Too-Cute Meet

Too-Cute Meet

The explosive excitement of Chrissy's fifth grade class was peaking as the much anticipated holiday party approached. The final afternoon before the traditional winter two-week break was officially kicked off with festivities pointing to Christmas Day. But, of course, no one could call it Christmas Vacation. It just happened to coincide with the religious reason for the season.

The coming of Jesus or the coming of Santa rivaled each other but if she was a betting person the ten-year-olds in her classroom were hyped-up on thoughts of what good St. Nick may leave under their trees more than the gift of the Christ child.

Still she sighed with relief when the room mothers arrived with their treats, decorations and planned activities. She could turn the bundles of energy over to them and start dreaming of her own plans for the down time.

Chrissy's own plans were minimalistic. She was looking forward to having two whole weeks to herself in quiet solitary confinement so she could focus on her soon to be completed novel in order to enter it into a prestigious contest by the end of the year and have a chance at publication by a renown publishing house. It only needed some polishing and the perfect ending. She already held it up longer than planned. Teaching this level of students was far more demanding than she anticipated. There was always grading homework for her to complete and lesson plans to perfect in the evenings. Their energy level throughout the day left her exhausted. By the time she was ready to work on her own dreams, she was falling asleep.

She was doing what she loved yet she wanted more. Expected more out of herself. Having been considered a nerdy bookworm growing up and even in her university years she wanted to prove to anyone bothering to pay attention that she would someday be a famous author. Chrissy Merriman would be a household name. Now, if she can survive the noise level of this party...

“Have a great Holiday, Miss Merriman. Hope you liked my present.”

“Thank you, I will. You, too. And yes, I like it.”

Twenty-five times and then packing up all the assortment of chocolates and tea mugs and 'Best Teacher' cards and pen sets and... With arms full she surveyed the wrecked room and vowed to get back early enough to make it right again as she locked it tight and headed for quieter realms of glory.

She had almost made it upstairs to her half of the house when her 'Nana' caught her.

“You'll want to come on back downstairs when you drop that stuff off. And wear something warm and Christmas-y. We are going to the tree lighting downtown.” Overly cheerful Nana explained.

“I was really hoping to relax and get into my novel. Those kids were so geared up today I nearly unraveled.”

“Nonsense. A bit of Christmas cheer is exactly what you need to calm down again. Focus on the true meaning. I'll treat you to dinner at the Harbor House afterwards.”

“That place will be packed.”

“Yes, 'tis the season. See you in ten.”

Christmas expert, Nana, always seemed to know exactly how to create the magic of the holiday. If not at her own ancestral Victorian house with the decked halls then borrowing from where ever necessary when ever needed.

And she was right. The beauty of the twinkling lights, silver bells and decorations around the small town, the friendly 'yoo-hoos' from all the folks you know did wonders to lighten and brighten Chrissy's rushed mood. The dinner was divine... but then...

“Anna Merriman! Is that truly you? You haven't aged since we were in knee highs. And who is this pretty young miss?” An aging gentleman clasped Nana's hands in his.

“Artie Tucker! Good to see you! This is my son Christopher's girl, Chrissy. It has been a while. Is this your little boy?”

“Grandson. Carlson. Getting to watch over him for a couple of weeks. May we sit and catch up a bit?”

“Be our guests.”

Anna and Artie started talking away like they had only seen each other yesterday. Carlson rolled his eyes a lot and kicked at the table leg repeatedly with his sturdy little boots. He showed no interest in any food offered to him. The seat must have been electrified the way he jiggled.

“Excuse me, Mr. Tucker. I heard the Northern Lights may be visible this evening. May I take a walk with Carlson and see if we can spy them?” Chrissy suggested. “That is if he will escort me?”

“What a delightful thought. Carlson?”

He slid off his chair and offered her his elbow like a proper gentleman. She reached down and wiggled her fingers into the hook.

They hadn't walked far when he squirmed away and ran.

“Carlson! Stop! It is slippery and if you fall into the brink no one will find you 'til the spring thaw.” She shouted.

He halted until she caught up with him.

“Please, don't do that again. I thought we were enjoying our walk. I'll have to return you to your Grandpa.”

“Just thought we could see them quicker out here. Sorry.” His eyes widened in delight and awe as he gazed over her head. “It's raining rainbows!”

“Oh! Let's watch from this bench.” Bright colors streamed, undulated and blended beyond the restaurant. It was an awesome sight no matter how many times one witnessed them.

Suddenly, breaking the stillness of the moment, sirens were heard headed toward them. An ambulance halted directly in front of the entry to the restaurant. When the stretcher was wheeled back out Chrissy was stunned to realize Artie Tucker was wrapped up on it. Nana accompanied him. Carlson's grandpa weakly reached out to her, ”Watch over the little lad 'til I get back, Chrissy, Dear.” Then the EMTs whisked him into the back of the truck.

Nana said, “I am going to the hospital with him. He is all alone. Get what you'll need for the boy for a couple of days. I'll work on finding out where his folks are. Sorry to put you in this spot but what else can we do?” She thrust some bills and the car keys into Chrissy's gloved hand and climbed into the ambulance.

