A Very Mystic Christmas Read online

  “That’s a perfect idea, baby girl,” her father answered, his own pride clearly displayed. “It’s always good to be grateful.”

  “Let’s finish unwrapping your other presents and I’ll find you some pretty stationery. Sound good?” Lynn added.

  Darcy seemed reluctant to put down the mask, her fingers trailing through the feathers one more time, a soft smile on her face. “Thank you, Santa,” she whispered, her words barely reaching me.

  “You’re very welcome, dear heart,” I murmured in reply. My time as the Christmas voyeur was over; and once again, I wished I could linger longer.

  Handing the mask to her mother, who placed it carefully in the box, Darcy accepted the next present her father placed in front of her. The moment had passed, that one special connection we had every year at this time, when she believed I was that jolly man in a red suit.

  Christmas was all about magic; and as I turned to leave, I let myself believe that with Santa all things were possible.

  One day I’d be invited in as family, not the stranger who hid in the shadows.

  One day, it wouldn’t be a thank you letter, but a hug full of love and warmth.

  One day, the tag would read differently.

  Love, Devlin.

  Southern Pecan Pie

  Submitted by Angel Downey

  Ingredients

  2 Tbs. flour

  1 box of light brown sugar

  1 stick butter

  1cup hot milk

  4 eggs beaten

  1 Tbs. vanilla extract

  2 unbaked pie shells

  Pecans to garnish

  Method

  1. Mix all ingredients together (not the pecans) and pour into two unbaked pie shells.

  2. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

  3. Cool for ten minutes.

  4. Press pecan halves in top of the pies until the pie is covered completely.

  5. Cool completely.

  6. Refrigerate.

  Classic Pumpkin Pie

  Submitted by Angel Downey

  Ingredients

  1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

  1 16 oz. can Pumpkin

  1 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

  2 eggs

  1 tsp. ground cinnamon

  1/2 tsp. ground ginger, nutmeg and salt.

  Method

  1. Preheat oven to 425.

  2. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into pastry shell and bake 15 minutes.

  3. Reduce temp to 350, bake 35 to 40 minutes.

  4. Cool completely.

  Ooey Gooey Popcorn

  Submitted by Brenda Lunt

  Ingredients

  ½ cup brown sugar

  1 stick of butter

  14 large marshmallows

  Bag of microwave popcorn

  Method

  1. Microwave ingredients until all it melted.

  2. Stir well and pour over popcorn.

  3. Mix again and enjoy!

  Waiting For St. Nick

  With Darcy and Anne

  Suppressing a tired yawn, I snuggled deeper under the blanket that covered Anne and me. A plate of crumbs was all that remained of the sugar cookies we’d iced earlier that night, alongside two empty mugs. I was pretty sure it was the hot chocolate that had made me feel so sleepy. Shifting in our small cubbyhole, the movement perked me up a little.

  “You falling asleep?” My best friend whispered, her voice sounding far away. Sure enough, she released a huge yawn, triggering my own.

  “No, you?”

  “Me neither.”

  The little hidden nook, behind the sofa, was the place we’d eventually chosen as our special place, earlier that day. We’d planned like a pair of professional conspirators, huddled together as we discussed the best way to get the proof we needed. A lot was on line with this stakeout. Reputations would either be made or broken.

  There was no way we’d let Santa down.

  It had all started two weeks ago, when one of the mean girls in my class heard me talking excitedly about this year’s present from Santa. Without fail, there was always an elaborately decorated box beneath the tree, with an equally elaborate surprise inside. The tag always said “Love, Santa.” I’d saved each gift, year after year, and my bedroom was filled with tokens of his affection. I never knew what to expect, but it was always perfect; and it wasn’t so much about getting something, it was that he made me feel special.

  This year, I wanted to do something more than send him the traditional thank you letter. I wanted to meet him, in person, and hug him myself. I longed to tell him how much he meant to me, even though Becky Schuester told me he wasn’t real. She’d unmercifully made fun of me since overhearing my conversation with Anne.

  That was another reason why my best friend and I were camped out behind the living room couch. By actually seeing Santa with a witness, I could go back to school and tell that bully that she didn’t know what she was talking about.

  Santa was real; and if she didn’t say she was sorry, she’d get nothing but coal.

  I usually wasn’t a vindictive person, but the thought of her waking up tomorrow morning and seeing black lumps of rock in her stocking made me smile, even giggle a little.

  “I need to pee, Darcy,” Anne confessed, wiggly in her spot. I didn’t doubt it. Unlike me, who’d sipped on my one drink, Anne had three cups of the yummy stuff. I’d warned her about needing the bathroom, but she hadn’t listened.

  “Can you hold it?” I glanced up at the clock over the fireplace. It was just before midnight. We had no idea when Santa was supposed to come, but surely it would be soon. He was a busy man, and his reindeers had a long way to fly tonight. When he got here, it would only be for a brief moment before he had to leave. “What if he comes while you’re gone?”

  “I know. I’ll hurry.” Moving her cup behind her, Anne let out a loud sigh. “What if Becky was right?” There was a hint of fear in her voice, like the world might end if she discovered that there really was no Santa.

