Mistletoe Miracles

Chapter 4

Sitting in my living room looking at the bare Christmas tree, I fiddle with my phone as I debate on whether to call my mother or not. Alice had convinced me to call home and announce I would be visiting, but after a long day at work, my feet grew cold and the idea of being in a town filled with Christmas cheer did not appeal to me.

"Maybe I am turning into Scrouge." I muttered, leaning back against the armchair and groaning.

"Or more like the Grinch, alone and bitter." I add, running a hand through my still-damp hair as I had taken a shower to wash away the day. Suddenly, my phone rings, the ringtone indicating that it is my mother. Sliding my thumb along the answer option that popped up on the screen, I brought the device to my ear and turned my head to look outside.

"Hey mom." I greeted, my happy tone sounding forced and fake.

"Hi honey. I was just calling to see if you reconsidered coming home for Christmas." My mother says, her voice filled with concern.

"I have mom and -"

"Marissa please don't decline again." She cuts me off as I begin to speak.

"I know you have gone through something horrible, but staying home alone in that cold condo isn't going to help you. Not with you surrounded by memories of that piece of shit." Shocked by her profanity, I sit up straight and pull the phone away from my ear for a moment as I question whether or not the woman on the other end is indeed my mother. Not once have I heard her swear and yet she just called Jacob a piece of s**t.

"Marissa? Hello?" Her voice calls from the phone, breaking me from my shock.

"I am here Mom." I answered as soon as I put the phone to my ear again.

"And yeah, I am going to come home for Christmas. You and Alice are right in that I need to get away and clear my head, so make sure to save a seat for me at the dinner table." I finally agree, feeling my lips curl into a smile. Three weeks away from this cold condo, three weeks of no one calling me for a consultation or emergency surgery, three weeks away from the gossip that is whispered about my crumbling love life sounds like a good idea now.

"That's amazing, Mari. I'll make sure to make lots of gingerbread cookies for you and have all your favorite food ready." My mother agrees, her excitement at my news causing my smile to grow. We talked on the phone for a few minutes, my mother asking me about work and me asking about anything new in town. She hesitates, the silence piquing my curiosity.

"Mom, what is happening back home?" I find myself asking her.

"Well, there is a new business that opened up a few days before you caught Jacob cheating." She begins to explain, her voice holding a hint of excitement.

"The owner is a nice young man around your age, and he is a carpenter. His work is phenomenal and not only has he helped rebuild the gazebo in the town's park, but he also sells amazing furniture." Shocked by this news, I wonder just how my mother - the Queen of small-town gossip - managed to keep this from me. She goes on to explain that he will be at the town's Christmas festival, and maybe I might get to meet him. Reminding my mother that I am not looking for a Christmas romance after having my heart torn to shreds, I tell her I need to pack for the trip back home. Almonte is a four-hour drive from Toronto and I will need to make sure I am ready to go from Toronto traffic to the snow-packed streets of Almonte.

My mother reminds me to pack warm sweaters before hanging up and I grin. I haven't spent Christmas in Almonte in over three years. I know I missed the "Light up the Night" event due to my love life drama, but the idea of walking down the streets with a hot chocolate from Tea and Cake sounds wonderful right now.

Pushing myself off of the armchair, I make my way to my room and push open the door. I hesitate at first, looking at the empty bed that I haven't slept in for the last two weeks, before walking into the room and heading to my walk-in closet. I have avoided my large bed since I stripped all the blankets and pillows off, washing them before donating them to the local shelter. Just the thought of sleeping inside that bed after what I saw that day causes me to feel sick.

"Just two more days and you'll be back home in Almonte." I whispered to myself, pulling out my suitcases and opening them. I set to work, focusing on pulling out three weeks worth of warm yet stylish clothes for my visit home. This sets my mind at ease and I find warm sweaters that I bought but haven't worn due to always working or going on date nights with Jacob. But the biggest find in my closet is a box I had long forgotten since buying this place four years ago after finishing my residency and becoming a surgeon.

Taking the box labled "Mistletoe Miracles" out, I opened it to find my Santa hat that I wore to every Christmas party. The red was still as bright as I remember, and the white fur felt as soft as the day I bought it. Jacob had hated it, calling me childish for wearing such a hat to a professional setting that first Christmas we spent together and I had put it inside the box with other Christmas items I stopped using around the holiday time. Running my fingers along the fur, I decide that if I want to enjoy my Christmas with my family, then I need to stop thinking about that lying cheater and do what I loved doing before meeting him.

Putting the hat on, I take my phone out and snap a selfie before sending it to Alice.

Me: Look what I found!

Alice: No way! I haven't seen that hat in ages. Are you going to bring it with you?

Me: Yeah, I plan to wear it at the Christmas Festival next weekend,

Alice: Good. Maybe you might find yourself under the mistletoe with some hunk.

I rolled my eyes at Alice's remark, telling her to dream on before putting my phone down and returning my focus on packing for my trip. I plan to avoid mistletoe like the plague these next three weeks, even if it means cutting that little plant down when I see it.