Last Christmas - 5. Chapter 5

5

Pierre stood in front of Frank looking rather upset.

“I told you before, Chris ordered it and until he signs off for it, I am not giving it to anyone.” Frank stood determinedly behind the counter.

“Look, Frank is it? Chris wanted this for our father. I am here to pay for it and pick it up. Just take the money and give it to me.”

Frank leaned on the counter and smiled.

“Sir, I don’t care who you are. I have a contract with Chris. He stated the last time I saw him that he would be here to pick up his package. I have not heard from him telling me to release it to anyone else. If I were to give it to you, and he showed up, I would have lost a very valuable piece. I hand crafted the piece he wanted according to the details we discussed. Can you tell me what it is you are even here to pick up?”

Pierre stared at Frank. His hand trembled.

Frank stood still watching Pierre’s face and waiting for an answer.

“No,” Pierre finally stated.

“I didn’t think so.”

“Look …” Pierre took a deep breath as he prepared to start in again.

“No, you look. I am an artisan. My business depends on word of mouth, and how well I keep up my end of the business. I was contracted to create something for your brother. It was his idea that was used. It will be his final agreement that the work was done to his satisfaction when he picks it up. I pride myself on creating just what my customer desires. You, while you may be related to Chris, are not the person who hired me, nor can you even tell me what it is you are supposed to be picking up. Therefore, his package stays here with me.”

Pierre’s face was red, but whether it was from anger or embarrassment Frank wasn’t sure.

Pierre sighed and turned before he walked to the door. “You do realize it is Christmas Eve, don’t you?”

“I know exactly what day it is. Like so many others, I should be home with my family, but instead I am here, waiting for my last few customers to pick up their holiday presents for loved ones.”

“Why?” Pierre stood, looking closely at Frank.

“Why what?”

“Why wait for them?”

Frank laughed. “Because someone wants them as a gift for Christmas, and while I may not be the man I once was, I haven’t completely forgotten what that is like.”

Pierre looked at Frank one last time, and then headed out of the shop.

Once Pierre had moved out of Frank’s sight, Frank collapsed into the chair behind the counter.

“Damn, damn, damn.” Frank sat and tried hard not to cry. “It was stupid of me to hope.” Frank felt waves of misery rack his body. After trying to forget about any sort of emotional relationship, here he was a year later, having given his heart away, only to feel like it wasn’t wanted again.

The door bell tinkled as someone entered the shop. Frank wiped his face, and called out, “Be right with you.”

He stood to face a rather older gentleman.

The older gentleman had a long white beard, a deep green jacket, and a small cap as well.

“Excuse me. Sorry to have kept you waiting. How can I help you?”

“No worries. I just wanted to see some of the things in your shop. Some of these remind me of things I used to make myself.”

“Oh? Are you a wood carver?” Frank watched as the little man moved spryly through the shop.

“I’ve dabbled in it before.”

“Is there anything in particular I can help you with?”

The older gentleman walked over to where there were still a few carved jewelry boxes. One was made like a bird, another was a cat on a pillow, and the last was a large carved rose. The older man carefully examined the rose box.

“This is very pretty. You really did something special here. I see you even concealed the hinges and placed a velvet inlay inside.”

“Thank you. I see you know your way around.” Frank smiled as he realized that here was someone who understood the time and effort that went into his creations.

“Not as well as I used to.” The older gentleman smiled. He walked over to the counter, the rose box cradled in his hands. “I’ll take this please. I think my wife will love it.”

“You didn’t even ask how much it was.” Frank looked surprised at the older gentleman.

“I know you won’t over-charge me, Frank.”

“No, but …”

“I just wanted to meet the man who seems to keep my son’s interest.”

Frank looked at the man again, and then noticed the bright green eyes.

“You’re Chris’ father.”

The man smiled.

“Is he okay?”

“Let’s say some members of my family aren’t happy to find out Chris wasn’t finding a wife this year.” He smiled widely and shook his head. “There have been some ongoing fights, but what my sons forget is our prime directive is not to tell each other how to live, but to help the ones most in need and bring them a little joy.”