  “Don’t even think it. Remember what Ms. Hamilton said? As long as we believe in our hearts, magic is possible; and Santa is full of magic,” I answered matter-of-factly. “Plus, if he wasn’t real, who brings me my present every year?”

  “I heard Sabrina say that it is our parents.”

  The very thought of it made me want to go straight to Sabrina’s house and tell her she was crazy. “No way, it’s got to be Santa. He travels all around the world. That’s why my presents are so pretty. Momma said the mask I got two years ago came from Venice.”

  “Then why don’t I get cool gifts like that? All Santa brings me is toys and clothes.”

  I didn’t know how to reply to that. It was something I’d wondered about, but didn’t have the heart to ask. I was grateful for all my surprises, but I wished Anne could get something special, like me. Maybe when I meet him tonight, I’d ask him to give her my gift this year. My parents taught me that sharing was caring, and I loved Anne like a sister.

  “Do you think he really comes down the chimney?” I asked, changing the subject. We both paused long enough to eye the fireplace. A fire was crackling low in the hearth we’d swept a few hours ago. Despite how much we’d begged, my dad hadn’t extinguished the embers. The last thing I wanted was our Christmas guest to burn his red suit.

  “I don’t think he’d come in the front door. Do you?”

  Panic fluttered in my heart. “Be right back.” Rushing out from our comfy hiding spot, I raced as fast I could to unlock the front and back doors. There was no way I was going to miss out on this chance because he couldn’t come down the chimney or get in through the door. Part of me knew the tale of Santa touching the side of his nose and being whisked up the chimney, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

  Anne was wide-eyed when I returned out of breath. “Where’d you go?”

  “I unbolted the doors.”

  “Won’t you get in trouble?” Anne gasped.

  “This
is too important. It’s totally worth getting a lecture or sent to my room.”

  She looked at me like I was crazy. Or her hero. I was neither, I was simply determined and on a mission.

  We sat a few minutes in silence, the sound of the ticking clock the only noise in the room. The slow, flashing lights on the Christmas tree were almost hypnotic, lulling me into a trance. I jumped when Anne nudged me.

  “Do you think he’ll be much longer?”

  “Hmmm, I don’t know. Why?”

  “I really need to pee, now. Like bad.”

  It was a risk. Maybe she’d get back in time. It was possible Becky, Sabrina, and their group of friends would believe just me, but they’d have to if Anne said she saw him as well. Two eyewitnesses were way better than one.

  “How fast can you run?” I asked worriedly, chewing my bottom lip. If she missed him because she was in the bathroom, we’d have to wait another year for this opportunity.

  “Like the wind.” She scrambled to her feet. “If he comes before I get back, stall him.”

  “Okay,” I promised, sitting up straight. I couldn’t fall asleep now, everything rested on me. Flipping the blanket off, the cool night air gave me an extra chill. There was no way I was closing my eyes.

  I didn’t take my eyes off the chimney, almost too scared to blink. My gaze darted to some of the gifts already placed under the tree, but none of them were from him. He had to be coming soon. It was only a matter of time.

  Leaning my head against the couch, I tried not to be nervous. This was such a momentous occasion. It had to be perfect. I was sure he’d be surprised to find us awake; but after I told him thank you and gave him a kiss on the cheek, he’d forgive me. He’d have to. I’d been good all year. If for a second I thought he was angry, I’d throw my arms around his neck. That always worked with my dad.

  There was a sudden gust of wind out of nowhere, causing me to shiver. Expecting to see Anne back and ready to crawl in beside me, my mouth dropped open in surprise.

  He was here. Santa Claus, in all his glory, was in my living room, my gift in his hands. He was everything I imagined him to be. Well, except he wasn’t as fat as the stories made him out to be or like the Santa at the department store. That made me glad because I worried about him. Television commercials were always talking about the importance of being healthy and I knew that Santa’s diet probably wasn’t as good as it should be. That’s why this year, instead of milk and cookies, I’d asked Momma to leave out milk and apple slices.

  He stood by the fireplace, gazing down at the framed photos displayed on the mantle. There was a new photo of me from my birthday party, and he picked it up to study it. Smiling, he brushed his finger over the protective glass, before returning it to its place.

  Wow, he really does love me. He bent to look at the others and once he was done, I heard him let out a loud sigh. He sounded a little sad and it made my heart hurt. Gently placing the new gift by the others, he hesitated, like he didn’t really want to leave. Anne was nowhere to be seen and I knew if I didn’t act, he’d be gone.

  It was now or never. I quietly rose from my hiding spot and swept my hair back over my shoulder.

  “Hi, Santa.”

  I definitely caught him by surprise. His eyes widened as he turned, taking a step backward. He appeared astonished that he’d been caught, but I felt the same. He was tall, his red suit clean, and his white beard fluffy. That wasn’t what caught my attention, though. I could’ve swore his eyes were red, not the brown like the fake Santa. Maybe he’d been crying or was sick.

  Before I could ask him if he was okay, he dropped to his knee and gestured for me to come. “What are you doing awake, Darcy? Shouldn’t you be tucked in your bed, fast asleep? You know the rules.” He asked the same questions that my parents did when I was up too late, but it was different. Santa wasn’t angry. There was a faint accent when he spoke, and he was smiling with his eyes, the corners crinkling slightly.

