A Modern Christmas Romance

By Kim Gordon

What would the first Christmas be like if it happened in the 21st century? Mary and Joseph are a nice couple from Buffalo. They truly love each other, but when he finds out she's expecting and the baby isn't his, he breaks their engagement. School board member Hera King finds out Mary is pregnant and plots to have her fired from her job as a school teacher even though a healing miracle for autistic children takes place in Mary's classroom. After much thought, prayer and divine intervention Joseph realizes he wants to win Mary back, but she has received a very tempting job offer from another state. Will Mary and Joseph be together or will she leave and start a whole new life for herself and her baby? Meanwhile, Mary's cousin Elisabeth and her husband Zacharias have been trying to have a baby for ten years. Now they have God's promise of a baby, but when Elisabeth's pregnancy test is negative, she doesn't know what to do next. Will she trust God to keep His promise?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257388103

Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon is an artist, musician, producer, fashion designer, writer, and actress. She is a founding member of the experimental post-punk band Sonic Youth. Following the breakup of Sonic Youth, Gordon formed the group Body/Head. A collection of her early critical art writing entitled Is It My Body? was released by Sternberg Press in January 2014. Recent art exhibitions include a show of paintings through the Gagosian Gallery in Los Angeles and the show The City Is a Garden at 303 Gallery in New York. She lives in New York and Los Angeles.

Book preview

years...

Chapter One

This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you both so much, said Mary as she hugged her mom and dad.

You’re very welcome, dear, said Mom and Dad.

The back yard of Mary’s childhood home had never been so elegantly decorated. It looked like Mom and Dad were hosting an engagement party fit for a princess and her prince. Five round tables to seat 10 guests each were set up on the well manicured lawn. On the deck, there was a small gift table and a large buffet table. The rails of the deck were decorated with white ribbons and tiny white lights. Each round table was dressed with a white table cloth and a large golden candle with gold silk flowers around it as the centerpiece. The chairs were all covered with white linen slip covers tied on with large golden bows around the back. The tables were set with sterling silver, white china with gold trim, crystal glasses and white cloth napkins. It was a hot August day in Buffalo and the gorgeous trees, bushes and flowers which Mary’s parents planted along the borders of the yard when she was a little girl were now bursting with color. They framed the yard, and it all looked pretty like a picture.

Yes, thank you, said Joseph. It really does look nice. He stood up, hugged Mary’s mother, shook hands with her father and then put his arm around Mary. It almost looks like a wedding reception.

You’re welcome, said Mary’s parents.

Our guests will be here in a few minutes so I’m going into the house to greet them at the door and send them out into the yard, said Mom.

Let’s put some music on, said Dad as he went into the garage to turn on the stereo. The speakers were set up outside and soon the whole yard was filled with On the Wings of Love.

Just for a moment, Mary and Joseph were alone admiring everything around them. The warm air was perfumed with the scent of roses. Joseph turned toward Mary, put his arms around her waist and kissed her.

The moment was broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Beth, Zac, how nice to see you. I’m so glad you could come, said Mary as she turned and took a gift from her cousin’s hands and placed it on the gift table.

Joseph and Zacharias shook hands.

It’s nice to see you too. You look gorgeous. I love your pink dress, said Elisabeth, and the yard looks beautiful.

Thank you, said Mary.

Yes, is does look great back here. It’s a hot one today. I’m going to get something to drink. Beth, do you want anything? Do you two want anything? said Zacharias.

I’d like a Pepsi or Coke or whatever, said Elisabeth.

I’d like some ginger ale, but I’ll go get it, said Joseph. Mary would you like something?

Ginger Ale would be fine, said Mary

Joseph and Zacharias went into the garage where there was an old fridge well stocked with cold drinks.

Hey, Mary, everything looks fabulous back here.

Mary turned around. Carolyn, Brad, you both look fantastic. Mary reached up to hug her long time friends, and then motioned for them to sit down at the table. Carolyn and Brad Weissfeld this is my cousin Beth Morganstein. Mary turned to Elisabeth, Carolyn and I have been friends since high school and we also work together.

Nice to meet you, said Elisabeth.

