Christmas Memories

By Raul Robles

Christmas Memories is the story of John Gram, who after having an accident and waking up in a hospital, leaves his life as president of a law firm and decides to return to his hometown "Tree of Hope" where he grew up, in search of that, what he left behind and relive the happiness that he enjoy, especially at Christmas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raul Robles
• Release date: Jan 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223294627

Book preview

Christmas Memories

Raul Robles

Copyright © 2022 Raul Robles

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

For those who love Christmas

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

Epilogue

About The Author

About The Author

1

It is the first week of December, the city is covered with decorations encouraging its consumers in their shopping. The light poles are covered with colorful ribbons imitating candy canes. Small bulbs cover the trees and bushes in every inch of the streets. The noise of passersby is mixed with the sounds of cars and Christmas music from the surrounding area.

The usual carols resonate in the ears of every person whose lyrics they have known since childhood. They walk with their purchases as part of the celebration. Among all these people was John Gram, he paid little attention to his surroundings even though it was the first time in a long time that he walked those streets, it was part of his routine that his chauffeur took him to every place he needed to go, but that day was different.

An hour earlier, he was sitting in his office focused on his work when he felt a pain in his chest, which scared him for a few moments, but it passed quickly. He dint Try to call anyone, his assistant, his doctor, or his son. He just got up from his chair and looked from his office window on the 30th floor of his building into the streets in the distance. John was the founder of a law firm that ran many of the most important businesses in the city. He was about to turn 70, but was still in good shape. His whole life was about discipline, order, and control. He didn’t smoke, drink, overeat, or waste time on tribal things.

His life was his work and his law firm was his legacy, but that day, seeing through the window, he noticed how different the streets looked and had the urge to take a breath and walk a little, hoping it would make him feel better. He left his office without notifying his assistant. She wasn’t at his desk, and took the elevator. On the ground floor, everyone was surprised to see him and greeted him with a mixture of respect and fear.

Only one reception guard, who appeared to be his same age, dared speak to John.

— Where are you going, John? —

John didn’t seem to hear it, but when he saw the door wouldn’t open, he looked directly at the watchman.

— Ah... Paul... this... I’ll take a walk... that’s all... —

He responded with uncertainty.

— Shall I call your driver? —

— no need, I just want to stretch my legs. I won’t go very far. I’ll just take a walk and come back. —

John responded more confidently. The answer seemed to reassure Paul and opened the door.

— Thank you, Paul... —

John continued walking without looking back. Paul followed him with his eyes until he disappeared as he turned a corner. The streets were wet and cold, but the atmosphere was pleasant. People chatted and smiled. John walked aimlessly until he stopped looking at one of the posts on the edge of the sidewalk. After a moment, he answered himself in a whisper.

— it is Christmas.... —

He continued walking aimlessly, but this time he paid real attention to his surroundings, he notice the ornaments, music, and clothing of the people who surrounded it. Suddenly something else happened, gradually began to snow. He extended his hand and snowflakes were deposited on his palm. John could not remember the last time it snowed and even more having touched the snow. He closed his fist over the flakes and quickly became water.

Despite the cold, he kept going and looked to his right and his left. Every moment that passed, memories associated with Christmas awakened within him, but it was like memories that he could not see clearly. He had at least an hour of walking aimlessly when he heard a melody that made him stop. The music came from the representation of a showcase. He walked up to the showcase. It showed the inside of a shop or a small bazaar, like a village in the past. Two parallel counters full of sweets, toys, and ornaments filled the shelves. In the background, a large Christmas tree was spectacularly decorated, and the cash register was antique, adorned with Christmas tree branches, lights, and red ribbons. The music came from an ancient musical jukebox next to the tree and played a modern version of a traditional carol.

