****
Christmas Day dawned annoyingly bright and clear. On Christmas Eve, after calling Aunt Lucy repeatedly and never getting an answer, Deeni felt her usual holiday depression coming on. She'd gotten an e-mail from her parents wishing her a good Christmas and reminding her to schedule her annual dental appointment, but that hardly filled her with holiday joy.
She hoped for a snowstorm as she snuggled down in her bed as an excuse not to go to the Christmas party the next day. But when she arose, there wasn't a flake of snow to be seen and the temperature was well above freezing. She gave up and drove to the mall to fulfill her promise to a stranger.
A dozen or so cars stood in the lot of the closed mall when she pulled up a few minutes after noon. A sign on the restaurant's door said “Open by invitation only,” so she knew the party was still on. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the gift bag from the seat beside her and headed for the door.
Having been taught that one never went to a party without a hostess—in this case, host—gift, she had stopped at the 24-hour grocery store near her home the day before and bought a bottle of good white wine, some expensive chocolates and a neutral gift card. Mac had excellent tastes for a dishwasher. She hoped he'd enjoy these things he probably couldn't afford for himself.
Steeling herself, she walked into a room brimming with conversation. Thirty or more people dressed in the cheerful colors of the holiday chattered away. That they were having such a good time made Deeni feel even more of an outsider. She might have left if Mac hadn't spotted her. He came up with a wide smile and hugged her in greeting.
“I'm glad to see you. I was afraid you might have forgotten the time.”
Or chickened out. She knew that’s what he meant.
“Come get a drink and meet everyone. Then I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, I have one for you.” She handed him the gold foil gift bag. “Merry Christmas.”
“You got me a present?” Mac's face lit up with pleasure even before he pulled away the tissue paper to uncover the wine and candy. “Thank you so much. Now let's go find your surprise.”
They wound their way toward the back of the room, Mac introducing her as they went. Everyone seemed friendly, as if they were truly glad she’d come. Maybe the afternoon wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Still lost in the flurry of new names and faces, she bumped into Mac’s back when he suddenly stopped by what she suspected as a coat closet.
“Close your eyes, or you won’t get your present,” he ordered.
Deeni obeyed and waited, preparing herself for whatever small trinket he could afford. Her hands were cupped, ready to take it, when he said, “Open your eyes.”
She did.
And there, standing in front of her in a bright green snowman sweater and Santa cap, was Aunt Lucy, arms outstretched to hug her. Deeni felt tears well up as she was wrapped in the loving embrace of her favorite relative.
“How did you… When did you?” she stammered.
“Surprised you good, did we?” Lucy laughed as she reached out and took Mac's hand. “This young man called me day before yesterday. He told me you were going to have a bad Christmas and said he'd like to pay for me to come up here.”
Winking at Mac, she led Deeni over to a table and sat down beside her.
“You know, honey, I've worried about you all your life because your parents want you to be someone you're not. You're more like me than either one of them, which is what gives them fits. I love you as much as I would my own child, so I want you to pay attention.
“That's a good man over there, and I think he could come to care about you. He may not have a law degree or be a captain of industry, which is what your parents want, but I think he’ll do all right. He told me on the ride from the airport that he plans to open a second restaurant, and if that does well, build a chain. He's a man with dreams, and I’d say he has what it takes to back to up.”
“Open a second...” Deeni repeated, stunned. “Aunt Lucy, isn’t Mac the dishwasher here?”
“Oh, honey,” Aunt Lucy laughed, “he owns the place. And makes a pretty penny, too, guessing by the car he drives.”
Deeni slumped back in her seat. This was Mac’s restaurant? He wasn't struggling to get by on minimum wage?
“Hey, you two, it's time to eat.” Mac reached for Deeni’s hand. “Roast turkey, ham, all the trimmings...everything you expect when the family gets together.”
Deeni let her hand rest in Mac's as they walked to the buffet table. Things felt right today, with Aunt Lucy on one side of her and Mac on the other. A swell of unfamiliar joy rose in her and she laughed out loud.
“Merry Christmas,” she called out to everyone in the room. “Merry, merry Christmas!”
The End
If you enjoyed this story, you may like these other novels by Cat Shaffer:
Keeping Secrets
Dixie White and the Seven Dates
Man of Her Dreams
And coming soon…
Academy for Losers
Bittersweet
Kentucky Blues
No Safe Place
Her Hired Man
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