Nice to meet you too, said Carolyn and Brad.

Joseph and Zacharias returned with Mary’s and Elisabeth’s drinks.

Brad and Carolyn, can I get you anything? said Joseph.

Do you have lemonade? said Carolyn.

Yes.

I’d like a tall glass of lemonade with ice please, said Carolyn.

Me too, said Brad.

Joseph went back into the garage to get the drinks.

So did your mom do all of this herself? said Carolyn.

Most of it, some was done by the caterers, said Mary, and some was done by other relatives.

Two more of Mary’s friends, Jessica and Mark Brightson, arrived.

Mary, hello, it’s so good to see you. You look beautiful. I love the pink rose in your hair. It’s such a nice touch and a perfect match to your dress, said Jessica as she hugged Mary.

Thank you, I’m glad you could come. Please, have a seat, said Mary as she took an envelope from Jessica’s hands and placed it on the gift table. Jessica and Mark Brightson, this is my cousin Beth Morganstein and her husband Zac. Mary turned to Elisabeth and Zacharias, Jessica and I work together too.

The four of them shook hands.

Jessica, Mark, can I get you anything? said Zacharias.

I’d like some iced tea if you have it, said Jessica.

Joseph returned with Carolyn’s and Brad’s drinks.

Mark? said Zacharias.

Do you have any coffee? said Mark.

You bet we do. How do you take it?

Black.

Jessica rolled her eyes. Him and his coffee, it could be a hundred degrees out here and he’d still want coffee.

Zacharias went to get their drinks.

Gotta have the caffeine rush, said Mark.

Why don’t you drink iced tea? It’s caffeinated, said Jessica.

Yeah, but it doesn’t give you the same buzz as coffee.

Jessica rolled her eyes and then turned to Mary and Joseph. So have you two set a date?

Yes, we have, said Joseph as he took Mary’s hand and smiled, June 25th.

Fantastic, said Jessica. Is there any special significance to that date or did you choose it just because you liked it?

It’s the anniversary of our first date, said Mary.

Yes, and actually it was the date that almost wasn’t, said Joseph grinning. Remember that, hon?

Yes, I remember, said Mary. I gave him such bad directions to the restaurant where we were gonna meet that he showed up half an hour late and I thought he was standing me up so I left.

Really? said Mark

Mary nodded. He must have got there right after I left because the minute I got home, there was a message on my answering machine from him telling me that he got lost and that he was at the restaurant and that he would wait there for awhile if I wanted to come back.

I remember thinking, she’s not gonna come back, said Joseph.

Well, on my way home, I was mad at him, but then when he told me he got lost, I realized it wasn’t his fault, so I came back. The problem was, I told him to get off at the wrong thruway exit. I’m no good with directions. He had to stop somewhere and ask for directions.

Everybody laughed while clapping their hands.

Zacharias returned with Jessica’s and Mark’s drinks.

You’re not gonna ask her to give you directions to the temple on your wedding day are you? said Zacharias.

No, I know where the temple is, said Joseph.

While you’re all here, I have something I’d like to ask Beth, Carolyn and Jessica, said Mary. Beth, I’d like you to be my matron of honor, and Carolyn and Jessica, I’d like you to be my bridesmaids.

Elisabeth smiled at Mary. I would love to be your matron of honor.

I’d be happy to be a bridesmaid, said Carolyn.

So would I, Mary, said Jessica.

Oh, thank you all. You girls are wonderful, said Mary as she leaned over the table to hug all three of them.

This is going to be so much fun, said Carolyn excitedly. I love being in weddings because they’re always a good time especially when the bride is a dear friend like you.

Yes, said Jessica as she clapped her hands. It’s going to be absolutely wonderful.

I can’t wait, said Elisabeth with tears in her eyes. My little cousin is getting married. Elisabeth put her arm around Mary’s shoulders. "I am ten years older than Mary, and it seems like only last week I was babysitting her and taking her to see The Little Mermaid and to have dinner at Buffalo Burger Barn."

Zac, would you like to perform the wedding ceremony? said Joseph.

I’d be happy to, said Zacharias. Zacharias was a Jewish rabbi.