Everything he saw left John speechless. Something in the exhibition mesmerized him, and he couldn’t stop looking. People passed around him as he stood there like a statue that seemed to be part of the same display case. His coat was covered with snow, and people looked at him with disbelief, but without telling him anything. The streets were congested, and the roads filled with cars honking before the traffic-generated by all the commercial activity of the season. A motorcycle traveled as fast as it could with the traffic and environmental conditions, but the driver was confident in his driving skills in this chaotic environment. What the motorcycle driver does not consider was the effect that the snow had on a cold and humid environment. The motorcyclist tried to pass a car that was not moving and turned quickly towards the next junction, immediately lost its traction on the road hitting the ground and leaving its driver behind and the force of the impulse threw the bike on the sidewalk and against the showcase of a store.

He had at least 15 minutes standing there when the impact of the bike threw him against the pavement and he lost consciousness.

When the confusion of the accident happened, the people gathered there took action and called the emergency systems. The bike smashed the showcase and in its path hit many people, but all were conscious, with minor injuries. Only John remained on the floor unconscious. The ambulance did not arrive quickly because of the traffic of the season, several people were dedicated to treating the wounded, especially John for his condition and age.

The ambulance arrives and, upon seeing the condition of the accident, takes the wounded, including John, to the hospital. When they entered the hospital, the nurses looked for some identification among his belongings, but they found nothing. Only in the pocket of his coat there were several business cards from a law firm.

They did the normal tests guided by the conditions of the accident described by the paramedics. Determined that John had not received significant injuries, but could have suffered a contusion because of the blow received and should be monitored until he regained consciousness. The head nurse took it upon herself to call the law firm so she could identify John and let his relatives know what happened. When talking to the person who was attending the call center of the firm, the nurse gave all possible information about the card and the person who was there unconscious, but in the firm, there was more than one person who covered those characteristics, The person behind the phone assured would pass the information to his superiors and visit the hospital if necessary. The nurse concluded the matter, thinking someone would show up.

In the following hours, John remained unconscious and during that time, no one at the firm had noticed that he was not in his office.

Agatha Cenik was one of the veteran nurses at that hospital, she was 35 years old and had at least 15 years of experience in her work, her hair was brown and comfortably gathered and she was attractive, But there was a certain seriousness in her personality that made her distant for most men and their co-workers. It was her turn to monitor patients in recovery, and this was his last day of work. The next day, she would go on annual leave. It was his custom to take his vacation in December and return to work in January without fail.

Her coworkers respected her and admired her willingness to work and seriousness, but they also regretted how lonely she was, never attending any private meeting or party. Her life was her job. She was not married and had no children. At times there were men in her life, but none lasted long and she didn’t seem to care.

It was 9:00 at night when, as she made his rounds, arrived at John’s bed, took the folder with the patient’s data, and checked his temperature, the serum bag, and the position on the bed. After fitting his head to the pillow, she turned to continue his round when a sleepy voice caught his attention.

— where am I? —

ask John confused

— you’re in the hospital... you had an accident... you hit your head —

Agatha replied calmly and sweetly.

John looked directly at Agatha and felt comfortable with her appearance. As Agatha looked at John, she noticed the face of a good man. The lines on his face denoted a certain sadness. That changed immediately when, a moment later, John smiled broadly at Agatha. The expression surprised her because, she didn’t expect it, but it was contagious and she smiled back.

— why are you smiling? —

Agatha asked.

— I  don’t know, you’re beautiful and I wanted to smile... —

Simply replied John

— usually, patients who wake up disoriented do not smile... —

Explain Agatha, trying to justify her question.

— I must be a lousy patient then... —

Agatha laughed at the comment this time, and John did the same.

— tell me if you can remember your name or anything else... —

Agatha asks staring at him.

— yes, my name is John Gram and I live in the town of Tree of Hope. My parents have a small shop there —

John responded quickly.

— and your age or any family to call? —

— my age... I don’t remember and my family? —

John wondered without answering.

— you remember what happened? ... how you hit your head?... —

— I don’t know what happened. I remember nothing... what happened to me, nurse? —

Agatha took a moment to respond calmly and not upset him.

