.
Liam sat on the right side of her.
One of the gang sat on the left side, watching their every move.
The interior of the van smelled like stale cigarette smoke and human sweat.
Kara continued to pray.
Maybe God would send an angel or two in their direction.
They sure needed one.
Now that everything was almost over, she only wished that she hadn't had that last fight with Liam.
If only she had a chance to take back the things she said. If only there was a way to turn back the clock, but there wasn’t. There was only the terrible future.
Liam would strike when the time was right.
He had to, it was their only hope.
Their eyes met but they dared not speak in such close quarters.
Trav didn't have a lot of patience, he wouldn't drive far before he stopped and started questioning them again.
At least he had given them some time to say good bye to the baby...
***
"Oh my, I was praying for some company tonight. I didn't expect this..." Melissa bustled over and peered into the baby carrier. "I wonder...Did you see anyone when you answered the door?"
"Nope. I just opened the door and the baby was laying there on the doorstep."
"Well, isn't that strange? You hear about this kind of thing on the news, but I never expected it to happen here. My goodness, the poor thing was just left alone. What would possess someone to do that to a helpless child?"
"Yep, like I always say. People are fools, that's why I don't like'em much."
"Oh Charles, behave! I'm sure they had a compelling reason to do this. No parent would want to abandon a beautiful child like this..." Melissa was an older looking woman in a green bathrobe, wet and straggly silver hair that hung to her shoulders and a round grandmotherly face of kindness. "Charles, why don't you go out there? Maybe you can see something. Maybe the parents are still out there somewhere. You could talk to them."
"Won't it be cold out there?"
"Of course it will. That’s why you will wear your parka. Now stop making excuses and get out there! I'll phone the police." Charles grumbled as he rummaged through the closet. Finally, he found his parka and began force himself into its fleece-lined goodness. "You really think the parents will still be around? My guess is that they are some teenagers who blunder along from day to day, hoping someone else will take care of them and their ill-gotten offspring. Mark my words. This generation is no better than their worthless parents."
"Charles, the longer you complain the more chance there is of them getting away."
"Exactly." Charles reached for the golden doorknob.
Melissa bent down and studied the baby once again. A smile graced her face as she stuck out her tongue at it. The baby laughed with delight.
Charles twisted the knob and then pulled the door open. He slammed the door behind him to show Melissa who was boss. A few seconds later, he was jogging toward the sidewalk.
He stopped as he reached it.
His chest heaved as he panted for breath.
He wasn't accustomed to this type of exertion.
His head swiveled as he searched the streets for some sign of intelligent life.
There was none. Surely, they couldn't have escaped that quickly? Of course they could. Young people never ran as fast as they did when they were running from responsibility.
Charles continued to grumble to himself as he headed back toward the house.
Wouldn't it be more sensible to have Christmas in summer when it could be more enjoyable?
He stopped suddenly.
He had heard a door slam in the distance.
His nimble fingers slipped the bottle of bubble bath into the pocket of his expensive parka. He had stomped off in such a rush he had forgotten he had those stupid bath bubbles in his hand.
Thankfully, there were more important things to think about right now.
What if the culprits had driven around the corner?
Charles began to jog east toward the noise.
It wouldn't hurt to check it out.
Besides, the longer he stayed away, the less he had to deal with Melissa.
***
"Trav?"
"Yeah." Trav turned toward the man beside him.
"What are you going to do if somebody comes by and asks why we are parked here?"
"Don't worry about that. After our business is completed we can all get on with celebratin' Christmas." Trav turned and winked at Liam. "What do ya think homeboy? You ready to tell us where that money is?"
"What money?"
"Oh, just in case you forgot. That money we need ta pay for the next shipment. The operation that'll make us a cool two million and all we gotta do is make one pick up. Remember, that's what we need the money for, to pay for the merchandise up front. Now Liam, where's my money?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Trav sighed with an air of drama. "Liam, Liam, Liam, what am I ever to do with you? Think about your relationship with the truth man. I mean you flirt with her, you take her out sometimes, but you gotta start thinkin' about long term commitment."
Liam glanced at Kara and fidgeted.
She had threatened to leave him not that long ago. She couldn’t handle his work as an undercover policeman. Now that she had been proved right, what could she be thinking?
Liam closed his eyes.
He needed to focus.
He needed to be ready when an opportunity to pull his gun presented itself.