Any plans for a honeymoon? said Jessica.

We’re going to spend a week at the campground next to Midway on the River. We love amusement park rides especially the water park. We’re going to rent a cabin. said Mary. We plan to spend a day visiting Niagara Falls while we’re there.

You’re gonna have fun, said Jessica.

Yes we will. I’m so looking forward to it. A whole week of no telephone, no answering machine, no mail, no TV, no computer, just peace and quiet and just the two of us. Mary’s face lit up and her eyes danced as she spoke.

It fits within our budget too, said Joseph. We get to go have a good time and we don’t have to go broke doing it.

That’s a plus," said Mark.

We looked at other vacation packages, but they were way too expensive. A seven day cruise in the Caribbean would have been three thousand dollars. said Joseph.

And it would be way too hot down there in the middle of summer anyway, said Mary.

Spending a week at the campground is less than six hundred, said Joseph. We have season passes to Midway on the River so we got a discount off the price of staying at the campground.

So have you decided yet where you will be having your reception? said Elisabeth.

We were thinking about having it at The Jenburry House. They just built a new banquet hall right next to their restaurant.

Mary’s mother came outside and set a tray of fruit and cheese on the buffet table. Everyone except Elisabeth went to the buffet table to help themselves.

Mary sat down next to her cousin. Would you like some cheese and fruit? said Mary.

In a minute, said Elisabeth.

Any luck, Beth? Mary and Elisabeth had always been close and each one could always tell when something was troubling the other one.

Elisabeth sighed. No, and I don’t think there will be any. I had the surgery four months ago and I’m still not pregnant. There aren’t going to be any kids. Perhaps it’s time for Zac and me to accept that fact.

I’m so sorry, said Mary. Joseph and I will keep praying for you and Zac.

Elisabeth nodded. Thank you. I appreciate the thought.

* * * * *

Elisabeth and her husband Zacharias were good people who believed in God and made every effort to obey all of God’s laws, but they had no children even after ten years of trying and numerous expensive infertility treatments for Elisabeth.

One Saturday morning in September, while Zacharias was on duty at the local temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, and Zacharias was shaking in his shoes.

Gabriel said, Relax, Zacharias, don’t be afraid. I have wonderful news. God is answering your prayer. Congratulations, you and your wife, Elisabeth are going to have a baby, and it’s gonna be a boy. God wants you to name him John. Both of you will be so thrilled when he’s born, and a lot of other people are going to share in that joy. He’ll be one of God’s finest men. He has to avoid alcoholic beverages, and he will have the Holy Spirit living in him even before he’s born. He will bring a lot of Jewish people to God. He’ll be rugged with power like Elijah and he’s going to get the people ready to meet the Messiah. He’s going to soften a lot of hearts, and get disobedient people to wise up and have faith.

Zacharias blurted out, There’s no way that could happen. I’m over 50. Beth is over 40, and she’s been through ten years of infertility treatments including surgery. Nothing worked. We aren’t going to have any kids. We’ve accepted that fact.

I am Gabriel, an angel sent by God to tell you all of this. You don’t believe me? Okay, you’re gonna be mute until the baby is born, and you are going to see that everything I have told you will happen just as I said it would.

Zacharias’ eyes flew open wide and his face turned white as a sheet.

Don’t panic. God will give you sign language so that you can communicate and he will give the people around you the ability to understand.

A few minutes later, Zacharias ran outside into the parking lot just as Elisabeth, and other members of the temple were getting out of their cars to go in for the service. He was unable to speak and was using sign language to tell the people that he had seen an angel in the temple. Some of the people believed, but others were concerned that he may have had a stroke. An ambulance was called and Zacharias was rushed to Northtowns Memorial Hospital, which had one of the best stroke centers in the area. Elisabeth rode in the ambulance with him.

When he arrived at the hospital, the emergency room nurses checked Zacharias’ temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure which were all normal. Elisabeth told the emergency room doctor what happened.

So your husband suddenly lost the ability to speak and he used sign language to say that he saw an angel in the temple, said Dr. Riley.

Yes, said Elisabeth.

How old is your husband?

Fifty-three.

