Whispers Under the Christmas Sky

Chapter 3: Lights in the Snow

The house hadn’t changed.

My eyes roamed over the familiar corners of my childhood home, every creak in the hardwood floors and crack in the plaster stirring a different memory. My parents had left the porch light on as usual, and its warm glow spilled across the snow-dusted driveway as Lila and I stepped out of the car.

I had already sent Danielle back home and Mayor Gladys was very kind as to drop us off at my parent’s house.

“Thank you, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I waved goodbye to her as she waved me back good night and drove off.

“Are we staying here?” Lila asked, her voice tinged with doubt as she assessed the modest structure.

I shot her a look, biting the urge to remind her that we don’t have to always live in a penthouse suite to feel at home. “It’s cozy, you’ll survive,” I said with a small smile as I approached the front door.

The smell of pine and cinnamon instantly pulled me back to old times. I rang the doorbell with shaky hands.

I made sure to always keep in contact with my parents the whole time I was away, but as my business started to grow and I got busier, staying in contact only proved harder.

It’s been two years since I last had a proper conversation with them so they weren’t ready to see my by their doorstep at eight at night. And my mother’s reaction was evidence.

“Clair, my sweet girl!” she screamed and she pulled me into a tight hug, the kind that only mothers can give, full of warmth and unsaid worries.

“You look so tired!” She exclaimed as she pulled up, studying up my face. “Haven’t you been eating enough? Working too hard, haven’t you?”

The questions just kept coming.

I laughed softly as I pulled her back into another warm embrace. “I’m fine mom, I promise.”

“Come in, your father has been missing you the most.”

My mother had either truly missed Lila, or as I’d expect my mother to, she acted out her ignorance to the girl standing behind me as she pulled me inside.

“Hello to you too Mrs. Winters.” Lila Muttered sarcastically, bringing my mother’s attention to her.

My mom had never really liked Lila, and she didn’t bother keeping it hidden. For no apparent reason, she hadn’t really trusted the girl.

“Oh, Lila dear. Sure, come on in.” Mom replied back as sarcastically before continuing on her way inside.

“John! Come look who’s here!”

My father’s head poked put from the kitchen, his face changing from that of confusion to whom it may be, to a calmly surprised expression as his furrowed eyebrows faltered.

“Claire?” He whispered.

“Hey, daddy.” I smiled softly at him.

My father was the most one affected by my decision to leave Wintervale. He was my best friend and I was his little girl. He hated my decision, very reluctantly letting me go. And I was sure his sad expression right now was my fault.

I’ve been distant the past two years.

I walked to him, slowly and gently diving into his embrace. He didn’t wait a second longer to hold me and I felt just how much he’s missed his little girl. And I've missed him like crazy.

“I didn’t think you’d leave us this long, Claire. It’s been so long.” He muttered into my shoulder and I didn’t stop the tears cascading down my cheeks.

As the evening wore on, we decided it was time to call it a night.

I tossed and turned in bed, feeling the familiar walls close in on me. I feel anxious and uncomfortable.

Ethan’s face appeared unbidden in her mind, a mixture of sharp edges and softened memories. And then there was Victor, whose presence I have been avoiding since I got home. Even more, knowing that Ethan was the gala’s main sponsor came to me as a surprise and my thoughts fumbled on the best way to interact with him.

But more importantly, it worried about the ideas that kept popping up like fireworks. Not the ideas themselves, but how I’ll have to ask Ethan for more funds to implement them.

I turned around, the blankets tangling around my legs.

‘The town needs something to bring us all together again. Something to give Wintervale its soul once again.’

“This is pointless.” I muttered, sitting up and shoving my pillow aside. I made sure to make no noise so as not to wake Lila up whom have got comfy on my bedroom sofa.

My gaze drifted to the frosted window, where snowflakes clung to the glass like tiny stars. That’s when it hit me.. the glimmer of an idea that would work well for all the separate ideas that were popping like candy. An idea, delicate at first but growing stronger with each passing moment.

A week-long Christmas event.

Not just a one-night gala, but a series of magical moments that would remind everyone why Wintervale was special.

