The Gift

Written for the "Invalid Item"  contest

Samantha looked at her reflection in the red glass sphere she had just put on the tree. It looked like the Escher drawing, except the face she saw looked rugged and worn. The bags that formed under her eyes from crying for so long made her look thirty years older than she was. She sighed and took another step back from the nearly decorated tree. Normally her boyfriend David would be helping her with this yearly event, wearing his goofy green elf hat and singing Christmas tunes in a Chipmunk voice, which always made her laugh. This year, the apartment was empty, and quiet. She didn't even bother to put on the CD of Christmas songs that she loved as a kid, for even they didn't bring her any joy.

David had been away on business in Denver since mid-November. He had missed Thanksgiving, but that didn't matter as much, as they never had plans on that day anyway. But they had never spent Christmas apart, the one time of year she enjoyed most, decorating the apartment and cuddling up together watching the snow fall outside.

The phone rang, shaking Samantha from her thoughts, startling her. She picked up the handset and composed herself before answering. "Hello?"

"Hello, baby! How is my lovely snowflake this evening?" She could hear the smile in David's voice on the other end of the line.

"I want you home," was all she could muster up, choking back a sob.

"Sam, I wish I could, but this deal took a turn for the worse. I have to stay another two weeks. I'm sorry, honey." There was a moment of silence, followed by a sigh. "My dinner break is over, so I will have to call you back tonight. Remember, I love you. And merry Christmas."

"You too, honey." Samantha clicked the phone off and tossed it on to the couch. She needed to take a walk, to calm her nerves before she could finish decorating. The tree lit in Central Park always filled her with such warmth, and maybe if she took a stroll by it, she could feel less alone for a while.

A crowd of children from the local Catholic school passed her on the way to the park, singing a chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Their voices sounded like angels, and it warmed her heart a bit. However, it didn't fill the emptiness she felt inside; she and David had talked about having children of their own, and seeing the joyful looks on their faces made her miss him even more.

She pulled her parka tighter against her body and adjusted the collar of her sweater as the air grew colder. She decided that she wouldn't stay long, just long enough to look at the tree and say a special prayer for David to be able to come home.

A tear filled her eye as she looked at the heavenly display before her. The tree was always a marvelous sight to behold. She closed her eyes and bowed her head. "I know that Christmas is the time for giving, and not for asking. While there are children across the world that have less than I do, I ask for nothing material. All I want is to spend Christmas with David." The single tear became many, and she fell back onto a bench as she buried her head into her hands and cried.

"Pardon me, miss, but why are you crying at this time of year?" someone said close by. Samantha didn't notice anyone sitting next to her. As she looked up to see who had spoken, she noticed the little old man in a top hat and maroon overcoat. He grinned at her and his bright blue eyes behind his glasses twinkled.

"My boyfriend is away on business and we can't spend the holidays together."

The man frowned and patted her on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that. Everyone should spend time with their loved ones at Christmas. I believe I have something that can help you."

Samantha couldn't help but let out a laugh. "I don't think you could, unless you can whisk him here."

He reached into his coat and pulled out an envelope. "Go home, finish your decorating, say a prayer and then open this." As he handed the envelope to her, she noticed faint signs of scars on his bare hands.

She took it from him and smiled. "I don't know how much this will help, but I thank you, sir. Have a merry Christmas."

When Samantha returned home, she tossed the envelope on the counter and sighed. It was probably just a card meant to cheer her up, but she didn't just want to be cheered. As she put the finishing touches on the tree, she couldn't help looking over at the envelope, wondering what was inside and if it really could help her. She wanted to open it, but remembered the man's instructions to say a prayer first.

So she prayed again, this time adding a thank you to the mysterious little man who had given her a glint of hope. She grabbed the envelope and tore it open, revealing something inside she had never expected. It was a plane ticket to Denver, courtesy of the company David worked for.