Snapshots of SoMo (Short Stories)

8. A Christmas Wish (Lucy Hale) - Part One

Early December- Midmorning 9:30am

Joseph was downtown doing some early Christmas shopping when he decided he needed to get a tree for the house. The Christmas stroll was happening in downtown Dallas TX, and he took his 10 year old daughter Ava. She was excited to see Santa Claus and get some hot cocoa afterward. Ava hoped he would grant her Christmas wish this year. She'd been good most of the year, so as not to get on the naughty list. Her father had become a grump after her mother left them three years ago. "Come on, Dad! I don't want to be last in line!" "Honey slow down, Santa's not going anywhere!" Jeez, kids these days.

Awhile later

Ava and Joseph were walking over towards tree barn when he asked, "Ava, what did you wish for?" "Dad, if I tell you, it won't come true." "You're right but-" "No buts Dad, I want this holiday to be special, don't push your luck." Man, she drives a hard bargain, but she does have a point. They were looking at a tree for the house and found one. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a tree falling to the ground with a woman underneath it, and he grabbed it at the last second. He froze at seeing pair of hazel eyes and a delicate faced woman scramble out from under the pine needles. "Thanks." "No problem." He stood the tree upright and made sure she was alright. He would've said more, but her cellphone rang, and she answered it leaving quickly. "Dad, you didn't get her name or number?" "Ava, I'll have you know I don't talk to strangers." "Dad she seems nice."

A few hours later- 3:00pm

Joseph had finished tying down the tree onto his truck and made sure Ava was buckled up. He saw the lady two cars over, struggling to get the car started and heard the engine stall. He walked over and knocked on her window. She shut the car off and looked at him in surprise. He's gorgeous! I wonder if he knows anything about cars? "I'm Hannah, and my car needs a jump. Could you help me?" "I'm Joseph, let me see what I can do." He tried to get her car to start, but it didn't work. "Miss Hannah, I can tow it to my house and look at it more there. Is that okay with you?" "That's very thoughtful of you, but I don't think that your wife will approve of it." "My wife and I split a few years ago, I'm harmless. Ava is the troublemaker." He hooked up her car to his truck, and she got into the passenger seat. "Hi Miss Ava, I'm Miss Hannah nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you Miss Hannah. Dad, can she have dinner with us tonight?" Joseph almost choked on his words as he got in the truck and started driving home. Lol, this girl is hilarious! She's trying to set up a dinner date already? "Ava, you can't plan activities without asking our guest first." Hannah laughed at the banter between them and thought it was adorable. "Ava I accept your offer. Is that okay with you, Joseph?" "It's fine with me, we haven't entertained in awhile. I'm looking forward to it." They pulled out of the parking lot and onto the highway towards Joseph's house.

- This story will be continued with Part Two at a later date.