Postmark Christmas

by Katie Bachand

  Then he raced off laughing and shouting with the other children.

  Harlow looked over to see Lisa watching with her hands over her mouth, not believing what she just witnessed, so overjoyed in the moment she couldn’t get herself to move in and join them.

  When Harlow crossed to her she offered her own embrace.

  “How is he?” Lisa asked through unsteady breaths as Harlow held her, knowing in a few short days that precious boy would be hers.

  “He’s absolutely perfect in every way.”

  __

  Kids shouted, laughed, and raced excitedly from room to room, chasing after friends and running with new toys held high. Parents and friends sat in the great room, around the dining table, and in small pockets of the house that were designed for casual conversation.

  Harlow couldn’t stay in the same place too long, because she felt like she would miss small special moments that were happening in every room. As she walked and greeted the guests, she was thanked more than once for her generosity, and many times was offered help or payment. It gave her the greatest pleasure to tell them having the house full – as it should be – was payment enough.

  “Harlow Hill?” A woman’s voice caught her as she passed the library.

  When she stopped she watched a woman as she handed a Christmas book to a young girl and slid another child off her lap, letting them know she’d be back in just a moment.

  “Yes?” Harlow said, “Welcome, how can I help you? Can I get you anything?”

  The woman reached out for Harlow’s hands as she shook her head. “No,” she said. “I – we – don’t need a single thing. This night has been blessing enough. I’m Helena Crawford, I run Heritage House.” Helena introduced herself, as she had only heard wonderful things about Harlow through her communications with Harris.

  “Helena!” Harlow said, brightening as recognition came to her. “Oh, I’m so happy we could do this for the kids.”

  “We do well there – at the house I mean – but this…” Helena looked back toward the girls who giggled when they were caught spying, “this is more than we could have ever imagined. Thank you.”

  Harlow smiled, and with every ounce of her being meant her next words, “I should be the one thanking you. This night is the best of my entire life.”

  When hours passed and Harlow didn’t think she had an ounce of emotional energy left, she walked to the door when the bell chimed.

  She was ready to surprise the same little rascals that had hidden around a column from her the last time she answered the door, but this time when she opened it, her heart found a little extra room in it to feel.

  “Charles and Barbara! What are you doing here?” Harlow exclaimed as she walked into their outstretched arms.

  “Harris told us about what you were doing for these kids and we couldn’t miss it! Wouldn’t miss it. Not for a single thing.”

  “I’m so…I don’t have any more happy words that I haven’t already used tonight.” Harlow shrugged. “Maybe, let’s go with…overjoyed!”

  Charles and Barbara laughed and followed her in, and it was their turn to gape.

  “In my wildest imagination I couldn’t have dreamed the beauty of this,” Barbara said as she let her coat drop from her shoulders into her husband’s hands. “It’s like a Christmas fairytale.”

  Barbara walked to Harlow and placed a hand on her cheek. “My dear, this, and you, are exquisite in every way. Inside and out.”

  Harlow didn’t say anything, simply let her head rest on Barbara’s hand and relish the motherly tenderness.

  “We didn’t bring anything exciting for the kids – from what Harris said they all had gifts to open. So,” Charles looked a little bashful but continued, “we thought these could maybe help them in the future. More of a long-term gift.”

  Charles held out white envelopes tied with a simple gold ribbon. Harlow received them and looked down, wondering what they could have brought. Her questioning eyes looked back to Charles.

  “Harris gave us a list of all the kids that would be in attendance – and the ones who wouldn’t. We have a scholarship fund at our company. It’s used to help kids pursue a college, or trade-school, or whatever kind of schooling they might want to attend after high school.

  “That, there,” Charles pointed to the envelopes in Harlow’s hand, “is full funding for each kid. So long as they maintain passing grades, we’ll keep paying for classes.”

  “Oh my God. I just–I don’t know what to say.” Harlow’s words tripped over each other as they stumbled out.

  “Then all you have to say is ‘Thank you.’ And know it was your generosity with this,” Barbara motioned to the rooms filled with laughter behind her, “that encouraged us to want to help. I hope you’ll understand and respect that we’d like the donation to remain anonymous.”

  “Anything. Anything at all that you wish is what we’ll do. Thank you. Thank you so much for this!”

  __

  Harlow sat in the top of the carriage house where she used to hide as a young girl. It was the one place she could go when she and her brother and sister would play hide and seek. Back then, she’d chosen that hiding spot because she knew her sister and brother were too scared to go up there, so she’d win the game. Now, she knew nobody else would find her because they didn’t know it existed.

  She watched her house and the grounds from a distance. It was a perfect scene that played out in slow motion.

  The Clydesdale horse and carriage were circling as riders in the back sipped hot chocolate and pointed at decorations and bright lights. People flashed in and out of windowed frames as they moved throughout the house. She watched them laugh and hug, kids chase and dance, and lean heads back as they enjoyed a savory meal or Christmassy treat.

  They had done it, she thought. They had fulfilled every wish on her Christmas list.

