Postmark Christmas

by Katie Bachand

  “Thank you so much for having me. I can’t remember the last time I spent the day making cookies.”

  Just as she was about to let go, she felt his sisters join the hug and listened to them greet her in the same friendly manner.

  Harris looked at his dad and rolled his eyes at the love circus occurring before them, then dropped his head and shook it. “How come I don’t get that when I come home?” he said, directing his question to Charles, who was sitting at the kitchen table with a newspaper scattered in front of him.

  Charles leaned back, peered over his glasses, and nodded. He was holding onto the joy that filled his heart at his son who had finally come home to spend a simple – but special – day with the family. Charles offered his feelings with a grin and a comment: “It’s good to see you, too, Harris.”

  Then he winked and motioned for Harris to join him at the table, and slid a thermos of coffee toward him. “Might as well sit. These women look like they might need a minute.”

  __

  Eight hours, one nap, and a mountain of cookies later, Harlow, Barbara, Kayla, and Ashley fell onto the couches in the living room that sat off of the kitchen, and all let out an exhausted puff of breath. They’d baked every cookie Harlow could have imagined and more.

  Sugar cookie cut-outs, chocolate crinkles, ginger cookies, sparkly spritz, Russian tea cakes, peanut butter blossoms, thumbprints, and mint swirls. There were more she’d already forgotten, but she’d felt so accomplished when the last batch came out of the oven and the last of the dishes were cleaned.

  Harris walked in from the deck with a fresh beer and a plate full of steaks from the grill that were covered in foil to rest before dinner.

  Only in Minnesota, Harlow thought, would a family grill in the middle of winter. She supposed it’s why so many kept brooms and shovels tilted on the outdoor railings all year long. So they could shovel and dust their path to drinks and dining.

  “I don’t know why you all look so tired. It’s just baking.” Harris feigned simplicity in the work. He expected griping in return, as he’d only helped for a couple batches somewhere in the middle of the day, and his back ached just from that. But what he got instead were pillows to the face from every direction.

  Charles laughed from behind and asked, “Harris, when are you going to learn? You have to dote on the hard work that’s been done in the kitchen, because then they’ll let you try some of their handiwork.”

  Charles eyed the sugar cookies – his favorite – then slid a glance toward his wife for approval. Upon a nod from the love of his life – his Barb – he snuck one that had slightly browned edges, then drifted to the front of the house to enjoy it.

  When Ashley and Kayla sprang to their feet to finish tormenting their brother, Barbara got up and walked across the living room to join Harlow on the couch. She sat slowly but only so she could get close and cherish the intimacy of this new special woman in Harris’ life.

  A woman who, for the first time since Harris was old enough to make his own decisions, had come home to bake cookies with his family.

  Barb lifted Harlow’s arm and slid hers beneath, linking them before resting them once more.

  “How are you doing after the long day Harlow, dear?” Barb asked, smiling toward Harlow.

  Harlow turned the up corners of her lips and tried to stop her emotions from tipping over. She moved her head back and forth as she tried to find a way to express how thankful and grateful she was to get to share the day with such a wonderful family.

  “Oh honey, it’s okay. It was so great to have you with us.” Barb soothed as Harlow wiped away a tear.

  The two didn’t notice the commotion from Harris and his sisters had stopped. When the siblings saw the embrace in the living room they each grabbed their own cookie and moved to the front to join their dad, leaving their mom alone to work her magic.

  “I’m so sorry. It’s so foolish to cry after what is now going to be my favorite day of the year.” Harlow said, and laughed while her sweater sleeve cleared more of the tears.

  “It’s not foolish at all. It just makes me feel like you understand what a simple day like today means. But I wanted to tell you, it means so much more to me.”

  Harlow looked at Barb who, like her, had glossy eyes.

