(advent) Saturday, December 14

Sorry, guys.  Had a catastrophic laptop failure earlier, and it took a while for my old laptop to update.  But here’s today’s Advent story!

***

She isn’t coming at all? Schrodinger said, dismay written large in both his voice and his body language.

 

Jack shook his head. Corinne said Lily needed a quiet day, so she’s ready for tomorrow. He cocked his head. Have you heard about Zoey?

 

Molly said she wasn’t coming either. Her mother is keeping her home too. Schrodinger’s head drooped. What are we going to do?

 

“About what?” Molly said, coming back out of the pantry. She had a small box in her hands, which she set on the island and began pulling mugs and tea cups from. Drew had brought her the box the day before, Schrodinger remembered, but she hadn’t opened it.

 

About the fact that both Lily and Zoey aren’t coming today! Schrodinger said. That means that we can’t open the Advent Calendar!

 

“Of course you can,” she said, pausing with a deep orange mug in her hand. “Why couldn’t you?”

 

Because the calendar is for all of us, Jack said. It doesn’t feel right to do it without them.

 

“I can understand that,” Molly said. “But I think that maybe you should trust in the calendar’s magic. After all, it’s not let you down before, has it?”

 

Jack and Schrodinger exchanged a look, and she said, “Besides, it needs to be opened today – that’s the point of the Advent Calendar. I think you should do it. Maybe it will bring you something to cheer both Lily and Zoey up – I’ll bet they’re not happy in having to stay home today.”

 

That decided them. Schrodinger and Jack went over to the calendar, looking for the number 14. The CrossCat found it, tucked into the driver’s mitten as it held the reins of the sleigh horses, and he touched his nose to it. They backed up as the square of the calendar dissolved away and the snowflake came out. It swirled around them, then swirled away to Molly, who blinked and held out her hand. The snowflake touched down briefly then flew up again and hovered by the back door, as if waiting.

 

Molly looked at the small note in her hand. “Well, guys, I hope you had good breakfasts,” she said, after reading it silently. “It says, ‘Follow me for an adventure that will make everyone’s day bright!’”

 

Then let’s go! Jack said, and jumped forward. Schrodinger was hot on his tail as they followed the snowflake out into the bright, cold day.

 

There were no other snowflakes falling, for which Schrodinger was thankful. Their snowflake led them down the street and out onto one of the roads that went out of the Cove. Jack and Schrodinger exchanged glances, but followed. It didn’t go too far outside the Cove, just out to one of the farms that edged the actual town.

 

It also slowed down, which was good, since it took them nearly twenty minutes to get to the Cohen Reindeer Farm. Schrodinger had never actually been there, although he’d seen Lisa and Neil’s reindeer-pulled sleigh many times in the past couple of years. The smells that assaulted his nose were complex and layered with musk and pine. Lisa Cohen was waiting for them on the porch of the large farmhouse, with her two dogs Tigger and Dustin beside her. These two started to bark excitedly as Schrodinger and Jack trotted down the driveway, following the snowflake, which waited until it had brought them onto the porch before exploding into a shower of sparkles.

 

“Hi, guys!” Lisa said, kneeling down to hug both Schrodinger and Jack. “Ready for an adventure?”

 

Oh yes! Schrodinger said, and Jack bayed excitedly. What are we doing?

 

“We’re going to make some sick little girls smile,” Lisa told them. “Follow me!”

 

All four of them followed her back down the stairs and around to the back of the house, where she showed them the paddock. Inside, there were six reindeer, who came up to the fence eagerly, hoping for treats.

 

Wow, Schrodinger said, putting his front paws on the fence rails so he could stand up taller. One of the reindeer leaned over and touched his velvety nose to Schrodinger’s gently, and the CrossCat marveled at the strength inherent in the great beast’s touch. These are the reindeer that draw Santa’s sleigh, Lisa?

 

“Not these specific ones, but yes, some of their brothers and sisters do,” Lisa said, stroking one of the other reindeer along its neck. “They are amazing, aren’t they? Let’s go find Neil, I think he’s got the sleigh ready.”

 

Does your sleigh fly too? Jack asked, as they followed her past the paddock to the barn.

