Page 1 of Hello, Goodbye

Chapter 1

Marnie

I looked up at the clock, it was time to call my sweet boy. “Pam, I’ll be right back. Gotta say good night to Sam.”

The other waitress working Christmas Eve smiled and answered, “Tell that little man Merry Christmas for me.”

I nodded and headed to the back room where we kept our stuff. Pulling out my cell phone I called my neighbor, Mrs. Abrams, who watched Sammy ‘for the company’. “Mommy!”

“Hiya, sweetie! Are you being a good boy for Mrs. Abrams?”

“Yup. We’ve been making Christmas cookies for the neighbors. Mrs. Abrams said I can take two to leave for Santa. Do you think Santa will find us this year? I was extra good so he wouldn’t forget about us.”

Sam’s words broke my heart. I barely made enough for bills and food. Christmas was a luxury that we rarely got. Thinking about my empty wallet I fought back the tears. “Maybe, baby. I don’t know.”

“That’s okay, Mommy. Please don’t work too much. I love you.”

I felt the tears burst free before I could stop them. Wiping them from my face and taking in a steadying breath I told him. “I love you more. Be good for Mrs. Abrams now.”

“Hi hun,” Mrs. Abrams said as Sam gave the phone back to her. “We’re having a real nice time. You just concentrate on the next step forward. That sweet boy is safe and sound here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Abrams. You are a godsend. A real angel.”

“Nonsense. He keeps me young. Go make some good tips and don’t you worry about a thing. I have a hunch something wonderful is going to happen this year.”

“You keep that faith for me. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Abrams.” I hung up my ancient cell phone and sighed deeply. Christmas magic was no longer something I believed in. The only real gift I’ve been given is my Sammy, my sweet little angel. It was for him that I wanted a tree and presents.

No good came from dwelling. If I made a few tips, maybe I could surprise him with something. Standing up I headed out to the diner, my waitress mask in place with its cheerfulness.

*~*~*~*~*

Gabriel

I sat in the corner of the diner, my back to one of the walls without a window but closest to the door. The coffee was good here, and the vision before me was even better. This little town was nice, the kind of place my Ma would have loved.

After the demise of my DNA donor, Sean Callum, I knew it was time to leave the city. I had nothing to do with him or any of my siblings. I didn’t even know if they knew I existed, and I wanted it to stay that way. I’d heard my only sister, Hazel, was to marry the Don of the Zima Family. I prayed he would be good to her, I knew no one in the Callum family had been.

So I put everything I owned in storage, got on my bike, and left town. Now I was here. I kept my eye on Marnie the waitress that hid her sadness and exhaustion well. It was the same look my Ma always wore, especially when she didn’t think anyone was looking. It was the look of a single mom doing everything she could for her child.

A smile cracked my face as I covered it up by taking a drink of my coffee as I watched her go to call her son. As she walked by me, she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. With it slipped out a folded piece of paper. I bent over to pick it up, thinking I’d hand it to her when she reappeared.

Curiosity got the better of me as I unfolded the single sheet of paper. It was a child’s picture with a letter to Santa written in crayon:

Dear Santa,

Can I have a small toy truck?

Love, Sam

I quickly folded up the letter before beautiful Marnie walked back out. I shoved it in my pocket and continued to drink my coffee. I knew what I needed to do this Christmas. I would make sure Sam and Marnie had a Christmas miracle if it was the last thing I did.

Just as I stood up I noticed Marnie returning, her fake smile back in place. “Heading off, sir? Sure I can’t interest you in some pie to go?”

“Name’s Gabriel but all my friends call me Irish,” I told her. I wanted her to know my name even if nothing came of it.

“Marnie. It’s wonderful to meet you. Have a Merry Christmas, Gabriel. I like it better than Irish,” she smiled at me. I was never fond of my name, but I could learn to like it fast on her lips.

“Merry Christmas, Marnie. I hope it’s everything you hope for and more.” I quickly turned around and left before she could see the hundred-dollar tip I left for her.

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