Twelve Days of Krista

4. Give Love On Christmas Day

Four

Give Love On Christmas Day

12:30 p.m.

25 December

Right, then. The woman who is single-handedly ruining Christmas for him is very likely insane. And now she’s cheering for Father Christmas as if she’s one of the children in line.

“Marian,” Hugh says rushing over to where the older woman stands. She is gaping at the approaching Father Christmas and doesn’t acknowledge him at all.

“We need to go,” Hugh tells her, taking the backpack Krista left with her and setting it on the ground. “That woman—Krista—is mentally unstable. She thinks Santa is real and that you are his true love.”

“What?” Marian whispers.

“As I said, she’s mad. But she’s also distracted right now. So, let’s go before she returns.”

Marian stares hard at the bearded man being led to the red velvet throne by a costumed young man wearing roller skates.

She blinks, then blinks again before finally agreeing. “Yes, you’re right, we should go. Now, before he sees me.”

Marian leads the way and makes a hasty beeline towards Market Street where Hugh can see a queue of waiting taxis.

Finally, someone is listening to reason, he thinks as he follows her toward the taxi stand. He wonders if the Rustanovs might be amenable to meeting in their Moscow or New York City office next time. Hugh really does not ever want to return to this city if he can help it.

“Grandma! Grandma! Stop, please!” a voice calls out behind them. And although Hugh refuses to look back, he can hear the slap of the Krista’s Converses against the plaza stone as she tries to catch up with them.

“Keep moving, Marian,” Hugh instructs, taking her firmly by the elbow. “We’re almost there.”

Just as they’re about to step onto the curb, Krista catches up to them.

“Grandma, please wait!” she pants as her hand wraps around the old woman’s free arm.

“I can’t,” Marian answers, pulling hard against Krista’s clasp.

“It’s time to end this charade,” Hugh interjects. “We've got a plane to catch.”

But Krista doesn’t let go, and her desperation-filled eyes stay glued on Marian as she demands, “Why did you come to me if you didn’t want to be matched?” As if Marian, the innocent old woman she’s roped into her bizarre scheme, is the one in the wrong.

“Because I didn’t know it was going to be me!” Marian answers, startling Hugh with the vehemence of her response. “I’m not meant to be anyone’s match. My first boyfriend left me pregnant with a half-siren daughter. My second boyfriend was a ghost. And as for my 100% human husband? Our relationship ended in divorce.” Marian shakes her head. “I’m not supposed to be a main character in this story. I’m too old. I’m too scared. And besides, if it was meant to be me, the spirits would have warned me.”

Even in the face of Marian’s skepticism, Krista refuses to let go. But her face gentles a bit as she asks, “Do you like reading bedtime stories? Have you ever baked cookies before?”

“Well, yes,” Marian answers carefully.

“Then you’re perfect!” Krista declares. “And I’m sorry you’ve spent so many years as a secondary character. But you’re definitely the main character in this story. And as for why the spirits didn’t say anything,” Krista’s head tilts to the side in a sort of half shrug, “they probably didn’t want to spoil your happy ending.”

Krista finally releases Marian’s arm, but only so she can hold out a hand to the agitated old woman. “Mrs. Kringle passed away just a few years after I was adopted. Do you understand? He’s been waiting years to meet you and I really don’t want to keep him waiting a minute longer. Please, Grandma. I don’t care how old you are or what happened in your past. Right now, it’s time to meet your man.”

Hugh knows he should grab Marian by the arm and forcibly drag her toward the nearest taxi before she can even consider going along with Krista’s insane plan. But he’s frozen in place, unable to interfere as he, like Krista, waits to hear what Marian will say.