With a happy heart, she sang the words; we wish you a Merry Christmas, as she strolled into the living room. She stopped dead in her tracks. The room was empty. John had skipped out on her again. The tray was in the kitchen, and the dirty dishes packed neatly in the sink. He’d scribbled, I’m sorry, on a napkin, the words encased in a perfectly outlined heart. He may as well have shot an arrow through it!
Anger erupted. Her foot impulsively shot out against the sturdy island sidewall and she wailed with immediate pain. “Ouch!” Her toes throbbed as she hobbled to the hall closet. Why wouldn’t John let her into his newly recalled life-drama? She’d not been pushy or demanding. Frustrated, she came to the only conclusion that fit his conduct. Perhaps the almost kiss meant nothing to him at all. Love had waved its wand over their heads, momentarily, but the mistletoe magic had not found its way into his heart.
Well, she’d not wallow in it! A dance was a dance, and she was dressed to attend. The key-ornament that John had held so near to his heart laid on the counter, and she tossed it into her purse to use as a self-pity reminder when she later became unglued emotionally. It was bound to happen. They designed parties for couples, and she was alone, again. Pam slipped into her dancing shoes, picked up her bag, and slammed out of the apartment.
A half hour later, Pam found herself stationed at the food table, stuffing her face with food, trying to avoid thinking of her no-show escort.
“Is the food good?” a voice asked from behind. Pam spun around to discover Cassie, timid, and not her usual contrary self.
“The food is great!” Pam announced, none too pleasantly.
Cassie bit her lip and Pam felt sorry for her. The woman was on a mission, and she was making it difficult. Pam softened her approach. “I suppose you know where John is hiding out?”
She nodded, yes, but offered no more.
“Good. At least the man is not in some ditch for a repeat performance. This doctor is not on duty.” She could feel anger rising and filled her mouth with another chocolate coconut ball.
“I like those too.” Cassie smiled, and something in me warmed up to her. “I used to make them with my daughter when she was a toddler.”
“You have a daughter?”
“Oh yes. A successful young woman now, going about looking after her fellow man.”
“That’s nice,” Pam said.
“We separated years ago, and sometimes the pain of watching her from a distance is too much to bear.”
“It’s never too late to make amends between a parent and a child.” Pam noticed her backing off and chuckled. “Tried to tell John the same thing, but he didn’t listen either.”
“John is a good boy at heart. Just testing his wings – so to speak.”
“I believe you! I also see a kind, decent man, but he can’t. Keeps running away from me every time I try to get close.” Pam threw her shoulders back and fixed her gaze on the dance floor. “I’m done trying. He can figure it out for himself.”
Cassie’s smile embodied Pam, and the magnetic pull drew her attention back into the woman’s intense scrutiny. It was plain the woman had seen through her facade. Cassie appeared to possess that same ability to see clear through into her heart.
Time to throw the hound off her trail. “You are a top-notch actress, Cassie. I enjoyed you playing Mrs. Claus.”
“Oh, dear, no. I fear I failed miserably. Hopefully, she wasn’t watching.”
“Watching? Isn’t it Santa’s job to keep abreast of the population to update his naughty list?” Pam played along, snickering at her own words. Every year she’d gotten better at toying with the myth. Her father would roll over in his grave to believe she’d succumbed to such nonsense.
“I sense a touch of mockery. You above all people should believe.” Cassie moved into defense mode.
“Me - why?”
“The gift you received, of course. Mrs. Claus is very selective who receives the ornamental gifts. And yours was thoroughly drenched in hope for the future of Christmas. You’ve been chosen, and I could not be more proud.”
“Chosen? What are you on about?”
“I’ve said too much already. It’s not good to break the rules. Find John and don’t let him go off alone. The matchmaker is never wrong.”
“Matchmaking is it? Well, the north and the south are stuck on middle ground.” Pam folded and rubbed the flow of blood into her arms. “Besides, how could I ever help John in his mission to create a change for Christmas? I don’t even understand what you are talking about.”
“Understanding is overrated. Move with the heart, have faith, and he will set all things straight. You possess the key, don’t you?”
A voice spoke from behind. “Stop it, Cassie. I won’t allow you to use your charm to draw her into my troubles. Pamela is a self-made woman and makes her own choices.”
“Of course, she will, dear boy. I have no doubts the key will unlock Christmas and save it from eternal destruction.”
John appeared to understand her words, but to Pam’s mind the new puzzle pieces simply added to an already complicated upside-down picture.
“Please, leave us now.” Cassie bent forward and planted a peck on Pam’s cheek and whispered. “I have always loved you. I’m truly sorry not to have known you.”
Pam and John watched Cassie walk away. When she moved out of sight, he turned toward Pam. “If you’re still in the mood, I’m