Did he fall or suffer a blow to the head? Dr. Riley examined Zacharias’ head for signs of injury but found none.

Not that I know of. A police officer showed up on the scene a few minutes before the ambulance arrived, and he went into the temple to have a look around and he found nothing unusual.

Did he lose consciousness?

To the best of my knowledge, no, but he was alone in the temple at the time, so I don’t know for sure.

Has he had any difficulty speaking before today?

No, this came as a complete surprise and shock.

Has he had any changes in vision or hearing?

None.

Has your husband had any recent erratic behavior or personality changes?

No.

Any memory loss?

No.

I’m sorry, but I have to ask, does your husband use excessive alcohol or recreational drugs?

No.

Any other health problems?

He has asthma, but he’s on medication for that and his asthma is well controlled to the point where he goes out jogging every morning. He’s been doing it for years.

Is he on any other medications?

No.

I suspect that your husband may have had a stroke—

A stroke? Elisabeth was horrified.

...but we won’t know for sure until we do some testing. If in fact it was a stroke, we have an excellent stroke center here. We can put together a treatment plan to help him recover. The first thing we’ll do is a CT scan. We’ll also do some blood work and an EKG.

Okay, said Elisabeth. Elisabeth turned to Zacharias, Zac, do you want me to call your mom and dad and tell them that you’re here? said Elisabeth.

No, Zacharias signed. They will only worry. I don’t want them to know I’m here until we find out why.

Is it okay if I call Mary? said Elisabeth.

Zacharias nodded.

The nurses wheeled Zacharias to another part of the hospital for his CT scan. Elisabeth went to the ER waiting room, sat down, and dialed Mary’s number from her cell phone.

Hello, said Mary.

Mary, oh thank God you’re home. You would not believe where I am right now, said Elisabeth.

Beth, is everything okay? You sound a bit frazzled.

Elisabeth sighed. Zac was just rushed to the ER at Northtowns Memorial Hospital. That’s where I’m calling from, and I’ll try to make a long story short. Elisabeth filled Mary in on what happened at the temple, …and he came running out into the parking lot using sign language to try to tell everybody that he saw an angel in the temple who told him that he and I would soon have a baby.

A baby?

Yes, a baby. I don’t know what that was all about, but the doctor on duty here thinks Zac may have had a stroke.

A stroke?

Up until now he has been in very good health. He has always taken care of himself, I give him healthy food every day, and I make sure he sees his doctor every year for his physical. He doesn’t have any risk factors, and he’s not even really old enough for a stroke. He’s only fifty-three. I don’t believe this.

Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, Beth, I’m not so sure I believe it either.

And you know what else was interesting?

What?

Zac never took a course in sign language and neither did I, but there he was using it fluently and I was able to understand every word he signed.

"That is interesting."

Other people at the temple this morning were able to understand him too. We’ve known some of those people for years, and to the best of my knowledge, they don’t know sign language.

Would you like Joe and me to come to the hospital and wait with you?

Yes, I would appreciate that very much.

Do you mind if we stop at the temple on the way? I’d like to have a look around.

No, I don’t mind, but look around for what?

I have a hunch there might be something in there that could tell us what really happened. I don’t think Zac had a stroke.

A cop showed up just before the ambulance arrived. He looked around the temple, but didn’t find anything unusual.

I’m not talking about anything that would indicate an accident or foul play. I’m thinking it might be something other than that.

Like what?

I’m not sure, but if we find anything unusual, we’ll let you know.

Okay.

See you in a little while. Mary hung up the phone and turned to Joseph. That was Beth. Zac is at Northtowns Memorial Hospital and she’d like us to go over there.

What happened? said Joseph.

I’m not sure, but the ER doctor thinks he may have had a stroke. Beth said he came running out of the temple and into the parking lot this morning unable to speak and using sign language to tell everybody that he saw an angel in the temple.

An angel?

Yes, and that the angel told him that he and Elisabeth would soon have a baby.

Wow, what a wild story.

Yes, it is, but you know, I’m getting the feeling that maybe it’s not just a story. I don’t think Zac had a stroke.

