Page 9 of Flamingo Christmas

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to answer your kind email, but my little girl is still very ill and hasn’t woken up from her accident. I’m hoping that maybe with her flamingo nearby, she’ll be responsive to the toy, and it might help her to fight her way back, or at the very least, ease her mind. Of course, I’d be willing to give you a description in person if you believe it might help you make a replica.

Thank you for your time,

Art Reves.

Before he could hit send, his phone rang. Terrified of bad news, he exited his browser and opened the phone to hear his mother on the line.

“Darling, Lisa moved. I saw it myself. She moved her hands. The doctors are with her now. You better come back.”

“I’ll be there as soon as possible. Don’t stop talking to her.”

“I won’t. Just get here.”

Chapter Eight

Work at the studio had become ridiculous. With orders piling up they hired two more girls to come in, one to help with the artwork and the other as a seamstress. Sue put in twice the hours as anyone else and by the end of the day, fell into her bed exhausted.

The only time she took off was to help her mother with the hospital’s decorations and to find a few hours for a lunch date with Jacquie and Colleen.

After four days of constant phone calls back and forth with Jacquie – Sue trying to keep her in a positive frame of mind – they got the news they’d been praying for. The suite was theirs if they still wanted it. Margaret had called while they’d been dining at a local restaurant.

Considering that this day had been the worst, with Sue trying to keep Jacquie from falling apart, the call couldn’t have come at a better time. In fact, they’d been arguing about whether Jacquie should call Margaret yet again to ask if she’d heard anything. “Trust me, hon. Margaret knows you’re serious. One call a day is sufficient for her to get it.”

Face alight, Jacquie exclaimed, “She said I can bring the parents around in the morning. Will you come with us? I’m so nervous. I don’t want to say anything that will put Mom and Dad off, and they love you and trust your judgement.”

Flattered, yet knowing Jacquie spoke the truth, she didn’t hesitate. “Of course I will. I’m excited to see what they think of the place.”

The next morning, both girls watched as Margaret seduced Jacquie’s parents with promises of a wonderful new lifestyle. One where they could pitch in with cooking in her glorious, updated kitchen, featuring a huge old wooden farmhouse-style table and chairs where they could, if they wanted, share meals with the others. Jacquie’s mother lit up from that news because she’d missed not having her own kitchen and being able to make her specialties.

They would also be welcome to help as much as they desired in the outside garden beds or even the large greenhouse behind the garage where the other residents had already started to gather seeds for their spring planting.

And… everyone was also welcome to spend whatever time they preferred in the communal living room featuring a huge-screen television rather than hiding away in their own small apartments. Or work out in the gym they had set up in the sunroom where one could get their steps on a treadmill, ride a stationary bike, or just use the weights set up high to make them accessible. In other words, they would have the run of the house and many things to keep them occupied.

She even arranged for them to meet the other four couples who lived there, and it turned out that Jacquie’s father had worked with one of the men back when he’d been a youngster slaving on the railroad, or so that’s how they described those times. They both had stories to share of the good-old days.

Once the girls had taken the oldies out for a nice lunch at their favorite restaurant and promised to help with the move on the coming weekend, they were finally able to settle her excited parents back in their place. Their guarantee to return that evening with boxes and packing paper sealed the deal. It delighted both the girls that her parents couldn’t wait to start packing.

As Jacquie drove Sue back to her place to pick up her own car, they agreed on one thing – how good it felt to make others happy, especially those they loved.

Later, driving home, Sue’s glee dampened when she thought about a wee little girl waking up, her arms empty while yearning for her special friend.

***

Sue and Jacquie sat with her parents the first night in their new home and both girls were ecstatic at the oldies’ excitement. Jacquie leaned over and whispered to Sue, “I haven’t seen them this happy for quite some time.”

“I know. They really like Margaret, and all the other folks seem quite lovely. Did you notice how many of the men pitched in to help us with the move? I have a feeling Margaret hand-picked everyone for their open and giving personalities. That smart woman knew they would all have to get along, and so she made sure to find folks who would be willing to share their personal space. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“I know. I’m so relieved. I mean, Mom and Dad gave me such a good home and a safe upbringing that I feel it’s the least I can do to make their last years as happy as possible.”

“You’re just lucky their few ailments are mostly physical and can be treated. While we helped with the move, I noticed many of the folks at their old place weren’t – shall we say – living in the real world.”

“You mean those sitting around in wheel chairs with vacant stares. I know. As bad as I always felt for them, I’ll admit to you that they gave me the willies.”

“Me too. But think about how it must have been for your folks. How horrible it would be surrounded by sad, dysfunctional people when you have all your marbles.”

Jacquie sighed. “It’s true, they are lucky. Dad says it’s their good food choices and healthy lifestyle that’s kept them strong. He’s probably right. For now, they’re happy and that’s all that matters.”

“I agree.” Sue smiled infectiously. “Did you see the Christmas decorations they had piled in the dining room? I asked Margaret about them, and she said they’d be putting their tree up tomorrow. That her nephew was going to help them. He’s already done the outside lights, and they look wonderful.”

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