Christmas Tears {A Short Christmas Story}

            Noel understood the feeling of being alone for the holidays quite well by now. With no immediate family or loved ones to celebrate the merry times with, she often turned to an expensive bottle of champagne and the old time radio station as everyone else was off celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. It was a common thing to her now, something she almost would have overlooked, had it not been for the song that had just made its way into her living room.

            On Christmas Eve, Noel snuggled lonesome a chair, feet tucked underneath her small figure and a warm knitted blanket lying underneath her arms. She was deeply involved in the novel that was opened on her lap. The crackling fireplace right to the side of her was letting off a romantic glow, along with the Christmas lights strung so perfectly on the tree behind her. The room smelt strongly of pine, burning wood, and chocolate, a delicacy she would always treat herself to on winter nights like tonight.

            Right as she began to turn the page of her book had her attention been snagged away by the tune her radio was now washing in. It was familiar, a song she once loved so dearly.

“When the night has come,

And the land is dark,

And the moon is the only light we’ll see.”

            A small gasp escaped her lips as the lyrics were sung. This was her song, their song.

She could distinctly remember the night. It was warm, with a slight summer breeze moving her hair out of place as she sat on the hood of the car of her high school sweet heart, Jack Bennet. He was gorgeous, a face she could never forget: Tan skinned, light eyed, with shaggy blonde hair that fell onto his forehead and a smile that could make even the most cold hearted melt. His hand was gently placed on top of hers as they stared off into the distant city lights. They didn’t talk. They didn’t move. The silence between them was enough to make them feel loved.

            The same song had begun to play on his car radio. Noel glanced her head over at him, just for a second, to see one of those angelic grins, dimples popping through. Without saying anything, he casually slid off his car and onto the ground, still holding her hand while doing so. With eyes locked, he made his way towards her and helped her off the car’s hood, pulling her in close. His large hands grasped onto her waist as hers locked behind his neck. They swayed back and forth to the flowing beat, Jack causally singing along.

            She couldn’t help but giggle as he did so, making him crack an even larger smile. Jack pressed his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes.

            “Noel, I love you.” He almost whispered.

            “I know Jack…and I love you more.”

            He chuckled from the back of his throat. “Impossible.”

“So darlin’, darlin’, Stand by me.

Oh stand, stand by me.

Oh stand,

Stand by me, Stand by me.”

            The feelings of her past were now coming back to haunt her and were stronger than ever. It was over a decade that that moment had happened, and close to five years that Jack had left her, alone.

            Hot tears overflowed from her eyes and rolled down her rosy cheeks. The song continued to play, more and more memories flooding in. She adored him. He was her everything, and that all had to be taken away from her one night. A night similar to this one.