by Kate Kasch
THE CHRISTMAS INVITATION
A Holiday Romance
By Kate Kasch
Chapter One
Pinching her nose with one hand, Isabella “Ella” Martinez pushed the door to the men’s bathroom, bracing herself for the onslaught of smells. Still holding her breath, she dragged in the bucket of soapy water, the mop, and carrier full of cleaning supplies. This bathroom on the 22nd floor was always the grossest; if only to get it over with, Ella cleaned it first every time she worked.
She removed one rubber glove to turn up the volume on her phone before Christmas music blasted through her earbuds. Then, with the rubber glove back in place, she forged on. Like a machine. she went through the motions of wiping the mirrors and scrubbing the sinks, her mind on a million other things. She had always been good at compartmentalizing. She might be in a stinky men’s bathroom at seven o’clock at night wearing a maid’s uniform, but her mind was in a happy place.
She thought about the class discussion in her Early Elementary course that morning, and the new Christmas book she was reading on her train ride into Manhattan from Queens. Before she even realized it, the once nasty bathroom was sparkling from floor to ceiling. With one last glance to be sure she hadn’t missed anything, Ella walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her with a feeling of satisfaction.
Although this job was not what she pictured for herself, she would admit that she enjoyed that feeling of accomplishment at completing the tasks. She was proud of how efficiently and effectively she could clean up any mess. Which was nice because the law offices of Dawson and Hancock were always a mysterious disaster. Ever since her father passed away a couple of years ago, Ella had been working nights cleaning offices. She had seen her fair share of filth, but the 22nd floor of the skyscraper at 430 Fifth Avenue took dirty to a whole other level.
After cleaning the women’s bathroom, which was usually in good shape to start with, likely because there were fewer women that worked in the office than men, Ella made her way down the hallway toward the main office area. In the large open space, shoulder-height partitions were jammed together to create a maze of cubicles. Setting the bucket and mop aside, Ella pulled out the vacuum to get started on the beige carpet that was full of crumbs, papers, and pine needles this time of year. As she was about to turn on the vacuum, she felt someone grab her arm. Caught totally by surprise, Ella jumped in the air, pulling her earbuds out of her ears as she moved.
“You really shouldn’t listen to that music so loudly,” Rosie said, shaking her head in disapproval.
“Geez, Rosie, you scared me to death! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
“I didn’t sneak up on you! I called out your name about ten times! It’s not my fault that you insist on blasting music straight into your ears. By the time you’re my age your hearing is going to be gone.” Rosie continued to shake her head. “Mark my words. You keep it up and you won’t be able to hear a thing.”
“Is there something you needed besides lecturing me on my loud music?” Ella jabbed a fisted hand onto her hip.
“I was going to ask you if you would mind cleaning some of the big offices for me today? I was hoping to cut out a little early. It’s Marco’s Christmas concert at school tonight and I don’t want to miss it.”
Marco was Rosie’s grandson and the apple of her eye. Ella considered Rosie stubborn, cynical, and a bit of a complainer. But when she talked about Marco, the frown that had taken up permanent residence on Rosie’s face disappeared.
“Most people don’t lecture someone right before asking for a favor,” Ella raised an eyebrow. Rosie’s face didn’t move. “You know I don’t mind. I wouldn’t want you missing Marco’s performance.”
Rosie’s face still didn’t move. “Thank you. And remember to check all the Christmas trees to see if they need water.” With that, she turned around and left to get her coat.
“You’re welcome!” Ella called after her. Rosie kept walking without even a glance backward or a nod to acknowledge she heard anything. Ella sighed, put her earbuds back in her ears, and started the vacuum. It looked like it was going to be a long night.
An hour or so later, having finished cleaning the cubicles, Ella started on the individual offices. The offices belonged to the higher-ups, each one getting larger and more lavish with every pay grade. Although they were more work to clean, Ella preferred the larger offices to the cramped cubicles out on the floor.