 

“No, sadly. Santa’s got a lock on that spell,” Lisa said. “But I think ours still goes pretty fast!”

 

Schrodinger was about to answer when they went around one more corner, and he stopped, stunned. The normal reindeer that Lisa and Neil bred were brown and black and shaggy. However, standing in the sun, attached to a large sleigh that glowed nearly as brightly as they did, were two snow-white reindeer, with golden-brown antlers that looked like polished maple. Their harness was green and gold and covered with bells that chimed as they shook themselves. He’d seen the white reindeer before, of course – they were the ones that Lisa and Neil normally hitched to the sleigh. But he’d never been this close to them before.

 

“Ready to go and make some little girls feel better?” Lisa called up to her husband, who was seated in the sleigh. He nodded and she turned back to Schrodinger and Jack. “Hop in!”

 

This sleigh wasn’t quite as big as Pavel’s black one, or Old Man Winter’s sledge, but it was full of warm blankets and quilts that Lisa tucked around herself, Jack and Schrodinger before Neil shook the reins and urged the reindeer forward with a shouted “Hee-ya!”

 

They jumped forward, and for a moment, Schrodinger thought they really were going to take flight. But the sleigh stayed on the ground, and the reindeer settled into a smooth run, pulling them along faster than he would have thought they could go. It wasn’t flying, but it was close.

 

This is awesome! Jack said, sitting up with his paws on the side of the sleigh, his tongue caught in the wind and his ears flapping back.

 

Agreed! Schrodinger only wished that Lily and Zoey could have been with them.

 

Lisa leaned over and hugged him. “Don’t worry,” she said loudly, over the wind of their passage. “They’re going to get to experience it too!”

 

But they’re sick! How can they come out with us if they’re sick? He asked her.

 

She winked at him. “Trust me.”

 

And he had to be contented with that.

 

They flew over the hard-packed snow on the roadways, and Schrodinger gave himself over to the enjoyment of the ride. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and full of the scents of pine, snow, and wood smoke, and the blankets around him kept him warm. He looked up, and realized they were skirting around the edge of the actual town, heading out towards one of the side streets.

 

Most of the houses were decorated, not with the giant blow-up creations that he’d seen on television, but with older, more traditional Christmas things: sleighs filled with presents, or with greenery; snowmen in all shapes and sizes; Christmas trees and, in one memorable yard, a full wooden painted Nativity. Schrodinger knew that come nightfall, the entire thing would be lit up with soft candlelight.

 

But one house had no decorations on it, not even a string of lights on the bushy pine tree in the front yard. However, there was a pine wreath on the front door, adorned with snowflakes, that Schrodinger and Jack recognized. It was to this lonely house that Neil pointed the sleigh, and as they pulled into the front yard, Schrodinger saw Zoey’s delighted face in one of the windows.

 

He leapt out of the sleigh as soon as it came to a stop and raced up the steps to greet her as she came out onto the porch, all wrapped up in her coat and hat and mittens and scarf, so she wouldn’t get more sick. Zoey, Zoey, look what we brought you! So you didn’t have to miss the Advent Calendar adventure!

 

Jack was right behind him, as was Lisa, but Zoey knelt down and hugged Schrodinger tightly. “I knew you’d find a way to bring it to me!” she said, laughing. “Are you going to Lily’s too?”

 

After we leave here, we’re going there, Jack told her. But first, we have something for you!

 

We do? Schrodinger said, turning to look at the dog.

 

“We do!” Lisa said, coming up behind them. “But first, hi, Zoey! I’m Lisa!”

 

“Hi, Lisa,” Zoey said shyly, getting up and looking at the woman. “Are these your reindeer?”

 

“They are!” Lisa smiled at her. “Would you like to meet them?”

 

Zoey nodded, and then looked at her mother, who had come out with her. “Can I?”

 

“Go ahead, but be careful,” Donna told her, smiling. “Don’t fall!”

 

“I can take care of that,” Lisa said, and opened her arms to Zoey. “If you’ll let me carry you, that is.”

 

Zoey only hesitated a moment before running into Lisa’s arms. The tall ash-blonde woman carried her across the snowy ground to the reindeer, and held her gently as Zoey reached out to pet the massive creatures.

