The Gift – Part Two!

I decided I should finish the story, so here it is!! If you haven’t read the beginning. please click here.

Also, to everyone, Merry Christmas!!! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. 🎄

I paused to look at the line of three tiny, festively wrapped presents on my countertop.

I shook my head with a small smile.

Pulling the car keys from their hook on the wall, I opened the front door, shrugging on my winter parka. The bitter, snowflake-peppered wind swirled around me as I locked the front door and started down the walk.

My next-door neighbor paused by his mailbox and waved. “Good morning, Miss Julia,” he called, dropping an envelope.

“Good morning, David,” I said, unlocking the car doors. I sighed as I pulled a sticky note off the windshield and slid into the car seat.

The hastily scribbled Sharpie notes begged me to fix my broken sprinkler and ended in an obviously fake smiley face.

I crumpled up the note and started the car.

That handyman had still not gotten back to me, and now it was Christmas Eve, and he probably would not be coming till the end of the week.

As I drove past the Speer’s house, I stuck my head out the window and waved.

“Did you get the note?” Asked Mrs.Speer, standing on the porch step and waving as I passed.

I plastered on a smile.

“Of course!”

She nodded and tucked her hands into her red bathrobe. “Good!”

I rolled up my window and groaned.

I turned out of the neighborhood road and turned up the radio, which was playing ‘Rock’n Around the Christmas Tree’ for the millionth time.

I took a sip of my coffee and pressed the accelerator.

Merry Christmas.

* * *

I slumped onto the couch and kicked off my boots, spraying muddy snow across the rug. I didn’t even care. After a hectic, dramatic day at the post office, I was wasted. The Postal Service does not take Christmas Eve lightly.

With a spluttering sigh, I sank back against the cushions and picked up the newspaper I had left on the arm of the couch this morning.

“ROBBER CAUGHT IN ROOFTOP CHASE!” The headlines blared. I rolled my eyes and skipped to the games section.

Thunk.

I stiffened and looked around the room.

When I saw the wrapping glittering in the fireplace grate, I narrowed my eyes. Jumping up, I ran to the fireplace, stuck my head in, and looked up the chimney.

“Hello?”

I felt a little crazy talking to my chimney.

Something smacked me in the face. I staggered back and bent to pick it up. It was an envelope.

I looked back up the chimney.

There was the sound of boots scraping the roof.

Tripping over the carpet, I bolted to the front door and tugged it open, running outside barefoot. The cold snow stung my feet, and the icy wind whipped around me. I scanned the edge of my roof, spotting footprints in the snow.

Cautiously, I walked closer to the wall and stopped in front of the bushes, staring up at the roof.

If someone was up there, then where was the ladder?

A rustling sound followed a sudden burst of leaves and bush twigs as a guy popped out of the shrubbery.

“AHHH!” I shouted and scrambled back, my foot landing on an abandoned shovel, which I promptly snatched up and waved in the air.

“JULIA!”

I stared at the man who was standing half in, half out of my bushes for a second.

“David?”

“Yes.” David held his hands up, a sheepish grin on his face.

“David!”

“Yes?”

I dropped the shovel and stared at him. “What are you doing in my BUSHES?”

David slowly extracted himself from the bushes, his hands still held in the air.

“Did you read the note?”

I crossed my arms. “The note?”

David’s hands dropped as he ran his hands over his thick jacket in irritation. “The one I dropped down the chimney. You are holding it.”

I slowly looked down at the envelope in my hand. Then I ripped it open and pulled out the letter. My eyes flicked over the words. Then I opened my mouth to protest but found I was alone.

I whirled around, the envelope flying from my hand as I stepped on the shovel and stubbed my frozen toes.

“DAVID!” I shouted to the neighborhood before limping inside.

I re-read the letter.

Dear Julia

I was wondering if you would help me with these little gifts. The first one is for you… the other ones are for the Speers. They have been going through some hard times, and this might help them out a little.

You don’t have to drop them down the chimney, but getting them in a nice spot would be great. I am only asking you because the other guys helping me this year are a bit busy.

Also, I had watched you climb over the fence using a tree when the gate became frozen and stuck. You were magnificent.

Merry Christmas,

I threw down the letter in frustration.

Of course, it was the Speers.

I picked up the little gold box and fingered it gently. Then, curiosity overtook me, and I unwrapped it and pulled off the top.

Inside the box was nestled a tiny key and a slip of paper with an address. I flipped the paper over.

You have been elected as a potential member of the rooftop Santas. Will you accept?

A small smile crossed my lips.

I would do it.

Cocoa padded out of the kitchen and plopped down beside me, burying her nose in the carpet.

I looked down at her. “And where have you been?”

She cast her eyes at me innocently.

I grinned and then reached down and rumpled her fur. “You want to help me tonight? We have a gift to deliver.”

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