Journey to Christmas #6

Quiet.

Blessed quiet.

That’s just what I need after the last few weeks of chaos.

Last night seems like ten years ago.

I still remember the official voice reading out the election results.

I can still hear the voices of my supporters offering congratulations and encouragement for the term to come.

I’ll be honest, it feels good to be elected mayor. It shows that people have appreciated everything I’ve done for the town.

With that said, that quiet moment with Brenda outside the Legion still haunts me.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed having her beside me.

The scent of breakfast surrounds me. Tempting me. Soon, she’ll be here and we can eat. Until then, I’ll need to be patient.

Christmas lights flicker around me filling me with melancholy. It was a year ago since we had both decided to go our separate ways.

I wanted to chase politics.

Brenda wanted to chase a career as an accountant.

What had derailed her dreams?

“Hello there.”

I look up to see a young woman slide into the seat across from me. The same seat her grandmother had occupied not that long ago.

“Thank you for taking time for me, I’m sure you have a lot to do today.”

“No problem, I’ve been curious about what you’ve been up to.”

“Are you sure?”

I smile at the stressed-out woman across from me. “Of course.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“Well, we better order first, before we lose our appetites.”

Brenda forces a laugh. “Good idea.”

I beckon toward the waitress and we place our orders. After the waitress walks away I turn back toward Brenda.

“Congratulations,” she says. “I’m proud of you. I knew that if anyone could get elected it’d be you.”

“Thanks,” I pause for a moment. “How have you been?”

Brenda bites her lip. “I don’t want to ruin your morning.”

“Your Grandmother said you were in trouble and that I could help you.”

“That’s true but would you want to help someone like me?”

I smile. “Of course, I would.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure, we’ve been through a lot together, haven’t we? Even though we’ve gone our separate ways, I would like to do what I can for you.”

Brenda takes a breath. “I guess there’s no easy way to say this, I’m pregnant.”

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“So, you found someone else?”

Brenda takes another deep breath. “No, I didn’t.”

I take a moment to examine the table between us. “You really do need help.”

“I told you so.”

Silence reigns. The Christmas lights continue to flash around us.

Our food is set before us. But, we don’t touch it.

“Patrick, I don’t expect to go back to the way things were. We’ve both changed a lot since last Christmas and…”

“Have we…?”

Brenda pauses. “What do you mean?”

“I mean just that, have we changed that much?”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

“I mean, we’re sitting here at the same table. We must have something in common.”

Brenda looks confused. “But, I wouldn’t expect to go back to where we were last Christmas Eve.”

“Why not?”

“I couldn’t let you do that. You have so much work before you. Important work…I…”

“Well, let’s talk it over for a few minutes.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

To be continued…