Each office told a story about its occupant. The photos of ski trips, beach vacations, smiling families, and beautiful women were a peek into the lives of the fortunate. It wasn’t strange for her to see many of the President and Vice President-level offices still occupied while she was there cleaning. She knew that the men and women with tired eyes, hunched shoulders, and faces pinched in concentration, worked hard. In Ella’s mind, their lives still seemed glamorous—definitely more glamorous than hers. Although Ella was pretty sure everyone in New York City was leading a more glamorous life than she was.
Humming along to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” she made her way through the offices, one by one. Along with photos and unique mementos from trips to exotic locales, this time of year the offices were also decorated for the holidays. With the music blaring in her ears, the decor really put her in the Christmas spirit.
That was, until she came upon the last and largest corner office. The size alone indicated its occupant was an important member of the company. A vast dark mahogany desk and buttery soft leather chairs were silhouetted against a wall of windows. The view of downtown Manhattan was spectacular, a million little lights dancing against the night sky as far as the eye could see. But that was it. Nothing else. No Christmas tree, garland, or tiny little twinkle lights. Nothing.
Maybe the person is Jewish, Ella thought to herself. But a closer look revealed no framed photos of a family on vacation and no photo of what might be a significant other. In fact, there were no photos at all.
What kind of person doesn’t have any photos in their office? No one that Ella would want to know, that’s for sure. From that point forward, Ella was going to call this office, “Scrooge’s office.” Once she finished cleaning Scrooge’s office, she put her supplies away and with exhaustion starting to settle into her bones, she grabbed her things on her way to the elevator bank.
The numbers lit up as the elevator made its way to the 22nd floor. Ella layered her black puffer coat over her black uniform, which was starched and wrinkle-free. She put her black pompom hat on before looking down at herself. All black—she looked like she was going to a funeral. Tomorrow she would cheer herself look up a bit by wearing a brightly colored scarf.
The elevator dinged, announcing its arrival, and as soon as the doors started to open, Ella started to walk forward. Zipping up her coat to hide her somber outfit, she stepped into the elevator. Unbeknownst to her, someone else was stepping out of the elevator and was also not paying attention.
Smack! Ella and the unknown man collided.
“Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry!” Ella put her hand to her heart, startled. “I didn’t see anyone coming out,” she looked up and into the light hazel eyes of a tall broad-shouldered man.
“No, excuse me. It’s my fault; I was looking at my phone. I apologize,” the stranger looked down at Ella. Their eyes held each other’s gaze for the briefest of moments while Ella’s pulse ticked up a notch.
“There’s normally no one here at this hour,” Ella’s voice sounded breathy and weak.
“I know. I forgot something at my desk,” the man looked over toward the main office. “What are you doing—?” His gaze swept down, and Ella saw him assess the uniform still peeking out from under her open jacket. “Oh, I see. Right, well, I’m sorry if I startled you,” he stood up taller, his voice taking on an impersonal tone. “Have a good night,” he flashed a quick, distracted smile and turned toward the office. He didn’t wait for her to respond back.
Between college classes, her day job, and her
night job which included cleaning dirty bathrooms, no help, and extra work, Ella’s spirits still hadn’t been crushed. But that change in the man’s eyes the minute he realized she was “the help”? Well, that sent her spiraling down pity party lane.
On the long train commute back to Queens, Ella tried to get into Restoring Christmas, the Christmas romance novel she was reading, but she couldn’t focus on the happy story. Typically, the idea of Christmas wishes, and happy endings made her feel like anything was possible during this magical time of year. But not tonight; tonight her heart felt heavy and it was all she could do to hold in the tears that were pooling in her large brown eyes.
So caught up in her own misery, when the train stopped at Forest Hills, Queens station, Ella almost missed her stop. Thankfully, the conductor’s announcement of the stop somehow broke through Ella’s thoughts and she jolted out of her seat, rushing to the train door. She barely squeaked out onto the station platform before the train doors closed.