Trav wiggled an eyebrow. "You look like you got a lot on your mind. So do I as a matter of fact...See, the ship with the goods is comin' in later and I need something in order to be ready for it. What was it I need again? Money, money, money...yes, money, that’s all we need. Are there any jingle bells ringin' in that empty head of yours?"
"I still don't have any idea what you're talking about."
"I think you are lying my friend...how unfortunate."
"I don't think so." Liam pulled out his revolver and pointed it at Trav's startled face. "Now, you are going to let us out of here. Or my friend, you are going to have one nasty Christmas."
***
Charles rounded the corner and came face to face with a black cargo van parked on the side of the street.
He could see people sitting in the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. Both seemed transfixed by something behind them. Could these be the people who left that baby behind?
Yes, it was...Charles shook his head to clear it.
How had he known that?
It seemed that a voice had whispered it to him.
How odd.
His mind raced through the options.
The first thing he should do is make sure that these criminals couldn't escape justice. Yes indeed, that is what Chuck Norris would doin this type of situation. Charles wandered closer as he pulled the bottle of bubble bath from his pocket. It took only a moment to open the lid of the fuel tank on the van. Then, after a few more moments had passed, the bottle of bubble bath was empty and the fuel tank was a little fuller than it had been.
Charles chuckled as he screwed the lid of the fuel tank back on.
He popped the empty bottle of bubble bath into his pocket.
Young people called him eccentric. Well, he’d show them just what an eccentric old man could do if he put his mind to it. Charles twirled his moustache as he strode forward. It took only a few steps to reach his destination. He stopped before the driver's side window, then he reached out and began to rap against the glass.
***
There was a moment of tension as Trav and Liam eyed each other.
Someone was knocking on the window of the van.
What to do next?
Liam opened his mouth to speak.
Trav's black gloved hand snaked out and snatched the gun from Liam's trembling fingers. "No one, I mean no one, ever pulls a gun on me and lives. Not that you were gonna live anyway! Just now the facts are gonna hafta be a little more painful." Trav turned to face the road ahead.
He slammed his foot to the accelerator.
Kara felt as if her heart would pound out of her chest.
The van roared forward for about two minutes before it began to slow.
The engine of the van sounded odd.
It was getting louder and more hollow sounding by the moment.
Suddenly there was a soft bang followed by silence.
Trav began to curse in his harsh voice as he shoved the gun into the waistband of his jeans.
Kara could feel her heart beginning to slow.
If only she could speak to Liam.
He was so close, but so far away. If she made it out alive, she would never take him for granted again.
A little red Accent puttered past as the van coasted to the side of the city street.
Trav threw the door of the van open and then heaved his lean body body out. There was a silence broken only broken only by the heavy breathing of the guards and the guarded.
"I thought ordered this van checked out before tonight!" Trav cursed. "I'll have to order another vehicle down here. The rest of you make sure that our special guests stay out of trouble."
***
Charles stared at the van.
My goodness, they had sure taken off in a hurry.
The vehicle had only made it about a block down the street before its motor had blown.
Obviously, these people had something to hide.
Now why hadn't he brought his cell phone?
This would be the perfect time to call the police.
A little red Accent pulled up beside him.
It's brakes squealed as it stopped.
The driver's side door creaked as it swung open.
A short, overweight, unshaven man dressed in a thick and tattered brown parka exited the vehicle. The bum looked and smelled as if he had spent the last year living in his clothes.
"Hey man. Need a cell phone?" He rasped.
"Yes...er...I do..."
"Here ya go then. Make that call." The voice rasped like sandpaper on his ears, yet it sounded oddly familiar. "Well, aren't ya gonna take it? Time's a wastin!"
"Oh yes, yes of course.Thank you." Charles grabbed the ancient cell phone and began to punch in the emergency number.
He hoped the phone would survive long enough to do what needed to be done.
***
Kara watched Trav issuing orders in an angry voice.
He stood outside the van, just outside the driver's side door. Then the phone call ended and Trav slid back into the driver’s seat. "You got some special reason for starin’ at me?"
Trav's eyes flashed as they met hers.
A red flush ran through her. "No. I just..."
"You just, just..." Trav laughed. "Of course, that makes perfect sense. Anyway, the good news is we'll have a new vehicle here soon. Then we can get on with the plan."
Trav turned his piercing gaze toward Liam. "Well homeboy, you remember anything yet? I'm waitin'..."
