A Christmas Love Story

Getting Ready for Christmas

"Are you sure you're not overworked this year?" Fannie's older sister Pearl asked as they sat for their usual breakfast before work. "It's no biggie Pearl, I've been doing this since I knew how. Besides, Christmas is my specialty" Fannie said, plopping a forkful of syrupy pancakes in her mouth. Pearl put a hand over her face "yeah but you are also in charge of the church's program and not to mention you know your own business?" Pearl insisted. "The mayor is trusting me to help Pearl, I can't let him or the town down" Fannie said proudly. "Besides this has been a dream of mine" Fannie added. "Okay sis, just don't over exert yourself" Pearl said, finishing off her cup of coffee and looking at her watch. "I have to go now," Pearl said as she slid out of the booth and left her tip. "Okay, bye sis" Fannie said. "Love you" "I love you too" she said, giving her a quick hug before rushing out of the diner and to her squad car. Fannie stayed and savored her sweet pancakes and hot cocoa. Pearl had always been a worry ward. Fannie reached in her bag and pulled out her phone. She had a meeting with the town council at 12 about the town's decorations, practice for the church's Christmas pageant was at six.

Her phone rang, her best friend Lizzy's caller ID showed up. Fannie answered, "Hi Liz" Fannie said with a smile. "Hey, you told me you wanted the animals for the Christmas parade?" Lizzy asked, Fannie cleaned her mouth with a napkin and began getting ready to leave. "Yes, if that is possible" Fannie said. Her friend worked at the animal shelter and after Halloween the shelter was on overload since Lizzy's shelter was a no kill one; Fannie wanted to find a home for all of them. What better way to advertise than to be in a Christmas parade. "I don't know Fannie, some of the cats and dogs are a bit skittish about loud noises and crowds" Lizzy said. "Oh come on Liz, I got you. I will put them in line away from the bands, you will have a whole float and banner, and a car for those you think will run off. " Fannie explained, she really wanted this to work. Lizzy sighed from the other end. "I will see what happens." Lizzy said "talk to you later" she added and hung up.

Fannie was confident that everything would go according to plan, all she had to do was meet with the town to confirm the budget. Fannie cheerfully unlocked the doors to Snowflake's Books. Her bookstore is named after her cat, her white and gray cat laid on the counter taking a nap of course not being bothered by the ringing of the door's Christmas bells. Fannie happily walked over to the counter to begin work. People came in and out of the store as usual. "Hey Fannie, I heard you were on the town committee for Christmas" one of the members of the church beamed. "The mayor asked me this year Mrs. Clare" Fannie said, scanning the Christmas book Mrs. Clare put on the counter. "I have a meeting with them today around twelve," Fannie said. "Good, I'm glad to see one of our own helping out. But please don't push yourself too hard" Fannie smiled at the older woman she sounded like Pearl. Mrs. Clare paid for the book and took her bag. "See ya Fannie and Merry Christmas" she said as she left.

"So Hardy, how do you get this?" Kevin asked, looking at the older man's fractured arm. Mr. Hardy flinched "you wouldn't believe it if I told you" he said. "Try me, I've dealt with plenty" Kevin said as he went to work wrapping the injury in gauze. "I was putting up Christmas lights for my wife," he said. "Ah, you mean going above and beyond for such a materialistic holiday. What a shame" Kevin said bitterly. "Yeah it is a shame that I broke my arm but I love putting up the Christmas lights and the tree for my family." Mr. Hardy said with a bright smile that Kevin almost wanted to give him up to another doctor. Mr. Hardy was the third patient to come in with a Christmas related injury. "Well apparently your body doesn't agree" Kevin said pointing to his arm. He laughed like he didn't have a care in the world. "Do you put up anything for Christmas?" he asked, "absolutely not" he said "I don't want to end up like you" he said. Mr. Hardy laughed but it was no joke. "Ehh you a youngster you wouldn't get hurt like me" he said. "I have had three or four other patients who were also doing Christmas related things. Don't think it's age" Kevin said. He laughed again, "well as long as I get to see my grandkids eyes glow up when they see our house I'd say these injuries are worth it...you have a kid Dr. ?" he asked. "I have a daughter" Kevin said and that's as far as he went with that conversation. He looked at him with questions but didn't push the conversation any farther.