A Christmas to Forget – Part 2

Silas turned into his driveway, pressed the garage door opener, but didn’t pull into the garage.   He stared straight ahead.  “You gettin’ out or not?”

Emmett sighed, opened the passenger door and exited the car.  He walked around the tall fence between their houses and disappeared from sight.  Without even realizing it, Silas had watched him after he got out of the car, the anger still there, but he was also exhausted from the emotional drain of being around Emmett.  Easing his car into the garage, he watched in his rear-view mirror as the door rolled down behind him.  Getting out of the car, he flipped on the garage light, looked around and stepped inside his house to prepare a quick dinner.  While he was eating a bowl of reheated stew, Katie called.

“Just checking in, Dad,” she said through the landline.  She had suggested that he cancel it to avoid the monthly cost, and rely on his cell phone.  But Silas was not ready to do that.  Might not ever be ready. 

“I’m fine, Katie.”

“You sound tired, or something.  What’s up?”

He sighed.  “Nothing.” 

“Dad?  You sound a little bummed out.  Is everything OK?

Silas sighed.  “Bummed is the right way to put it.  Emmett bummed a ride home.  I’ve never seen a guy so stubborn.  I’ve told him a million times to leave me alone, but he can’t understand simple English.  I should have said “no”.  Don’t know why I didn’t.”

“Because you have a good heart, Dad.”

“Not where he’s concerned.  I wish he’d sell that house and move to another neighborhood, or maybe even another country.”

“Dad.”

He knew what was coming.  They’d had this conversation every time Emmett’s name came up.

“Dad, do you really want to live out your life with this bitterness and anger.  It’s not healthy.”

“I’m not bitter.  Just practical.  And it hasn’t hurt me yet,” he replied.

“Oh, it has.  More than you’ll admit.  Dad, we were hurt by Uncle Emmett too.  And we all had to forgive him.  He has apologized over and over again.  What more can he do?  He’s different.  He’s a Christian, and faithful in his church.  He hasn’t had a drink in years.  He’s done everything within his power to make things right.  You just need…”

Silas cut her off.  “It’ll never be right!  He skipped out on your mom the entire time she was sick, and then shows up at the visitation drunk as a skunk!  And I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“I know, Dad.  I know.”  Katie softened her tone.  She tried a different approach. “But would you do me a favor?  Would you pray about it?”

Silas was silent.

“I mean it, Dad.  Mom would want you and Uncle Emmett to move past this.  If you won’t do it for yourself, maybe do it for her.  I know it’s hard.  But would you maybe ask God for wisdom as to how to resolve this?  Ask him to help you forgive Uncle Emmett? 

More silence.

“Look, Bob and I will be there in a couple of weeks for Christmas. Your grandchildren and all their kids will be there too.  I’m really burdened about this whole matter.  I’m tired of making excuses to our kids, and to our grandchildren.  They don’t understand why an uncle who lives next door never joins us for Christmas, or any other time for that matter.”

“No one asked you to make excuses.  They know the reason why.  Truth is, they probably would agree with me.”

Katie sighed.  “Dad, I gotta go.  But think about it please.  And pray about it.   That’s all I ask. I love you very much.  Goodnight.”

“Good night.  Love you too.”  The phone went dead.

Silas’s night was restless.  That had been the case for the past few weeks.  He attributed it to the weather and the extra workload related to the Christmas season.  Katie’s insistence also troubled him.  Why couldn’t she understand?

The next week or so was pretty much normal for this time of year.  Sales were good and Silas was enjoying his time at the store.  His nights were still restless, but he wasn’t concerned.  Probably just the stress of the season.  Once the holidays were past, he’d slip back into his routine.  And in a few days, the house would be filled with Katie and Bob, their three kids and spouses and a half-dozen of Katie’s grandchildren.  He was excited.  It was always good to see the house filled with the sounds and smells of Christmas.  That’s one of the things he missed most.  Eleanor had always made their house a welcome center for family, friends and even an occasional stranger in need.  He wished he had her gift. 

He remembered that one Christmas when the snow was really coming down, and all the kiddos were wishing they had sleds.  Two hours later, Emmett knocked on the door with two of the finest wooden sleds he had ever seen!  They were a beautiful red with shiny glides.  What a time they had!

He shook his head as if to expel any fond thoughts of Emmett.  He was the last person Silas wanted to think about.  And, out of guilt he had prayed a simple prayer that night, so that he could tell Katie, in case she asked.   It went something like, “Lord.  You know how terrible Emmett is.  So, I know you understand my feelings, even if no one else does.  If I need to do anything different, I’m sure you’ll let me know.”  There.  It was done.

His mind was brought back to business when a young couple stepped up to the counter.

“Can I help you folks?”

“Yes.  We’re looking for a sled.  We’ve heard that snow is on the way, and we want our kids to be able to enjoy it.”

