Page 14 of Flamingo Christmas

Thank you for answering. It means more than I can say.

Art.

Filled with anticipation, Sue went to the shelf where she’d put her latest creation…

… and found it empty.

What??

Frantic, stomach becoming instantly nauseous, she searched everywhere, thinking the rather large toy might have been put away inside one of the cupboards. Or even in her own small office which was filled to bursting with different products, bulky materials, and various art supplies.

It has to be here… somewhere.As her hunt continued, her optimism slowly diminished, and her heart began flooding with fear.God, where could it have gone?

Finally, rushing into the open space where her employees worked at different stations, she tried to keep her voice normal and not scream out her frustration. “Do any of you know where that flamingo on the glass shelf went?”

The newest recruit, Joan, answered, her unsteady voice filled with instant worry. “I sold it yesterday, Sue. An order came in while everyone was at lunch, and it fit perfectly. I’m sorry, I didn’t know the toy was special. I just wrapped it up and put it with the day’s shipments. I’m really sorry.”

Having the same thought as everyone else, they all rushed to the front of the shop only to find that the day’s orders had been picked up and would be on their way in the mail.

Knowing her dismayed expression must be obvious, Sue stopped the girl whose face looked devastated. “It’s my fault for not telling you, Joan. The others knew I’d made this flamingo for a little girl who’d been in an accident, but you couldn’t have known.”

Scrambling now, Sue went searching for more soft plush to make another copy and found that the particular pink fluffy material had been all used up. Dismayed, she called her supplier and was told that the delivery would be a week away.

Frantic now, Sue got online and checked every known store that might sell that style of flamingo. At the end of the morning, her search had been in vain. That particular size of flamingo was either no longer in stock or the delivery date would be well after the holidays. When her phone rang, and she saw her mother’s name, she answered almost in tears.

“Susie, what’s wrong? You sound upset.”

“It’s about the flamingo I made for the little girl who was in an accident.”

“Oh no. Please don’t tell me she passed.”

“No. Not that. Her father finally reached out and wants to meet. I’d made a toy according to the image he sent me. Actually, the exact replica of the image he’d sent me. But one of the new girls sold it and its been mailed. Now that we’ve completed our Christmas rush, we’re out of that same material. I’ve tried to find more pink plush, but my supplier can’t send me another batch until the new year. I don’t know what to do.”

“Oh dear. That is a problem. Did you check online?”

Almost in tears, sadness eating away her optimism, she answered, “I did… all morning. Anything that might have worked can’t be delivered before Christmas.”

“What about your own collection. You have more flamingoes than anyone else I know. Could you have something that might fit the bill?”

Untangling from her slumped position, Sue shot to her feet. “I never thought of that. You’re right. I have some that are still in their boxes, those I never played with because they were collectibles. Maybe I can find one like it or even enough of the same material for me to make another.” Hopeful now, the tears that had been hovering all morning fled to be replaced by confidence. She had so many flamingoes that surely one would be suitable. “Thanks, Mom.” Just as she went to hang up, she remembered her mother had called her. “Wait. Was there something you needed?”

“Yes, actually. I wanted to let you know that Jacquie phoned to tell us about her parents’ move, and we invited them for dinner on Christmas Eve. She’s bringing a date, their landlord’s nephew, Ken. Seems he’s new in town and hasn’t met a lot of people yet. Can you make it? It’s Christmas, so I thought it would be fun to have a bit of a get-together. Maybe Colleen can come too. And there’s a new couple who just moved in next door and they’re bringing their daughter with them, so we’re having quite a bunch. I’d really appreciate your help dear.”

Knowing her mother’s penchant for collecting strays and making them welcome, Sue agreed. “Sure. Of course. And yes, give Colleen a call. She’s at loose ends now that she’s broken off her relationship with Barb. I’ll be there early to help you. But I gotta go home now and check my collection. I’ll let you know how it turns out later. Bye, Mom.”

Being pulled in so many directions at once might have upset most people, yet Sue never felt that way at all. Quite the contrary. After seeing that poor man in the hospital, she’d counted her blessings, knowing she had a full life filled with many wonderful friends. Unfortunately, this flamingo situation had been the one flaw in her otherwise happy world and had kept her in a tizzy.

Driving to her apartment, she ruminated on just how lucky she was. Trying to keep her spirits up and hope alive, she sang carols and forced herself to keep her speed within the limit. If she could only find a flamingo close to the size and color that Art needed, she’d be able to relax and enjoy the coming holiday.

Hands trembling, she had to try inserting the key twice before she got the door opened. Accepting that having even the slightest chance to do something for this little girl and the father who cared so much for her had become the most important thing in her world, she prayed to find the toy.

Rushing to the room where she stored her collection, hundreds of flamingoes of every shape and size, she flung open the closet doors where she’d stacked many of the boxed collectibles.

Surveying each item, knowing the image by heart after staring at it so many times, she started to feel less optimistic. There were some she could probably take apart for the material and some of the faces might be pretty close to the style in the photo, but none were exact.

Not until she spotted the box near the back with the word “Jingles” written on the side. Then her heartbeat ramped up. Reaching deep, she slid it out and looked in through the plastic to see the exact toy she’d been searching for. Carefully opening the flap, she withdrew the fluffy, stuffed bird and hugged it to her chest, her face sliding over the softest material imaginable.

When squeezing it in a certain way produced the jingling sounds, she giggled with relief. It was perfect.

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