Page 19 of Flamingo Christmas

Sue giggled. “You’re like a little boy not willing to give up a treat without being sure it’ll be there next time. Fine… I promise.”

***

The next day, working against the clock, Sue talked with Art many times during their hours apart, but there’d been no change. Though Lisa still seemed better, she hadn’t woken up.

At one point, Sue had called, and Lorna had answered the phone. “Hi, honey. Art said you might phone, and he didn’t want you to get a dial tone. He’s with the doctors right now. They had some ideas about changing Lisa’s meds and wanted to run that by him before they did.”

Sue’s stomach clenched with the news that Lisa still hadn’t woken up. “Between us, I was so sure she’d open her eyes.”

“Me too. I kept waiting all last night, praying. It’s like she’s hovering so close but not quite able to push through the last barrier. You might think me silly, but I dream of her being with us for Christmas. Although my son’s a real grinch about that particular holiday, my husband and I have always tried to make it the best celebration for a little girl. We spoil the dickens out of her for that one day, and Art’s not allowed to rain on our parade.” Lorna’s voice clearly held a smile, and it warmed Sue’s heart.

“My goodness, you have to meet my folks. Talk about Christmas crazy, those two are over the top when it comes to this holiday. I’ve learned a lot from them, and it’s not all about what one receives. But how we can help others have a good day too. It’s why we decorate the hospital every year. And we supply many of the gifts for the sick kids who can’t be at home.”

“You know, we’ve only helped in the soup kitchen and done our turn with the Salvation Army kettles, but this idea of providing for the children is one I’d like to be involved with in the future... especially after having my granddaughter here this year.”

By the time Sue had finished her conversation with Lorna, she’d invited her and her husband for Christmas Eve dinner at her mother’s and felt like she’d made a true friend.

“My fingers are crossed that this new medicine works exactly the way they hope. I’ll be along after work, and if Art feels the need to make a dinner order, tell him to let me know.”

***

With all the girls pitching in and working hard, they were able to finish their various chores early. Happily, Sue closed the shop and invited the bunch for a nice happy-hour celebration. While they sat around a booth at one of their favorite local restaurants, Sue held up a glass of apple cider and toasted the rest of them. “So you know, we’ll be closed until after the holidays, ladies. And since we’ve done extremely well with Christmas sales, the time off will be a paid break.”

Everyone cheered, many with relief at knowing they could relax for the next five days without worrying about their smaller paychecks.

Because she knew their feelings, having been there herself at certain points in her life, Sue added, “We can all breathe easy, right? Just have fun with our families. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.”

Excited about the news, everyone began talking at once. With their spirits high, jokes and stories were shared and lots of laughter followed. Eventually, they gathered around for hugs and well wishes before everyone went their own way.

Sue’s next stop was at her parents’ home to update them on what had been happening at the hospital. Once there, sitting with mugs of hot chai tea by the kitchen island – their favorite place to gather – she told them as much as she knew herself.

“According to Art’s mom, they’re going to start Lisa on new medicine, and Art’s pretty hopeful it will bring the results we’re all praying for. That she’ll wake up.”

“Is she showing any signs of doing so?” Julie’s voice held concern that any mother would feel for a child.

“No more than she did when she first got Jingles. Art says she clutches the wing of the toy so tight no one can take it from her. He’s imagining that she’s clinging to what is keeping her with him. It’s the most nerve-racking thing I’ve ever seen. You’d swear the child’s just sleeping, and that she’ll wake up if you make too much noise.”

“Speaking of noise, how did she react when you made Jingle’s special sounds for her?”

Starled, Sue admitted, “I forgot to do that. I meant to. But we got to eating and chatting and then I left with Art. His mother was desperate for him to leave the hospital and get some fresh air, so we walked along the Inner Harbor and talked. That poor man has been carrying the guilt of the accident since it happened. None of it’s his fault.” Sue described the details and both her parents made sounds of sympathy.

Her father spoke first, and his words were shocking. “I know how he feels. As your father, it’s exactly how I felt when we had to shove you into that fancy trunk in the furniture store and leave you there for hours.”

Her mother reached over to hold his hand tightly. They both looked wretched, and Sue tried to smooth over the moment. “I was fine, Dad.”

She couldn’t stop him. Once her father began confessing, he was like a runaway train. He couldn’t be stopped.

He stared into her eyes, his filling with tears she’d never seen him show before. Shocked, she reached for his hand and held it tight. “I’m fine, Dad,” she repeated.”

“No. You suffered horribly. You’ve just pushed it all away in your mind, and in those days, one didn’t go to a counselor about these things. We got on with life. But… I’ve never forgotten. To this day, I still wake up in a panic.”

When Sue went to speak again, her mother stopped her by squeezing her hand and giving her a look that mothers everywhere use to control their child without words.

Her father never noticed. Still deep in the past, he continued. “Once I knew I couldn’t get back to you, I felt so useless… so devasted. I’m your daddy. You relied on me to protect you. Yet for your own safety and your mother’s, I had no choice but to hide you. With those three crazy, lunatic gunmen roaming in the mall and shooting everyone who moved, it was our best chance to survive. Yet I feared every single moment that you would try to get out of the trunk, and they would see you… shoot you like they did so many others.”

As if he’d run out of words, he laid his head on his arms and his shoulders shook with the grief of those moments.

Finally, Julie tried to comfort him with logic. “Honey, even the police were held off for hours, and once they were finally able to control the situation, they commended us for our quick thinking. Sue was safe in that trunk while others were massacred. We all came out alive and that’s what matters. And it was your quick thinking that kept us that way.”

---