FOUND LOVE ON A CHRISTMAS EVE

It was sometime in the morning. I missed the cock’s crow, but could not miss the annoying chimes of the alarm clock sitting on my bedside table. It kept ringing for what seemed like hours. Can’t I rest in peace, this Christmas eve?’ I thought to myself. I was still sleepy when I heard my dad holler from the family room.
‘Hey, George! Hey, boy! kindly fetch yourself out of bed and meet some friends who came in from the villa last night.’
‘Okay dad, I will be with out in a jiffy,’ I responded.

Sigh.  He still thinks I am a toddler. Well, I am not interested in meeting anyone at this time, but I am definitely not going to exchange words with my dad. I got off my bed and said a prayer, ‘Lord, bless me with my own house, so I can do and say what I please at anytime.’

I brushed my teeth and rushed out in time to join the salutations. Kesta and Priscy, my little sisters, were already in the queue. My mom was beaming with smiles and welcomed me with a kiss on my cheek.
'Good morning, George,' she whispered. I wrapped my arms around her, 'Good morning sweetest mom.' It was clear my dad was looking on. My mom and I could not help but burst into laughter.
'Your dad is a jealous man, you know…,' she teased.
I moved into the queue just to realize my old muse was at the receiving end of the salutation. She stood tall staring at me.
It took me a while to notice Sandra, Mr Quist's daughter, was in our midst. So this was the surprise dad talked about.
'George, do you remember Sandra?'
'Yes… Hey Sandra, it has been ages.' I said casually.
'Eeeiii George, it took you hours to recognize me; shame!' She mocked.
I simply rolled my eyes.

When we were all seated, Dad speaking, “Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas. It is at this time that we remember and celebrate true love: the love of Jesus Christ. It is also in these times we learn of this love and live in it. Mr Quist, we would like to thank you for choosing to spend this  season of love –Christmas with us. You and your family are always welcome here"

Breakfast was served after Dad’s sermonette. Soon after that, my siblings and the Quist children were dispatched to aid in clean up excercises at the community church nearby. This was a bummer for me, because I had planned on spending as little time as possible around sandra.

Almost as if she heard my intentions, she took the passenger’s seat in my mom’s van as I got behind the wheel. Sigh.
She tried to engage in conversation, but I pretended to be enjoying the song playing in the stereo. Eventually, Sandra said,
“George! I am Sorry,”
I gave her the side eye, “What for?” She responded, “For humiliating you in elementary school, and dissing you infront of your friends in high school. Its been almost five years – let’s put it behind us”
I shrugged as though it was nothing.

We got to church and I introduced the Quists to everyone who was interested, then we got straight to work. It took us almost three hours to complete the cleaning duties assigned us at church.

On our way home, we stopped by the mall to get groceries for mom. I got icecream for everyone, and they were all very appreciative – especially Sandra. Everyone was chatty in the car – everyone but Sandra and I.

When the sun went down, I asked Sandra if she would go and see a movie with me. She liked the idea. I had barely said a word to her, so this was a good peace-offering.
We watched a chick-flick; something she would enjoy. I remember seeing her face light up at how the movie ended. She seemed happy and held my hand on our way to the car from the cinema. It felt nice.

The ride home, we spent a good amount of time teasing each other and catching up on all we had missed in each other’s lives.

If I did not get any gifts that Christmas, rebuilding the burnt bridge with her would’ve been enough. It is true what they say… there is forgiveness in true love

THE END…