— it looks like you were on the sidewalk in front of a department store and a motorcycle lost control and hit you and others. —

This information seemed to upset John. His smile slowly faded and his face showed signs of exertion that did not seem to do him any good. Agatha intervened and told him not to try, that everything would come back when he rested a little more, but should not sleep. And told him to stay awake while she looked for the doctor on call. John accepted calmly and sat there smiling. Agatha returns a moment later with the duty doctor, a young man with a weary face and little interest in John.

The doctor determined that John appeared to be fine and that he needed to stay awake to gauge any signs of complications. In the morning, the tests they did when he was admitted to the emergency room would be ready and with them, they could determine his condition and treatment. As the doctor left, Agatha pulled up a chair and sat next to John.

— What do you think if we talk for a while and I can verify that you're okay? —

— and you don't have more patients to watch? —

— yes, but there aren't that many patients and also I only have a little over 2 hours left on my shift. —

— I think it's perfect —

They spent the rest of the 2 hours talking. Agatha laughed like she hadn't laughed in a long time. Other nurses came closer when they heard the laughter and were even more surprised to see who it came from. They had rarely seen her smile or even laugh. They took the whole event as a Christmas miracle.

At midnight Agatha said goodbye to John with a kiss on the cheek and I wish him the best recovery. John took her hand and squeezed it with a lot of feeling as he smiled at her. Agatha changed and stopped at the counter of Petra Ramirez, the head nurse, to say goodbye to her. Petra had a playful look at Agatha.

— I have known you for over 10 years and I have never seen you like this with a patient —

— I know, I was also surprised, but simply that gentleman is a sweetness... I never knew a person like that ... —

Agatha replied as she smiled, remembering parts of the stories John had told her.

— we all noticed, if he was 10 years younger I’d think it was husband material for you... —

— I agree with you Petra —

Agatha replied as she looked toward John’s bed.

— I have received the advances of many patients and men, but it was different with him, he just wanted to talk with me and tell me about his family, his people, and especially about the shop of his parents. —

— a man his age talking about his parents and... A shop? —

— yes, it’s a little strange, but there was so much happiness in what he told me as if he led an idyllic life. I never heard anyone talk like that, with so much love... —

— and his relatives, has anyone come to see him? —

Agatha didn’t seem to understand how someone like John was alone in a hospital emergency.

— not so far. I call the number on the card and they agreed to come, but we do not know his name.... —

— his name is John Gram if it can help... —

—  I  call  again  in  the  morning  before I turn in my shift —

Petra Promised.

— I hope you’ll take care of him. Let me know if nobody shows up to help him... —

— OK Agatha, it would be a surprise to see you in December here in the hospital... —

— I know, but I like him... so I’ll make an exception —

— don’t worry and enjoy your holiday —

Agatha signed her exit slip and said goodbye to Petra with a hug, reminding her they would meet again in January.

On leaving the hospital, she took his car and went straight to his apartment, where had lived for 5 years. It was a beautiful apartment that she could afford after saving for over ten years. It was simply decorated, Agatha led a quiet and simple life, and had no attachment to possessions because of his upbringing. The only decoration that showed the fact that it was Christmas was a small plastic tree that contained fixed decorations on its branches, which saved the need to decorate it every year. For Agatha, that tree served as enough Christmas decoration for her home. There were no family photos or portraits of any kind.

Agatha changed her clothes and sat on her couch watching a little TV while relaxing enough to sleep. The only thing different was the hot chocolate she had in his hands as she remembered his conversation with John Gram.

2

Tomas Gram was in his office all day receiving calls and overseeing the activities of the major accounts handled by his father’s firm. His daily routine was the same since he took the position of vice president, leaving his apartment at 7 am and half an hour later, he was already in his office reviewing his itinerary for that day. Before noon, he visited his father’s office to inform him of the status of the main accounts and his itinerary for the same day. The meeting lasted no longer than 15 minutes, then returned to his office, took calls, and met with the various partners to verify that the instructions were being followed correctly. In the afternoon, he met with a client who needed personal attention and eventually returned to his office until the end of the day.