  “For a very long time Harris has been the hard worker of the family.” Barb nodded, agreeing with herself. “We tried to limit what the kids could have growing up, knowing that so many went without. I’m afraid rather than the lesson we were trying to teach, Harris felt the need to help our family be successful instead of accepting the wonderful things we already had. But this time, seeing him today, I see a shift in him. Do you know this is the first time I’ve seen him not pick up his phone to work one time? And it’s the first time since he’s moved out that he’s been here to make cookies.”

  Barb waited for Harlow to laugh and went on.

  “I know your family name,” Barb admitted. “I’m sure many people do. It’s hard for people to see through the money. We’ve done well but live humbly, and people still only see the money. They see a house and cars. They see what they think is success.”

  Harlow waited it out, wondering where Barb was going.

  “Not many people see that a house isn’t a home until it’s shared with the people we love. That beautiful things, though we can cherish them and love them – as I know I have many things I’ve been handed down through generations that I adore – it never replaces the feeling of family. Of love.”

  Harlow looked at her hand which was looped with the hand of one of the kindest women she’d ever met, and nodded. Barbara, in such a short amount of time, had understood.

  “Harlow, dear, you have brought my son back to me. Whatever it is that you have done to him, I hope he realizes the wonderful love you’ve shared with him and have for him.”

  Harlow’s head shot up. “I-uh, love? No,” she looked away, “it’s just…” She paused, giving in, “it’s only me.”

  Harlow sat for a minute, then finally admitted, “I love him. It’s not the other way around. He’s such a wonderful man, but we want different things. I want what you’re talking about – a house filled with a family. And Harris? Well, I think Harris wants to succeed. And he will. Because he’s so driven and responsible. He’s wonderful.”

  Barb swaddled Harlow in a hug and gently placed a motherly kiss on her forehead and thought, this sweet girl will know soon enough she’s captured the heart of her only son.

  CHAPTER 21

  Harlow’s heeled ankle boots clacked across the floor as she swung through the narrow path bordered by desks that led to her office. Her bag and her never-ending Christmas party lists dangled off one arm while her coffee marched back and forth with the exaggerated swing of the other.

  “Up, up, up!” Harlow said as she speed-walked through her office door. “In here! All of you!”

  Harlow smiled without looking back as she heard the shuffling of papers, and chairs screeching as they shoved away from desks. She heard a thud, a skid, and a grunt as one of them collided with their desk, and winced knowing she’d caused the hurry.

  Lisa was the first through the door wondering if she should be amused or panicked. Then Sally, Ryan, Vanessa, and Jacquelyn piled in, one so close to the other, they looked like a single being with four heads.

  Harlow threw her deep, forest green jacket on the back of her chair and stood in a fitted red sweater and a plaid skirt. It was the most professional, Christmassy outfit she could find that morning, and she’d wanted to set the right mood.

  It was Day One of official party planning and they only had five days. It had to be this Saturday, or none at all. Christmas Eve was a week from tomorrow so this was their only shot. She needed all hands on deck.

  Harlow looked at her staff, took a sip of her gingerbread latte, and got down to business.

  “We need to pull off a minor Christmas miracle. It will be hard.” She let her stern face fall to pieces and grinned. “But it’
s going to be so much fun. And I want you all to work together. Then we all take the entire week of Christmas off. Except for Ryan – sorry Ryan.” Harlow scrunched her nose acknowledging that Ryan wouldn’t get a break.

  “No problem, fearless leader. I have the days after the New Year off. And we are going to throw one hell of a party. Excuse the language,” Ryan added. He was still riding the high of the hockey charity event from the week before. He was pumped up and ready for another round.

  “Perfect. Okay. We are going to throw a Christmas party this Saturday at my house. We are inviting all of the kids from Heritage House and any of their friends, and their friends’ families – whoever they want to bring. It’s an event totally dedicated to giving them – and surrounding them – with some serious Christmas magic and a whole lot of love.”

  Harlow waited as the girls clapped and cheered excitedly, and Ryan added a, “That is totally awesome.”

  Lisa led off for the team, “I love everything about this. What are our orders? Or, you can give me the orders and I can delegate. Either way, I’m in!”