  “I know, but I had to see you,” I whispered.

  “You did? Well, here I am. What can I do for you?”

  I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly as I kissed his cheek. “I wanted to say I love you and thank you. Thank you so much for my presents. You make me feel like a princess.”

  Santa didn’t say a word, instead he coughed softly. He returned my embrace, patting my back gently. “You’re very welcome. In my eyes, you are a princess. I love you, too.”

  “Becky Shuester said you weren’t real. I told her she was a liar,” I confessed.

  “I’m very real, Darcy. Sometimes it takes a soft heart to believe in magic. It makes me sad that she doesn’t believe, but maybe you can help her.”

  “How?” Now that I’d met him, I wanted everyone to know how amazing he was.

  “By being a good friend and setting a good example. Sometimes words aren’t enough. We have to live the kind of life where people can see things through our actions. It’s a sad thing when people stop believing.”

  “It is. I believe and it makes me feel good inside and happy.”

  “Then keep being you and don’t let anyone tell you different.” He tweaked my nose and I laughed out loud. No one had done that to me since I was younger.

  “Can I ask you something else?” I asked nervously.

  “Anything.”

  “Well, I was hoping… I love the presents you bring me and …”

  “You want me to bring more?” Santa finished my sentence when I stopped. Suddenly I didn’t feel as brave as before. I wasn’t sure I could handle it if he said no to my request.

  “Oh, no, what you bring is more than enough. But, is there any way you can bring something special for my best friend, Anne? She’s also a believer and I know she’d love something really special. In fact, this year …”

  “Yes?”

  “This year you can give her mine, if you don’t have something extra for her. That way she could feel like a princess, too. It would mean a lot.”

  Santa crushed me against his chest, his body trembling. When he let go, I could’ve sworn he wiped away a red tear, but when I blinked, it was gone. “You have no idea how much that pleases me, Darcy. You are a wonderful girl. Never stop being considerate of those around you.”

  “Does that mean yes?” I asked, excitedly. There were no more nerves tumbling in my stomach. I couldn’t help smiling, knowing he was going to grant my wish.

  “Of course. I have something in mind. But this gift is yours.” He pointed to the one he’d brought, the bright silver bow reflecting the flickering lights. “I’ll return before tomorrow morning with something for your Anne. But only on one condition.”

  “Anything, Santa.”

  “You need to go straight to bed. Deal?”

  “Deal.” I yawned, not bothering to hide it. “I’m tired, anyway.”

  “I love you, dear one. Remember that. And I’m very, very proud of you.”

  Hugging him one last time, I didn’t want to let go. “I love you too, Santa.”

  Standing to leave, I offered him a brave smile, determined not to cry. “Now, off to bed.”

  I didn’t want to give him any reason not to come back, so I waved a tired goodbye, and rushed back to my bedroom, finding Anne inside.

  “Where were you?” I exclaimed, my voice jerking her awake. “You never came back.”

  “Your mom heard me going to the bathroom and brought me back in here. I didn’t know if she went back to bed, so I decided to wait. I guess I fell asleep.” She looked every bit as disappointed as she sounded. “So, did he come?”

  “He did!” I laughed, smiling as I climbed into bed beside her. We faced each other as I pulled the warm blankets up to my head. “He came and he was amazing. We hugged, and I told him I loved him. He told me to keep being a good girl and that we could help Becky believe by being good friends to her.” There was no stopping the series of yawns now that I was snuggled all toasty, my eyes drooping closed.

  “Wow, you’re so lucky.
Maybe I’ll get to meet him next year.”

  “Definitely. Night, Anne.”

  “Night, Darcy.”

  My last thought before falling asleep was of how happy Anne would be tomorrow morning.

  ****

  The knock at the door woke us up. “Time to come downstairs, girls. Let’s see what Santa brought,” my mom called.

  “Quick, let’s go, Anne.” I shook her roughly, impatient to see if he’d returned.

  “I’m coming. I’m coming,” she groaned. Traipsing down the hallway in our bare feet, we were greeted by the delicious smells of breakfast and our traditional cinnamon rolls.

  “Good morning, girls.” My dad greeted us as he sat on the couch we’d hidden behind, a cup of coffee in hand. “Ready to open presents?”

  Anne nodded, but I was too distracted. There, by the fireplace, next to my gift was another—this one with a big, bright red bow and green glitter wrapping.

  “Is that what I think it is?” I whispered in awe. He’d remembered.

  “It is. This year Santa brought another present. One for you, and the other for Anne.”

  My best friend gasped in surprise. “Really? Are you sure?”

  “That’s what the tag says. See?” Sure enough, it read: “To Princess Anne, Love Santa.”

  “He loves me!” Anne exclaimed, clapping her hands as we danced around the room with excitement. There was nothing but happy tears when I watched her place the glittery tiara on her head. It was perfect.

  This was the best thing he’d ever given me. Not the beautiful charm bracelet inside my pretty silver box, although I wore it all the time, but it was the smile Anne wore all day. And that was the reason I still believe.