The Mistletoe Thrush

Darlene thought of Christmas and herceyes filled with tears first romance memories some good some bad. The Mistletoe thrush he or she,always remained for the festive season.pecking at the mistletoe over the years. Fresh berries the joy and taste of Christmas.

The clinking of glasses, tree lights, globes on trees laughing faces joy. Darlene should show more spirit instead of dwelling on the past. As Danny always said his girlie.

The times together bought a tear to her eye hanky at the ready. Danny life and soul of the party. Taken so young, Christmas Hagmany would never be the same. Over the years people, relatives, friends had tried to accomodate Darlene before getting on with their own lives. Why was she so cynical, living off memories. Danny not an attractive man about town he had a gift to excite and love, everyone and life. A bloody fool. He never saw danger. Not happy in the butchers shop , he had to join the fusslers. Mistletoe cap in hand.

He was always there for her Mistletoe in hand, in his cap. Darlene always hoped once the army spirit had gone, they would settle down. Alas, it was not to be? A land mine they say just,after leaving her, all those years ago. Not eighteen any more? Menpause , heart ache doom every Christmas.

While the Mistletoe thrush brown in colour sang and ate all thw shiny white berries, how fair was that in life. Another year pain heart ache while the crackers got pulled and jokes read out. New romance. Decor so much joy mingled with sadness , while Dannys round brown eyes shone and his blonde hair like silky straw remained in her memorie. She could still close her eyes imagine him.

The dark shadows of their last night together stood out holding hands, dark doorways oh, so pretty lights the tree in the square. Lights yonder hanging over the river. A wind blowing stillness crisp foot prints in the snow their last. Blowing that last kiss.

The noise of the party their Brian shouting "Sis come on" having to pretend to enjoy the champers and plate of food offered. He was a good kind brother where,as her sister Elaine just tolerated her.

Any dislike hidden for the festive season. Disdain after Elaine thinking that Darlene was a burden. Keeping so many memories not moving on. Unless you had been there you would never know, Danny could not be replaced.

Like the mistletoe thrush coming back every Christmas. Maybe in recornation her Danny had become a mistletoe thrush. Watching and waiting for her now that was a nice thought flying together two mistletoe birds together.

Her eyes felt so, weary soon the strike if midnight people living it up, people going. Another Christmas gone. Elaine thinking a bloody good job when they called a taxi. Her brother waving her off "Have a nice New Year sis".

This Christmas supposed to be so different by golly had she tried. Christmas decor in the home her job in town meeting people all part and parcel of the job as a window dresser. People depending on her. Could Elaine be jealouse of her independent streak? Surely her kind dependable brother was enough for Elaine. If she thought Elaine was having affair would she rock the boat "Nah" Darlene was not like that? Twenty five years her brother had been with Elaine. Always liked to show off with her. Shame she could not accomodate Darline more. Well another Christmas. The fire stoked up. Photo albums her,and dear Danny. The light of the street lamps snow, love this was her romance.

They would not grow old together . Her dear sweet Danny in his uniform on display had never left left the mantle piece, of the home they had planned to share together. Shut the door and he was all hers. Once a willing suiter had thought Danny was her son? Well she never saw head nor tail of him again. She laughed hiw coyld any one ever replace Danny? She had never seen him angry or bitter.

An advantage to have so much together from fourteen to twenty six.

Knock, knock , knocking up sticks was the sherry getting to her? Tomorrowctrees full of berries the singing of birds. Snuckey her persion cat refusung to unwind from the bed clothes on her bed. Paw marks on the door it made a home. Brass bands playing o tv imaging Danny amongst them. Poor lad had peoblwms playing a mouth organ.

Smiling turning out the light. Cuddling up to Snuckey in bed. She would not let Snuckey kill or harm a mistletoe thrush

It bought bad luck. Although it was not from want of trying on Snuckeys part. Brian and Elaine had brought her Snuckey three years ago.

Adventures a jumpy kitten, wool balls. Constant a ball of energy. Now a mature cat. Like Darlene Snuckey sensed Dannys presence ever in the home synny daya , Christmas New year. In Snuckeya case caroets if dreams laced with cream. Oh bless the days Danny and Snuckey had entered her life. She was not disabled, just set in her ways ine could say. If they said more Brian would give them a good sharp shuft with his fist.

True family spirit and love. Always important that one word. Diffrent kinds of love. Respect, honesty friendship I suppose that formed love you sort of grew into it then before you knew it the magic was there to be treasured.

Well, maybe people never had what she had? Some had of course tried ti find love and be happy it just had not worked for them. Hermemories were and would be forever young and viberant. She had not had to watch Danny die, so could still relate to his viger smiling face, the sort of chap who would buy any one a drink.Oh, why could he not have stayed managing his uncles butchers shop. Soon church bells would ring in AnotherChristmas and new year. Mistletoe and wine, Cliff Richard. Now that was really showing hwr,age. A good manicure invthe new year and soft perm or a bob if Darlene felt daring enough to try it out? Was she feeling better,about herself? Would she take up the offer of a drink with tbe new manager in accounts, at work. No party poppers please.