Well, let’s go to the hospital. Maybe by the time we get there they will have run some tests and can tell us something, said Joseph as he held the door open for Mary.

Do you wanna take my car or yours, said Mary as she grabbed her key ring and her purse and stepped out the door of her apartment.

We can take mine. Is your door set to lock?

Yes, just close it. It’ll lock behind you.

Joseph pulled the door closed and he and Mary walked down the stairs, out of her building and got into his car.

Joe, do you mind if we stop at the temple before going to the hospital?

For what?

I’d like to have a look around. I’m getting the feeling there might be something there that could tell us what really happened with Zac.

Isn’t Beth expecting us at the hospital right away?

I asked her if it would be okay to stop at the temple, and she said she wouldn’t mind. I told her I would let her know if we found anything unusual.

Okay.

Joseph started the car and drove to the temple. When they got there, nobody was around. Mary and Joseph walked inside and found an overwhelming presence of calm, peace and joy. Even though it was a cloudy day, golden sunbeams shone through the windows making it look like the middle of summer instead of September. The sweet scent of roses wrapped itself around them like a welcome hug from God Himself.

Let’s look at the altar, whispered Mary.

Okay, said Joseph.

The two of them walked toward the altar, not knowing what they expected to find, but when they got there, their eyes met a beautiful sight. A beautiful, delicate baby blue rose was growing right out of the altar. The rose was closed and it had baby’s breath growing around it.

Joe, this is a sign. God really did send an angel here today.

You know, I think you’re right.

And do you know what else this means?

Zac didn’t have a stroke. We have to get to the hospital before they put him through any more unnecessary testing.

You’re right, and Zac and Beth are going to have a baby boy. That’s why the rose is blue. Beth is gonna be so overjoyed. I’m wondering if God would let us pick the rose and bring it to her.

Let’s ask Him.

Mary and Joseph knelt down at the altar, and Joseph put his arm around Mary.

Dear God, we understand that You have grown this rose here as a sign of Your promise to give Zac and Beth a son. May we take the rose to the hospital to give to Beth? It would give her reassurance that Zac is fine and that their prayers for a child—

Before Mary finished praying, the blue rose opened up fully and completely right before their very eyes.

Oh, thank You, Lord, we’ll take that as a yes, said Mary as she reached for the beautiful rose and picked it.

* * * * *

Hi, Beth, have you heard anything yet? You look exhausted. said Mary as she and Joseph walked into the ER waiting room and sat down beside Elisabeth.

I am exhausted, and no I haven’t heard anything. The nurse took him for a CT scan a few minutes before I called you and he’s still not back yet. You know how it is in a hospital emergency room. They make you wait forever, said Elisabeth.

We have something for you, said Mary as she handed Elisabeth the blue rose.

Elisabeth’s eyes lit up. Thank you. It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen a blue rose before. Where did you get it? said Elisabeth.

That’s an interesting question," said Joseph.

Mary and Joseph told Elisabeth what they had experienced at the temple and where they had found the rose.

This is a sign from God, said Elisabeth, which means I have to sign Zac out of this hospital before they put him through any more tests.

That’s the same thing Joe said. Do it now, Beth. Don’t wait, because when his CT results come back negative, they’ll put him through even more tests and when everything medical comes back negative, they’ll think he’s got some form of mental illness and they’ll send him to a psychiatrist for unnecessary therapy and medication. It’ll be a disaster.

You’re right. You guys wait here, I’m gonna go talk to the triage nurse.

Okay, said Joseph, we’ll be right here for you if you need us. Joseph turned to Mary, I hope they don’t give her a hard time.

Don’t worry. God is with her. They won’t dare give her a hard time.

A few minutes later, Elisabeth returned to the waiting room with Zacharias. He had his discharge papers in his hand and he looked relieved to be leaving the hospital.

Zac, how are ya, buddy? said Joseph.

I’m okay, but I’m exhausted. Could we go to The Coffee Mountain and get some coffee? Zacharias signed.

* * * * *

Once inside the coffee shop, Mary and Joseph told Zacharias all about how they had found the beautiful blue rose.

We really are going to have a baby hon, said Elisabeth clapping her