Chrissy searched the eyes of the five-year-old and saw they were filling with tears the same as hers. She had to be strong for him. “Looks like we need to take care of each other until they come back.” She said as she hugged him. He took a beat but hugged her back.

“We'll be alright. I'll watch over you.” He assured as he patted her back. She muffled her near giggle in the scarf at his neck. Well, if that's what it will take for him to be strong I'll be the one needing support!

They stopped at the all night Walmart to find some essentials. She let him pick out some jammies, underwear, an extra shirt and a toothbrush. She got him a back-pack to carry it all in even though he told her he had one.

“Do you know where it is?”

“At Grandpa's right now. But when I go to my Dad's I take it there with me, too.”

“Do you know where those places are? Or your Mom's place?”

“No. But I know what they look like if I saw them.”

“That's encouraging. This is only gonna be for a little while. If we need to find them then you will be helpful. So what will you want to eat?” Chrissy sure hoped she spoke the truth.

He was so tired by the time they got upstairs at Nana's she had no problem settling him into the spare room in his new Spidy-man jammies. He was asleep before she closed the door.

“He looks so helpless. Now what!” Was all she could think before she drifted off, too.

Nana wasn't home and there were no messages from her as Chrissy prepared a breakfast tray to take upstairs.

“What happened to this room?” One tow-headed little guy asked as he rubbed the sleepy dust from his eyes.

“What do you mean? Nothing happened to it.” One befuddled blonde answered as she offered a tray full of Captain Crunch with real slices of strawberries, orange juice and milk. She swiped her mug of tea off the tray and sat at the tea party table next to him, her knees around her chin.

“Looks like someone threw up pink cotton candy all over it.”

“I'll have you know this was once my room and I was going through a Barbie phase. Coming back in style these days.”

“Just saying not gonna work long-term for this Spidy-man.”

“Not that I am not enjoying our adventure but with any luck this will not be long term, Spidy-Man. If it does we will see what we can do to neutralize the pink factor.”

“How's Grandpa?”

“I haven't heard yet so we will have to do some detective work to find the answer.”

Once they had their detective gear on they headed for the hospital and were able to track down Nana. She guided them to a family area with activities for Carlson and conspired with Chrissy. “Things don't look promising for Artie and I haven't been able to talk to him to find out information about the boy's parents or other family members.”

“Any help from the hospital staff records at all?”

“His medical records aren't here. The address on his ID isn't current. He recently moved back to the region. But I found out very little else in our chat last night.”

“He is precious yet how long are we to be responsible for a virtual stranger's child? Do you even know his address so we can get Carlson's belongings? From what he told me he spends time at his Dad's and his Mom's so they must be separated. How do we locate them?”

“Do some computer searches, I guess. Trouble is, he's his daughter's child so her last name is probably different. Carlson's last name is not the same as Artie's. Need to ask him if he knows it. I had you learn your name and address and your parents' name by the time you were his age so maybe...”

“Say, there Mr. Carlson. Let's go see if they will let us in to see Mr. Tucker yet.” Chrissy suggested.

“I am not 'Mr. Carlson' only 'Carlson'.

“What would I call you if I want to say 'Mister'? Are you Mr. Tucker, too?”

“No, that's Grandpa. That would be silly.”

“Oh, it would be like your Dad's name, right? What would it be?” Chrissy prodded.

“Uh...uh. Mr. Daddy, I guess.”

“Okay. What if Mommy or Daddy or Grandpa were talking to you very sternly like you just did something you shouldn't have done. Would they call you by three names like my Nana used to do to me? She would say 'Christine Bella Merriman, you come here right now!'” Chrissy hoped she was hitting the mark.

“Um... OH! Carlson Douglas Conover, stop that right now!” Carlson beamed remembering what all those names were for he had heard many times.

They had arrived at the elder's room number but it was obvious a medical emergency was in progress so Nana led them back to the activities center explaining everyone was too busy to help them talk to Grandpa at the moment. Unfortunately, Chrissy and Nana knew what the commotion had meant. They were never gonna be able to talk to Grandpa again. They said a prayer asking God to help all the people in the hospital. Carlson caught on and added his own, “Please keep Miss Chrissy from being so sad.”

With the new found information Nana could lead the staff on a thorough search for family members while Chrissy kept Carlson distracted for the rest of the day.

She remembered all the sticky graham cracker gingerbread houses debris left smoldering in her classroom from the party and thought maybe Carlson would like to help get it under control.

They found extra unopened kits left behind by the room mothers so were able to build their own miniature gingerbread houses. Carlson delighted in gluing the edges together with icing then drawing doors, windows and shingles with the white piping. Red sprinkles sprinkled everywhere and green gum-drop bushes and a chimney topped it all off.

Surveying his handiwork, he suddenly grabbed Chrissy around her neck and planted a sticky kiss on her cheek! It took her a beat but she warmed to the affection. Soon they were both giggling as they finished cleaning up. So what seemed like a disastrous festive school party was saved by the magic of a just too-cute, elf-like mysterious mischievous Christmas visitor.

Fortunately, Carlson was reunited with his parents but found a lasting friend in Chrissy. And Chrissy did have time to polish her novel and find a happy ending.