Twelve

Hot Chocolate & Christmas Carols

Sharleen stood with Jake and Ivy at a gravesite. The grass beneath their feet was damp from an icy rainstorm that had just ended and was now heading south. Bundled up in hats, jackets, scarfs, and gloves, they huddled together staring at a specific headstone. The cemetery seemed still and calm, other than an owl that made his presence known with a delicate sound in the near distance.

“Are you sure you want me here?” Sharleen asked. “I can wait in the truck. Really, I don’t mind.”

Ivy looked up at Sharleen and said, “I wanted you to come here with us. So you could meet my mom.”

Jake looked into Sharleen’s eyes. “Ivy is convinced that you and Penny would’ve been friends.”

“Best friends,” Ivy insisted. “Miss Sharleen, do you think I’ll ever see her again?”

“Yes. I do,” said Sharleen.

“Do you think you’ll see your mom again, too?”

“I do,” she said. “I really do. But until then, I’m on my own. And that’s okay.”

Ivy looked at Sharleen with confusion on her young face. “No, you’re not,” she said. “You’re not on your own.”

Sharleen smiled. “I’m not?”

“No,” Ivy explained, “because you have us now.”

With that, Ivy slipped her hand into Sharleen’s.

“Thank you, Ivy. That’s very nice to hear.”

“Are you coming over for Christmas?” Ivy asked. “I hope so. Maybe Dad will make us cinnamon pancakes.”

“That’s up to your father.” Sharleen glanced up, waiting for a response.

Grinning at them, Jake replied, “As if I could say no.”

The beautiful, twinkling gazebo was located in the center of a small, tree-lined park. It was the focal point of the town square. Sharleen, Jake, and Ivy sat inside it. Surrounded by awe-inspiring Christmas decorations, Sharleen felt like they were living inside the make-believe world of a snow globe. The magic was especially powerful at night. Even without the holiday festivities, the square possessed an irresistible quaintness that was picturesque and nostalgic.

She turned to Ivy who was busy sipping her cup of after-dinner hot chocolate and asked, “Is Christmas your favorite holiday?”

Smiling, Ivy answered with, “Miss Sharleen, I’m not sure who loves Christmas more—me or you.”

Sharleen giggled. “I think we should have a sing off to find out.”

Ready to accept the challenge, Ivy was on her feet. She carefully placed her cup of cocoa on the wooden bench. “Okay,” she said. “Do we sing together?”

“We do,” explained Sharleen. “Do you know the song, Jingle Bells?”

Ivy’s face lit up. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“She sings it year-round,” Jake said. “If it were up to her we’d have Christmas every day.”

Ivy clapped her mittened hands in excitement when Sharleen said, “Let’s sing it together.”

Ivy froze for a moment. It was clear a thought of concern had entered her mind. “Should we sing quietly, so we don’t bother people?” she asked.

“No,” said Sharleen. “We’re going to sing as loud as we want. Ready?”

“Yes!”

They sang the classic song together. Their voices blended in beautiful harmony. When the song was done, they laughed and embraced.

“Daddy, who’s the winner?” Ivy asked, her arms still around Sharleen’s neck. “Who loves Christmas more?”

Jake gave it some mock thought before replying. “I’d say it’s a tie.”

Ivy laughed. “You’re just saying that because you love us.”

“Yes,” he said. “I do.”

For Sharleen, it felt like time stopped.

Did I hear him right? Did he just say what I think he said? What is happening?

She stood. So did Jake. They met in the middle of the gazebo.

“Jake…” she said.

He reached out and took both of her hands into his. He looked deeply into her eyes. “Sharleen, I believe in speaking from the heart.”

He’s so nervous … and adorable.

She pulled him closer.

“Ivy,” he said. “Cover your eyes.”

Complying, Ivy covered her eyes with mittened hands but peeked through her fingers.

Jake and Sharleen kissed. It was a gentle, soft gesture.

Watching them, Ivy giggled.

“Merry Christmas, Miss Sharleen,” Jake said.

She touched the side of his face with a gloved palm. “Merry Christmas, Jake Arlington.”

Ivy joined them, trying to wrap her arms around their waists. She looked up at the adults and said, “If you two are going to stand here kissing in front of everyone, can I have another hot chocolate?”

Later that night, Sharleen sat on her sofa, lost deep in thought. Didn’t even bother to undress from her night out with Jake and Ivy. The urge to pinch herself to make sure what she was feeling was real tempted her.

The night was perfect. It was like a fairy tale, a dream. I don’t want this to end.

Finally, she stood, slipped off her jacket and scarf, then peeled off her gloves. Thirsty, she went into the kitchen but stopped half-way in. The sight of her lonely Christmas tree caught her eye. She moved to the table and leaned into the little tree. Picking up the photo of her parents, she stared at their faces. Her mother’s eyes were filled with radiating joy. In one of the pictures, young Theresa was staring at young Guillermo with the same emotions that Jake made Sharleen feel.

Their love was so beautiful.

Sharleen closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank you for making me believe.”