The bus turned onto another street. Kris adjusted his head against the seat to try and get comfortable. With his eyes closed tight, his mind began to race. He thought about the strange elf, the bizarre compass in his possession, the accident outside the store, the comic book resemblance to his own life and the beautiful nurse who seemed to have a connection with him. The strange happenings throughout the day entered his subconscious. His thoughts suddenly changed to something different.
I hate myself for being so critical. I look at my own gaunt appearance and know I have my own share of imperfections. Somehow I can accept my own faults, but not others. I realize that as the years pass by, I’m still alone and that maybe the reason for this is because of me. I’m not a tolerant man and I easily criticize and judge others. I realize that if I don’t change my attitude, that I’ll never reach my full potential and become Santa Claus.
His eyelids flew open. He shook himself awake and looked out the window. The bus pulled up to his street and Kris eagerly departed. He stood on the deserted corner, undecided. All the events of the day had touched him in some way. He wasn’t sure how to put the wheels in motion, but he knew the first thing he needed to do was contact the girl. Kris reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the gold compass. Staring at the trinket, he held it close to his mouth and whispered for only it to hear. “I don’t know what I need to do. Give me some directions, please. I’m ready to fulfill my destiny.”
The compass lay motionless in his palm. The dials didn’t move and the sharp little voice didn’t repeat a silly rhyme. Kris waited with trepidation. He was ready to make a commitment and needed words of wisdom and guidance to help him complete his quest. Kris was ready to throw the compass into the snow and wait for it to find him, when a cheer of joy sounded.
“Finding Mrs. Claus is the key to the suit, locate this mystery woman and you’ve unraveled the clue.”
“What the heck does that mean?” Kris glared down at the compass and shook it hard. “I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do! And who in the world is Mrs. Claus?” He stood outside his apartment and watched the snow fall softly to the ground. Kris realized that with a new sense of purpose in his life, he wouldn’t sleep until he unraveled this mystery. He stared into nothingness. “Come on,” he begged. “Where do I look?” A sudden tug on his coat startled him. He turned and looked down with relief. A smile spread across his face. “I never thought I would see you again.” He picked up the little man and gave him a warm hug.
“I was afraid to come back after the way you treated me.” Mikey stood with his hands on his hips and studied the tall man in front of him. “You look different somehow. Has something amazing happened in your life?”
Kris couldn’t withhold information. The events of the day gushed from his mouth. He relayed all the strange events that had occurred and finally revealed his thoughts about himself. “I don’t know why I didn’t see this before?”
Mikey grinned. “Sometimes we can only see inside our box. We feel comfortable, secure in our own little world and are afraid to step out of the comfort zone. I’m proud of you, big guy.”
“Big guy?” Kris glanced down at his thin frame and noticed a small paunch. He couldn’t believe what was happening to him.
“Remember what I said about the magic coming alive once you fill the suit?”
“Yes, I remember,” he said, “but I don’t understand how that happens.”
“You’re supposed to figure this out for yourself, big guy. I’m not supposed to tell you anything else.”
Kris stared down at the elf and thought hard. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a brilliant idea popped into his head. “I need to find Mrs. Claus. Once I find love and happiness, my life will be complete. Then I will fill the suit and the magic will come alive. After this happens, I can journey to the North Pole and become Santa Claus.”
Mikey clapped his hands with joy. “Now the hard part is finding Mrs. Claus. You must reach deep down and think hard about the one woman who has touched your life.”
Kris shook his head. “I’ve already thought about the women from my past and I can’t think of one who would meet the requirements as the perfect wife. To be that kind of woman she must be happy, loving, caring, have a sweet disposition, be a motherly type, hopefully someone who can cook and bake…” He stopped listing the requirements and gazed down at Mikey with wide eyes. “I know who she is!” he shouted. “The woman works as a nurse at the hospital. The moment I saw her, we had this strange connection. I need to get over there right now!”