  Well, all but one. But she’d taken love off docket. It wasn’t something you asked for, or something that somebody could provide you. It had to be given freely. An offering of the heart.

  Harris, who was nowhere to be found, had stolen hers without even trying. Yet, she thought as she rested her chin on her knees, he’d never asked for it and had never told her to give it to him. So maybe…

  “It’s kind of a cold night to be up there, don’t you think?”

  Harlow leaned forward and looked down where the carriage house overhang bridged the snow-covered stone path below.

  “Santa? How did you find me?” Harlow asked, not even trying to hide her surprise.

  “I would give you the ‘I see you when you’re sleeping, and know when you’re awake’ line, but for some reason when I do that people always look a little more worried than impressed.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh at the rosy old man, who couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he would get that reaction – and worked her way down to meet him.

  Santa led off ignoring Harlow’s question. “I thought I’d come out tonight and join the fun. I went inside, it really is something. And I’ve seen a lot of Christmases.” Santa nodded his head as if he were navigating the memories of Christmases past for comparison. “I think just about everybody is going to get something wonderful for Christmas this year. Not all of the gifts are things, but they are all exactly what’s needed.”

  Harlow grinned but kept her face forward, looking in the same direction as Santa – not at anything in particular, just out and over, taking everything in.

  “I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t get everything that you wanted this year for Christmas,” Santa said, looking toward her.

  “But I did,” Harlow said, “I was given everything on my list,” then she motioned to the house, “and so much more.”

  “See, that right there. That willingness to give, that’s why it’s always been so easy.”

  Harlow turned to Santa, her eyes searching.

  “So easy to give to you, is what I mean. No, now don’t say anything, I’m Santa Claus. I see y
ou when you’re sleeping and I know when you’re awake.”

  Santa tested the phrase on Harlow to see if her reaction would be different than the others. He peered at her and accepted her reaction. A questioning look was better than terrified. It was always so hard for adults to believe.

  “Anyway,” he went on, “you are correct, everything on your list was answered. But it seems to me there was one thing missing from your list this year?”

  “How could you-? Or, how do you-?” Harlow couldn’t quite find the words to ask a question that should have been impossible. How could he have known she’d asked to fall in love?

  “Well, I’m just here to let you know, there’s still time. Christmas letters filled with wishes are valid right up to Christmas Eve.”

  Santa clapped his gloved hands together snapping Harlow out of her stare.

  “Well, I should get going. There is a lot to do over the next couple of days. I can’t waste a single second. They are precious.”

  Harlow watched Santa walk away from her. He stopped briefly to pet and talk to the Clydesdale and she swore she saw the horse laugh. Then he vanished around the sleigh and out of sight.

  She stood for only a second longer before sprinting inside. She ran past Lisa, who was sitting on the floor putting a Christmas puzzle together with Mikey, and threw her hands in the air in a silent cheer when Lisa looked up and smiled.

  She ran down the hall and found the library, then raced to the desk where she’d left her letter paper and envelopes. She rushed around the long wooden frame and dropped herself into the chair.

  Harlow stared at the blank sheet, knowing what she was about to do – again – was still insane.

  Slowing her movements, Harlow delicately pulled the top drawer open, reached for a pen, then gently pushed it closed. She uncapped the pen, placed it on the paper and wrote:

  Dear Santa,

  Merry Christmas, and a happy and peaceful holiday season to you.

  Harlow smiled as she recalled, and wrote exactly what she had in the first Christmas wish.

  I still am a person who is not in need of anything in this life. I am still blessed beyond measure. So again, if you must choose between this letter and those of others, choose theirs. Their Christmas wish is much more important than mine.

  However, if you find you have some extra time, and feel like adding a little more Christmas magic to my life, I would love for you to read this.

  I would like nothing else but this.

  10. To fall in love

  From a hopeful believer in the Magic of Christmas,

  Harlow Hill

  CHAPTER 29

  It was Christmas Eve, and Harris was at work. And if he didn’t leave in the next ten minutes, his mom was going to kill him.

  It definitely wasn’t the first time he’d worked on Christmas Eve, or had been late to the festivities. Or hadn’t gone at all for that matter. Then what made this Christmas so different?

  Harris let the question linger as he put together a final email correspondence to Calvin Crane. Letting him, and his Pro Feed team, know they’d have a slight delay – no, not a delay, he thought – a purposeful push of the launch so co-workers, friends, and families of those who would be included in the collaboration could enjoy the holiday season and the start of a New Year with the ones they loved.

  Even as he hit send, after signing off with a hope that everybody had a Merry Christmas, he couldn’t quite believe he was the one who wanted this. It brought his mind back to the question at hand, and he knew the answer.

  Harlow was responsible for his change of heart. The weather outside could be, and has been, bitter cold and frightful, but she managed to warm him to the core.

  In a few short weeks she had taught him there wasn’t any amount of material things or money that could replace the feeling of love and family. The feelings he had for her – and the future of the family he wanted.

  Harris shook his head at the woman who, without a doubt, loved her beautiful mansion. She cherished the memories it offered and the history it represented. But Harris knew, if forced to choose between a chance to share her life with somebody and The Hill, she’d give it – and everything else – up in a heartbeat.