The thought made me smile, but then, my mind sobered towards the fundings needed. Pulling something like this off would cost money- more than my own budget could stretch to. I can’t do it on my own. It was a logistical puzzle I couldn’t solve alone.

My mind surfaced back to Ethan. He wasn’t going to refuse helping out Wintervale, especially that he already has volunteered to sponsor the gala at his own expense. My I wasn’t sure if this will be within budget for him……and more than that, I wasn’t sure if he’s be in on the idea – seeing how it was coming from me.

Will I even be able to ask him for anything? After all that has happened and after all this time?

I lay back down, staring at the ceiling as my mind raced.

What do I have to lose anyways?

….

The first morning in a very long time that wasn’t quiet, still and lonely.

The house was alive with the sound of my mom bustling in the kitchen, my father doing small tasks in her aid while Lila sat with her laptop in front of her.

“Oh, morning Claire.” Lila pipped. “Pinnacle Engineering sent their agenda requests just now for the Q1 company event.”

I walked towards her, looking through the email.

“No work during breakfast, Claire.” My mother commanded in her old authoritative tone.

Lila and I shared a look as I pulled the laptop’s screen back down.

I hurried through breakfast, my nerves fraying as the thought of the conversation I’ll need to have with Ethan ran through my head nonstop.

“Where are you going?” My father looked up from his tablet as I grabbed my coat and scarf.

“I just got someplace to be real quick.”

Lila raised an eyebrow. “Want me to come along, boss?”

I shook my head. “No, just stay here and ret or you can explore Wintervale as you like.”

Last thing I needed was Lila’s meddlesome nose when I meet Ethan for the first time. I need to approach him without an audience.

By the time I reached the community center, my pulse was racing. The sounds of hammers and cheerful chatter greeted me as I stepped inside.

As my eyes scanned the interior, I couldn’t locate Ethan at first, but then I saw him, standing near a corner with a group of volunteers and workers. With his broad shoulders and easy confidence, he seemed liked he belonged to every room he entered.

My feet felt jumbly as I walked closer and I forgot how to breath from how anxious I felt.

‘Get a grip, you i***t! It’s been a decade!’

“Ethan,” I called, my voice steadier than I felt.

He turned, his expression shifting from surprise to something unreadable as his eyes met mine.

“Claire.”

My stomach collapsed against itself but I held myself.

“Do you have a minute?”

Ethan nodded silently, stepping away from the group.

I hesitated, my rehearsed words disappearing completely from my mind. I swallowed my jitters. There’s no going back now, and he can’t know the effect he’s having on my nerves.

“I assume you already know that I was scouted by mayor Gladys to come and be in charge of this year’s gala.” I stated. Ethan nodded again silently, this time, his movement more forced and smaller.

“Well,” I continued, “I have an idea.” My breath was fogging in the cool air of the room and as Ethan wasn’t breaking his silence, I elaborated.

“It might not be my place to comment, but the spirits here are…. how can I say it…. dead and I don’t think a one-night gala, they already had a million times before would help with that.”

Etan finally allowed the air to get into his mouth. “And what do you suggest we do about that?” He asked as he crossed his arms across his chest.

“A week long, activity filled week - a real Wintervale Christmas celebration. I was thinking deigning an activity or a set of activities where everyone in town can interact with and have fun. Something different and a full week to remember.”

Ethan’s eyebrows rose slightly, his expression welcoming the idea…...I think…...I hope…

“But I’ll need your help to make it happen.”

“What kind of help?”

“Well, funding, for one. I know you’re Wintervale’s main and probably the sole sponsor. I’ll help sponsor all these activities with you, but I won’t be able to fund for them all.”

Ethan’s posture remained still, but his eyes softened ever so slightly. “You have a vision; I give you that. But it’ll need a lot of motivation to get the people to participate.”

“I know. And that’s how I’ll be needing your help again. People here seem to fully trust you. You have a way with everyone in town.”

The room seemed to grow silent and as I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t help but remember nothing but our last conversation.

How he was silent and distant, how he never bothered to fix whatever that had happened between us. And how I waited everyday for him to even remember me with a single call or message. I waited and waited until I withered like a flower in winter.

“Sounds like a plan.” He broke the silence. “Write up your agenda and let’s see what we can do.”