Barbara Hannay - Little Christmas Miracles

“I never said it did,” Molly said, grinning.

“Do I have any others?”

“Yes, but they aren’t wrapped yet.”

“Can I take them downstairs to put under the tree when you get finished?”

“No, sweetie. I’ll take them down the night before Christmas. If I take them down early, Richard and Elizabeth might think I’m hoping they’ll get me something. That’s not why I bought the presents.”

“Oh. Will they think that if I buy them something?”

“You’re supposed to buy them presents. They’re your family now.”

Toby nodded as he digested the information. Then he looked her straight in the eye as he said, “You know what, Molly? I wish you were my family, too.”

Molly had to look away, afraid he’d see the tears glisten in her eyes. When she looked up, Toby was gone.

She never got the chance to tell him she wished so, too.

RICHARD made arrangements with his friend to pick up a Lab puppy for Toby on Christmas Eve. He hadn’t asked his mother if they wanted a male or a female, so he’d chosen a male.

When Louisa knocked on his door to tell him dinner was served, he followed her into the dining room to discover the other three already at the table.

“You must all be hungry,” he said with a smile as he joined them.

“Yes, we are,” Elizabeth said. “Toby and I napped through our snack today. How about you, Molly?”

Richard raised his eyebrows and stared at Molly, eager to hear her response. She didn’t look up.

“I—I had a snack, Elizabeth. Richard was eating when I, uh, came downstairs, and he insisted I join him.”

“Well, that was nice of you, son.”

“Yes,” Richard said, “but Molly wasn’t—”

“Very hungry!” Molly said a little louder than usual, cutting Richard off before he could say anything else. This time she glared at him.

So what did Molly not want his mother to know? That she’d left the house, or that she’d used Albert? His mother wouldn’t have complained about either of those things. He’d keep her secret…unless he needed something she didn’t want to give him.

He immediately reminded himself he didn’t mean it the way it sounded. But she seemed to be good at keeping secrets. Like her mother in Seattle.

Toby’s question intruded on his thoughts. “Are we going to decorate the tree this evening, Uncle Richard?”

“Yes, of course. Are you excited about that?”

“I can’t wait!”

“Good. Then all we’ll need will be some presents to go under it.”

“Yes, Molly—”

“Needs to take Toby shopping so he can buy some presents for the both of you,” Molly inserted.

Richard could swear her hand was on Toby’s leg, warning him not to speak. He checked with the boy. “Is that what you wanted to say, Toby?”

“Uh, yeah. Uncle Richard, do you like football?”

“As well as the next guy. I watch it on Sunday afternoons sometimes.”

“No, I mean do you like to throw a football?”

“I haven’t done that in a long time, Toby.”

“But he played when he was in high school,” Elizabeth added.

“Really? Could you teach me how to throw a football?” Toby asked with excitement. “My dad didn’t know how.”

“I could if we had a football.”

Molly jumped.

Richard asked, “Are you all right, Molly?”

“Yes. Toby accidentally bumped into me,” she said. “It’s no big deal.”

Richard looked at Toby’s red cheeks. Were they sharing secrets between them? Was that why she’d interrupted Toby earlier? But why would they be arguing about football? That didn’t make any sense.

“Would you like for Santa to bring you a football, dear?” his mother asked Toby.

“That would be great, Grandma,” Toby replied. “You’ll still teach me to throw it, won’t you, Uncle Richard?”

“Sure, buddy, I’ll do that. Unless it’s still this cold outside. If it is, we’ll have to wait for a thaw.”

“Okay.”

“Is there anything else you think you would like for a present?” his mother asked the boy.

Toby immediately looked at Molly and she shook her head.

“Uh, I’d like, uh, some books.”

“That’s all you can think of?” Richard asked.

“Um, yes. Don’t you like books?”

“Sure, I like to read when I have some spare time. That hasn’t happened for a year or two, but I keep hoping.” He felt Molly staring at him.

“What’s wrong, Molly? Does that make me a bad person?”

“No, not at all. I just feel sorry for people who don’t read for pleasure.”

“Me, too,” he agreed with a wry laugh.

Molly looked away.

“Maybe Santa will bring you a book, Richard,” Toby said with enthusiasm. Again Molly jerked.

“Is anything wrong, Molly?”

“No, no, nothing’s wrong.”

“I don’t think Santa brings adults presents, Toby.”

Toby stared at his uncle. “Really? I don’t think so. Mommy and Daddy always got something from Santa.”

Elizabeth responded when neither of the other adults had anything to say. “I’m sure you’re right, Toby, if the mommy and daddy are true believers.”

“Mommy and Daddy were. And I know Molly believes in Santa. And you do, Grandma, because you asked what Santa should bring me. So that only leaves you, Uncle Richard. If you believe in Santa, he’s sure to come see us.”

“I see. Then I’m sure I believe in Santa, Toby, because I’m sure he’s going to come see you.”

“And you, too, Uncle Richard. I want him to come see all of us, so we’ll all be happy.”

Richard exchanged a look with Molly. He could read the gratitude in her eyes. “That’s very sweet of you, Toby. I’m sure we’ll all receive presents.”

“Good. Grandma, what will he bring you?”

“Oh, probably perfume.”

“What kind do you wear, Grandma?”

“Chanel No 5. It’s terribly expensive, so don’t even think of getting me any,” she said to Toby.

“Okay,” he said with a sigh.

“Is something wrong, dear?”

“No, Grandma. Dinner is really good tonight.”

“I’ll tell Delores you said that, Toby. She’ll be pleased.”

“Grandma and I were talking about some fun things to do for Christmas,” Richard began.

“You mean the horse and buggy ride? We can do that, can’t we?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “And I thought we should go to the North Park Mall and see the decorations while we shop.”

Molly shot him a look but he ignored it. “We can all go.”

“But how do I buy presents for you guys if you’re all with me?”

“I’ll take you shopping for their presents, Toby,” Molly told the boy, but her eyes never left Richard.

Refusing to back down, Richard said, “We can take turns going with you in the mall, while the others shop. I’d be glad for some all male time.”

Toby’s face lit up. “You mean just you and me?”

Richard smiled, continuing to watch Molly out of the corner of his eye. She seemed a little perturbed about that.

“Okay. We don’t want to go tomorrow because the mall will be jammed on a Saturday. We can go Monday or Tuesday, if you want.”

“That would be great!”

“You know, I think maybe the three of you should go. I might get too tired at the mall,” Elizabeth said suddenly.

Richard frowned. “You’re sure, Mom?”

“Yes, Richard, I’m sure.” She smiled at Molly. “I’m sure the two of you can manage with one little boy.”

“Of course we can, Mom, if you insist.”

Richard looked at Molly. “So is Monday or Tuesday okay with you?”

“Yes, of course, but I can manage with Toby if you have other things to do.”