Outside NYC
I woke up alone. I was a little bit confused, usually Anne is by my side when I wake up. I should mention, Anne is my wife. She is the kindest, most caring woman I have ever known. So of course, when she is not home, I miss her more than she knows.
My confusion was interrupted by the comforting scent of hot chocolate and pancakes. Anne knows me far too well. I could recognize her hot chocolate and pancakes anywhere, as they are my favorite. She must have left them for me before she scurried off this morning. I suddenly heard a knock at my door! She is home! Great!
“Good morning, it’s time to go downstairs and eat breakfast,” an unfamiliar face said softly.
I get my slippers on and walk out with the woman. I figured it was probably one of Anne’s friends helping while she is out. I walk down the wreath covered halls. The hall smells of Christmas trees. That explains it! Anne is out Christmas shopping, and she must have left me breakfast. The woman sits me down at my kitchen table and insists I eat. But when I took my first bite of the pancake, it tasted nothing like my dearest Anne’s.
“Did Anne change the recipe? These taste different, and she knows how much I love my pancakes,” I ask the woman, pervaded with doubt.
She does not speak back. She looks at me, her eyes filled with what looked to be regret, and put her hand on my shoulder. I brushed it off and decided to continue to eat Anne’s pancakes and drink her cocoa no matter what recipe she used! The woman comes back and tells me it is time to go. Maybe Anne was home!
New York City, NY
I woke up bright and early. I had a ton to do today. It was Christmas time after all! I swiftly change into some presentable clothes and head downstairs. I make some breakfast, leave some out too, and then I leave. I was headed to Manhattan today, to hit all the best shops. I had so much to do, and so little time. I had to get groceries, Christmas gifts, and get my one-of-a-kind necklace fixed. It was the most beautiful diamond necklace, and what I held most sacred to me, it was my mother’s, and it is completely one of a kind.
I get myself out of that reminiscent trance and get back to reality. I still had a lot to do today. I hop on the Subway to Manhattan
Outside NYC
The woman escorts me to a spacious room, filled with my neighbors! I was so excited! It had been ages since I had seen them last. But my mind immediately flew to the thought of my beloved Anne. She would not want to miss this. I hope she is home soon, but I know how seriously she takes Christmas time, so it could be hours before she returns. I take my seat next to my friend Don.
“Good morning, Don, how are you?” I ask
“My name is Michael, but I am good,” he responds
I could have sworn his name was Don, but it was probably just a foolish mistake. I always mix up faces anyway. We were handed Christmas Carol bingo cards. I just thought about how kind it was for my neighborhood to host a fun bingo game! The game begins and I start off strong. I already had three spots gone, only two left until I can win! I hear another familiar beat,
“Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…”
I immediately placed my marker on Jingle Bells. I am in it to win it! Don or Michael or whoever he is looks at my card, and informs me the song was Jingle Bells, not Jingle Bell rock.
“I already know that Michael, Jingle Bells is a classic!” I say filled with confusion.
Michael looks down at my card again and points, “Well you marked off Jingle Bell Rock, buddy.”
How could I mess that up? I must have not seen the full song name. Another foolish mistake I presume. I just wish Anne were here to check my mistakes and prevent this from happening!
New York City, NY
The first thing I did once arriving in Manhattan was go to the best Jewler I know. I needed this necklace fixed. I went in and asked the man working if he could fix the broken chain. He assures me it is no problem and compliments my necklace, saying it was one of the most gorgeous pieces he has ever seen.
Despite his compliment, I am filled with despair. It is always hard around the holidays.
I make my way out of the Jewler, and I feel more than determined to get my errands done, so I can be home at a reasonable time. I would hate to leave my family waiting.
Outside NYC
It is now a little past noon, and the same woman has been sticking by my side all day. I have tried asking which one of Anne’s friends she is, but she remains unresponsive. I ask her,
“Did Anne leave us lunch?”
“No, no she did not. But I would be happy to make you something, anything you want!”
“I just want Anne to come home,” I respond with obvious regret in my tone.
“You will see her again, but right now come with me.”