“Would you like help?”
Before Kris could answer that question, he was whisked off his feet and pulled into the air. He looked down in fright at the world below. He hated heights and was afraid to fly. To make matters worse, the only thing keeping him airborne was the hand of an elf. “Do you think this is safe?” he shouted.
Mikey smiled and reassured him this was the safest way to travel.
The city lights seemed like tiny specks and the vehicles looked like toy cars. Kris swallowed nervously as he felt the cold wind in his hair. The breeze immediately chilled him to the bone. He clutched tightly to the hand of Mikey and prayed that they would land soon. Minutes later, they arrived at the hospital.
The elf lowered him carefully to the ground and wished him luck. “Look deep into your heart and you’ll find her. Good luck, big guy.” He winked and disappeared.
Kris quickly walked through the sliding glass doors and took the elevator to the children’s ward. Once he located Jimmy’s room, he knocked and entered.
Jimmy was lying in bed with a cast on his foot. He glanced up and gave him a warm smile. “I love my train,” he said.
Kris came up to his bed. “I’m here to return your comic book.”
“Did you find out what you need to know?”
He nodded and reached into his pocket. He gave the cheerful boy the magazine. “I learned even more than I can comprehend.”
“Do you believe this magic can really happen?”
“Yes, I believe it with all my heart. If anyone tells you differently, let them know Kris Kringle agrees with you.”
“I will,” Jimmy replied. The child studied him carefully. “Have you gained weight? You look different.”
Kris glanced down at his stomach and noticed that it expanded even more. “I guess I have.” He leaned in close to ask Jimmy an important question. “Have you seen the nurse that was in here earlier?”
Jimmy peered up at him. “What nurse is that?”
“She has shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes and a rosy complexion.”
“I haven’t seen a nurse like that.”
“When I was here earlier, she left cookies in your room.”
Jimmy shrugged. “The nurse that looks after me hasn’t brought cookies. She only feeds me healthy food.”
Kris thought this was very strange. Why can’t he remember what she looks like? Then an idea struck him. Jimmy had hit his head and possibly suffered memory loss. He patted the boy on the shoulder and told him to get better. Before Kris departed, he signed his cast and thanked him for the use of the comic book. He left the room with a helpless feeling. I need to find her, but where do I look? Kris took the elevator to the main floor lobby and approached the front desk. “Excuse me,” he said. “Can you tell me the name of a nurse that works here?”
The dark-haired woman looked up from her computer. “What does she look like?”
He repeated the physical characteristics to the nurse and waited for an answer.
“I’m sorry, sir, but there is no one by that description that works here.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. I’ve worked here for twenty years and not once have we had a nurse who can bake cookies like you described.”
He thanked the woman for the information and left the hospital feeling blue. Kris hung his head down in sadness and walked back home. He needed to clear his mind. Had I imagined her? He didn’t think that was lik
ely. Then he reasoned that considering his circumstances, anything was possible. Kris wished at that moment that his little elf companion would appear. Maybe he could give him some hints as to where this mystery woman was located. He kicked at a big pile of snow and sauntered slowly back home.
With his hands shoved deep inside his pockets, he walked a few blocks, then stopped. A woman dressed in a bright red coat was ringing a bell. She waved to people as they passed by and asked for charitable donations. Kris picked up his pace. From the length of her hair and the tone of her voice, he was sure it was the woman of his dreams. When he arrived at the station, he looked deep into her eyes and felt his heart break.
“Would you like to donate money to the poor?” She motioned to the brightly covered tin she had sitting on a table.
Kris didn’t see that sparkle in her eyes and knew she wasn’t the one. She does look familiar though. “Do you work at the hospital as a nurse?”
She looked up at him and laughed. “I’m a woman of many hidden talents and trades. Do you think we’ve met?” Her brow wrinkled in confusion.
