Dear Santa(9)

I could do with another good friend. One I can pal around with and share secrets. One with a sense of humor and adventure. Just wondering if you could clone Peggy?

I’m grateful to work with Media Blast and be able to use the talents God gave me. If I were to have my latest proposal accepted, I know it would greatly advance my career.

I’ll leave it to you to get working on the list and thank you in advance. You’ve never disappointed me in the past.



    With her letter written, Lindy felt ready to sleep. A smile came over her as she rested her head against her pillow. Who would have thought she’d think to write Santa beyond the age of eight? Life was full of wonders.



* * *



—

“Did you sleep well?” her mother asked, as Lindy stumbled out of her bedroom at seven-thirty the following morning.

“I did.” Truly, she was amazed at how well she had slept. Once she’d written Santa, she’d experienced a feeling of peace. It was probably the silliest thing she’d done in ages, but she couldn’t discount the contentment that came over her after she’d penned the letter.

“I’ve got my book club meeting this afternoon,” her mother said, sounding almost apologetic.

Barely listening, Lindy brewed herself a cup of coffee, opening the refrigerator to add creamer.

“It’s our Christmas party,” her mother continued. “Would you like to join me?”

Leaning her backside against the kitchen counter, Lindy blew into the hot coffee and shook her head. “Thanks, Mom, but if you don’t mind, I thought I’d run a couple of errands this morning, and then I’m meeting Chad for lunch on his break.”

“Of course. I didn’t want you to feel like I was ignoring you.”

    “Don’t be silly. Go and have fun. I’m capable of entertaining myself for a few hours.” Lindy was touched by her mother’s thoughtfulness, although it didn’t surprise her.



* * *



—

After a lazy morning, Lindy met up with her brother at the Wenatchee warehouse. Chad had gotten his degree from Central Washington University in supply-chain management. He’d always had great organizational skills and enjoyed his job.

They headed over to the local diner and talked nonstop for nearly forty-five minutes. Chad filled her in on his and Ashley’s plans for the holidays, and Lindy was pleased to know she’d have plenty of time to spend with them and Peter.

Knowing she’d need to update him on her own life, she gave him a brief rundown of what had been going on with her. When he heard about Brian and Celeste, she watched as the anger tightened his face.

“I hate that you had to go through that, sis,” Chad said, his dark eyes full of sympathy.

“It’s over; I’ve moved on.”

“Good. Glad to hear it.”

They hugged outside the diner, and as she walked toward where she’d parked her car, she realized it hadn’t been an exaggeration. She felt free of the disappointment and hurt she’d carried on her shoulders these last six months.

    Her next stop was at the local dry cleaner. She had a few items she wanted pressed and hadn’t had time to have it done before she left Seattle. When she finished, she noticed a Starbucks had opened on the tail end of the strip mall. A peppermint latte sounded good, and she headed in that direction. After ordering a salad for lunch, she was in the mood for something sweet and hot.

As she stood in line, Lindy noticed the tall, slim, fashionably dressed Black woman in front of her. The woman turned to ask her friend something, and Lindy thought she looked vaguely familiar. By the time Lindy placed her order, she was afraid she was staring at the woman, debating if she should introduce herself. No, that was silly. It couldn’t possibly be who she thought it was. The only Black person she knew from Wenatchee had been her childhood friend, Peggy. After collecting her drink, Lindy headed for the door, not wanting to look foolish if it wasn’t who she thought.

“Lindy, is that you?” The question came at her from the table close to the exit.

“Peggy?” It couldn’t be. “Peggy Scranton?”

“Lindy? Lindy Carmichael?”

Lindy started to laugh. Really, what were the chances? “Peggy. Oh my goodness, how long has it been?”

    Peggy smiled and gestured for Lindy to join her and her friend. “Since right before middle school.”

Peggy had been one of Lindy’s closest friends from second grade on. The trouble they’d gotten into was epic. The summer between grade school and middle school, Peggy’s family had moved into a new development on the other side of town. Peggy had enrolled in a different school. For the first few months, they were able to keep in contact and maintain their friendship. As time went on, they grew apart. Over the years, Lindy had wondered what had ever happened to her grade school friend.

“This is Jayne,” Peggy said, introducing her friend, a blond, blue-eyed woman who looked to be about their age.

“Hi. I’m Lindy.”

“Lindy and I were the best of friends eons ago,” Peggy explained.

The two started to exchange stories from their youth, entertaining Jayne, who had a bright, easy laugh. “Remember the time we decided to form our own band?” Peggy asked. “We were doomed to failure, since neither of us could play a musical instrument or sing—not that we let that stop us.”