“Sorry, I don’t stock sleds.”

They thanked him and continued to look around for other gift ideas. But something began to gnaw at Silas.  He wasn’t sure what, but something was in the back of his mind.  Their request had tickled a cloudy place in his brain.  What was he trying to remember?  Aha!

“Folks?”  He remembered.  “Folks, hold on just a second.”  They made their way back to the counter.

“I just might be able to help you out.  Wait right here.” 

He disappeared through a curtained doorway and came back a few minutes later with an old red wooden sled in his hands.

“This thing isn’t new.  And I don’t know much about sleds.  But it’s available if you want it.”

The husband took it from Silas, set it on the counter and looked it over.  He nodded.  “I think if I replace that steering rope, and maybe oil a couple of spots, it’ll work fine.  How much?”

“No charge.  It was a gift from an old friend.  I’m glad to pass it along.”

The surprised couple grinned and thanked him profusely.  Silas beamed with satisfaction from being able to help him out.  “Well,” he said to himself.  “Looks like something good came from Emmett after all.  And I’m glad to be rid of it.”

Silas stayed a little later at the store that night, straightening things up and restocking shelves.  He grabbed carryout on his way home and sat down to dinner when he saw the answering machine light flashing.  It was Katie.  “Hey, Dad.  Just checking in.  We’ll be there day after tomorrow.  Probably late, so don’t cook dinner.  We’ll grab something on the way.  Can’t wait!”

Although he didn’t really need to, he called her.  “Hey, Katie girl, sorry to bug you.  Got your message.  I just wanted to see if I need to pick up anything special at the market.  I’ve already bought everything on the list you gave me.”

“I don’t think so.  The stores will still be open on Christmas Eve.  I’m sure we’ll need to add a few grocery items.  Maybe some baking things.  I’ll bring what I can, and we’ll pick up anything else we need when we get there.”

“Oh, while I have you on the phone.  Strangest thing.  You remember those two sleds that Emmett surprised you guys with back in the day?”

“Vaguely,” she replied.  “That had to be what, 20 years ago?  The kids were all still at home then.”

“Something like that.  But anyway, this young couple came in looking for a sled.  I don’t stock any, but I remembered those were in the back.  So, I gave them one.”

“How cool is that?  I’ll bet Uncle Emmett would love to know that.  You gonna tell him?”

“Not likely.”

Katie sighed, but didn’t press him.

“Well, be sure to keep the other one.  If we get the snow they’re predicting, I know a few kids and grandkids who would love to use it.”

After hanging up the phone, Silas read the paper, watched “Christmas with the Kranks” and headed off to bed.

The next day at the store was extremely busy, but Silas loved it.  Everyone was in a good mood, excited that Christmas was only a few days away.  He loved the hustle and bustle of last-minute shoppers, although he had never been one himself.  Eleanor had made sure of that.  She purchased Christmas gifts throughout the year.   July, October, it didn’t matter to her.   Anytime she saw something that she thought someone would enjoy, she picked it up.  It was always the perfect gift.  These days, he handed out envelopes with cash in them to the family.  They seemed pleased, and it made his life so much simpler.  Some of the younger ones wanted to spend their money at his store.  So, he took them on Christmas day for a private shopping adventure, but never took their money.  Only the stern stares of Katie and their parents stopped the younger ones from cleaning out the store!

After a brief midmorning lull, a young woman came in, looking for a gift for a friend.  Silas offered his assistance and made several recommendations, but nothing seemed to suit her fancy. 

“What can you tell me about your friend?” he asked.  “That might give me an idea for some recommendations.”

The customer paused.  “Well, she likes old things, or replicas of old things.”

“That’s helpful.  Let’s look over here.”

“We’ve been friends since high school,” the young woman volunteered. And I really need the perfect gift, if there is such a thing.  I just have to find something that she’ll like.  I can’t mess this up.”

“Hmm,” said Silas softly.  “Why so anxious?”

“Well, to be honest, I really did something bad.  I betrayed her trust, and we haven’t spoken in weeks.  Actually it’s been several months.  And I just thought that Christmas might be a good time to ask her again for forgiveness.  And, well you know, the right gift might make that easier.”

“Seems a little odd to me that you have to give a gift to get forgiveness.  Let me get this straight.  You’ve asked her for forgiveness, and she said…”

“She said she’d never forgive me.  I know I messed up, but that just seems so wrong.  With all the good times we had together, I don’t see why she can’t overlook one mistake.  The Lord knows I’ve apologized over and over.”

Her words stung Silas.  He tried to focus on helping the young woman, but his mind was elsewhere.  Still, after a little while a gift was selected, and she was sent on her way with best wishes from Silas.

He made his way to the back, hoping to scarf down a sandwich before the lunchtime rush hit.

“That was interesting,” he said to himself.

TO BE CONTINUED.