The Guardians: Maggie's Christmas

By Richard Williams

Maggie's Christmas is a story about miracles in the town of Whitworth. DJ wants to give Maggie something special for Christmas but he is going to need Bill's help. They will have to keep it from Maggie and Paula while they go on with their lives of helping those around them. Maggie's Christmas is a story about love. The most powerful force working in the lives of the people living in Whitworth. In this story you will meet new friends and even get reaquainted with some old ones. You'll never guess what DJ has in store for Maggie.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477262764

Richard Williams

Richard Williams was the chief sportswriter of the Guardian from 1995 to 2012, having previously worked for The Times and the Independent. He was the original presenter of BBC2's The Old Grey Whistle Test and was the artistic director of the Berlin Jazz Festival from 2015-17. Among his previous books are The Death of Ayrton Senna (1995), Racers (1997), Enzo Ferrari: A Life (2002) and The Last Road Race (2004). A Race with Love and Death is his most recent publication (Simon & Schuster, 2020).

Book preview

© 2012 Richard Williams. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 8/28/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-6275-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-6276-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012915280

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One A Peaceful Fall

Chapter Two Close Encounters

Chapter Three A New Home

Chapter Four A Dark Shadow

Chapter Five Inception of Hope

Chapter Six Scars

Chapter Seven Moving forward

Chapter Eight Friendship and Crackers

Chapter Nine Falling leaves, falling hearts

Chapter Ten Friends to stand by you

Chapter Eleven Dawns early light

Chapter Twelve Almost giving in

Chapter Thirteen Thanksgiving Day

Chapter Fourteen Reunion of hearts

Chapter fifteen Finals

Chapter Sixteen Christmas week

Chapter Seventeen Christmas Eve

Chapter One

A Peaceful Fall

Hello my dear, I am so happy to spend this time with you again. Oh, DJ wanted to tell this story, but I told him that since I started the first one, it wouldn’t seem right if he told this one. So now, where to begin? Hmm, first let me say that things were so peaceful at Bill and Paula’s house. We were all so glad for those peaceful days after having Jane resurface in our lives again. Why, DJ even slept in late a few days, although he tries to say that he was just resting his eyes after I got up, but you should have heard the noise he was making while he was resting those sweet little eyes. Oh, he and Bill really outdid themselves, why not even Paula had a clue as to what they were planning. I think I have said it before, but I know how lucky I am to have DJ in my life. He is always thinking about me and about what he can do to make my life even better, which is what he did this wonderful Christmas, but I can’t get ahead of myself. Hmm, let’s see, where do I begin this story?

* * * * *

It was a wonderful fall, the leaves were all so bright in their fall colors, and the air was so cool and crisp every morning when DJ and I went out. There wasn’t anything to worry about, and DJ said that he didn’t have any feelings that something bad was coming our way. It seemed as if we were getting a little R&R, so to speak, I mean as having to be ever watchful as guardians. Now don’t misunderstand me, we were on our job, but it was different somehow; there was just something in the air that particular fall of the year, and I think everyone felt it too. DJ and Bill were always going off together. They said that boys needed time alone, but I knew they were up to something; after all, DJ was involved in it. I asked once if I could go with them, but DJ said that I was needed at the house to help Paula. Now why on earth would he say that? I mean I couldn’t change that baby’s diaper, so I had this feeling they were up to something, but Paula said I was just being silly. When we went out in the afternoon before the sunset, if I asked DJ why they were always going off somewhere, he pretended he didn’t hear me, which really upset me sometimes. After coming so close to losing DJ at the hands of Jane, it was still difficult for me not to worry; however, I tried not to worry about it, I knew in good time I would find out.

* * * * *

Bill walked into his office at the college; he was worried over trying to find someone to fill Jerome Reinhart’s place for the first semester. Bill hadn’t received any news from them in over three weeks and he didn’t know if they were coming back now or if Annie, Jerome’s wife, was going to have to take more treatments. Bill got up and walked over to the window, as he looked out he couldn’t help the feeling of wonder coming over him. Truly this had to be one of the prettiest falls he had ever seen in the mountains. What am I going to do, I can fill Annie’s place for one or even two semesters if I need to, but where do I find someone with Jerome’s qualifications?

Bill was thinking out loud so he didn’t hear the man enter his office. If I were you, I would look behind and see that you don’t need to fill my place anymore.

