Christmas Couragement

by LoRee Peery

  When Mom died.

  As children, neither Meredith nor Liam had talked about the absent Gorgeous father; maybe it was a good thing Zoe hadn’t asked Liam about his mother.

  Instead of heading to Agape Wear, Zoe scurried to her car and turned southeast to the craft store. As memories spun back to her times with Meredith, Zoe’s mind was full of Liam. He was in the background as they’d made the Christmas cards at Meredith’s home. He had fun teasing Zoe as much as his sister, never in a mean way.

  Liam had obeyed his mother and escorted, rather trailed behind a few feet, as the girls sought just the right person to hand their cards to. Sometimes they later cried over the joy they’d brought to a recipient.

  Zoe experienced much the same fulfillment now when she helped the helpless. She’d learned not every directionless man on the streets was a drug user, lazy, or mentally ill. They were often victims who’d never connected with the right advocate and availed themselves of the aid available.

  Faces of the homeless stretched far beyond the men who slept on vacant benches or under bridges. The women and children who had frequented Agape Wear shared awful stories. They were in trouble due to loss of homes because of fire or abandonment. Many dependent children lost their security when their fathers’ jobs didn’t pan out. Other honest families went broke due to lack of insurance to cover medical bills. Then there were the women who had to start over because of abuse.

  Help was available for everyone if they had the right advocate or avenues.

  Zoe didn’t want to contemplate the effect that drug users had on families. She knew the heartache addiction caused. When it came to loss of livelihood due to that affliction, she identified with many of the people she encountered.

  Tears threatened at the way the Lord had saved her from her weak self. She was still working on being deserving of her financial status. “Thank You, Abba Father, for the desire to pass on what I can, without hurting another’s sense of self.”

  She arrived at the craft store, ready to spend some of that money on craft items to lift another’s spirit. Liam’s image came to mind.

  What had happened to make him so serious that his eyes lacked luster and his face looked as if it would crack if he smiled? If anyone needed ’couragement, it was Liam.

  Let the Christmas countdown begin.

  2

  Day One ’couragement

  But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

  ~Psalm 52:8

  Zoe used her key to unlatch the spiked iron gates at the courtyard entrance and read the sign above the new business now next to her favorite boutique, Garden Gate. The key dropped from her gloved hand. There were no coincidences with God. She’d seen men working on a huge plank sign above the empty shop front the last time she’d closed her outlet door.

  Her breath caught. “Gorgeous Photography” stood out in stark white print against an ebony background. She wouldn’t have to ask Meredith where to locate Liam. They worked across the courtyard from each another.

  Twinkle lights in the trees and Christmas melodies piped outside warmed her as much as the indoor temperature of her new and gently used clothing outlet. She’d kept from going overboard with her decorating because opulence would be a deterrent to those in need. Fresh greenery trimmed with silver and sparkling lights created a simple welcome.

  She entered Agape Wear and stored her tote and outer garments on the reverse side of a peacock-painted screen set up behind the counter.

  The door opened and closed on a woman in her mid-twenties, around Zoe’s own age. Tall, and on the thin side, wearing an unlined denim coat inadequate for winter’s cold, the woman hesitated.

  “Good morning. I’m Zoe. What may I help you with?”

  “Hi. Mary at the shelter said you like to know our names so you can pray for us.” The woman remained near the door. “I’m Angela. Maybe you have a warmer coat for me?”

  “Please, come this way. I have just the right one. A soft brown. And it’s lined.” Zoe led Angela to the appropriate rack. “There’s no hood, but a lady in my church knits. This soft green hat with matching mittens would bring out your lovely eyes.”

  “May I wear it now?” A light shone in Angela’s eyes that had been lacking moments earlier.

  “Definitely.” Zoe folded the inadequate-for-winter jacket and placed it, along with a copy of the New Testament, in a handled paper sack, simply stamped AGAPE WEAR. “The name of my church is tucked inside. We gather donations of clothing and blankets on a regular basis. Please tell anyone else who may need something to come our way.”

