A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(39)

Come morning, when she heard Laurel in the kitchen, she tossed back her covers and climbed out of her warm bed. While she didn’t want to pry, she needed to know what had happened between Laurel and Zach, for her own peace of mind, if nothing else.

    Heading to the kitchen in her robe and slippers, Helen found her granddaughter leaning against the kitchen counter, her eyes closed, as if drawing deep inside herself for some inner strength.

“Laurel, my love. What is it?”

Laurel automatically moved into Helen’s arms, as though she was desperately in need of consolation. She pressed her head on her grandmother’s shoulder. Tears fell against Helen as her granddaughter spoke. “Zach…left.”

“Left? He didn’t come home last night? How long will he be gone?”

It was hard to make sense of Laurel’s muffled reply. It sounded like she said “forever.” That couldn’t possibly be right. Zach loved Laurel. Helen never doubted his heartfelt love and affection for her granddaughter.

“He wants what I can’t give him.”

“Oh Laurel…” Helen felt at a loss as to how best to comfort her precious granddaughter.

Laurel broke away from Helen, reaching for a tissue to blow her nose. Pure grit and determination marked her words as she sniffled and stated, “Today is the school program. I’ve got to get myself together.”

    “Oh dear,” Helen whispered, pressing her fingers to her lips. “How will you manage?”

“I…I don’t know, but I will. I have to. Everyone is counting on me.” Reaching for a second tissue, she dabbed at her eyes and forced a weak smile.

“Have a cup of tea,” Helen advised, hoping that would help calm her granddaughter’s tender heart. “You’ll feel better.” Yet she knew that no amount of makeup would disguise Laurel’s ashen skin and red eyes.

“All the tea in China isn’t going to fix this, Nana. I’ll get through today the way I’ve survived everything else. I’m not your granddaughter for nothing.” She kissed Helen on the cheek and bravely headed out the door.

Helen quickly dressed and ate her breakfast of tea and toast even before her companion arrived. She could hardly wait for Mrs. Miracle to show up so she could get an insight into what had gone so terribly wrong. For the next fifteen minutes, she was anxious. This was bad. Something needed to be done. Mrs. Miracle would know what to do, and if she couldn’t count on an angel to intercede, then she didn’t know what would happen.

“Oh my goodness. I’m so glad you’re here,” Helen burst out as soon as her companion entered the house.

“What is it?” Mrs. Miracle asked, removing her coat and scarf.

    “It’s Laurel and Zach,” Helen anxiously explained. “Something’s happened. I saw it on Laurel’s face last night, then she broke down this morning when I asked her. Zach is gone and she said I shouldn’t expect him back. I think I know the root of the problem,” she said. “The door to the baby’s bedroom was open.”

“Ah yes,” Mrs. Miracle returned in a soothing voice. “I know all about that. Nothing to worry yourself over, my dear.”

“I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the situation,” Helen said. “Did you hear me when I said Zach wasn’t coming home?”

Mrs. Miracle went about pouring herself a cup of tea, apparently unconcerned. “I heard.”

“And today, of all days, is the school program.”

“Yes. All will be well. Helen, you need to trust,” she gently replied, as she tenderly patted Helen’s hand.

Mrs. Miracle’s calm reassurances were exactly what she needed to hear. From the moment Helen had stepped into the kitchen and found her granddaughter an emotional mess, her heart had been racing like a fire engine, speeding to a blaze.

“Relax, now, and join me with a cup of tea. Before you know it, it’ll be time to leave for the school.”

“But will Laurel be okay? And Zach?”

    “They will, I promise.”

Helen sipped her tea and took Mrs. Miracle at her word.



* * *



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The two spent the remainder of the day knitting and chatting together until it was time to head to the school for the afternoon program. All Helen could do was pray that Laurel had pulled herself together to see all of her hard work come to life for what was the biggest event of the school year.

By the time Helen and Mrs. Miracle reached the school, it was abuzz with activity. Cars flooded the small parking lot, spilling onto the side streets surrounding the building. Parents and grandparents crowded the large space that served as an auditorium as well as a gym and a cafeteria. Neat, orderly rows of folding chairs had been set in place, facing the stage. Both sides had several small potted live Christmas trees of varying heights, strung with lights and handmade ornaments. Student artwork, all with holiday themes, was clipped on clotheslines along the remaining sides of the large gathering space.

Helen watched as each grade paraded out in single file, to the delight of their families. Mrs. Miracle sat in the chair next to her. The older woman on her other side clasped her hands together in delight as she stretched one way and then another, attempting to find the child she had come to see.