Page 21 of Flamingo Christmas

“From your lips to God’s ears, Mom.”

Chapter Eighteen

Art looked up as Sue entered the hospital room, his welcoming smile warming her to her toes. She’d never felt this way about anyone before. That her whole being depended on the happiness of another.

On the way to her visit, she’d stopped to pick up some food for Art and his parents. Though they hadn’t given her any orders, she brought a couple of pizzas, some drinks, and sweets with her just in case. “I hope you don’t mind, but I haven’t eaten dinner and wanted to share my food with you all. I kinda figure that most folks like this type of fast food, so please dig in.”

When she stepped forward, Art came closer and reached for her, his hands warm and gentle. He helped her with her packages, and it just seemed natural to step into his hug.

Lorna greeted her in the same way and Sue experienced such gratitude at their welcoming ways that she almost broke down. What a wonderful feeling it created when others cared about seeing you… that you mattered to them so much that it lit up their faces.

Once Art helped her remove her jacket, she eventually moved close to the bed where a sleeping little girl rested peacefully, clutching her lovey. “How is Lisa today?”

While Lorna peeked into the food parcels, the obvious smells of fresh pizza getting to her, Art stepped closer to Sue. Sadness cloaked his expression and Sue felt his staggering worry.

“She hasn’t moved, well other than to cling to Jingles.”

Sue sat close to the child and whispered. “I want to tell you a story, Lisa. It’s about Jingles.” She turned to look at Art and Lorna who were both watching her now. “I looked the toy up online and found an article that I knew I needed to share.” Again, she leaned closer to the child and began.

“Once upon a time there was a little princess called Honey. Now Honey had been born with a huge problem. She was blind, which means she couldn’t see. Her papa fretted a long, long time about how he could help his darling child. Finally, he came up with the idea to make her a special toy that could sing to her. He spent a long time trying to decide how this toy should look and remembered that when he’d been a boy, he’d seen a large pink bird at the zoo. That incredible majestic flamingo had appeared magical to him. Yet it made him smile every time he remembered the creature, and he’d never forgotten. And so he began to fashion a pink fluffy bird to give to his Honey. When he handed her the lovey, in her excitement, her hands clutched the toy so hard it broke the singing function and instead the bird jingled – a noise that delighted her. And so she called her pet Jingles. When her daddy realized how much she loved her friend, he made many more for other children to love too.” She smoothed her hands over the child’s hair and finally caressed her cheek softly. “Your mommy gave you a Jingles too, but I haven’t heard it talk to you yet. Should we listen to what it says?”

Sue reached over knowing exactly where to squeeze the toy to get the jingling noise to begin. Sure enough, the happy sounds filled the room.

“Oh my God!” Art was the first to exclaim out loud.

They all watched, mesmerized as Lisa’s eyes began to flutter. In Art’s excitement, he slipped to the floor, kneeling there, his hands in prayer while tears filled his eyes.

Sue held her breath, watching the child’s eyes finally stay open to peer around her as if she searched for something or someone. How she knew what it was Lisa wanted, Sue could never explain afterwards. But at that moment, without hesitation, she lifted Jingles in front of the child and thrills flooded her whole body when the little girl’s hands reached so painfully, lifting awkwardly to clutch her lovey. Once she held it to her face, she sighed and said one word. “Da-dd-y?”

Art flung himself as close to her as he could without hurting her. Spreading gentle kisses over her face and hands, he whispered brokenly. “I’m here, princess. Daddy’s here.”

Chapter Nineteen

The celebration that night had to be controlled so as not to wake the now peacefully sleeping child. Once the doctors had finished their examinations and concluded the change in medications had done their job, they left the room, happy with the results.

Neither Art nor Sue argued with their prognosis. They just clung to each other and smiled, Art winking at Lorna so she wouldn’t feel left out. Thrilled, needing to share their joy with her husband, Lisa’s grandpa Cory, Lorna instantly called him with the wonderful news, and he’d arrived lickety-split to share in their happiness.

Once Sue met him, she understood where Art had gotten his good looks and warm personality. The man was a dreamboat, caring and kind, and he obviously doted on his granddaughter.

As the evening wore on, Lorna and Cory eventually left as the next day was Christmas Eve, and in the morning, they were in charge of the Salvation Army kettles in front of the Bay downtown.

Before they left, Lorna happily admitted to Sue something that made her smile. “I like being in front of that large store because they have so many wonderful decorations, and it puts most folks in the spirit of giving.”

Cory leaned in to correct her. “She means it puts her in good spirits.”

Then he thought about what he said and added, “Which doesn’t seem as important as usual because I’ve never felt more blessed than I do tonight.”

Lorna piped up. “Me too. Nothing could make me happier than to know our angel has returned to us. Now we can really celebrate Christmas.”

Art smiled, his face wearing a rueful grin. “Never thought I’d say this, but now Christmas will become my most cherished holiday too. How could it not?”

Once they were alone, Art held Sue’s hands and she could see him struggle with his words. Finally, he just burst out, and she loved that he didn’t hold back.

“I don’t care what the doctors said. You’re the reason Lisa found her way out of the fog. She said it herself, didn’t she?”

“You mean when she said she’d been lost?”

“Yes. She couldn’t find me. Then she heard Jingles and knew where to come. All the time we’ve talked and read to her, we didn’t get through. Yet the sound of her toy brought her back.”

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