Page 12 of Flamingo Christmas

Sue giggled. “You’re right. If we can get it to last for this year, I’ll be sure to replace it so this won’t happen again.”

“You come every year to help out over the holidays?”

“My mother started it when I was a child with pneumonia, and I had to stay here for Christmas. She decided to make it fun for everyone who could participate. And strangely, most of the residents had come to celebrate and even the staff got involved. Over the years, it’s become so popular that we’ve kept up the tradition.”

“I have to admit, the tree in the entrance to the hospital is very attractive, looks like a professional job. Did you do that one as well?”

“Yes. But I’ll admit that the one I take most pleasure in is this tree in the children’s ward. We make it less commercial and more suited for the kids.”

Paying close attention this time, he looked around the room and noticed the fairytale atmosphere that any child would love. In every corner, high up on colored shelves, they had tucked magical characters dressed for the holidays. Bears with fancy hats, elves dressed in Christmas suits, and Santas of every shape and size, all interspersed with greenery and fairy lights woven throughout.

Someone with an incredible imagination had continued the theme around the room yet left space for the many easy chairs where the visitors would sit in groups to visit.

Then he again spied the flamingo angel, and his heart dropped. In a husky voice, he admitted, “My favorite decoration is the tree topper.”

Sue looked to where he pointed and smiled. “Mine too.”

Before they could share more, the nurse bustled in with a basket filled with bandages and tape and the next few minutes were spent repairing the tree stand and then setting the tree upright once again.

“It worked.” Sue looked at the other two, a smile shining on her satisfied face. “Thank you for your help.” She’d turned to Art and unconsciously held her hand out.

He took it gently and squeezed. “Hey, glad to help.” The nurse added her thanks. “Mr. Reyes, I wanted to let you know that we’ll be in before lunch to bathe Lisa. You could take that time for yourself.”

“Thanks, nurse. But I’ve already been away from her longer than I should be. I’ll stick around.” He would be watching his phone now for a reply to his message. With the holiday just around the corner, it seemed even more imperative for him to find another Jingles.

Leaving the two women behind, he hurried back to his post near his daughter. Sue turned to the nurse and made a comment. “What a nice man. I hope his Lisa gets well soon.”

“We all do, and not just for her sake. That man is the nicest person and deserves his happy ending. I’ve never known anyone as loyal and caring as he’s been ever since the accident.” Nurse Emmy turned to Sue. “I’m glad we could save this tree. I think it’s the best one yet. The children who’ve seen it so far love it.”

“It is pretty. I’ll just straighten everything out a bit since it’s been juggled around and get a tree skirt to cover the bandaged stand.”

“You know, I wouldn’t cover it myself. Most of the kids here know what it’s like to wear bandages and will get a kick out of seeing their tree wearing some too.”

“I never thought of that, but you’re right. Fine, we’ll just leave it the way it is. But I’ll place the gifts back like they were, and it’ll be good as new.”

Laughing, the nurse added, “That’s our aim here in the hospital. To fix things as good as new.”

Chapter Ten

Dining with Colleen put a blight on her happy mood, and yet Sue didn’t regret being with her friend and hearing about her problems. In fact, having another, cooler head learn the situation – one with a different point of view – seemed to settle Colleen.

“Sue, I know you and Jacquie never really liked Barb but—”

“Hey. Stop that. It’s not that we don’t like her. It’s that we don’t believe she’s the woman who’ll make your dreams come true. All you’ve talked about these last few years has been about starting a family and settling into a committed relationship, right?”

Colleen looked glum but admitted the truth. “Yeah. I’m tired of the dating game and would love to have a home and a steady partner.”

“Do you actually believe, and I mean with all your heart, that Barb is the girl who feels the same way?” Sue knew the answer before she put out her question, but she needed Colleen to see the truth too.

It took quite a few seconds before Colleen sighed, shook her head, and then dropped her face into her hands. “No. She’s all about partying and getting high. I keep praying she’ll settle down and grow up, but she seems to be getting worse. Now she’s away so much, I seldom get a real read on where she is.”

“Yet, you still want to try and hogtie her to your future? If it was me, I’d be terrified.”

Colleen looked up from her hiding place. “I am. But I love her. She’s got a big heart, and she makes me laugh. Yet, you’re right. That’s not the best credentials for a steady relationship, is it?”

“I’d say it’s up to you, but for me, I’d want a person alongside me in a marriage who shared the same dreams I do. But then, that’s just me.”

Colleen’s tears began to fall from eyes overflowing, and she put her head on Sue’s arm. “I wish you were gay.”

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