  “What does agape mean?” Angela pronounced it with a long A. “I thought that meant a wide-open something, like a yawning mouth.”

  “Agape is a Greek word that means God’s love for us.”

  ~*~

  Throughout the day, Zoe had plenty of chances to keep an eye on Gorgeous Photography. Other than the soft glow of a light from the rear, she had yet to see Liam. A few window shoppers had roamed the other shops, but no open sign appeared on his door or in the window.

  Her mind strayed to him repeatedly, and she decided not to hand Liam the Christmas card she’d made, but give it to him anonymously. Probably a good thing he hadn’t shown up. She’d slip it in the antique mail slot inside the gate. Then again, maybe not. She’d pray about it.

  ~*~

  Since early morning Liam had spent the day in the back of his studio framing photographs he’d chosen to display not by subject, but rather grouped by their similar frames. His early morning thermos of coffee had long since worn off, along with volumes of water, and a bag of pretzels downed for lunch. He stood and stretched his back, surveying the courtyard within view. No other store lights glowed. Courtyard proprietors weren’t open during evening hours.

  Time to find something to eat. He scanned the oyster white walls and the black and white photographs already hanging. Meredith would have a fit over the lack of color. According to her, bright primary accents added pops of color. He put on his coat and locked the door.

  Two blocks later, he encountered a woman talking to a homeless man huddled in a niche created by the masonry corners of two abutting buildings. The strap of her purse crossed her back.

  “Ma’am?” He touched her shoulder, cushioned by the thick puffs of a light blue hooded coat. “Do you need help?”

  She didn’t turn. “I’m fine. Just making sure he doesn’t need medical aid.”

  “Zoe?”

  She faced him, her beautiful eyes framed by barely blue fake fur that made him think of icicles. She held a rolled-up blanket in the crook of her arm where a small book stuck up from the center fold.

  The transient put two feet of space between Zoe and himself. “I’d never harm a beautiful angel, mister. And lady, thank you kindly. I could use that blanket you’re holding, unless you have a better use for it.”

  Liam stared off. Zoe still did this? Walked up to all kinds of humanity without thinking about her own safety?

  “Consider it yours. Here’s a New Testament to help you find comfort. Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels.” She placed the book in his hand. Liam couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the dirty navy glove with holes, and the baby blue leather covering her slim fingers.

  The man wrapped his fingers around the small book. “Bless you, miss. That’s mighty angelic of you.”

  Zoe graced both men with a smile, and addressed the stranger. “Find a place warm to sleep tonight.”

  She stepped close to Liam, slipped her hand next to his, then up to the inside of his arm.

  How could she smell so good at the end of the day? It had been a long time since a woman stood so close. “I can’t believe you still do that sort of thing.” Couldn’t she find a better way to spend her time?

  “Everybody needs encouragement, Liam.”

  Where were the kindhearted, the angels, when he had needed someone like Zoe?

  The bl
ue in her coat made her eyes look green in the streetlight. “You look tired. Have you eaten?”

  “If you count pretzels. I had eggs for breakfast, but that was hours ago. I’m thinking Italian, unless you have a better suggestion.”

  “I know just the place.” She led him a block and a half to another courtyard with open intricate gates. As soon as he opened the restaurant door for Zoe, he smelled olive oil, fresh bread, and spices.

  They went about the being seated, menu selections, and ordering business without speaking. He caught her passing as many glances his way as he shot hers. For some reason, they avoided direct eye contact. Was she a little nervous, the same way he was?

  It was natural to be curious as to her shape. He hadn’t seen her without her coat, but he refrained from following the impulse to check her out detail-by-detail.

  She dipped a pinch of roll in seasoned olive oil. The oil glistened on her lower lip. He dropped his focus to his own roll, and ripped it in half.