  “Great. Let’s go through this together,” Harlow motioned to her lists, “then Lisa, you can be in charge and you can put me to work too.” Harlow slid around her desk after grabbing her notes and coffee, then sat with her team in a circle to go over all of the details.

  “I have a focus area for each of you listed out in these notes.” Harlow began as she handed out the sheets of paper she and Harris had worked on the day before. “Vanessa, you are all things food. The kitchens are open for use all day and cooks can come as early as they need to be ready. We’ll start the event at four. You can let any available caterers know what we are doing, but if they still charge us I don’t care. We aren’t sparing any expense. I’m talking appetizers, turkeys, sides, munchies, and fun desserts both for kids and adults. Harris and I made tons of cookies this weekend that we can use as well so don’t worry about adding any of those.”

  Harlow looked down at her list and didn’t see the looks of intrigue shared between the group when they heard she and Harris had been baking together. When she looked up all of their attention snapped back.

  “Sally and Ryan – Ryan, when you can – I want you two to handle decorations. The house already has the basics – a couple trees, lights outside, but I want you to go for it. I’m talking light it up. When these kids pull up I want their eyes to glitter with the reflection of amber glow!”

  Harlow could see the gleam in Sally and Ryan’s eyes as their lust for over-the-top planning would be catered to, so she went on and added to their desire, “Inside, think thick, rich garlands for the staircases and wooden trains that weave around the edges of the great room and wind around the tree. Rent as many tables as you need for the food and table decorations. Again, spare no expense. Tell people what we are doing, and if they come on board tell them we will consider using their services again in the future. Use that as a selling point.”

  “Jacq,” Harlow turned her attention to the last of her team, “you are in charge of activities. We’ll dedicate the entire second floor to games and activities. Whatever you can think of. This should include Christmas music for dancing on the inside, and a horse and sleigh ride outside. They can circle the grounds and the driveway. They are kids, so I don’t think they’d last long on something farther, but they’ll love every minute of the short ride. And if they want more, they can just keep circling.”

  Harlow paused to catch her breath before adding, “Oh, and Vanessa, let’s be sure to have a hot chocolate stand outside for those waiting.”

  Vanessa perked up at the call-out and agreed. “You got it.”

  By now all five of them, Lisa included, were scribbling down notes as quickly as their hands could move to keep up with Harlow as she explained how she wanted her home to become an enchanted winter wonderland these kids would remember forever.

  Who knows, she thought as she paused and waited for her team to catch up, maybe one day one of these Heritage House kids would do the same. Share the magic of Christmas for another child who needed it.

  Harlow quickly sent a text to Harris letting him know the Christmas wish party plans were set in motion. She laughed when his reply read:

  Operation Postmark Christmas is underway!

  When she looked up she saw the knowing smirks on the faces of her team so she shooed them out without giving them a chance to give her a hard time. She yelled one final comment behind them saying, “My house is open and can be your new office for the week if you find you need to look at the space.”

  Harlow plopped back down and looked at Lisa, who hadn’t left.

  “I hope you know how incredible you are?” Lisa said when Harlow finally looked up and swiped at her latte to take another swig.

  “I am not incredible. I simply have the resources and love Christmas. And I’m a sucker for kids. And in my own ridiculous bout of self-pity, I realized I needed to do something that was for more than just…me,” she said, and sat up as her eyes told her something more was at stake by the look on Lisa’s face. “Something is on your mind. Spill it.”

  Lisa grinned but something hitched when she would have started speaking and she hesitated briefly before closing her mouth again.

  “Oh, now you totally have to tell me.” Harlow demanded.

  “I told Steve I wouldn’t tell.” Lisa pleaded but she knew her resolve was breaking. And she was so excited.

  “Steve can beat me up later. Tell him I begged it out of you.”

  Lisa buried her face in her hands and spoke through them. “Okay, but try and keep it a secret.”

  Harlow swiped the capped end of her pen in an X across her chest when Lisa peered at her through a slit in her fingers, “Cross my heart. Secret is safe with me.”