At seven in the afternoon, he returned to his father’s office for dinner together at the firm’s favorite restaurant and then returned to his apartment. Tomas was single, tall, and handsome. Everyone who knew him always commented that he resembled his mother and that his personality was his father’s. He had no time for relationships. His life was his work and maintaining his father’s legacy.

Tomas sincerely admired his father. He was never the most affectionate father compared to the parents of his friends and acquaintances. He was a good man, he always was there for him. He advises and guides him without pressure or intimidation. At those dinners they had every day, they talked about many things. His father asked him about his life and if he needed anything, never work. Those questions were part of the same routine. After dinner, his father got into his car and Tomas got into his car.

That day at 7 pm, he walk to his father’s office, greet his assistant, and enter it. His father was not at his desk or anywhere in the office. This seemed strange to him. His father always notified him if they could not have dinner together as he was accustomed to, and he went out and asked the assistant where his father was. The assistant looks at him as if she doesn’t understand.

— Tomas your father is in his office... where else would he be? —

Cristina Ramos replied.

— Mrs. Ramos... there is no one in the office... —

Mrs. Ramos got up from her desk and entered the office surprised, as she left seemed puzzled and did not understand what was happening.

— Does he have a meeting today or something like that? —

— No.... his instructions were not to disturb him... he had no exit planned for today... I do not understand? —

— has he left without notifying you? —

— I don’t know... maybe... —

She thought for a moment.

— Let’s call Cesar, he must know where he is... —

Quickly took the phone from his desk and made an automatic dial.

The conversation was short and the expression of concern increased on Mrs. Ramos' face. Seeing this, Tomas worried, but he knew his father was incapable of doing anything irresponsible or dangerous.

— Cesar is in the parking lot waiting for you. It is seven o'clock at night —

Tomas thought calmly and went to the lobby of the building. If his father came out, he had to go through there. He hadn’t driven in over 10 years. The biggest problem was that his father disliked cell phones and didn’t have one. There was no direct way to contact him. When arrived at the lobby, he asked if had seen his father at the reception, but it was clear that the girl did not seem to know the appearance of the owner of the place where she works. At that moment, he saw Paul at the entrance as usual. Paul was a building security guard since Tomas was a child. His father always treated him familiarly, but with much respect, and knew he would have answers.

— Hi Paul, how are you? Did you see my father leave today? —

— Hi Tomas... yes, he came out of these doors about 3 hours ago... and has not returned... —

Paul responded with concern.

— Which way? Did he say anything? —

— he did not tell me where he was going, but I asked him because it was strange. Besides that, I offered to call his driver, he only replied that he wanted to take a walk and that he would return immediately... —

— walking... alone... I don’t understand... —

— I do not either... so I’m here waiting for him to come back and for you to come down to ask if you knew where John was... —

— It’s true, your shift ends at 5 in the afternoon, sorry Paul I did not remember... —

— I’m worried. He looked a little lost and disoriented... but who am I to stop the boss... —

— I understand Paul... do not worry and thanks for the information... we already know where to start... —

Tomas thanked Paul with a handshake and returned to the reception.

— Miss you know who I am? —

— No sir I am sorry... —

— I’m the vice president of the firm, and my father John Gram left notifying no one. Any calls with information about him should go directly to the vice president’s office or the president’s assistant, understood? —

The young woman was intimidated at the sight of Tomas' expression, but nodded and assured that she would follow his instructions. Tomas went up to his office after sending Cesar around the area, looking for his father. The hours passed with no news. Tomas forced Mrs. Ramos to go home, as well as Paul. He was in his office waiting for news, calling all his father’s acquaintances to no avail. He called acquaintances in the police to help him discreetly if they knew anything about his father. That night he stayed in his office waiting for any news. Cesar spent hours driving through the city without success.

The next morning his office phone rang, waking Tomas, who fell asleep on the couch in his office.

— Hello... I’m Tomas Gram... tell me... —

— Mr. Gram, I am at the reception. I received a call from a hospital about a person who suffered an accident and identified himself as John Gram —

The receptionist explains it fearfully.

