A Christmas to Forget – Part 1
The cold wind caught the old gentleman by surprise as he stepped outside of his small toy and gift store. The temperature must have dropped thirty degrees since he had arrived at work this morning. Welcome to winter in north Alabama. He had not gone out for lunch on this particular day, so he had no idea that a cold front had moved in. The darkness, hastened by end of Daylight Savings Time (which he and 97 percent of all Americans hated to see happen and didn’t understand), made the evening feel even colder.
Business had been slow for the past few months, but the Christmas upswing had begun. He was glad. It wasn’t that he needed the money. His pension and monthly Social Security check were sufficient for a comfortable living. The small profit turned by the store provided extra spending money and a rainy-day fund. His modest house was paid for, and it simply didn’t require a lot for a 77-year-old man to live on. He was comfortable and to him that was all that mattered. Still, if the next couple of weeks were true to form, he’d have enough sales to keep the store breaking even for another year. And for that, he was thankful.
His pension was the result of 44 years of steady work in a paper mill that had closed in recent years. Most of his friends were long retired from their mill, but many of their kids still worked there and had been shocked by the closing. Most had found other jobs, although most were not as good as the jobs they had lost.
He had considered selling the small shop on more than one occasion. There had been inquiries and a couple of fair offers. But in the end, he always chose to continue to keep it. He enjoyed being around people. He was always excited to meet new customers and help them find the perfect gift. But he had a special affection for those who had supported the store for years, as opposed to buying online or at the big box chains. He enjoyed the casual conversations and hearing about what was going on in their lives. He knew their names, and many of their children. Plus, the store also got him out of bed early each morning and gave him something to fill his day.
But the main reason he never seriously considered selling it was because it was hers. It had been her store up until the end. He had helped out of course, when he wasn’t working and after his retirement. But it was her idea and her dream. And today, it was what still connected him to her, even after all these years.
As he turned to lock the door behind him, he sensed that someone had stepped out of the shadows and was in his personal space. A slight surge of fear gave way to annoyance when he realized it was Emmett, his neighbor and one-time friend. Yes, he was his neighbor. Nothing he could do about that. But he was certainly no longer a friend. And his endless string of apologies and whining wouldn’t change that. And their other connection? Well, he simply refused to acknowledge it.
Emmett was not unaware of the way his old friend felt about him. And despite refusal after refusal to discuss their differences, he was determined to continue to seek reconciliation. He broke the icy silence, despite the cold stare by the store owner.
“Silas, would you give an old friend a ride?”
“Why? You have a car.”
“I took it in for servicing, and they didn’t get to it today. Offered me a loaner, but you’re just down the street, and I told them I’d grab a lift with you.”
“You should have taken the loaner.”
“I just need a ride home. We’re next-door neighbors and I won’t need a ride back in tomorrow. They’ll deliver my car when it’s ready.”
Without making eye contact, Silas stepped off the curb, opened his car door, and simply said, “Get in.”
He started the engine of the small SUV and backed out of the parking place. As he eased the vehicle forward, Emmett spoke.
“Silas…”
“I agreed to give you a lift. I didn’t say anything about conversation.”
“But…”. Emmett stopped. He knew it was pointless to persist. Silas had always been stubborn, and the last twelve years had hardened him. His stubbornness was now downright bitterness. He resigned himself to the silent and uncomfortable ride home. As they rode in silence, he thought back on the events that had brought two close friends to the point that he now lived next door to a total stranger.
It began with a woman. And it ended with a woman. But not in the way you might be thinking. No, it involved one special woman, a kind and loving lady named Eleanor. She was Emmett’s sister. But more importantly, she had been Silas’s wife for forty-five years until she passed away around Christmas time twelve years ago. That was when everything changed.
Emmett didn’t blame Silas. He realized his actions had been inexcusable and was beyond remorseful. He had asked, and he believed he had received forgiveness from God for this and other failures. But he still struggled with what he had done. He understood why Silas was so bitter and unforgiving. That didn’t make it any easier.
“Silas?” Silence.
“Silas? Is there any chance you’d let me explain?”
“Stop talking if you want to ride. Nothing has changed. Nothing to explain. I was there.”