  “Thank you for putting me in contact with Meredith. We’re trying to arrange it so she can come for the holidays.” Zoe gasped, and he looked up. She covered her mouth then dropped her hand to her lap. “I’m so sorry. Was her visit supposed to be a surprise?”

  He’d gone on full alert at the sound she’d made, and then forced the tension out of his shoulders. “I thought you’d cut yourself or something.”

  She giggled.

  How long had it been since he’d been with a woman who giggled? The girly sound gave him the urge to smile, which he ignored. “Meredith told me. And that you offered to buy her ticket. Did you win the lottery or something?”

  She let loose then. Her musical laughter hit him in the ribs.

  “No, but my grandparents did. I’ve been a trust fund baby since my twenty-first birthday.”

  “You don’t say.” He set down his sourdough roll to end any distraction. “That’s too wild for words.”

  “Yup. Wild, all right. Believe me, having scads of money all at once is not all good.”

  “Where are your grandparents now?”

  “Way down in south Texas. Dad retired early. Since he manages the millions for his parents, he and Mom moved there as well.” She took her hand off the table and visibly inhaled as wait staff set the plate of seafood pasta in front of her.

  He picked up his fork and sliced into a slab of steak so tender it didn’t require a knife. “And where do you live?”

  She didn’t respond.

  Liam looked up. Oops! He waited while she finished her silent prayer.

  “I can’t be trusted to live by myself, so I have three roommates. Two gals and a guy. McKenna, Anna, and Cliff. He does the yard work. We live on an acreage southwest of Lincoln.”

  Couldn’t be trusted? “How many acres?”

  She resettled her napkin on her lap and stabbed a shrimp. “Only three, kind of a spiffy location. Grass, a creek, not many trees.”

  He wished he knew her well enough to understand what trust had to do with her living by herself.

  ~*~

  Zoe reached into her tote for her credit card, and touched the envelope for Liam instead. She drew it out. “I was going to slip this in your mail slot, like a secret Santa or something, but I decided to give it to you personally.”

  “What is it?”

  “Open it.”

  “A Christmas card?” He slipped the card from its pine green envelope, and took so long inspecting the lacy three dimensions that she thought something was wrong.

  “Aren’t you going to see what’s inside?”

  “Sure. It just took me back. Meredith has made me a card for every birthday since you two did the Christmas card thing.”

  “Sweet. Birthday ’couragement.”

  He bit his bottom lip and finally peeked inside.

  She wanted to scream, waiting for him to raise his head. To cover sudden nerves, she prattled information. “I love Christmas. Did you know most of our traditions and decorations come from Britain’s Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert? For example, the act of family and friends exchanging gifts. Then again, I think I read as far back as Martin Luther, gifts were exchanged. Anyway, the evergreen tree was an ancient symbol of life in the midst of winter. Even the Romans decorated their houses with pine branches during the New Year. Early Christians were hostile to such practices.” Shut up, Zoe. She grabbed her credit card and tucked it in the folder with the dinner ticket.

  “Your generous nature amazes me.” He gave the card another long look and slid it back into the envelope, then tucked it inside his coat liner pocket.

  Rather than calm her jerky insides, she wanted to race out into the cold to cool off. “May I use some of my generosity to buy your dinner?”

  He shrugged. “It’s not a date.”

  Why did the truth of that simple statement pierce her heart?

  3

  Day Two ’couragement

  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you

  is a part of it.

  ~1 Corinthians 12:27

  The next morning the courtyard gate was already open upon Zoe’s arrival. Instead of heading for Agape Wear, she meandered to Gorgeous Photography. The door was locked. Through the window, she studied Liam as he leaned over a work counter in the back corner, shooting staples into a rustic frame.

  She rapped on the door as he added that finished picture to a stack propped against the wall.

  He brushed his hands down his pant legs and opened the door. “Morning. Things have been hopping at your place today.”

  “Right. Volunteers have brought clothing from the church and checked with me all along. They’re sorting the clothing items now.” She slipped her bag off her shoulder and left it near the door. “If anyone enters, the church folk can help or give me a call. I want to see what you’ve been up to over here. You must have arrived early.”

