He stirred awake to the sound of coughing coming from the small room behind him. As he painfully lifted his tired aging body out of the chair, the picture fluttered to the ground. He bent to retrieve the photograph and his hat tumbled to the floor. Mumbling a few words under his breath he picked up the picture and his hat. The fire was almost completely out and the cold sent a chill through his stiff old bones. He sat the picture on the mantle and placed another log on the fire. The coughing became louder and more intense. Slowly, he walked towards the door.
He lowered his eyes as he looked at the tiny frame lying in the bed. Her hair was the same color as his, but she had less than he did. Her face was thin and her soulful eyes were gray-clouded sockets set deep in her emaciated brow.
As he tenderly tucked the covers around her, she stirred, "Who's that?"
Continuing to arrange the covers, "It's just me."
Staring at him quizzically, "What are you doing here?"
The hurt reached deep into his heart. "I came to cover you up. There's a northern blowing hard tonight and the cold is pounding at our front door."
Throwing the covers to the floor and rolling over on her side she cried, "I wish you would let me go home. I just know Mommy and Daddy are worried sick about me," sobbing, "and Jimmy is supposed to pick me up at ten."
Placing his hand on her shoulder, "Martha, I love you." He picked up the covers and as she slipped into a deep sleep, he gently tucked them in around her. Sitting on the edge of the bed soothingly running his rough hands through her thinning hair, "Martha, Jim Junior and his wife had another baby last month and little Janey is starting High School next year. We have six great grandchildren now." Looking around the drab room, "I think I'll paint in here come spring."
Sorrowfully he looked back down into her face, "Tomorrow's Christmas, but I don't feel much like decorating. I bought you a present, but I didn't wrap it." He stood up and paused for a moment, "Christmas sure was a special time wasn't it Martha?" Leaning over and kissing her on her forehead, "You always said that all of our blessings always came at Christmas. I love you; I always have and I always will. Good night."
As he was walking across the room back to his rocking chair, the telephone rang, "Hello."
“Pop?” The cheery voice was unmistakably that of his daughter.
“Sally?”
There was giddiness in her voice, “Yeah, I thought I’d call to wish you and Mom a merry Christmas.” .
“We were just now talking about you and the kids.” Glancing at the door behind him, “How is everybody?”
“We’re doing great Pops; Michael has a touch of the flue, but it’s nothing serious.” Her voice deepened and became more serious, “How’s Mom?”
“She’s the same as she’s been for the past year. She doesn’t know who I am and she doesn’t know who you are, and sometimes,” wiping a tear from his cheek, “I don’t even think she knows who she is.”
“Have you given any more thought to what we discussed last week?”
“I never gave it a thought to begin with.” His voice became hard and angry, “I married your mother in sickness and in health. I’m not going to run out on her now.”
Pleading, “But Pop be reasonable. You’re not getting any younger and you can’t spend the rest of your life taking care of her.”
“I don’t think that taking care of someone we love is such a bad way to spend the rest of my life.”
“I won’t mention it again.”
“Good.”
“How are you doing?” Her voice was cheery again.
“About the same,” he looked down and smiled, “old and cranky. The snow fell deep this year and the roads have been blocked for days.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Michaels the only one left at home now and I can see how you must have felt when we all finally move out.” There was sadness to her voice.
“Yeah it’s a shame we can’t spend Christmas together like we use to. Did Billy get the Christmas present I sent him?”
“Yes, and he said to thank you.”
“That boy will do good in the Army. Did I ever tell you about the first Christmas I spent in the Army? That was way back in ….”
Cutting him off mid sentence, “Only about a hundred times.”
“But.”
“Well Pop I love you and Merry Christmas.”
“I love you too.”
“Give Mom my love.”
“I will; good bye sweetheart.” He hung up the phone and walked over to one of the windows.
Pulling back the drape and looking out over the glistening frozen snow covered ground, he began to prey, “Lord, did I do something wrong or have I offended you somehow? I tried to raise a good family and teach them to love and care. I taught them to live by your word and be the best they could be, but Lord I feel like I failed. I’m not complaining, but it sure gets lonely around here. God knows I’ve had a good life, but Martha can’t help me and I’m feeling poorly tonight.”
He placed another log on the fire, plucked the picture from the mantle and settled back into his rocking chair. His eyes reluctantly fluttered closed and the picture floated to the ground. The photo lay motionless in front of the glowing blaze until the last amber had cooled. A breeze blew through the room and the photograph began to quiver.
The breeze grew stronger and stronger. Finally the photograph was lifted off of the floor and into the smoldering ambers. The fire leaped back to life with flames and warmth ten times greater than ever before.
He was jolted awake by the sound of someone knocking at the door. The sight of the flames and a strange sound coming from Martha’s room confused him, but in his confusion, he felt giddy, almost drunk. He thought of Martha in the next room. Springing to his feet, he headed towards her door, but just as he turned to go through the threshold, Martha met him in the doorway. He couldn’t believe his old tiring eyes. She was just as beautiful as she always was.