Bill turned suddenly, Jerome! he almost shouted. My God it’s so good to see you, when did y’all get back home?

Jerome smiled, Late yesterday afternoon. Annie is resting so I thought I would come in and see if you needed me to go to work?

Bill almost ran around his desk as he walked toward Jerome, Why yes, you know I need you here. Besides, Dr. Pittman doesn’t know one thing about music. And he was the one I was thinking about placing in your class until you returned.

Well thank God I made it back then. Jerome was happy to be back, and he felt good about all the reports they received from the doctors before they left.

Here, Bill pointed toward a chair. Let’s get caught up and then you can go to your class. Now tell me everything about Annie and how she is doing.

They sat and talked for twenty minutes before Jerome left to go to his class. He had one class coming up in an hour and he wanted to get to his room and get things ready. Bill watched Jerome as he walked toward the music building. He knew God had blessed them, first by seeing Annie through her treatments, and also by bringing them both back home safely. According to Jerome, Annie was hoping to return to her classes after Christmas, which was going to work out just about right according to Bill’s timetable.

* * * * *

Bob was washing off tables getting ready for their lunch crowd when he put his arms around Mary Ann and held on to her. What are we going to do when the twin girls come along?

You’re not going to teach them how to fight, if that’s what you’re talking about, Mary Ann said placing her hands on her hips.

Bob smiled at his wife as he reached out and took her back into his arms. I think that will take care of itself, my dear. They’ll just pick it up as they grow up. And with your mother living here now, we have someone to watch them anytime we want.

Yeah, right, Mary Ann said. My mother told you when she agreed to move here after dad died that she wasn’t going to be our on call babysitter, and she means that, and you know she does. Besides, with two boys and then adding two girls to boot, that would be more than she could handle.

May and Fay walked in, Why shoot, she’s a mountain woman now, she can handle just about anything, May said.

Why hello you two, Bob said. What brings you over to this part of town?

This part of town, why Bob, you know you can walk around the downtown area in under an hour if you’re not being lazy.

Fay just looked at Bob thinking to herself that he was always saying things without thinking it over first. May stepped up in front of Fay, What my sister wanted to say was that we brought you two some baked apple fritters to enjoy. Now didn’t we, Fay?

Fay placed her hands on her hips. Why I guess I would know that, seeing as how I helped with the baking.

Mary Ann walked over and inhaled deeply, Oh my gosh they smell so good. You two ladies have to be some of the best cooks in this town.

Bob laughed as he walked over and hugged Fay around the neck, Thank you so much. I know how busy you two are and this was truly an act of love and kindness.

Fay softened as she hugged Bob back. Well, we thought that it was the good Christian thing to do.

Now let’s leave these two to their work, because we have to get back to ours as well, May said smiling.

As they walked out Bob reached over and grabbed a fritter, Boy, you know they are some really good cooks.

Mary Ann pulled back the plate with the fritters on them, Now just you wait until later when we get home.

Bob reached out and pulled Mary Ann close to him, Ok, he said as he reached over and took another fritter off the plate. Mary Ann walked back toward the kitchen she knew her mother would be coming in later to help out. She loved working with them during the noon hour said it made her feel useful again.

* * * * *

Paula was busy getting dressed so she could go into town. I’m going to be late meeting with Bill if I don’t get moving. It takes a lot more time to get myself dressed and little Rachel Ann dressed. Who would have ever thought it took so long to get a child dressed and ready to go and meet her daddy for lunch?

Maggie was sitting in there watching Rachel Ann while she lay in her bed, and listening to Paula. My dear, what do you think DJ and Bill are up to?

Paula laughed, Maggie, I think you have to go out and try and think of something, to just stay busy. Didn’t DJ tell you that he felt nothing amiss, and hasn’t this been a beautiful fall?

Maggie wrinkled her brow as she looked at Paula, I’ll have you know that DJ doesn’t always tell you everything he knows, and yes, this has been a beautiful fall. But that is beside the point. Those two are up to something, and I’m not making anything up just to have something to do. Also, keeping a watch over you keeps me quite busy enough, thank you.

Paula placed her hands on her hips, Maggie Mae, did you wrinkle your brow at me? Yes, I did, and that’s all I have to say about it right now.