  “You know how Steve and I struggled to get pregnant for so long?”

  “Of course, I’m still so sorry you had to go through that. Are you having the same issues as before? Are you trying again?” Harlow had so many questions running through her mind, she had to force herself to stop and let Lisa talk.

  “No, we are fine. Better than fine. But three years ago when we thought we wouldn’t be able to have a baby we looked into adoption.”

  For the first time that morning, Harlow couldn’t find words, so her head slanted to the right, questioning.

  “It is not a quick process, and it’s not cheap, but we never stopped pursuing it even when we got pregnant with Layla. And the other day, we got a call.”

  “You? What? You got a call, like…”

  “We get to have another baby. Well, not exactly a baby, but we get to grow our family.”

  “Oh Lisa, I don’t have words. I’m so happy for you!” Harlow lunged forward and held her dear friend who was so happy, joyful tears began to fall.

  “Here,” Lisa wiped her eyes when they let go of their embrace and she reached into her planner and pulled out a picture she had kept in there for safe-keeping – a constant reminder of the young boy who already held her heart.

  “Do you see?” Lisa flipped the picture around so Harlow could read the name. “He’s going to be at Christmas.”

  Harlow stared and couldn’t quite believe the miracle as she read the name and said it aloud, “Mikey Andrews, age seven.”

  CHAPTER 22

  “How did it go today?” Harlow dragged Harris through the front door after giving him a quick smack on the cheek with her painted lips. It took every ounce of her willpower not to bother Harris too much while he was at work, so now she was letting loose.

  Harris closed his fingers around Harlow’s and followed her in.

  “The invitations are out and we’ve reached out to Heritage House. All of the kids have made a list of their best friends, so Helena Crawford – she runs the orphanage – is working with the school and neighbors to make sure everybody is invited and they know exactly what it’s for. Mostly, she’s reassuring parents that this is for the kids and it’s a legitimate invite.”

 
; Harris stopped and let his eyes grow wide as he leaned in for a secret. “Apparently, around the holidays, kids can get a little eccentric and start to exaggerate the truth a little bit – and that doesn’t exclude inviting friends to magical Christmas castles for a party that they can invite their friends to. An adult, unfortunately, is a little more trustworthy when it comes to inviting kids to a stranger's house. Even if it is a gorgeous mansion. Wait, sorry, I mean magical Christmas castle.”

  “Yes,” Harlow nodded seriously, “yes, I understand. And thank you, for the correction I mean. I don’t want people mistaking my Christmas castle for a silly, regular old house.” She smiled and flipped her feet beneath her as she plopped on the couch and pulled him down with her.

  “So, what’s our Christmas wish agenda today? You said you had an idea. I like your ideas.”

  “You don’t know what my idea is yet.” Harris did his best to make Harlow nervous but at this point, seeing as she was practically leaping out of her skin – like he supposed the kids would be doing in a of couple days – he decided there was no use waiting and just went for it.

  “I am not trying to skimp you out of individual list items,” Harris reached into his blazer pocket where he kept Harlow’s Christmas letter. It was constantly with him, close to his heart throughout the days at work, and on his nightstand while he slept through the night – usually dreaming of her.

  He unfolded it, and pointed to two of the lines, “one is for a winter walk in the park and the other is for buying presents. I would like to propose we embark on both in one night. Uh-ah,” Harris held up a finger playfully, “hold on there. We also need to eat. Here is what I’m thinking for our evening agenda. Are you ready?”

  Harlow’s hands shot in the air, “Yes! Lay it on me, Christmas extraordinaire!”

  Harris couldn’t help his laugh. “I propose we drive downtown and park near the Christmas Market, we walk through the park and down a couple of the decked-out streets to Louis for dinner and dessert, then we walk back and wander the Christmas Market to see if we can find any of the presents on our list for the kids.” Harris noticed Harlow was waiting to see if he was finished so he added, “Thoughts?”