Kara's ears began to tingle as the sound of sirens became clearer and louder.
Was deliverance at hand?
She could only hope that it was.
Liam sat silently, his face pale, his eyes fixed straight ahead. His thin lips were pressed tightly together in a gesture of defiance. He would do his duty even if it meant death.
"You know, my Momma used to say that I could use today to be the same person as yesterday." Trav paused for dramatic effect. "Or that I could use today to be a better person tomorrow. An inspirin’ thought...somethin’ you might wanna to think about. I mean, there's a time in life to stop bein’ shy and start talkin‘. What do ya think of that homeboy? You think it's time to improve your life and start talkin? Time is runnin out..." The walls of the van seemed to be closing in.
Kara felt like a weight had settled on her chest.
The sirens were almost here. She could only hope that the police would investigate this van. All she wanted was to escape this madness and live a normal life. All she really wanted was to be with her child, to be with Liam, to be together as a family. Was that too much to ask for Christmas?
***
The call had been completed successfully.
Charles smirked as he handed the phone back to the owner.
However his eyes remained fixed on the distant van.
"Hey man...You did the right thing."
Charles turned his gaze back to the short and grizzled man standing before him.
What an odd-looking person.
How had he ever gathered up enough money to buy a car?
"Well, don't run off yet. The police will want to talk to you."
"Hey, I told ya man. The cops'll take care of things when they get here. The boss says I gotta go to work."
"Work? Who's your boss anyway? He can't make you work Christmas Eve. "
A smile spread behind the little man's beard. "My boss...isn't unreasonable. He knew what was going to happen tonight...he's the one who told me to come down here in the first place. Now, I really gotta get going." With that said, the man crawled back into his little red Accent.
"Hey, wait a minute...I..." Charles stopped.
The car was already puttering away.
It was all up to him.
He only hoped that he had done the right thing. Melissa would know if he had. She had a knack for knowing the right things to do. Still, she wasn't here with him. She was in the warm house with the baby.
He shook his head as if to clear it.
What a nice little man that had been. How surprising it was to see a human being like that in today's world. It was almost enough to give him hope for the future, almost, but not quite yet.
***
Kara watched the little red car pass by the van.
As it did, the bearded driver turned toward her, waved and winked.
How odd.
The car puttered away, around a corner, and then vanished from view.
"Never mind that little red beast." Trav waved the gun before her. "Now. This is the way its gonna be if the cops try and bother us. I'm gonna hold this gun to your head. Liam is gonna be cool about everything, or else. The cops aren't gonna like it, but they are gonna let us go when they see that. Your job is to hope that they got called in for somethin' else and don't bother us at all. By the sound of it, they're gonna roar through here any minute..."
***
Charles watched his breath stream before him.
One dark blue police car swung around the corner where the little red Accent had just vanished.
The red and blue lights on its roof were flashing and the siren was wailing like a ghoul in torment.
However, it was just one vehicle.
Would that really be enough?
The police car skidded to a stop before the van.
One tall, muscular officer leapt out and began to walk toward the van.
His hands were ready at his sides, his finely chiseled face watchful for danger.
Charles didn't even notice the cold anymore. Instead, he found himself walking toward the van, curious to see what would happen next. Now, at last, things were getting interesting. He couldn't help himself. He had to find out what happened next with those rebellious young people.
***
Trav pressed the gun to Kara's head. "Well, well, somebody must'vereported a suspicious vehicle in the area. Remember what I just said." The gun was shoved into Trav’s pocket.
However, his right hand rested close enough to grab it if necessary.
Silence fell throughout the van.
Trav rolled down the window to great the visitor. "Merry Christmas," he said as he flashed a charming smile.
"Merry Christmas. How are you folks this evening?"
"Fine fine. Is there a problem officer?"
"I don't know. We got two calls. One about a child being dropped off and another about a suspicious vehicle in the area. You know anything about these things?"
"Nope, can't say that I do. We're just on our way to the homeless mission downtown to serve the meal tonight. Our problem is that our van broke down."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you going to be okay?"
"Oh yeah, we've got no worries on that front. We got some friends comin’ over with another vehicle. We're expectin’ them any minute actually. Good thing too...The shelter needs all the help that they can find at this time of year."
"I understand perfectly. Now, I hope you don't mind if I take a quick look inside your van. I need to confirm that I checked out the complaint. I'm sure I won't find anything, but policy is policy."