Her smile held the same familiar warmth and her eyes glistened once again with their same sparkle of joy, love and understanding.
In her own comforting charm, she said, “Well, are you just going to stand there with your mouth hanging open like a fly trap, or are you going to answer the door?” She looked every bit as beautiful as she did in the old photograph now in a frame positioned neatly in the center of the mantle. As she breezed past him, he caught the light scent of the lavender spray she wore on special occasions. “I swear sometimes I think you’re losing your mind old man.” Pausing to look at him, “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
“I think I have.” As she went to open the door, he noticed the room was brilliantly decorated with fresh green holly, brightly colored silk ribbons, and candles. Six stockings hung over the chimney and the most beautifully lit Christmas tree he had ever seen stood tall and proud in the front window. Underneath the tree were dozens of brightly wrapped presents of all shapes and sizes.
As the door flew open, a joyous “Merry Christmas” echoed through the house. One by one his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren filed through the door. Martha hugged and kissed each one of them as they filed by. She called each one by name and insisted on helping take their coats before they caught their “death of cold.”
The old man was speechless. He felt younger and better than he had ever felt in his life. Sitting back down in his chair, he silently watched as the celebration unfurled. Rich smells of savory food being cooked in the kitchen permeated the entire house. His heart raced while his mind tried to make sense of what was happening. Martha was the way she was before her mind started going bad. The grandchildren and the great grandchildren were combing through the mountain of presents under the tree and the children were all in the kitchen laughing, talking, and cooking a feast. To himself, he whispered, “God, please don’t let me wake up.”
Martha worked her way through the crowd and into their bedroom. Standing up, he followed her through the door. He watched as she began straightening the coats strewn across the bed. “Martha?”
She stopped working and turned around to face him, “Yes dear.”
Walking over to her, he pulled her close and asked, “Martha, it’s really you isn’t it.” Combing her thick hair with his hand, “You’ve come back to me, haven’t you?”
Holding him tight, “Of course it’s me.”
Sobbing like a baby, “Oh Martha, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long now.” Looking deep in to her eyes, “You’re back and I’m never going to ever loose you again.”
Soothingly, she pressed her cheek against his chest, “What on earth are you talking about?” Comforting him, “I haven’t been anywhere and I certainly don’t plan on going anywhere after all this time.” She turned and started shuffling through the coats again. “I swear sometimes, I do think you’re getting senile.”
Shaking his head back and forth, he walked back out of the room. “Maybe you’re right.”
As the day progressed, the memories of the last few years began to fade. None of the family acted as if anything was wrong and the joy of having Martha back was a gift not for him to question. He sat down at the end of a long table surrounded by his chattering the family. The table was crowed with bowls and dishes filled with a myriad of mouth watering foods. Martha came through the door carrying a huge silver platter topped by a giant golden brown turkey and the room erupted with applause.
A hush fell over the room as they joined hands around the table and the old man bowed his head in prayer. Holding Martha’s hand especially tight, he
began to pray, “God, thank you for this day, this food, and most of all this family.” Pausing for a moment and looking at Martha, “and God, thank you for her, Amen.” Martha lifted her bowed head and gazed passionately into his eyes. Winking, he said, “OK, let’s butcher this bird.” He carved the turkey and in a flash, forks were flying.
After dinner, they all gathered around the tree to unwrap presents. Martha walked around the room picking up pieces of savable wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows while the rest of the family gathered around the rocking chair mesmerized by his recollection of his first Christmas in the Army. Billy had managed to get a four-day pass to come home on leave and blushed every time the old man would say, “Billy knows what I’m talking about.”
Martha made Micheal drink a cup of chicken soup to help fight off his flu and insisted he wear his new sweater to fight off the chill. Before everyone started getting ready to leave, they all crowed into the living room around the Christmas tree to participate in what had now become a sad family tradition. Like in the many years past, they lowered their heads to say a prayer for the one missing family member.
Martha led the prayer. “God, I know that there must have been a reason for the Vietnam War and I know that there was a reason you took our Jimmy and all those other boys away from us. Lord we thank you for Jim Junior and his wonderful children and we know that one day we’ll all see our Jimmy again we look forward to the day when we hold him. Amen.”
Tears filled their eyes as they hugged and kissed each other good-bye. Martha and the old man watched out the window until the last taillight was out of sight. The house was quiet and empty again. Turning towards the old man, Martha exclaimed, “Well at least they cleaned the kitchen this time.”
Searching his mind, he tried to remember the events of the day. He could remember the festivities, but was unable to recollect any of the specific details. He couldn’t recall any particular conversation or even what kinds of presents were exchanged. Did he even give Martha her present? Reaching into his pocket, he fumbled for the small box containing the locket he had bought for her.
“What’s that dear?”
“Oh, I didn’t give you your present.” Pulling the unwrapped package from his pocket, “It’s not much, but I put a lot of thought into it.”