“I thought we did…I must be mistaken.” He placed a few dollars into the tin and set off down the street. He looked back and caught the pretty woman staring at him. Why does she look so familiar? Kris caught a snowflake as it fell into his hand. He watched it melt and then caught another. Kris felt his clothes tighten around the waist. He ignored the uncomfortable feeling and crossed a busy intersection. He noticed a neon sign that advertised fresh baked goods. The smell appeased his senses. His protruding belly rumbled.
Kris swung open the door to the bakery and let the sweet smells overtake him. He went up to the counter to decide what to order. His eyes scanned the listings on the bulletin. He was contemplating what to buy when a pretty lady wearing a bakery hat walked by. “Excuse me,” he said to the clerk. “Who is that woman?”
The gangly young lad shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know who you mean.”
Kris couldn’t take his gaze off her. She had the same physical characteristics as the woman in the hospital and the lady on the street. How come they all look alike? Kris never had a chance to contemplate the answer.
The young boy coughed and motioned for him to make up his mind.
Kris turned around and noticed there was a lineup. He spotted a listing for chocolate chip cookies and decided the best way to solve the mystery was to order the same thing he had at the hospital. If it tastes the same, then it must be the same woman who bakes them.
He paid for his purchase and found a corner table. Lifting the warm cookie to his mouth, he took a bite and savored the taste. The chocolate chips melted in his mouth. He closed his eyes to the delicious sensation. While he was enjoying his dessert, Kris noticed the brown-haired woman hang up her apron and leave the store through the back entrance. He got up from his seat and departed the bakery. He had to find her. The future of Christmas depended on it.
Kris ran out onto the sidewalk and scanned the area. He searched frantically through the parking lot and circled the store several times. When he couldn’t find her, he decided to walk a few more blocks toward his place in hopes of running into her. Why is finding this woman so difficult?
Kris glanced at his watch and noticed it was after eight. He made a decision. If he hadn’t located her in the next hour, he would give up the search and continue another day. He felt his clothes tighten even more. He undid his coat and saw that some of the buttons on his shirt had popped off. Then he glanced down even lower. He gasped in surprise. A rather large stomach protruded over his pants. Kris gasped for air with each step he took. He was desperate to find Mrs. Claus.
Kris walked further and stopped in front of his toy store. He noticed a light was on in the back room. Curious, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. “Hello? Is anyone in here?”
From around the corner, Mervin appeared. He had a shocked look on his face. “Kris Kringle, is that you?”
He saw his own reflection in a nearby mirror. Kris couldn’t believe he had a thick white beard and mustache. He moved closer and inspected his white hair. Turning sideways, he couldn’t believe the sudden weight gain.
“What happened to you?”
Kris smiled at his jolly reflection. “I’ve changed.”
“But how?” Mervin stepped closer in awe. “You look great, sir.” Then he glanced awkwardly at his own shoes. “I’m sorry for working late. It’s just with Christmas coming—”
“That’s quite all right,” Kris interrupted. “Listen, I’m going to let you run this store from now on.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
Kris stared down at the bald man. “I have other prospects in my future. I’m not sure what they are yet, but I have a feeling that working in this shop isn’t one of them.”
“Where will you go?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe I’ll go to the North Pole.”
“To the North Pole, sir?”
“Tonight I’m searching for the answers to my life.”
Mervin seemed surprised. “I hope you find them.” He reached out to shake his hand.
“Call me, Kris.”
Mervin smiled and wished him luck. “Thank you, Kris.”
He reached the door and was ready to leave when he turned. “Tell Sally Larson she can return to her previous position.”
“I will,” he replied.
It was during the next hour that Kris ran into more brown-haired women. They all had the same build, facial features and soft voice as his wife of destiny. He found it bizarre that in all the years of looking for the perfect mate, he had never once found so many possibilities. As he walked toward his apartment, he saw a similar woman in a library reading to a group of children, one in a dress shop hemming up a pair of pants and another lady in an office typing letters for her boss.
