“Joy to the World! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!” loudly sings in perfect harmony “. . . and heaven and nature sing!” bellows Mrs. Dashing, Maggie, Liz, Lila, and Mrs. Middleton. Jennings with her lighted reindeer ears and Santa boots rings the bell in time to the music of the small band ensemble of Brandon, Ellen, Anne and Major Middleton at the kettle stand at Barton Park Mall.
The officers and their families have come together for an evening of carols at the kettle for World Services and then a time of fellowship at the Middleton’s home.
After finding a seat in the mini-van Anne takes off her gloves and removes the instant package hand warmers that she had hidden away in each mitten pocket. She removes her boots and takes the warmers out of them as well to replace them with a pair of matching heels to her Christmas outfit. No one else seems bothered to change their shoes into something else.
As the large white snowflakes gentle cascade down the windshield, the air is quiet and peaceful. Snow is beginning to collect on the branches and mailboxes as they drive through the neighborhood to look at decorated homes of brilliant lights and Christmas scenes.
Ellen puts in one of her many Christmas CDs from her collection that has been garnished over the years. She happens to grab last year’s “Army of Stars” CD that is produced annually in California which usually has a celebrity narrator. She knows a few of the people who play in the territorial band from music camp as a child. It brings back many happy memories for her.
Jennings starts to sing the carols along with the CD. She adds her own made-up descant which actually sounds pretty good. The Dashings join in on the fun. It is a sweet moment in time for all of them.
The neighborhood streets are lined with santas, angels, and reindeer figures. There are a few homes with front yards of Charlie Brown and Mickey Mouse. They are following a caravan of various shades of blue minivans to the home of the Middletons where whipped hot chocolate, candy canes, and an assortment of fresh holiday cookies are waiting.
The Middletons have decorated the porch with tinseled silver garland and sparkling white etched lights. The outline of the house is made of shimmering white icicle light trimming. The barren winter trees are decorated in multiple colors of flashing lights shining out into the darkness. A lighted manger scene sits in the middle of the large snow frosted landscaped front yard. It is a beautiful picture post card of Christmas.
It has been haphazardly snowing for several days allowing for about a foot of accumulation in the yards and some walkways. Maggie yells, “I’m Wonder Woman” and jumps from the ledge of the minivan only to land flat faced in the pile of snow. She looks up laughing with snow crusted hair. Then she aims ice cold snowballs at Ellen and Anne as they are grabbing packages out of the back of the van. Jennings grabs a handful of snow and aims directly at Maggie unexpectedly beaming her right in the face. The four of them join together in the snowball fight.
As Brandon gets out of his car and walks towards the trunk, Anne suggests to the others that they have a surprise attack. On a silent three, several snowballs land all over his deep burgundy sweater and khaki pants. His eyes widen in shock but when he sees Anne bended over in laughter trying to balance on the ice in her favorite heels, he laughs as well and joins in the game.
Hearing a lot of laughter, Liz walks out to the porch to see what the commotion is all about. Maggie throws a snowball which lands on her cream Ugg boot. Liz huffs, “I have much better things to do than act like I’m one of the children.” Brandon shrugs his shoulders and aims for Ellen which hits her right in the middle of the back of her dark blue parka.
After a few minutes, everyone heads inside to the warmth of the roaring fire place and hot cinnamon cider that is waiting for them. The entire house is filled with the scent of pumpkin spice and baking sugar cookies. Soft Christmas music is playing in the background to the melodies of “A Christmas Fanfare” by the New York Staff Band.
Everyone finds comfortable places to sit and balances their plates of goodies on uneven knees while chatting away about different special events and performances of the season. Relaxed and happy the Christmas music fills the room. Prisms of the bright lights glisten from the crystal ornaments hanging from the full branches of the evergreen tree.
As they all gather around the fire place, Major Middleton shares a touching moment of the first Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. The room is quiet and still. As the scripture is read, Brandon brings out his guitar and accompanies the group to a tender version of “Silent Night”.
Jennings then asks “Is it time for the gifts? It’s my favorite part!” Maggie helps by stretching and climbing under the Christmas tree decorated with gold, silver, and sapphire Christmas bulbs of various shapes and sizes. An angel with light feather wings and matching azure dress hovers over the tree.
