The Christmas Elf, A Secret-Santa Story

Chapter 33 - The Aftermath

Saturday 24 December

Eileen refused to let her father shovel the snow, instead she insisted he help in any of the other ways possible while she did. The houses all stood in the sea of white, separated by piles of the stuff that made getting from house to house almost impossible.

The snow ploughs finally arrived and cleared the street, but the resulting piles of snow further inundated the Christmas trees. It hurt her heart to see the way most of their decorations were gone and the fact they were mostly buried in snow. By some miracle the trees were actually still standing, but mostly buried. It was likely because lots of snow had fallen before the winds hit their peak, effectively creating wind-breaks that held the trees in place. In a few days it might be possible to see them again.

She shoveled snow in her walk and then went over to help anyone who needed it. It saved her from having to think about Michael. It also saved her from having to think about the magic that had died or was slowly dying because the storm had nixed their plans.

Her mother and others kept her and all the people on the street going, including the plough-man, with hot cider and chocolate. She was not aware of the openly speculative looks of her neighbors as they observed her.

~ o ~

"Isn't it amazing that someone so little could move so much snow?" Madeleine observed to her father as they went out onto the porch to observe progress. Like Eileen she had banned her father from going out with a shovel, but her husband and brother were both part of the clean-up crew.

"Yes," Mr. Jensen said. He paused a long moment, "It's almost like she has a lot of practice with more than her own driveway." An idea that had always been quietly at the back of his mind emerged more fully.

~ o ~

Michael and Jonathan teamed up with the other business owners on the street in the cleanup efforts. Not everyone had escaped unscathed. There were pipes to be repaired, windows that had broken and signs that had come loose. The biggest casualty were the Christmas decorations. Anything that hadn't disappeared in the wind and snow, hung forlornly from posts and doors.

He thought of Eileen and the Christmas trees that lined her street, wincing when he pictured what they must look like. Lisa was gone, but he still had responsibilities to deal with before he could attempt to clean up the mess she had made with Eileen.

He wished there was something he could do to show Eileen how important she was to him. He had seen her in action enough times now to understand that she was a woman who prized action more than words. Her generosity of spirit in helping him more than once; the way she opened her home up to her neighbors; the way she inspired loyalty – those were things that showed she would go out of her way for people whenever needed.

He wished he could help her the way she had helped him. His eyes kept going back to the decorations and the beginnings of a plan filled him with renewed vigor.

~ o ~

It was late Christmas Eve night, when all through the streets, nothing was stirring, not even a plough – that a truck silently made its way down Eileen's street. Michael observed the sad trees and the silent houses and knew he was making the right decision.

The truck stopped two doors down and he got out, strode purposefully to the door and knocked. Mr. Jensen opened the door and let him in. Ten minutes later, Michael was back out in the cold and the truck was driving away.

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Author's note: for the undying romantics, the ones who believe that nothing is too much for the ones you love!