Maggie got up to walk out of the room when she felt Paula’s hands around her. Hold on young lady, you just stay here for a minute. Paula knelt down and held Maggie close to her. I’m not trying to say that you are making things up, but with all we have been through, it’s easy to think something might be happening. I have to stop myself every now and then from allowing fear to grip me. It’s as if I’m afraid that this peaceful time won’t last, that there is something out there just waiting to jump upon you when you’re not watching. I just don’t want you to go through the same battle I’m having to fight, that’s all.

Maggie reached over and softly licked Paula on her face. I’m sorry dear. It seems we girls fight battles long after they’re over, doesn’t it? You’re right, there most likely isn’t anything going on, DJ and Bill just need time together. After all, DJ loves all this time he is getting to spend with Bill.

Paula stood up and reached for her handbag. Well, tell Mr. DJ for me when he comes in from outside, that after he gets through watching TV, turn it off.

Maggie laughed, He was watching the History Channel; you know how he loves it, he just forgot. I’ll try to remember to go behind him and turn it off from now on.

Paula reached down and kissed Maggie on the head, picked up Rachel Ann, and walked toward the door. She stopped and turned around. What you two have together is very special.

* * * * *

Irina was working today at the Morning Blend. She was taking two classes, but now that she was married to Jonathan, going to school full time just didn’t seem to make sense to her. She had fallen in love with Whitworth. She loved walking the streets in the afternoon and talking to the shop owners. It seemed that everyone in town had forgotten what took place just a few months ago. However, it was more than that; it was the power of forgiveness. People can forget when they forgive, and everyone knew how Irina had come forward to help bring Jane down. I mean everyone in town knew that woman Jane was crazy. Why, she was carried off by the State Police, shouting to everyone she knew that Bill’s dog could talk, and that they were the ones who had her sent to prison the first time. Leander and Sandy Philips, who ran the local drug store, were standing on the sidewalk as they were bringing Jane out. You should have heard that crazy woman yelling like that, I mean she has to be out of her mind. Why, if I hadn’t known she had been locked up for over a week, I would have thought she was as high as a Georgia pine, Sandy told someone who came into their store. For the longest time, Jane was the talk of the town, but even that excitement soon died down and was forgotten about. Everyone was enamored with fall it seemed. No one could remember when there had been such a beautiful fall.

Bill walked into the Morning Blend, Good afternoon, Irina. You haven’t seen my wife and daughter have you?

Irina smiled as she looked up, Here they come now walking down the sidewalk, Dr. Thomas

Please just call me Bill when we’re not at school.

Paula walked in, Have you seen the trees? Why they are gorgeous.

I know, Irina said before Bill could get a word in.

Hey, what about me? Bill said.

Oh, you’ll do in a tight, Paula said smiling at Irina. But these trees around town are simply gorgeous.

Irina poured Bill and Paula’s coffee, What do you want to eat today?

Paula said, Something light, I still haven’t gotten all this weight off yet.

Honey, Bill said. I told you that you look great.

Paula reached over and hugged Bill, We’re still eating something light.

Irina placed her hand over her mouth as she laughed. It seemed so weird and wonderful, that here she was, friends with Bill and Paula. Her life with Jonathan was everything she had dreamed of. All that was missing was her little girl, but that couldn’t be, so she pushed that pain deep inside. She kept hoping for the day when she would be able to hold her again. It was going to be a quiet Friday afternoon for Irina. After Jonathan finished his classes, he would come back to the Morning Blend where he and Irina would work until late, and then they would go home. Home that was such a sweet sound to Irina. She had a home now, something that no one could take away from her.

* * * * *

In a dark room stood a man facing the door waiting for the one person that he knew could help him to get even. Yes, it was time. He had waited long enough. Those who had done him wrong had to pay, and he was going to see to it that everyone paid for what they had done. A light knock on the door, Come on in the door is open.

A beautiful woman walked into the room. I’m told you have been looking for me. So, tell me, what do you want this time?

It’s not what you think, this time, I want you to help me settle a score with someone. Ok, but that is going to cost you more money.

I don’t care what it cost, just as long as I get what I want.

The lady smiled, Well, since I’m here, she said. As she walked closer to the man, Why don’t we at least have some fun? They both drew into each other’s arms. He cared nothing for this woman or any