 

Thank you, Schrodinger said, looking up at Donna. Thank you for letting her come out. But how did you know we were coming?

 

“She got a phone call, saying that you and Jack would be over with a Christmas surprise,” Donna said. “I think it was from Molly.”

 

I’ll bet it was! Schrodinger realized how much Molly was doing to nurture Zoey’s growing belief in Santa Claus and Christmas. Are you coming to the store tomorrow?

 

“Yes, we are,” Donna said firmly. “That’s why she’s resting today, although she doesn’t know it yet.” She looked down at the CrossCat and smiled, then, to his surprise, knelt down to stroke his head. “You’re a good friend, Schrodinger. I’m really happy that Zoey got to meet you.”

 

She’s a good friend too, Schrodinger replied, rubbing his head against her hand. Jack says we have something else too, but I’m not sure what.

 

“Well, then maybe you should go and find out?” Donna said, getting up. “I’ll watch.” She looked around the yard. “I really should get out and get some more decorations too,” she mused. “I haven’t gotten a chance yet.” Then she shook her head. “Time enough later. Go see what they have for Zoey.”

 

Don’t you want to meet the reindeer? Schrodinger asked her, and she blinked in surprise. You should!

 

After a moment, she followed him down the steps to where Zoey was stroking the nose of one of the reindeer. She turned to look at her mother. “Aren’t they amazing?” she said. “Lisa says these are the same kind of reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh!”

 

“Really?” Donna said, holding out her hand to the other reindeer. “That’s pretty amazing! Maybe once you feel better, we can take a ride in the sleigh.”

 

“That would be AWESOME,” Zoey said. She looked at Lisa. “Could we?”

 

“Any time,” Lisa told her. “Just give me a call, and we’ll come and get you.”

 

Zoey turned back to the reindeer just as the large beast was going to snuffle her dark hair. Instead, it blew a loud “WHUFF!” right in her face, and she laughed, wiping at her face. Then the reindeer licked her cheek for good measure.

 

“Those are good for colds,” Lisa told her. “It’s a sovereign Cove remedy, especially in December. Reindeer kisses cure everything.”

 

So you can come to the bookstore tomorrow! Schrodinger told her. You have to come tomorrow – it’s very important!

 

“Which is why you’re resting today,” Donna added. “So you can go tomorrow.”

 

“What’s tomorrow?” Zoey asked, her eyes shining.

 

It’s a secret, Schrodinger said. I’m not even supposed to know, but I overheard. You’ll find out tomorrow. He jumped up into the sleigh, and then trotted out on to the back of the reindeer so that he could just reach out his nose and touch Zoey’s cheek. Please get better soon.

 

“I will! I’ve gotten kissed by the reindeer!” She laughed and reached up to pet him.

 

“We have one other thing for you,” Lisa said, and when Zoey looked at her, Lisa handed her a large golden jingle bell, just like the ones on the reindeer’s harness. This one had an ornament hanger threaded onto it. “So you can hang it on your Christmas tree,” she said. “As a reminder.”

 

“Wow,” Zoey said, clutching the bell tightly in her hands. “Thank you.”

 

“Time to go in, Zoey,” Donna said reluctantly. “I promise, we’ll go for a ride in the sleigh soon. Maybe we can get Lily too.”

 

And we have to go and bring the cure to Lily too, Jack added, wagging his tail. So you are both better for tomorrow.

 

Zoey gave a huge sigh and reached out for one more caress of the reindeer’s neck before she allowed Lisa to hand her over to her mother. Then she said, “Can we just wait until they leave? So I can wave?”

 

“Okay,” Donna said, and carried her up onto the porch. They stood and watched as Jack, Lisa and Schrodinger climbed back into the sleigh and arranged themselves under the blankets. Then, as Neil slapped the reins against the reindeer’s back, she and Donna both waved to them.

 

Bye! Schrodinger called. We’ll see you tomorrow!