Emmett went silent. It was no use. The sins of his past were still haunting him today. He understood the anger. He had brought this on himself with years of bad choices, most having to do with alcohol in one form or another.
Silas and Emmett had enjoyed a friendship that had begun more than 60 years ago, when they were high school pals. They played sports together. They talked about girls together. They were almost inseparable. If Emmett was not at home, he was probably with Silas, and vice versa. Eleanor was two years younger but was always around when Silas dropped in to hang out with Emmett. Over time, nature took its course, and Silas, with Emmett’s blessing, asked Eleanor to go to a movie with him. The rest, as they say, is history. The romance blossomed, and two years after high school, Silas and Eleanor were married. Emmett was Silas’s best man. Their lives were blessed by a daughter, Katie, who had long-since married and moved to a larger town a couple of hours away. Katie had always been the apple of her Uncle Emmett’s eye, especially before she married and left their small town. He had treated his young niece like a princess, splurging on gifts for her at every opportunity.
The friendship of Emmett and Silas was sealed for life. Until it wasn’t.
After high school, Emmett went away for a stint in the military, including a tour of Vietnam. Silas, on the other hand, had a few minor health issues that kept him from being drafted. While serving his stint, Emmett returned home for the wedding, and every other opportunity to visit the only family he had. He and Silas remained friends, but while serving his country, Emmett developed a taste for various forms of alcohol. Even when he returned home, he was unable to shake it. Perhaps his memories of what he had seen, and possibly done in his young military life contributed to his drinking problem. No one could say for sure. Emmett refused to discuss his experiences, even with his old friend. No one knew for certain why Emmett never married, but most suspected that his love for drinking was a primary reason. After losing Eleanor, he and no family except for Silas, Katie and her husband Bob. Now he didn’t even have them.
Everything changed roughly fifteen years ago when Eleanor unexpectedly fainted at the store. Fortunately, Silas was there and rushed her to the hospital, just to be on the safe side. But a series of tests confirmed their worst fears. Eleanor had a tumor that, despite almost three years of treatment and an abundance of prayer, eventually claimed her life. Silas was devastated. So was Emmett. Shortly after her diagnosis, he had disappeared and was not seen and seldom heard from until Eleanor’s visitation and funeral.
It was a terrible night. No other way to say it. As the guests filed past the coffin offering their condolences to Silas and Katie, and sharing their memories of Eleanor, everyone became aware of the whispers and commotion in the back of the small church. It was the same church where Silas and Eleanor had been married those many years ago. Silas asked Katie to check out what was causing all the noise. As the noise increased, she returned with a frantic look in her eyes. “Dad, it’s Uncle Emmett! He insists on seeing Mom, but I think he’s drinking. Some of the guys are trying to get him to leave!” Before he could process the words coming from Katie’s mouth, Silas saw Emmett barge through the doorway and stagger to the coffin. It was a surreal moment. He was wailing uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around Silas, sobbing and screaming. “It’s not fair! Why did she have to die? Silas, what are we going to do?”
Silas was furious. “Get out!” he whispered, trying to maintain at least a bit of decorum. Katie’s husband, Bob tugged at Emmett. “Uncle Emmett, come with me. Let’s go outside”.
“No! I’m not leaving my sister ever again. I’m staying right here.” He again embraced Silas, who tried to suppress his rage and find a way to deal with the situation.
Suddenly, Emmett was pulled away by a couple of men who Silas recognized as acquaintances and deacons of the church. They physically manhandled Emmett, dragging him kicking and screaming from the auditorium, through the foyer and out to the parking lot. The building was silent. No one moved. No one spoke a word.
Finally, the pastor of the church spoke up. “Folks, sorry for the disturbance. It’s been taken care of. The gentleman is fine. He was just upset. Someone is driving him home. Please resume visiting with Silas and his family.” And so, they did.
The funeral the next day went as planned. Emmett did not show up, although some folks were certain they saw him standing in the distance, as the body of Silas’s beloved wife was laid to rest. A few of those told Katie, who kept the news to herself.
Over the coming weeks and years, Silas grieved for Eleanor. But his grief, and even his good memories were hampered by the events of that evening. He never wanted to see Emmett again. He would never forgive him.
TO BE CONTINUED…