Okay, Ella, the pity party is over. Out of habit, she reached under her scarf and took hold of the gold pendant that hung around her neck. Her father gave her the necklace when she turned thirteen and she had barely taken it off in the ten plus years since. The front of the pendant was engraved with Ella’s initials, and the back of the pendant was engraved with the words, Nunca dejes de sonar, which is Spanish for “Never stop dreaming.”
Luis Martinez, Ella’s father, moved to New York City from Puerto Rico when he was in his early twenties, about the age Ella was now. He came knowing very little English but picked up the language quickly. He knew New York City was going to give him and his future children the best opportunity to live out their dreams. After living in Queens for about a year, he met Ella’s mother, Regina Bianchi, an Italian American born and raised in New York City. Luis and Regina fell fast in love and were quickly inseparable. Boldly approaching their families about their love for one another and their plans to marry, they prepared themselves for some backlash. Fortunately, both families accepted the couple. “At least they were both Catholic,” Regina’s mother had said.
Ella would repeatedly ask her father to tell the story of how her parents met. Their love story became the standard by which she measured all her encounters with men. Of the few men she had dated, not one of them had made her feel the way Luis had felt the moment he saw Regina.
She squeezed the pendant and summoned her father’s memory, picturing his twinkling dark eyes that would crinkle when he smiled and the way his contagious laugh could brighten the mood in any situation. Her plan worked. A small smile spread across Ella’s face as the feeling of her father’s love surrounded her once again. She continued the short walk to the apartment she shared with her mother with a lighter step and an even lighter heart.
Although tomorrow was yet another day packed with classes and work at the bookstore followed, once again, by cleaning office buildings, she was ready for the challenge. Like her father always said, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.”
Chapter Two
The bell chimed as Ella opened the door to The Book Nook. After rushing to the subway from her class at NYU and sprinting from the subway to the bookstore, her entire body relaxed the moment she stepped inside. With books surrounding her and the scent of lavender wafting from the essential oil diffuser, the tiny stop in Midtown felt like home.
The storeowner, Marney, was fascinated by the oils and their subconscious effects on humans and animals alike. More specifically, she had a particular interest in how the change of oil from lavender to eucalyptus, etc. would affect the energy and mood of her labradoodle, Merry.
Letting her fingers skim over the tops of books stacked on every square inch of shelf and tabletop, Ella made her way to the back of the store.
“I’m here! Sorry I’m a few minutes late!” Ella called out, not wanting to startle the woman whose hearing wasn’t as sharp as it once was—and that’s putting it kindly. At a young seventy-three, Marney couldn’t hear a subway train if it were barreling right through the front door of the store.
“I’m in the back!” Marney yelled with her back turned to the entrance just as Ella stopped to her right, allowing the loud reply to penetrate her ear drum at close proximity. Her left hand moved to cover her tender ear. With her right hand, she touched Marney’s arm gently.
Marney turned toward her. “Oh, you’re right here. I didn’t see you there. How was class today?”
She pushed her long, gray waves of hair off her face, as was her habit, and a sleeve of bracelets jangled. Her thin, bird-like frame was softened by a brightly colored silk kimono which was topped with a stack of beaded necklaces. Sprawled lazily at her feet was Merry.
“It was great. We had to create lesson plans for a mock first semester of third grade."
“Sounds wonderful! You’re going to be a great teacher someday.” She turned and smiled at Ella before continuing. “Oh, look at that bright red scarf! That’s a nice change from your typical sea of black.”
“Thank you, I think?” Ella laughed as she put her book bag down and started to take off her scarf and jacket. Marney was always trying to get Ella to wear more color. “What can I help you with today?”
“Why don’t we go work on the display at the front of the store. I want to arrange Christmas books on it and decorate with my collection of nutcrackers and some colored lights and shiny garland. I’m looking through my box of decorations, now.”