"Oh, I understand perfectly officer. Go ahead and look. We've got nothing to hide."
"I'm glad to hear that. Now if you could just slide the side door open that'd be great. I don't want to hold you up any longer than necessary."
"Sure thing. Just give me a minute."
Trav pulled the gun from his pocket.
***
The side door of the van rattled as it slid open.
From his vantage point, Charles could see that the van was full of passengers. None of them looked very happy, but maybe that was just because their van had broken down. Hmm...there was a young couple in the van. Judging by their poor dress, they would be the type to leave their child behind.
What to do? This young officer may not be able to handle their tricks on his own.
Charles bent over and grabbed a handful of snow with his bare hands.
Slowly he began to pack it ito a ball. One thing he had learned from Chuck Norris was that it was always best to be prepared. Whatever these people did, Charles would be prepared to thwart their evil plans.
That would be just punishment for disturbing his evening.
***
"So, how are you two?" The policeman stared at Kara for a moment and then shifted his gaze to Liam. The corner of his mouth twitched as he spoke. "You are headed off to help at the homeless shelter downtown I hear?"
Liam struggled to suppress his emotion.
The Policeman was simply looking for confirmation of Trav‘s story.
Still, if he told the truth about their state, what would happen to Kara?
One policeman was no match for Trav and his angry gang of men.
The official voice grew more forceful. "I asked you a question sir."
Liam felt his chest expand as he inhaled.
The officer wore an official blue uniform with a thick fur-lined parka.
It was the uniform he had wanted to wear as a child.
That was before he had decided it would be more of an adventure to go undercover.
He closed his eyes.
Kara deserved better than this.
If they survived tonight he vowed he would quit the force and marry her.
"Yes. I guess we are." Liam opened his eyes in time to catch sight of the policeman's face hardening into a determined resolve. His delay in replying had made the officer suspicious.
"Just as I thought. Ahh...I'm sorry to inconvenience you folks but I need to check in to headquarters. It is just a routine check so there is no need to worry. It won't take long." The Policeman was about turn his back when the voice of Trav stopped him. "Oh officer, before you head off, I need ta say somthin'."
Trav had turned enough so he was able to point the gun at Kara's head. "You are gonna let us walk outta here. You understand? Just stand where you are if you know what is good for ya." Trav turned to the man beside him. "Get out there and secure our friend. Go on!"
"I thought I told you to stay still!" Trav shouted as the policeman made as if to grab his weapon. "Good! I'm glad you're paying attention. If you try that again the girl is gonna pay for it. Understand?"
"I understand."
"Good. Now the rest of you, help Herman tie him up."
Herman grabbed the policeman as the others in the gang swarmed into action.
Trav laughed. "Well, look at this, God answered my prayers and not yours. What do you make of that Liam?"
A snowball smacked into Trav's face.
He cursed and swivled his head to search for his attacker.
The next two events happened so quickly that they seemed to be in unison. Kara snatched the gun from Trav's hand as Liam leaned forward and punched the back of Trav‘s head. The force of his punch didn’t accomplish much, but it was another distraction. The officer seized the opportunity and tore himself free from the men surrounding him. Before Trav knew it, there was an official looking service revolver pointed at him.
"Alright smart guy, tell your men to back down!"
"I-I..." Trav stammered.
"Do it!" The Policeman shouted.
Trav complied with a half-hearted order to his gang.
"Good! Now, want everybody’s hands where I can see them! Liam and Kara is it? You two get out and stand beside me. One of you grab my radio and send in a distress call. I think we're gonna need some help to haul in this load of garbage."
***
"So you say you saw the whole thing?"
Charles began to twirl his moustache as he replied. "It wasn't just me. There was someone else here as well. He borrowed me his cell-phone so I could call in the report about the suspicious vehicle."
"Oh, who was that?"
"I don't know. I didn't think to ask his name. You should have seen him. His little red Accent went down that street you came in from." The policeman moved closer. "Are you sure? I didn't see anyone. Right before I drove in you say?"
"Yes, maybe two or three minutes before you came. You must have seen it."
The policeman chuckled as an odd expression crossed his face. "McFerrin Drive doesn't have any turn offs around there. I'd have seen a red Accent if it was there to be seen. Have you had anything to drink tonight sir?"
Charles reddened. "Only tea I assure you...and decafinated tea at that."
"Do you remember the license number of that Accent?"