 

It was only a matter of ten minutes before they reached the Barrett house. Unlike Zoey’s house, Lily’s parents had decorated their front porch for the season with pine garlands that wrapped around the railing and down the steps. Crimson bows edged with gold and silver held the garland in place, and there were white frosted glass bulbs twined within it. In the dark, the entire scene would glow with soft white light. There were two wreaths on the door, and candles in each window. As they pulled into the front yard, the door burst open, and Lily came flying out, her scarf ends fluttering behind her.

 

“You came, you came!” she shouted, and then coughed. “I knew you would come!”

 

Both Jack and Schrodinger leapt out of the sleigh to meet her, and Lisa went with them. Unlike Zoey, Lily had met the reindeer before, and now she went up to them, cooing and holding out the carrots she’d no doubt swiped from the kitchen when she’d first spotted them, to judge by Corinne’s half-exasperated smile. The reindeer, no fools, dropped their heads and accepted the treats readily, then snuffled in her hair afterwards, looking for more.

 

“Have you been to Zoey’s yet?” she asked Jack and Schrodinger. When they nodded, she said, “How did she like it?”

 

She loved it, Jack said, wagging his tail eagerly. And her mom said when you two are better, we can all go for a ride!

 

“Yay!” Lily said, dancing around in the snow. “That will be awesome!”

 

“Indeed,” Lisa said, and held out the bell she had for her as well. “And we’ll be happy to take you. Maybe we can go look at all the lights again.”

 

Lily looked at Schrodinger and Jack. “Zoey’s house doesn’t have any lights,” she said sadly. “Her mother said they didn’t have any time to get any yet.”

 

I think we should take care of that, Schrodinger said. I’m going to talk to Molly when we get back.

 

Good idea, Jack agreed. She will know what to do.

 

Then Corinne called both Jack and Lily inside. Lisa offered Schrodinger a ride back to the bookstore, which he accepted.

 

When she dropped him off, Lisa said to him, “Tell Molly if she needs help, to let us know. We’re more than willing to come back out.” When he cocked his head at her, she laughed. “I know you and Molly. You’re not going to let that little girl not have decorations in her yard. So we’re in.”

 

Thank you, Schrodinger said, swiping at her hand with his head. I’ll let her know.

 

“How was it?” Molly asked, as he came in.

 

It was amazing! He jumped up on a stool and watched as she got him a cup of tea.

 

“Tell me all about it,” she said, and he did. While she listened, Molly kneaded bread dough, and the scent of rosemary, garlic, onion and yeast enveloped them.

 

“So what do you think we should do?” she asked him, when he got to the end.

 

They need more decorations than just that wreath, Schrodinger declared. At the very least, we could take that string of outdoor lights we bought by mistake last year and wind it around the tree in her yard.

 

“I think we can do better than that,” Molly said, putting the last loaf of bread aside to rise with its companions. Then, after washing her hands, she pulled out her cell phone. “Let me see what we can do.”

 

Lisa said she and Neil would help too, Schrodinger told her.

 

“I’ll call them too.”

 

Schrodinger drank his tea while Molly made her calls. It didn’t take long for her to gather up enough people to make an early evening run out to the Allards. Then, just to make sure, she called Donna.

 

“Hey, I wanted to ask you a question,” she said, and Schrodinger paused. Donna’s reaction could make or break their plans. “Schrodinger was mentioning that you hadn’t had a chance to get any outdoor decorations yet.”

 

“No,” Donna admitted. “I’ve been so busy with the move and getting us settled in that I don’t even know where any of our stuff is.”

 

“Would you mind if some of us came over tonight and remedied that situation?” Molly asked. “We wanted to make sure that you’d be okay with that.”

 

“Really?” Donna’s voice trembled, and Schrodinger held his breath. Would she let them? “You’d really do that for us?”

 

“Of course, if you’d let us.” Molly and Schrodinger looked at one another. “We don’t want to intrude. If you aren’t comfortable with that…”

 

“Oh, no, it’s not that!” Donna interrupted. “It’s just – I’m so bowled over by the kindness of everyone here. Please, if you want to come over, you are more than welcome to.”

 

Yay! Schrodinger said.

 

“Thank you!” Molly said, giving him a thumbs-up. “We’ll be over later tonight. Don’t tell Zoey, okay?”

 

“I won’t.”

 

Molly hung up the phone and looked at Schrodinger. “This is going to be epic.”

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.