Presents wrapped in all patterns and colors are distributed to the person of the corresponding name tag. A few weeks ago at the suggestion of Mrs. Middleton, names were collected and exchanged. Mrs. Dashing opens the first gift of a transparent scarf of delicate butterflies that Liz has chosen for her. It is one of the loveliest things she has seen. Next, Ellen opens her aqua and silver rectangular box that includes a leather writing journal which the paper pads can be easily replaced and a Cross pen writing set from Major Middleton. Ellen is very pleased with her gift.
Mrs. Middleton is sitting next to Ellen and offers to open her brightly wrapped package. She finds a new Pampered Chef baking dish that she has been wanting quite awhile from Jennings. “This is just perfect! Thank you so much!” she genuinely thanks her.
Lila asks to go next and carefully and slowly opens her small box for dramatic effect to find a Visa gift card to the mall from Anne which she is more than delighted about “I’m going to buy some new earrings with this!”
While Brandon traces his thumb over the name tag, Anne asks him to open his gift next. He takes off the wrapping of the package to find a Bose head phones and ear bud set from Ellen and gratefully thanks her. Anne adds, “I helped her pick it out for you!” Ellen turns to her with her finger to her mouth, “You are not suppose to tell that!”
“It’s my turn now” announces Liz and slowly opens a square box to find a simple black purse from Mrs. Middleton. “This will go with your uniform!” exclaims Mrs. Middleton. Liz smiles weakly”Thanks”.
Major Middleton rips his colorful and well taped package to find a set of Starbucks coffee mugs from Maggie. He is quite pleased, “Now I can drink my coffee without it falling all over my tie and white uniform shirt!” Mrs. Middleton turns to Maggie “I appreciate your gift very much too!”
Jennings is next and plays with the idea of what could be in her package, “What do you think it could be?” she asks Maggie. She opens up the package and holds up a Santa Clause earring set from Lila so everyone can see. Jennings has been admiring the set on a previous trip to the mall with Lila and Liz.
“Is it my turn?” asks Maggie and finally opens her large package and finds it to be the whole set of Chronicles of Narnia from her mom which she is excited about from watching the recent movies “Thank you mom! “
The last gift is to Anne from Brandon. She carefully opens the small bright red box which has been neatly tied with a gold translucent wired ribbon. She holds the silver bracelet with various colored cubic zirconium jewels. It is beautiful. Brandon blushes and smiles shyly. “Thank you so much! This is lovely!” immediately responds Anne.
“Well, now I think it is time for some Christmas movies!” exclaims Jennings “What shall we watch this year?” asking in a rhetorical way looking at everyone and holding a DVD in her hand “My favorite “White Christmas” with Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby!”
Everyone either smiles or snickers to each other. The movie starts and everyone spreads out throughout the family room on bean bags, rockers, recliners, the couch and the floor. There is a large screen plasma TV against the wall at the center of the room so everyone can clearly see.
Lila claims an empty space next to Brandon on the couch. Jennings grabs some life savers and a bowl of popcorn which she makes into string popcorn for the tree next to her in the rocker. Maggie is reclining next to her in the large orange bean bag. Major has propped his feet up in the oversized Lazy boy recliner and has quickly fallen asleep from the heavy seasonal schedule. Liz claims the other yellow bean bag across the room. Mrs. Dashing relaxes in the other recliner and is also lightly snoozing.
Ellen sits cross legged on the floor while glancing over the large mahogany coffee table with “Day in the Life” books from other countries resting on the top. Anne is sitting on the floor with her back propped up against the couch next to Brandon’s legs. He offers for her to exchange places with him but she tells him that she prefers the floor. But he doesn’t mind and likes the idea of her sitting next to him. She hasn’t talked to him for a couple of weeks and then with the busy kettle and angel tree schedule, he hasn’t been able to see her very much except in passing at the corps.
After awhile, Liz and Lila leave the family room and head for the guest rooms where they are staying. As the movie winds down and the sleeping giants can be heard throughout the room, Anne asks Brandon what his plans are for Christmas. He explains that he will be leaving on Christmas Eve for Julie’s grandparent’s house. He tells her that Julie is six months pregnant. Julie has asked him to come and help her pick out a nursery for the baby. Brandon explains that Julie sees him as her dad. He tells her more about Julie and her mother as Anne probes him with questions. He is open and honest with her which she appreciates.
Mrs. Dashing suddenly wakes up when Jennings foot falls off the rocking ottoman which hits the bell that she has misplaced and left at her feet. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late!” while looking at the miniature grandfather clock on the wall. “Girls, we need to get going. We have a busy day tomorrow with Angel Tree Distribution!”