“Do you know what would be great?” Ella was excited now. “We could do a whole section of children’s Christmas books with a train running throughout the display!”
“That’s a great idea! Are you sure you can’t work here forever?” With a sad smile, Marney leaned into Ella for a quick hug.
The response from the older woman was surprising, but not. “You know I love working here, but once I get my degree, I’m hoping to get a teaching position as quickly as possible.”
“Oh, I know. I know. And all those students you’ll teach someday will be the luckiest children in New York City with a teacher like you.”
Ella and Marney worked the rest of the afternoon setting up the two Christmas book display tables at the front of the store. Christmas music played softly in the background. Around 4 p.m., with the displays complete, Ella left to pick up two mocha lattes to celebrate.
In between customers, Marney asked, “Do you have to clean tonight or are you volunteering at the community center?”
“Cleaning tonight and volunteering tomorrow night.”
“I don’t know how you do it! Taking classes, working two jobs and volunteering with children? Where do you find the energy?” She sounded exhausted by the idea.
“This helps.” Ella smiled as she lifted her coffee cup. “Hopefully, it’s only for a few more weeks and then I’ll graduate without any student loans. It took a little longer, but I’m glad I did it this way.”
“You are one in a million, my Isabella. But I wish you would find some time to squeeze in a social life. You’re so young! So beautiful! You need to let loose a little. Have some fun! This is New York City!” She did a little dance that made Ella laugh.
“Thanks, Marney.” Ella took a deep breath. “I need to keep my head down and focus for the next few weeks.” After a pause, Ella admitted, “But I am dreading my cleaning duties tonight.”
“Why is that? Rosie giving you attitude again?”
“Always,” Ella smiled. “But that’s not why I’m dreading work tonight.” Ella then went on to explain the collision with the stranger in the elevator and the way it made her feel.
“I’m so sorry, honey, but that man doesn’t know you,” Marney looked at Ella sympathetically. “Trust me when I say, he is missing out.”
“Thanks, Marney. I can always count on you to cheer me up.” Ella gave Marney’s hand a gentle squeeze, and then glanced at the clock on the wall. “I should get going. I don’t want to deal with Rosie’s attitude if I’m late,” Ella rolled her eyes.
“Wait!
Come to the back with me before you leave.” She grabbed Ella by the wrist and pulled her to the back room.
“Is everything okay?” Ella giggled. “You don’t have to pull me. I need to go to the back to get my coat and bag anyway.”
A woman on a mission, Marney searched through drawers and shelves pulling things out and moving piles around.
“What are you looking for? Can I help you find it?”
“Aha!” She turned around and a wide smile spread across her face. “Found it!” In her hand was a small, smooth light pink stone. “This is a rose quartz stone. I want you to carry it with you tonight.” She tucked the small rock into Ella’s jacket pocket before grabbing one of her bottles of essential oils. “Give me your wrist.”
Ella knew the drill. This wasn’t the first time Marney had tried to adjust her chakras. She knew it would be easier if she played along while Marney dabbed drops of oil on both of her wrists.
Ella did her best to hold in any laughter as Marney continued. “You see, rose quartz is known as the stone of unconditional love. When combined with the jasmine, it will help you attract more abundance, love, and happiness in your life. It will flush out any stagnant feelings and help vibrant energy flow through your entire body.”
“Okayyyyy, not very subtle but thank you.” Ella laughed. “But you know I’m going to clean offices, not going to a party, right?”
“You should always be ready. You never know what life has in store for you. It’s best to be prepared.” she clasped her hands together at her heart and her face lit up with hope.
Chapter Three
With a black coffee in one hand and a briefcase in the other, Wyatt Dawson expertly weaved through the throngs of people on the packed sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan. Because of the way the Christmas lights made the storefronts glow, most people loved New York City in December. Nostalgic music played in every store and restaurant and beautiful holiday décor turned the ordinary display windows into winter wonderlands.