Taking the gift from his hand, “I know I’ll love it no matter what it is.” She kissed him on his cheek and slowly began opening the dark blue velvet box. Gasping, “Oh, it’s beautiful.” Inside the box was a tiny golden Christmas tree shaped locket with the words, “I will love you forever,” inscribed across the front. Fumbling for the locket and handing the box to the old man, “Oh you shouldn’t have.”
Setting the box down on the coffee table, “Did you look inside yet?
Tenderly she released the latch on the locket. The top popped open to reveal a miniature version of the picture of the two of them in front of the Christmas tree. Fighting back tears she said, “Christmas was always our favorite time of the year.” Wrapping her arms around him, “We met on Christmas; we got married on Christmas, and Jimmy was born on Christmas Day.” She lovingly kissed him. “I’ve always said that all of blessings have come on Christmas.”
Sitting back down in his rocker and thinking back on the day, “Yes, yes you have.” Martha sat down on the couch and began reading a book. “Martha?”
Laying the book beside of her, “Yes dear?”
“I’ve had a dream and I’m not sure what’s real and what’s not real.”
Looking over the top of her reading glasses, “What kind of dream?”
Leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes, “I dreamt that you were gone for a long, long time and the family had spread out so much that we were never going to see them again.”
She got up from the couch, walked over and sat down on his lap. “That wasn’t a dream; that was a nightmare. You should know by now I’m not going anywhere,” laughing, “and as far as the family goes, we couldn’t get rid of them if we tried.”
Looking deep into her eyes, “Martha, I love you.” Her eyes were clear, aware, and alert. They were no longer cloudy or distant. “I love you with all my heart and soul. If you should ever leave me, my only fear would be that you might not know how much I love you.”
Gently placing a finger over his lips, “Now hush with this none sense. I’m not going anywhere and neither are you.”
Lovingly, she kissed him again.
Wrapping his arms around her, “But in the dream, I never got a chance to tell you how much I loved you. One day you were there and the next, you were gone.” Sobbing, “I never got a chance to tell you.” Trying to regain composure, “I’ve never felt so much pain in my life.”
“I said hush now.” Raising up and heading towards the bedroom, “It was only a dream.” Stopping in the doorway and turning towards him, “Are you coming to bed soon?”
“I’ll be in as soon as the fire dies down a little.” Blowing a kiss towards the door, “Goodnight, and I love you.”
Martha responded, “Don’t stay up too late, and I love you too.” Disappearing into the bedroom, “Goodnight.”
Even though he hadn’t put a log on the fire for hours, the flames were still burning brighter and hotter than ever.
Sleep set in long before the ambers began to cool.
A gripping horrible chill wrenched him from his sleep. The cold sent a shiver through his body and the realization of what was happening jolted his mind to thoughts of Martha in the next room. His eyelids were heavy as if they were being weighted down with lead and he tried to fight the persistent drowsiness. The harder he tried to resist the cold and the sleep, the weaker he became. He knew he was freezing to death but all he could think about was Martha.
When he tried to lift himself out of the chair, he went crashing to the floor. Slowly and painfully, he began dragging himself inch by inch across the floor towards Martha’s room. He tried to call out her name, but the only sound he was able to utter was a gasp followed by a puff of cold air.
He made his was across the room and to the doorway. From the floor, he could see Martha’s hand near the edge of the bed and beside of her outstretched hand was the locket he had given her just a few short hours earlier. With new desperation, he was able to rise up on his hands and knees. When he finally made his way to the bed, he struggled to pull himself up. Clinging and grabbing at the sheets, he managed to move Martha’s still body towards him. The sight of Martha’s tiny motionless frame lying on the bed gave him the strength to climb up beside of her.
Gently taking her ice-cold hand in his, he wept. The moment he looked into her lifeless face, he knew she was gone.
Holding her frail body close to his, he cried, “Oh my Martha please don’t leave me again.” Rocking back and forth sobbing, “Come back to me, I can’t stand to loose you again.” Suddenly a wrenching pain encased his entire body. Grabbing for his chest he fought for every breath until his body went still.
“Wake up, wake up.” Martha was shaking his shoulder, “Wake up, we have to go now.”
His eyes flew open and he sprung from the bed like a young man. Standing before him was the young beautiful Martha from the picture in the locket.
Looking deep in to the eyes of love, he whispered, “Martha?” There was no confusion; he knew what was happening.
Holding out her hand, “Yes it’s really me this time.”
Embracing in a tearful joyful reunion, he said, “You’ve been gone for such a long, long time.”
Comforting him, “I know, I know, but now were together forever.” Pulling away and waving to her side, “Look who’s here.”
In an instant, he recognized his teenage son whom he had lost so many years ago. “Oh Jimmy!”
Returning his father’s embrace Jimmy said, “Hello Dad.” The three of them held each other close. Breaking away and turning towards the white glow of Heaven’s gate,
Jimmy prompted, “Come on, it’s time to go.” On the bed behind them were the empty shells of a man and a woman. The locket lay open between them
Taking the old man’s hand, Martha smiled, “See, I always did say all of our blessings always came at Christmas.”
The End
A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas to Everyone at FOX4!
Wayne a.k.a Bugs