Ellen wakes up a sleeping Maggie and helps her on with her coat and boots while she leans on Ellen for support to make it out to the mini-van in the snow. Mrs. Dashing hugs Jennings and heads out as well to warm up the car from the ice that has frosted the windows and doors during the holiday party.
Brandon offers to help Anne walk out on the iced over side walk in her heels as he also heads to his car. Anne grabs his arm and Brandon places his hand over her glove to secure her arm in place as it is linked with his. Anne slides some on the glass sidewalk, but feels secure next to Brandon who keeps her secure from falling.
Brandon helps her in the van as everyone else is rubbing their hands together and blowing on them to keep warm from the car heater that hasn’t decided to start working yet. Brandon waves good night and starts his car.
Anne sitting in the darkness and watching the lights of the houses as they head back home thinks of what a lovely night tonight has been. She really enjoyed the last hour talking with Brandon. She likes his openness with her and willingness to share about his life. She feels a little guilty for not missing Willoughby as much as she use to lately.
As they arrive home, Mrs. Dashing asks her to check the mail. Along with bills is the newest Priority magazine. Anne flips through the articles while taking over her boots that she switched back to in the van ride home. The center fold is an entire article on Willoughby’s work at the Smithfield corps. It has a large picture of him in the middle with various smaller pictures of him doing different types of things throughout the article.
Anne’s face drops. She feels angry. Feelings of disappointment and frustration flood in that he hasn’t talked to her for quite a few weeks. But with a moment of inspiration, thinks that she will write to him and tell Willoughby about seeing him in the layout. Anne opens her laptop and checks her email but of course he still hasn’t written. She writes him on his Facebook wall about how wonderful she thought the article was and that it is a great photo of him hoping that he will quickly respond back to her.
After writing, Anne adds up in her mind how many days it has been since she last heard from him. It’s been nearly twelve weeks and nothing. There hasn’t been a phone call, text, email, not even anything on chat. She is counting the days until the Future Officers week-end at the training school because it is in the same city as territorial headquarters and Anne desperately hopes that she will have a chance to see and talk with Willoughby then.
Rationalizing Anne convinces herself that it is just his grandmother’s willful obstinacy that is preventing Willoughby from communicating with her all these weeks. Anne oddly feels emotionally comforted by this highly unlikely reason.
Anne places the magazine in front of her dresser mirror with his picture facing front and tries to fall asleep with a million thoughts running through her mind hoping that tomorrow will bring some news at the very least from him.
The next morning, Ellen wakes up first. Jennings has kindly put off the morning walks until the snow melts. She sees the remainder of the tear stained magazine that has fallen down onto the floor during the night. Ellen doesn’t know if she has done a wise thing encouraging Anne that she will probably see Willoughby in less than a month.
Ellen doesn’t trust Willoughby. Intuitively she feels that there is just something about him that doesn’t quite seem right but she has no proof to give Anne to justify her feelings so she keeps these thoughts to herself.
What can she say to Anne when she herself exists in the same situation of isolation and silence? The words of advice and wisdom seem to lack validity in comparison to her own feelings of longing for her friend.
There are certain reminders that she keeps of Ted around her. His favorite songs are still in their own mix on her Ipod, she keeps a copy of his favorite books in the bookcase which she has re-read a few times, there are pieces of his writing from different notes or ideas scratched on paper that she has kept, there are even samples of his favorite cologne that she picked up from the anchor store at the mall a few weeks ago on a whim that reminds her of Ted. “I still haven’t managed to get rid of the coffee mug either” Ellen thinks to herself with a deep sigh of frustration and sadness. The feelings aren’t fading in spite of Ted’s lack of communication.
Reflecting, Liz reminds her constantly of Ted’s undivided devotion to her but Ellen still doesn’t see any evidence of Ted actually having talked to Liz. She also notices that Liz likes to flirt quite a lot with the other Christmas volunteers from the business department from the local state university. For someone supposedly engaged, she doesn’t seem to miss him much when there are other attractive guys her age around working at the Christmas warehouse.
Every time Ellen’s phone rings, Liz seems to be at her side asking who called and if it was Ted. Each time Ellen is honest and tells her “no” but she would like for one time to say “yes” in response to Liz’s “Oh yeah. Why would he call you? He doesn’t call you. He calls me” as if she can’t remember and has to be reminded “I’m his fiancé.”
Even when she reads her email, Liz can usually appear out of no where in a magical instant and checking over her shoulder to ask if Ted has written. It seems a never ending cycle of disappointment.
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