— Yes, I’ll be right down... —

Tomas grabbed his coat and came down as fast as he could. When arrived at the reception, it was a different girl than the day before. She gave him a paper with the address and name of the hospital.

— What happened to my father? What did they explain on the call? —

— Only that the person was in an accident and he was conscious... they couldn’t notify earlier because he had no ID... but when he woke up, gave his name and they called again. —

— conscious... Had they already called? —

— yes sir... they called yesterday at about 5 in the afternoon, but only notified that they had a person without identification, but with a business card of the firm, we did not know what to do with that information... —

The young woman answered with fear in her voice.

Tomas remained silent, suppressing his anger, but his father taught him never to act in fury... He calmed down quickly and addressed the young receptionist.

— Do not worry... but any information is important in this firm —

Tomas put on his coat and left the building. He took a taxi directly to the hospital. On the way, he could not imagine what happened to his father and as he learned after over 12 hours, he could have died and he would never have known. However, he was aware, and if it were serious would have notified in the message.

When he arrived at the hospital went in directly to the reception.

— Please the patient John Gram, please... —

Ask Tomas with anguish.

— Let me check sir... —

The nurse at the reception took a moment to check the name on the system.

— I am sorry sir, we have no one by that name... —

Tomas took out the paper the receptionist gave him, to verify that he had not gone to the wrong hospital. It was the right one.

— miss, less than 30 minutes ago, we received a call showing that my father was here, and that he had an accident. —

The nurse thought about Tomas's explanation, took the phone, and called the head nurse.

— Wait a moment sir... —

Tomas waited and remain calm, knowing that despair could become an obstacle in decisions. The head nurse arrives a few minutes later dressed in normal clothes, not in his uniform. Both women exchanged words, ignoring the man standing in front of them.

— are you related to John Gram? —

— Yes, I am his son Tomas Gram —

Responded while showing his ID. The nurse checked the ID, smiled at Tomas, and asked him to accompany her. On the way, she explained the situation about his father’s accident and that it did not appear in the system because on enter the emergency he had no identification, so they did not know whom to notify.

— My name is Petra Martínez I am the head of nurses at this hospital and it was I who called your office on both occasions —

She told him about the card and how he woke up and gave his name, and she tried again. Tomas sincerely thanked the head nurse.

When they reached the room where their father’s bed was, Tomas stopped and asked Petra what happened to his father. Petra explained what happened. Since the accident with the motorcycle, his father was unconscious and woke in the early morning. In the next few hours, the tests that were done when he was admitted for the emergency would be ready.

As they approached the bed where John was, they noticed the curtain was on. Petra was the first to notice that it was something strange. Took the initiative and, with a melodious voice asking permission, opened the curtain. The bed was empty. Tomas did not understand what was happening. Petra looks at him surprised.

— It is empty... that’s strange... —

— He’s not here... what do you mean? I don’t understand... —

— Your father, this is his bed, he should be here... let me ask the nurse on duty... —

She showed it by leaving him alone in front of the empty bed. Tomas stood there, trying to understand what was happening. It seemed his father had left with no one noticing and wondered where he might be. Tomas took out his phone and called the reception desk. The answer he received was that his father had not gone there and there was no further calls about him. Tomas end the call and sat on the bed without realizing it, thinking about what he would do if his father did not appear.

Petra returned but was not alone. Another nurse of similar age accompanied her. When they arrived at the place where Tomas was sitting, she asked the other nurse directly.

— The patient who was here, where is he? —

— I was here last time I passed round, he was asleep... I’ll check the bathroom in the hallway... —

The nurse on duty rushed out in the bathroom's direction. Tomas continues to sit watching her run. Petra approached him and asked him to accompany her. Tomas followed her without protest until they reached what looked like the hospital food area. Tomas took a seat at a table without saying a word. Petra returns with a coffee in each hand and places one in front of him. Tomas drank the coffee slowly and almost reflexively.

— Mr. Gram, this is the situation. I’ve notified security and they’re going to check the security cameras and do a hospital check with the nurses to find your father. At the moment, it is best to wait for an answer. —

Tomas took a second sip of his coffee and looked right at her.

