Christmas Timing

By Michelle S. Lowe

 

This Christmas season, holiday cheer is in short supply…  

 

Normally, Christmas is Leslie Heathers favorite time of the year—but not this year! A stranger corners Leslie in the local bakery with a nasty rumor about her beloved, veteran father, tainting her memories of him. Her ex-boyfriend suddenly appears with an offer to buy the home of her dreams which will give her the home office space she so desperately needs, but is she really willing to be roommates with her ex? And to top it all off, her best friend's teenage daughter is becoming more and more difficult.  

 

While visiting her friend, Leslie meets Christian Smith, a soft-spoken drummer who likes to wear a Santa hat. He reminds her to slow down and enjoy the true reason for the Christmas season. With Christian's support, and surprising expertise after helping her rescue a deaf dog, Leslie finds the strength to make two of the hardest decisions of her life. And just like a beautifully played Christmas hymn, it  all happens in perfect Christmas timing. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anaiah Press
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954189782

Book preview

Chapter One

I ’m sorry, what did you say? Leslie blinked, trying to comprehend what she had just heard. A cold shiver ran down her spine as if someone had just dowsed her with a bucket of ice water. The well-meaning woman’s words had come as a shock. Or had they?

I truly didn’t mean to upset you. The older woman’s voice dripped with discomfort, and she nearly stuttered. Forget I said anything. It’s really none of my business, she said, avoiding Leslie’s gaze.

I can’t forget it. What did you mean by…?

The woman cut her off abruptly. Oh, I’d better get going, or these coffees will be cold. She glanced nervously at the two large to-go cups in her hand.

It’s okay, Leslie said, trying to convince herself as much as the woman she only vaguely recognized. The woman gave her a nod and quickly left the small pastry shop as Leslie stood in silent disbelief.

She had stopped at the local bakery to pick up a dozen of the shop’s famous Christmas cookies to take to the school. Now, trying to decide on the ones with red or green icing didn’t matter so much, and she quickly grabbed the box closest to her, carrying them to the counter. She paid for the treats absentmindedly, then headed for the exit.

Inside her car, she placed the cookies on the passenger seat and stared through the window, not actually seeing the beautiful sunset that stretched over the city of Asheboro like an amber ribbon. She laid her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. In a way, what the woman had said tied everything together, even answered some of the nagging questions Leslie had had over the years. But she refused to believe the cruel words.

Lord, please don’t let this be true, she prayed.

But almost instantly, guilt enveloped her. She hadn’t been to church in a long time. In fact, the last time was on Easter Sunday. And unfortunately, she had a habit of only praying when any form of emergency arose. The idea of attending church regularly had been tugging at her heart for some time, but she always made excuses. Now, she wondered if she even had the right to ask God for such a favor. The realization of her lukewarm Christianity frightened her even more than the woman’s words. Frustrated, she opened her eyes and took a deep breath, vowing to start reading her Bible more.

The darkening sky reminded her of the task at hand, so she turned on the car’s engine, brushing off any memories from the past, and the present, making her way to Melissa’s school.

An unusual cold snap had enveloped the area, making the navy-blue sky crisper, illuminating diamond-like stars, another sign of the quickly approaching Christmas season. As she parked and got out of her car, she pulled the collar of her wool dress coat up closer to her neck for warmth. Her heels made a clicking sound in the quiet parking lot of Smith Elementary School.

Once she was inside the building, a burst of warm air welcomed her, and a scent, ushering in nostalgia, tickled her nose. The smell of the school building brought back a different set of memories that instantly brought a smile to her face. Melissa’s classroom was at the end of the hall, and Leslie made her way slowly, admiring the decorated doors with all sorts of seasonal artwork as she went along.

The hallway was particularly quiet since the school day had ended hours ago. Most rooms were dark, and the corridor was lit by sparse overhead lighting and the soft colors of the Christmas tree in the lobby. Red, green, and multicolored light from the bulbs on the tree flickered in a warm glowing dance across the hallway tile, filling Leslie with much-needed warmth. She would not allow her precious memories of childhood Christmases to be tainted.

Hearing the sound of her footsteps, Melissa met Leslie at the door of the classroom. Leslie greeted her best friend with a quick hug.

Don’t you look pretty, Melissa said, turning and motioning Leslie inside the empty classroom.

Thanks. I had a meeting today at work.

How did it go? Wait, are those what I think they are? Melissa asked as Leslie handed her the box of festively decorated cookies.

Leslie couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s joy over a simple pleasure. Stopping to get the cookies was a great idea, if only she hadn’t run into the woman with the unpleasant rumor.

The meeting went well, Leslie said, forcing her mind to other topics, such as her job as a risk analyst for an insurance company. The position allowed her to work from home most of the time. But quarterly, she met with department heads, an occasion that required business attire and her utmost attention. I’m glad it’s over. This meeting was a doozy.

Leslie was exhausted and looking forward to the weekend. She then retrieved from the pocket of her coat the white earpieces, the main reason for tonight’s visit, handing them to Melissa. Seeing the strain on Melissa’s face only confirmed the idea that Leslie needed to spend some time with her very best friend from high school.

Things hadn’t been very easy for Melissa, and the thought angered Leslie. Melissa sat at her desk, which was littered with stacks of papers to be graded, and Leslie sat at one of the students’ desks across from her.

Want me to help you with those? Leslie asked, more than willing to lend a hand as she had done many times before.

Sure. That’d be great, Melissa said with a smile. She then handed Leslie a stack of papers and a red marker.

Surely, Leslie could manage second grade spelling tests, even as tired as she was. But Melissa had included an answer sheet in case she needed help. She started on the papers but asked a question to which she already knew the answer. How are you doing?

I’m okay, I guess. Melissa stared at the earpieces on her desk as if they contained poison. "I don’t know what to do with Danielle. She won’t talk to me at all. She’s always so angry. All we ever do is