Frank stood silently with the box still in his hand.

“My wife finally had enough and laid down the law.” Chris’ father chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t worry, you will see Chris later. He has some business that needs to be attended to this evening, and so do his brothers. The whole family will be very busy tonight. However, I know for sure that before you wake up on Christmas Day, he will be there.”

Frank didn’t trust himself to speak. He took the jewelry box and carefully wrapped it in paper and placed it in a bag.

“Now, how much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Consider it my gift to you.”

“I can’t let you do that. I know how much work you put into it.”

“Hush. You gave me a gift tonight, so this is my gift to you.”

“Thank you.” The gentleman smiled and his cheeks glowed a healthy red color.

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I don’t even know your name.”

The little gentleman laughed.

“Like my son, I’m known as Chris.”

“Well Chris, your son has a gift for you, but I will let him get it from me to give to you.”

Chris smiled.

“Enjoy your evening, Frank. I wish I could tell you Chris would be there with you tonight, but honestly, he will be very busy this evening.” Chris reached out and took Frank’s hand and gently shook it. “I will make sure he sees you come the morning though.”

“Thank you.”

Chris took his package and walked out the door.

Frank watched as the spry little man walked down the street as snow began to fall. It was only once Chris had vanished from sight that Frank realized he had never given either Chris his address.

­_ * _ * _ *

Frank woke early Christmas morning swearing he heard the jingle of harness bells. Trusting that the older Chris was telling the truth, he’d brought home Chris’ package for his father, as well as the small gift he had carved for Chris himself. Considering how the man felt about the holidays, he hoped he would like it.

Tossing on a robe he headed down the hall to make a pot of coffee. On Christmas he usually turned on the radio, let the holiday music play, made breakfast and then sat down to open his gifts from Amanda and the kids, Cat and Brian, and whatever his friends had sent him. He had even set up a small tree this year for the first time. As he entered his kitchen, he swore he saw a flash of red and white in his living room. He hurried in only to find the room empty, but before he could really look there was a knock at the door.

“Coming.”

He opened his front door to find Chris standing on the other side, a large brown paper bag in his hands.

“I managed to find a bakery that was open. I hope you like bagels, apple kringle, and fruit stollen.”

“How?”

“Just invite me in, already.”

Frank stood back and let Chris in.

“In case you were wondering, you gave me your business card, which had your name on it. You do realize you are the only Frank Barton in a fifty mile radius?”

“No. I didn’t.” Frank grinned rather widely as he realized that Chris had tracked him down.

“Well, even if that wasn’t the only way I had to locate you, it would have been enough.”

“Oh?” Frank raised his eyebrow and stared at Chris.

“Even after meeting my brothers and my father you still haven’t put it together?”

Frank stared at Chris.

“Why do I feel like I am missing something that should be perfectly clear to me?”

Chris leaned in and gave Frank a kiss.

“Just so you know, I don’t do casual. You agree to this and it will be for life, and that will be a rather long one.”

Frank licked his lips and smiled.

“Are you sure you know what you are getting into, Chris?”

“Oh, I’m sure. Hell, I even checked over my list to make sure.”

Frank laughed.

“Checked your list, huh?”

“Yup. Though you have occasionally been naughty, you have never been bad, Frank. You have a good heart. Trust me on that.”

“You sound like Santa.”

Chris smiled at Frank.

“Well that is Dad. I’m just Chris.”

Frank stared for a moment before it hit him.

“Chris? As in Chris Kringle?”

Chris laughed and smiled. “Well, I guess it took you a while. You met a few of my brothers, Pere Noel, Jultomten, and Hoteiosho. You even got to meet Dad.” Chris leaned in and hugged Frank before he kissed him again. “By the way, Dad says you do good work.”

Chris sure as hell wasn’t like Peter, and this was nothing like last Christmas. It seemed as though Frank was finally getting a Merry Christmas, and from Santa himself. Time would tell, but for now, he was more than willing to see where this led them both.