— What happened to my father? Why he’s not in his bed? Why didn’t he call me or ask for me? What was my father doing on the street at the time of the accident? —

Tomas said aloud all the questions that overwhelmed his mind as a reflex. He knew that the person in front of him could not offer any answer.

— I can’t answer those questions Mr. Gram, but according to his medical history at the time of receiving him in the emergency, he suffered a good blow to the head, when he arrived at the hospital he was unconscious, only a few hours later he woke up, but he didn’t ask for anyone or ask us to call anyone... I don’t know what to tell you, Mr. Gram. Many times patients who suffer such injuries are disoriented or do not remember coherently... —

— I can talk to a doctor about the tests that my father had... —

Petra got up from the table, intending to find a doctor to answer those questions and to find out the results of the search at the hospital. Tomas was alone for less than 5 minutes when a doctor appeared in front of him.

—  are you the relative of the missing patient? —

— Yes, I am. Did my father appear? —

— I  don’t  know  sir,  I  think they’re still looking for him —

— Well doctor, what are the results of the examinations that they made on my father... —

— Here I have them... let me see... your father received a strong contusion on the head... there was no damage to the frontal lobe, but it will only be known when more thorough exams are made —

— is his life in danger, Doctor? —

— I could not tell you sir... only with a better examination we could verify his condition —

Tomas did not know what to do. In his mind, there were only worries and doubts. Where is his father?, how serious is his condition? His father was the strongest man he knew, and he never experienced medical problems that Tomas could remember. The doctor continued to stand unintentionally, waiting for any further questions, seeing that Tomas did not ask questions, and left him alone at the table. Petra met the doctor as he returned to the table. They exchanged some words, and she continued.

— Mr. Gram, please accompany me... —

Tomas got up from the chair and walked with Petra, saying nothing. She took him to the security monitoring office. On the monitors, they showed him how his father, after 6 in the morning, got up from his bed and got dressed, put on the curtain, and sneaked out of the hospital, taking advantage of the shift change of the staff. Tomas did not recognize the man he was watching in the recordings as his father. Seemed to enjoy the escape as if it were a fun game, as a child doing mischief. The last image was from the entrance of the hospital. His father stopped at the entrance, seemed to breathe deeply, and continued walking until disappeared from the scope of the camera.

— He seemed to be fine... —

Petra said nothing about the stealthy way he avoids being noticed leaving the hospital. Tomas ran out of options. He continued asking himself where his father would be. Where he would go? All those questions flooded his mind. Petra escorted Tomas to the hospital lobby and apologized many times for everything that happened, eventually giving him her number in case he needed any help. Tomas decided it would be best to return to the firm and try again to look for his father in the traditional form. In The security video, he seemed okay, so it should show up eventually.

When he arrived at the office, there was no news about his father. He called Cesar and asked him to go to his father’s house and report if he showed up. Mrs. Ramos visited all the known and regular places that John Gram regularly visited. By the end of the afternoon, there was no news. In the office, his father’s absence was noticed and questions began. Tomas was sitting at his desk thinking about what he could do and reflexively pulled the number of the nurse who attend him in the hospital and on despair called her.

— I’m Tomas Gram... —

— Hi  Mr.  Gram,  did  your father appear? is, he all right? —

— He still doesn’t show up... and I’m desperate... there’s something you can remember my father had done or told that could give me some clue as to his whereabouts... —

— I don’t know... I never really talked to him. There was a nurse who talk to him... maybe she might know something... —

— Perfect, can I talk to her? —

— She is not working, she is on holiday... —

— Please, anything would be very helpful —

— Okay, I’ll talk to her and call you back... —

— No, we’ll do this. I’ll go to the hospital in an hour. Tell her to meet me at the food area so I can ask her personally... I haven’t heard from my father in 24 hours. —

— All right, Mr. Gram, I’ll talk to her, but I can’t guarantee anything... —

— No problem, I’ll be in the hospital in an hour... —

The call