I follow the woman into my foyer and catch a glimpse of a beautifully illuminated Christmas tree. The lights are rainbow- just how Anne likes them. The ornaments are gold and sparkling. Anne and I have always loved Christmas trees, I just wish she were home to see this incredibly festive tree. There is nothing she loves more than Christmas spirit. I notice that there was no star on top of the tree. Anne and I always add a star. The star. Our star.
My eyes begin to get that warm feeling, and my throat wells up. I can feel the tears that are yet to explode, and then I look up. There still was not a star, but an angel instead. It was dressed in white and gold and had the most eye-catching halo. The angel reminds me of Anne. She truly is an angel. I hope she will come back home soon so she can see the angel too. I know how much she is going to appreciate it.
The woman noticed that my sorrow had changed to content. She smiled at me and walked me further down the hall. We made our way to Anne and I’s room. She handed me a bag of Candy Canes and told me to enjoy myself and have some alone time. But I did not want to be alone. I just wanted Anne to come home. That is when I got my great idea! I searched our whole room until I found the box. The Christmas box! I found Anne and I’s stockings! I hung them from the curtain rod and got to work. I filled her stocking with candy canes and any other little goodies I could find.
I went out into the foyer and saw a jar of caramels. Those are Anne’s absolute favorites! I grab a healthy handful of them and head back to our room. I find a piece of paper and get to writing, just a small note for the woman I love most. I tell her how I love her so and how I cannot wait for this Christmas, and many more to come.
I go to my nightstand and look at Anne and I’s wedding photo. She looked so beautiful. From her luscious long hair to her youthful smile, and even down to the jewelry she was wearing. I put on our favorite Christmas movie- “It’s a Wonderful Life”
It has been our tradition for as long as I can remember to watch this classic Christmas tale together. I put it on and began to watch, still waiting for Anne to come back from her day out. After all, she has been out all day, she could not be much longer!
My eyes started to feel heavy, and something felt very off. I was a little alarmed and grabbed the phone to call Anne, asking her to come home now. I felt my senses become lighter and close my eyes…
New York City, New York
I made my way through the streets of the Upper East Side, completing all my shopping! There was only one thing left to do, pick up my necklace. I knew it would be difficult, but the least I could do was keep the necklace in top condition. I slowly made my way to the shop and stood at the door for longer than I should have, completely paralyzed. I finally work up the courage to confiscate my mother’s necklace, despite the new alterations. I go into the Jewler and am greeted by the same man.
“Here to pick up that sweet necklace of yours?” he asks me.
A bit taken aback, I respond, “Yeah, could I see it?”
He pulls it out and hands it to me. It looked the exact same. Just like the original. It was completely unnoticeable that it had been broken and fixed. I felt so relieved. I paid the kind man and thanked him repeatedly. I held the necklace close to my heart and walked out the door. I must get home since I had been out all day. I would not want anyone to worry.
Outside NYC
I am woken by an overwhelming sense of relief, but in a way, I have never felt it before. I look up and see Anne! She finally came back home. I practically leapt out of bed and ran to give her the biggest hug!
“I have missed you so much Anne. I am so glad you came home!” I exclaim with joy in my voice.
“I have missed you too. More than you know,” she says with that same youthful smile that I first fell in love with.
I reluctantly admit, “I know you have only been out for a day, but it truly felt like an eternity without you. I am just glad you are here now!”
“I’m glad too,” she said, without looking up at me.
I take her hand and sit her down on the couch and turn on “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It truly is a wonderful life I have with the most incredible woman in the world.
New York City, New York
I was completely and entirely serene, enjoying my walk to the Subway, but was interrupted by a phone call from an unknown number. I pick up and am greeted by an unfamiliar voice,
“Are you Don’s daughter?” the man ruefully asked.
My heart sank all the way down to my stomach. My serenity and contentment were short lived, to say the least.
“Yes, yes I am,” I respond
“I am so sorry to have to tell you this, but your father, Don, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon.”
I hung up the phone and began to sob. I redirected my walk and jumped on the first train out of the city.