Page 27 of A Christmas Duet

“You ready for some local fun?” Jay asked when she opened the door to greet him.

“You bet.” Hailey hadn’t been this excited since she lost her first tooth and got a dollar from the tooth fairy. Come to think of it, she’d composed a song about that, too, and had sung it to her friends. She’d long forgotten the tune and the words. The memory lingered, along with the joy she felt when her classmates had applauded her efforts. Clarise, one of her best friends, claimed that one day Hailey would be a famous songwriter. It was that one silly song, made up on the spur of the moment, that convinced her composing music was what she wanted to do most in the entire world.

When they arrived in Podunk less than fifteen minutes later, the city was twinkling with multicolored lights that brightened the night sky. The main street was blocked off and cars were parked wherever there was space to be found.

From a quick scan of the area, Hailey couldn’t find a single place for Jay to park his truck. Every spot as far as the eye could see had already been taken.

He must have read her mind because he said, “Mom has an area blocked off for me in back of the store.”

“Good thinking.” The town was hopping, crowds filled the street, and there was an electric feel in the air, as if something wonderful was about to happen. Excitement buzzed all around.

Hailey had brought along her backpack and removed her phone to snap a couple photos before Jay headed to where he could leave the truck. Since there was no cell service at the cabin, it made no sense to have it on. The only time she’d used it was the last time she was in town, to google Jay.

After leaving the truck in the alley behind the store, Jay took her by the hand and led her around the building. Crowds lined both sides of the street. Children raced up and down the curb, bending in half to look ahead for the start of the parade, their anticipation contagious. Hailey remembered that Elizabeth, the stylist, had mentioned the parade would lead into the heart of the festivities.

“Mom saved us a spot,” Jay said as he steered her toward the front of Cantor Store. As promised, Thelma sat on the curb in a folding chair with two orange cones resting next to her.

She glanced up when Hailey and Jay joined her. “You’re just in time.”

No sooner had she spoken than a group of Boy Scouts holding a banner led the way, announcing the PodunkWinter Festival. Hailey snapped a picture as the crowds cheered. A couple of mothers stepped into the street to take photos.

Behind the scouts was a group of six- and seven-year-olds with pink tutus billowing out from beneath their winter coats. They each wore their hair in a ponytail with a hot-pink ribbon cascading down their backs.

Eight older girls followed behind, tap-dancing their way along the street to the delight of the gathering. Hailey reached for her phone again and took another shot. This parade, so unlike those professionally arranged ones in Portland, was homey and filled with community pride.

“Look!” Thelma burst out, nearly upsetting her folding chair as she stood and applauded wildly. She put two fingers in her mouth and gave a whistle so loud it rattled Hailey’s teeth. “There’s Sally,” she said, pointing to the girl on the opposite side of the street.

“My sister’s daughter,” Jay explained. He had his arm around Hailey’s shoulders. She leaned in to him, enjoying the jovial spirit and, even more so, being close to Jay. This feeling surrounded her like the warmth of a home fireplace.

A couple loaded lumber trucks passed by next, tossing candy out the windows. The children scrambled to pick up the goodies, clenching their fists, filled with bounty.

Hailey’s eyes widened as the next truck came into view. Placing her hand over her mouth to keep fromlaughing out loud, she asked, “What is that?” It demanded effort to keep from giggling at the odd sight. It appeared to be a septic pump truck. What made this one so unusual was the toilet seat on top with Santa sitting there in all his glory, tossing out candy to the kids.

“It’s exactly what it looks like,” Thelma said. “We only have the one company in town to tend to our septic tanks. Old Steve’s got a good sense of humor.”

“So it appears,” Hailey agreed.

The high school football team followed, led by the cheer squad. Hometown heroes, the players waved to the enthusiastic crowd as they trotted down the street, tossing footballs back and forth to one another. The bystanders roared with approval.

“Go Raptors,” Jay shouted.

He must have noticed her taking pictures. “Pretty great, huh? It’s crazy how many people show up for this event. It’s the biggest thing going on in town—well, other than the Fourth of July celebration. Even then, we don’t have the same size crowd as we do for Christmas.”

The homecoming court from the local high school rode by in convertibles, waving and tossing out candy to the kids.

The horses and riders brought up the rear. Their manes were braided, and the riders wore jeweled jean jackets.

“That’s the local 4-H group,” Jay’s mother explained.

“They’re amazing.”

“Yup,” Thelma agreed.

“I can feel the energy,” Hailey said, and laughed as a group of volunteers dressed in clown costumes trailed behind the horses with a wheelbarrow, shovel, and broom.

At the end of the parade, Jay reached for Hailey’s hand and escorted her to the city park. The area had been transformed into a winter wonderland with lights and evergreens. A band assembled in the gazebo, playing Christmas music. Several booths were set up at the park’s perimeter.

“The tree-lighting ceremony is next,” Jay said, and edged her toward the gathering spectators. The sequoia Christmas tree must have stood twenty feet tall. Jay’s mother was just inside the gazebo with the two ends of the electrical cords as the crowd started counting down from ten.

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