  “I’m your typical starving artist. I live here. All the comforts of home, including a sofa bed. Living quarters with my own bathroom. I didn’t like the idea of going through back hallways and sharing facilities the way the rest of you along the courtyard have to do. This space was a no-brainer when I looked for rental options.”

  “Wow. This downtown area can still surprise me. I knew about the loft apartments in the bigger buildings, but I had no idea efficiency apartments existed.” She wanted to see his work in the worst way.

  “Hidden treasures are ours if we look for them.” He filled his staple gun. “Did you know there’s even an exclusive eatery off one of the alleys, where you need a password to gain entrance?”

  “You’re pulling my leg. In Lincoln, where I’ve lived my whole life?”

  He crossed his heart with an X and nodded.

  A glance through the Agape Wear window told her the couple from church were still emptying containers. She wasn’t needed yet. “Do you mind if I look around?”

  “Be my guest. I’ll keep framing.”

  “Are you adding Christmas decorations to the window, after you cover the walls with your pictures?”

  He scowled, but spoke to the back side of a canvas instead of looking at her. “I’m not really open until the first of the year. Why should I mess with Christmas stuff when I’d only have to take it down in two weeks?” His eyebrows lifted, and the corners of his lips curved a tad. “Besides, I now have the perfect tree to set on that wood pedestal near the door.”

  He disappeared through the back. Correction: his right black sneaker and the bottom of his pant leg stayed within sight. She imagined a mini fridge, microwave, maybe a minuscule stove, and an itsy bathroom where his broad shoulders rammed confining shower walls. Get that picture out of your head, Zoe. Good thing he wasn’t a mind reader.

  Liam reappeared with her Christmas tree card in his hand. She couldn’t stop her smile as he propped it against the frame of a winter scene showcasing rows of naked cottonwood trees.

  “So you think potential buyers who are window shopping will see this tiny little thing
on a pedestal by the door?”

  He propped a fist on his hip. “Hey, don’t insult my Christmas card.”

  “You need a lot more than that pitiful card to wake up the whole room.” She spread her arms wide and circled. “Green and red and sparkle in your window would draw attention and make people stop for a peek at your pictures. They’ll tell their friends and want to come back once you’ve opened. Liam, you need color in your life.”

  “You sound like Meredith.” He waved his hand in an arc. “Are you saying you don’t like black-and-white photography?”

  “Not at all. These are brilliant. Because they’re on the somber side, though, color is a needed contrast. But what do I know about art? I just know what I like.” And I like you, Liam Gorgeous. “Do you have any pictures of people?”

  “Some. In black-and-white. I can’t change my whole outlook, as in the details I catch and capture from behind the lens. Let other photographers take shots of flowers and children.”

  “If you say so-o-o.” She drew out the word while she formed her next suggestion. “I’m just saying I highly suggest we at least hang a garland in the window. Maybe some lights. I said ‘we’ because I can help.”

  “It’s not that I don’t welcome your help, but the Christmas thing; it’s temporary.”

  His humbug attitude was worse than she thought. She faced him. “Liam, nothing about Christmas is temporary.”

  His only response was the muscle twitching on the side of his cheek, telling her how clenched his jaw must be.

  Zoe meandered, sifting through the piles, contemplating the shots that filled one wall. The man had talent. Oodles of talent. She jumped at the touch of his hand on her shoulder.

  “I can almost hear you thinking. Give it to me, whenever you’re ready.”

  “You’re gifted, Liam. The photography speaks to what catches your eye. But the lack of color makes it all dull.” She looked at him askance. “For lack of a better word.”

  “Again, you sound like my sister. For your info, I plan to have color in the center of the display room. Neon-colored seats for perusing from a distance should arrive this week. That block of wood will be replaced by bright pedestals. They’re coming in yellow, orange, and green. I’ll have several to hold smaller work displayed on varied sizes of easels.”