  “I figured I’d find you here.”

  Harris looked up to see his dad standing in the doorway of his office. Charles’ jacket was still zipped to his chin and his silly floppy hat that made him look a little like Elmer Fudd was still snug around his head.

  “Before I wouldn’t have taken offense to that,” Harris said as he lifted a guilty eyebrow. “But this year…the guilt in realizing how many holidays I’ve missed because of work is falling on me like heavy and unrelenting snowfall. An avalanche to be exact.”

  Charles shrugged, not wanting his son to feel too badly about it, just thankful Harris realized it at all. He pulled his hat off and put his disheveled hair back in place, then unzipped his jacket and set it on the chair next to the one he took.

  “I was the same way once,” Charles said. The admission had Harris looking confused and wondering what his dad was talking about.

  “When my dad,” Charles rolled a finger forward to better acknowledge the relationship, “your Grandpa, Arnold, found success in this company, I was old enough to notice.”

  Charles nodded before continuing. “Like you, I noticed the shift in our lifestyle. Only, we really hadn’t had money before that. And I liked the luxuries our new life afforded.”

  “The generations before us might not have suffered,” Charles went on, “but they went without, in hopes and dreams this place would one day make something of itself. We are the lucky ones who get to eat the fruits of their labor. I almost realized it too late. Almost lost your mother because of it.”

  Harris looked down, not ashamed, but knowing he should have known the difference in his own life between not having and having. And that he might very well be in the same position of losing Harlow – maybe he already had – because of it.

  “I’m afraid it’s my fault. We – your mother and I – never sat you down to tell you why we decided to live a humbler life. It wasn’t because we didn’t have the money. We simply wanted to show you and your sisters you didn’t need a lot of money to be happy. We should have sat you all down when you were old enough to know the difference and explain.”

  “You didn’t have to,” Harris said, cutting his dad off just a bit, ready to make an admission of his own. “A part of me knew. But it was easier to use that as an excuse. To tell myself I didn’t want to have to limit my family one day. So, I’d work and accumulate now, so they’d never know what it felt like to want. To not have to hear the words, ‘no’ or ‘we can’t afford it.’

  “By the way,” Harris grinned, trying to add a bit of humor, “I knew you were lying when you told me we couldn’t afford those Gretzky skates.” Harris shook his head at the memory of being so angry with his dad, when really, he’d gotten a brand-new pair of skates only a month earlier at the start of the season.

  Charles chuckled a bit and rocked his own head back and forth, sharing the memory.

  “I’m ashamed to admit,” Harris went on, “it took a little Christmas magic to get me to realize all of this.”

  “I wonder if it isn’t so much Christmas magic as a woman who believes in spreading it?” Charles asked and waited for his son’s reaction.

  Harris thought back to the way Harlow had abruptly cut their last night together off early and walked him out without giving him the truth about why she’d really wanted him to leave. He knew something was wrong, but hadn’t pressed. Because it had been easier not to press. When his hands smeared down his face and fell, he huffed.

  “I think I’ve managed to fall in love. But,” he added, “I’ve failed to let her know that.”

  “Ah, yes.” Charles knew all too well the unsaid pangs of love. “How about her family?” Charles asked, “Were you and Brandon able to track them down?”

  “It will be a Christmas miracle if they make i
t,” Harris said. The combination of flight delays, connections, holiday travel, and winter weather were proving to be the perfect storm of obstacles hindering his plan.

  “You’ve done all you can,” Charles assured, then let silence sit between them as he watched Harris’ mind ignore the offering of assurance.

  “When will you get out of here today? Your mother sent me out to get you in person. She has a feast waiting at home.”

  Harris smiled as he thought about the production his mom served up for Christmas Eve dinner. Something that would hold them over until midnight Mass – or so they said. They always seemed to find themselves drifting to the kitchen to fill up on seconds only a few hours later, and again upon their return from church.

  “Right now. Let’s go home and celebrate Christmas Eve.” Harris said, not wanting to waste another minute.

  Charles watched Harris walk around his desk and leave his laptop behind as he moved toward the door to gather his jacket.

  Delighted his son was finally leaving work behind, he too got up to join Harris at the door. With a fatherly pat on Harris’ shoulder, the two men walked out of the office and by all of the empty cubes, knowing they wouldn’t return until after they’d let Christmas joy lead them right into the ring-in of the New Year.

  CHAPTER 30

  After Mass and their third round of Christmas dinner when they returned home, everybody piled into their childhood bedrooms and fell fast asleep. Harris had watched his family climb the stairs in their new red and green holiday pajamas, using only the glow of the Christmas tree to light the way to their rooms.

  He was tired too, but as he sat in front of the tree now, he had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to sleep.

  Harris glanced at the time on his phone and saw it was already four in the morning, and that he hadn’t received a call or a message from Harlow. He would send her a Merry Christmas message in the morning, and hope Santa could deliver on her last wish – he was afraid the best he could offer at this point was hope that her family made it.