CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Go on now,” said Matthew. “You boys have a lot to do in very little time.”
“We’re ready, Pops,” said Luc. He turned, staring at the massive loads inside the multiple moving vans. Even he couldn’t explain how they’d obtained so much stuff and were able to get it all wrapped and ready.
“Luc, leave this in the basket for Ruth and John.”
“What is it, Pops?” he asked.
“It’s something for John. He’ll know what to do with it. Go on, now. There’s a lot to get done.”
“Matthew, how will you get the rest of this delivered? There’s still a half a warehouse to load and get out there,” said Ghost.
“Don’t worry,” smiled Matthew. “My ‘spirit’ crew will help me.”
They laughed as the images of their friendly ghosts appeared. Nodding their approval, they waved at Matthew and headed out.
“Tailor? Alec? Remember that we need to do this quietly,” said Trak. “I’ve been teaching you for years to be quiet. At least for tonight, try.”
“Not funny, brother,” frowned Tailor. “I’m old and my bones creak. I’m never quiet.”
“You were never quiet even when you were young,” smirked his friend. There was a sound at his feet and Alec jumped in the back seat.
“You brought Alvin!”
“Of course. He enjoys the holidays. Besides, he’s going to make sure that any unwanted and unwelcome critters know that he is guarding these homes,” said Trak.
“Are you shitting me?” frowned Tailor. “That alligator is going to tell the rats and snakes to stay away from these homes?”
“He’s very good at it,” said Trak. “Semu is also quite good at it.”
“Semu?” frowned Alec.
Trak pointed out the windshield and sure enough, on the top of the moving van in front of them, Semu was sitting cross-legged, waving as if she were the queen of the Christmas parade.
“Good lord,” whispered Ghost. “We truly are a zoo.”
The first stop was one they were very familiar with. The boys and girls school that they themselves sponsored. The kids were already in bed, most believing that nothing would be left for them from Santa.
Little did they know that a dozen men in elf costumes and pointed green hats were traipsing around the common room, leaving gifts beneath the tree. Even stockings were filled with candy, personal items, and gift cards.
“When did kids start to like gift cards so much?” frowned Kane.
“I think it gives them options,” said Alec, shrugging his big shoulders. “I hate giving gift cards but the young kids seem to want the freedom to choose for themselves.”
“I prefer the old days when you got a horrible sweater from your great-aunt and had to return it like everyone else,” smirked Tailor.
“Let’s go,” said Trak. “We have a lot to do.”
“Maybe I could sell my wedding rings. The pawn shop down the road is open until ten tonight. I could sell them and buy a few things,” said his wife.
“It won’t matter, Ruth. We don’t have enough money for food for the next few weeks, let alone for gifts. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, honey. I tried to get some temporary work, but there wasn’t anything available.”
“It’s alright, John,” she said, patting his chest with tears in her eyes. “We’ll make do. I’ve got some soup that I’ll heat up, and I made some cookies earlier. The kids will love it.”
“There are no gifts, Ruth. Nothing. We didn’t even get a damn tree because of that stupid beetle invasion. All the trees on the property were contaminated.”
“Well, you made J.J. that rocking horse, and I sewed the doll for Allison. It will be fine. They’re young. They won’t know. It will be like an old-fashioned Christmas with homemade gifts, music, and just us.”
“It should be better,” he whispered.
“No. It is what we make of it. The children are so little they won’t know anything is wrong. Tomorrow morning will be wonderful and we’ll have a nice breakfast. It will be perfect,” she smiled. “Next week you’ll find something. I just know it.”
He held his wife tightly, kissing her forehead.
He realized what a lucky man he was, not for the first time this week.
Just as they were about to decorate the tiny, pink, fake tree he’d found in a dumpster behind a drug store, with the homemade ornaments from paper and scraps of fabric, there was a soft knock at the door.
“Who could that be?” she asked. He shrugged and opened the door as she began to open the small box of ornaments.
“Ruth? Ruth, honey, come here,” he said.
He stepped out onto the porch, and she saw him looking up and down their small dirt road. The trailer they lived in wasn’t much, but they could afford it, and it didn’t leak.
“Who…” she started. “Oh, my God. What is this?”
“I don’t know. I opened the door, and this was sitting here,” he said. She stared at the five boxes of food, a turkey that she wasn’t even sure would fit in her oven, and wrapped gifts stacked on the porch.
“Is there a note?” she asked. He shook his head, then turned to his wife, smiling.
“It’s a Christmas miracle,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s an absolute Christmas miracle.”
“John, look. There is a note,” she said handing him the envelope that was peeking out from the top of a stocking. He opened the letter and gasped, gripping his abdomen, then the porch railing to keep himself from falling.
“What is it? John, what is it?” she asked.
“A job offer. It’s from Robicheaux Industries. They want a head of maintenance to keep all their businesses running smoothly. I’d be in charge of keeping up with the HVAC systems, cleaning the buildings, inspecting the roofs, everything.”
“Robicheaux? You can’t be serious,” she whispered.
“Honey. Look at the salary,” he said handing her the letter. Ruth actually got dizzy. She stepped backwards, falling into the porch swing. She lowered her head between her knees, taking deep breaths and then sat up again.
“Is this real?” she whispered.
“It’s their seal on the letterhead,” he said shaking his head. He continued reading the letter. “We’ve got healthcare, benefits, sick days, vacation and more. I get a company vehicle. A pick-up truck.”
“A vehicle,” she repeated in disbelief.
“The kids, the kids are receiving scholarships to attend their school. Ruth, our kids are going to the best school in the state. For free.”
Ruth cried, then laughed so hard she cried again, hugging her husband. They carried everything into the house, still in shock by what they saw. The tree was huge and they had to move the furniture around to accommodate. With all the gifts, they were tripping over themselves.
With the food put away, the gifts stored, the tree decorated and lit up, they sat back and stared, still feeling as though it were all a dream.
“It really is a miracle,” said John. Ruth laughed, kissing her husband.
“It is. But we were due at least one. I’ll spend the rest of my life paying this one back.”