"I never thought to check." Charles kicked himself. Melissa would have remembered something like that. Perhaps he did take her for granted. He vowed he would treat her better after today.
The policeman patted Charles on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find that car if we need it. Trav and the boys have more than enough charges against them to put them away for a long time. Now, I have to head back to the station and fill out some paperwork...why don't you go inside and enjoy some time with your wife? It is Christmas Eve after all..."
"You know, I think I will," Charles said as his face broke into a smile.
He felt better than he had in a long time. He had proved that his pitching skills were as hot as they had been when he played baseball back in high school.
"Merry Christmas Officer."
"You too sir. Good night." The policeman nodded politely at Charles and then walked toward a group of his fellow officers. At least six police cars were parked at various points of the street.
One of the officers gave a signal and the cars began to move out with their cargo of criminals.
Charles turned away from the street.
The guests his wife had prayed for were already in the house.
Charles shook his head as if to clear it.
What a strange evening.
Where had that little man come from?
Where had he gone?
Odd as it was, he was even in love with Melissa again.
There was something magical in the air tonight.
Tomorrow they would go into the station and make a full report...for now the police had allowed them time to enjoy the holiday. Who could have guessed that mercy and grace was still alive in the world?
His feet crunched against the dry snow as he neared the house.
Colorful Christmas lights surrounded the three windows facing the street, blinking on and off in a random red and green sequence. For the first time, Charles saw them as the beautiful sight they were. The work he had put into them didn’t matter as much anymore.
It was a lovely Christmas Eve to be alive.
Charles opened the door and walked into the welcome warmth of his well-furnished home.
"Charles...Charles...is that you?" The voice of his wife was calling.
Charles cringed instinctively and shoved his hands into the pockets of his parka.
Oh, yes...that silly bubble bath bottle. He had emptied it into the gas tank of the van. Melissa would not be happy. Charles felt like a nervous schoolboy as he held out the empty bottle. "I'm sorry..."
"Sorry for what?" Melissa plucked the empty plastic bottle from his trembling hand. "Why would I need an empty bottle of bubble bath?"
"I thought, I thought you wanted a bottle of bubble bath from the closet by the door." Melissa laughed. A hearty sound that pealed like Christmas chimes. "Oh I said that alright but the time for that is past. My prayers have been answered! We have guests for Christmas!" She tossed the empty bottle in a nearby trashcan as Charles slid out of his coat. "They're in the living room! Just where you told'em to go. Oh and Charles, before I forget, I need to tell you something."
"What now?" He wheezed as he faced his wife.
Her arms wrapped around him.
He could smell the scent of lemon bubble bath as she pressed against his body.
For the finale she planted a wet kiss on his lips and then stepped back with a smile of satisfaction.
She looked beautiful, just like she had all those years ago when he had married her.
He was speechless for the first time in his life.
"Merry Christmas Charles. I’m sorry for being so grouchy earlier. Thank you for sending those people over. Meeting them has been so much more interesting than watching TV all evening again."
Charles was looking beyond her, over her shoulder. Through the window, he could see the red Accent idling along the street. When he blinked, it was gone.
"I still don't know how it all happened." He said finally.
"It was the angels at work."
"I wouldn't go that far...there wasn't a big flash of light or anything."
"My Mama always said, miracles don't have to happen in a big flash of light. They can happen in the little things that lead to big changes for the better. What do you think would have happened if that strange guy hadn't pulled up and handed you his cell-phone at just the right time? Now enough talking, we've got company, so come on..."
Melissa was pulling his arm.
She led him into the warm living room where Liam, Kara and their child awaited.
For the first time in his life Charles actually felt a little Christmas spirit running through his veins. A little Christmas spirit...hmmm could that strange man really have been an angel?
No...he couldn't...could he?
Then again, why couldn't he have been?
It was Christmas...and Christmas was a time for miracles.
I agree with Eva. Phrases like, "A few tired flakes fell to Earth like fallen angels," make this story quite memorable along with the storyline. A few inconsistencies bothered me, like why Liam didn't have to go back and file a report with the police after the incident, how the lone policeman escaped the hands of Trav's men during the distraction, and why the child was dropped at Charles and Melissa's in the first place. Perhaps the second reading would give me clues…
Anyway, a heartwarming Christmas story with a Santa intervention to remember.
A well-written, heartwarming story with suspense, mayhem, ingenuity, and the affirmation we all need in our lives once in a while when things get stirred up to no longer take loved ones for granted.
