Page 15 of Flamingo Christmas

Chapter Twelve

Arriving a bit early to the hospital, her parcel stored carefully in a tote bag, Sue found the waiting room empty. To pass the time, she checked the tree again to make sure all was fine. She made out the many wrapped presents donated by not only her store, but several others in the neighborhood. Again she thought about how lucky they were to live in a place that cared so much for their sick and lonely citizens.

She crouched down and read some of the tags, many she’d placed on packages herself. The messages read Girl – ages 2 to 4 or Boy – ages 5 to 7. No one wanted to give an impractical gift that might disappoint rather than delight.

She heard the door open and stood, looking forward to finally meeting the man who’d reached out and turned her normal world upside down.

“It’s you.” She squeaked her surprise and then coughed to cover up her shock.

The tall, lanky man with the warmest brown eyes she’d ever seen appeared astounded. “You’re Sue Ross?” He grinned and added, “I should have known it would be you.”

Not understanding exactly what he meant, she smiled and said, “Yes. I’m the flamingo lady, the one you wrote to. I tried to contact you more than once. When you finally answered today, I was thrilled. Especially because I have a great surprise.” She held up the bag she’d been carrying like it stored precious jewels and pulled Jingles from the interior. Holding it out to Art, the man who looked as if he’d been turned to stone, she whispered, “See, the exact replica.”

In a voice strangled with astonishment, Art’s voice cracked. “It’s Jingles. Oh my god, it’s him. Her flamingo.”

“I wasn’t sure because it looked a bit raggedy in your picture.”

“It’s him. Her special lovie.” Suddenly Art came to life and flew towards her, gathered her in his arms and twirled her around with her feet unable to touch the ground. “You found him. Oh my God. Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me, or what it’ll mean to Lisa.”

Lisa!All this time, she’d believed Lisa to be his wife? The woman he refused to leave alone in her hospital bed. Why she’d imagined that, especially since she’d found him in a room on the children’s floor, she’d never know. Finding out that Lisa was the same little girl who’d been in her thoughts for ages, everything seemed to all fit into place. As if it was meant to be.

Art snapped her out of her thoughts by taking her hand and pulling her along with him. “Come. Let’s give Jingles to Lisa. She’s been sliding away from us more every day. I just know this toy will be the one thing that will make her happy.”

Chapter Thirteen

Art felt as if his feet were no longer on the ground, this sudden happiness lessening what had appeared like an interminably heavy load. Seeing the young woman waiting for him with the perfect flamingo, the same woman who’d been pestering his thoughts since their last meeting, he couldn’t believe his first reaction of shock.

After all, hadn’t she been the girl who’d decorated the children’s tree? He should have sensed she’d be the one who’d come to his rescue. Opening the door to Lisa’s room, seeing her lying there so quiet, her tiny form unmoving, his heart dropped as it always did. Creeping closer, he began to tell the little girl a story.

“Honeybunny, I want you to meet Sue. She’s the angel who found Jingles for us and she’s here to return him to you.” He placed the flamingo near his child’s side and in seconds felt his breath leave his body and his knees give out.

Lisa’s hand ever so slowly began to reach out, her fingers weakly trembling, digging into the furry body of the toy. He’d have landed in a heap on the floor without Sue’s strong arms to help him to the side of the bed.

Both adults held their breath watching as the child searched for something. When her fingers found the fluffy wing and clutched it, they both let out a sigh of delight.

Fixated on her every move, they saw Lisa’s face change. One of her cheeks quivered as the side of her mouth rose into what one might describe as a smile.

Sighing, the child pulled at the toy bringing it an inch closer and then drifted off into what looked to be a satisfied sleep.

“We need to tell the doctor.” Art looked at Sue through his tears. Even though he spoke those words, he didn’t seem to have the strength to move.

“I’ll ask the nurse to get him. You wait with Lisa.”

Before she could leave, he held her hand to keep her beside him. “You saw it too. She smiled, right?”

“Looked that way to me.” Sue’s voice broke over the words, and she wiped away her own tears. “I did see a change, but I don’t know if it was unusual. Has she moved her hand before?”

“A little. We all figured she searched for something. Now I’m beginning to believe it was Jingles. Did you see the way she pulled her toy closer, even if only a tiny fraction.”

“Yes. Maybe it was her way of telling us to put him in her arms.”

“You think so?”

“I do. Plus, it couldn’t hurt.”

Art leaned over and very carefully lifted Lisa’s arm and placed the toy right by her chest. Then he put her hand around the snuggly’s neck the way he’d seen her carry her friend a million times before.

Satisfied that Jingles was perfect, he sat back, and they both watched. A sigh seemed to be torn from the lips of the child. Her fingers clutched the toy ever so slightly, and her face again moved into what one might say was a smile. Slowly, she tightened her hold on the soft plush of the toy and stayed that way.

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