Kris entered all the stores and asked the women if he had seen them somewhere before. All of them responded to his bold approach with a laugh and a wave of their hands. In utter desperation, he hit the pavement and continued on his trek. Kris noticed the further he traveled, the tighter his clothes became. His dress shirt finally split wide open and the waist of his pants cut into his tender skin. I need to change into something more comfortable.
By the time he reached his home, he saw another similar woman on a sleigh. A team of horses pulled the wooden sled. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. She was dressed in a red coat and had the rosy cheeks he recalled from the woman at the charity booth. Is she the one? Kris wasn’t sure. As he drew close, he was almost sure they had met before. He raised a hand and waved politely.
The woman did the same and continued on her merry way.
“Hey, wait!” he shouted.
She didn’t stop her carriage and continued to travel slowly through the deserted streets.
Kris ran to catch up with her. He managed to run alongside the sled. “What’s your name?”
The woman only nodded and smiled politely.
“Have we met? You look familiar!” he panted.
She turned to meet his gaze. “I’m a woman of many trades and talents,” she replied.
“I need to talk with you!” he shouted.
She didn’t acknowledge him. The horses picked up speed and trotted faster.
Kris fell further behind and watched as the woman of his dreams slipped through his fingers. What she had said about having many trades and talents sent a chill up and down his spine. The woman he had met on the street had used that same line. It is the same lady! Suddenly, a car sped around the corner and startled the horses. They reared onto their hind legs and took off with a shot.
“Help!” the woman cried.
Kris didn’t know what to do. He grasped the compass and asked for assistance. When nothing happened, he shouted into the quiet street for Mikey. “Where are you?” He panicked and did the first thing that came to mind. He rushed into his apartment building and ran up the flight of stairs. One he reached the top, he unlocked his door an
d grabbed the red Santa suit. He managed to pry the tight clothing from his large body and replaced it with the comfortable outfit. With everything in its rightful place, the suit sparkled and gleamed.
Then his feet left the floor and he felt his body become lighter. He commanded the magic to take him to the distraught woman. At his command, he was transported immediately to the sled. When Kris opened his eyes, he found himself in control of the reins. He glanced over at the scared beauty and tried to concentrate on gaining control of the sled.
“Stop this thing!” she screamed. “We’re going toward the lake!”
Kris used a powerful voice to order the horses to stop. To his horror, this didn’t work. He pulled hard on the reins. The team continued to gallop across the ice at great speed. “Why isn’t the magic working?” He realized at that moment that the young woman would be clueless as to what he referred to.
The horses didn’t stop running until a thick sheet of ice made it almost impossible to run. They skidded to a stop.
Kris took a deep breath. He wiped the perspiration off his brow.
“Thank you for saving me,” the woman spoke. She was about to reach over and touch his hand when the ice beneath the sled began to crack.
Kris ordered the horses to turn around and go to shore. He flicked the reins with his wrist and encouraged them to run. The horses stood very still and didn’t move until the ice broke apart. The horses darted at the movement beneath their feet and charged forward. The sled overturned and Kris and the woman ended up in the cold water. The horses bolted in fright and managed to make it safely back to shore on the ice flows.
“Help me!” she cried.
The cold water made him gasp. Even the thick red suit that covered his body didn’t help. He struggled to keep his head above water and tried to reach for her hand. He kicked as hard as he could with his feet. Kris noticed the woman flailed madly about.
She clutched on tight to an ice flow. “I can’t hold on much longer!” she wailed. “The water is so cold!”
Kris could see their breath in the cold night air. If he didn’t reach her in time, they would both freeze to death. He managed to move slowly through the thick ice. The coldness made it almost impossible to swim. He focused his attention on his future wife. The spirit of Christmas depends on us. He felt his body go numb. Kris stopped kicking his legs. The freezing temperature chilled him to the bone. It was too difficult to inch his way closer. He was ready to give up hope.
Finding Mrs. Claus Page 3