No Insurance for a Miracle: A Claus for Christmas by Sarah Lamb

Author:Sarah Lamb [Lamb, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Allison hurried into the office. She was never late, but today was an exception. Luckily, no one said anything. Everyone tended to give grace for that sort of thing if it wasn’t a frequent occurrence, and with her, it never was.

Dropping her purse onto her desk, she headed to the breakroom fridge to drop off her lunch and make a coffee. Chatter filled the office today, more than usual. As she let herself listen curiously, it surprised her. Everything seemed to be focused on a single topic. The Pressman tree farm.

“…since we were kids.”

“Wouldn’t feel right getting my tree elsewhere. But I don’t even know if he will have them.”

“…a tradition the kids always look forward to.”

“Favorite thing to do that weekend.”

“We always go with my in-laws, then visit the diner afterward.”

Allison weaved her way through the building back to her office. She was near it when Craig stopped her. “How’s it going on the Pressman case?” he asked.

It felt like every eye in the room was on her. It was an uncomfortable, prickling sensation, like she’d had back in high school when she, the unpopular girl, had walked into the wrong classroom by mistake. She half expected the laughter to start. Instead, she was surprised her quick glimpse showed tense faces. Concern.

“I don’t have any follow up yet from the fire marshal,” she said. “From what I personally saw, it wasn’t intentional and the affected field is under the policy, so his policy will cover part of the loss.”

“Only part?” a coworker asked. “Why only part?”

“He didn’t have a large enough policy,” Allison said.

“Oh wow. I wonder what will happen,” the coworker said. “It’s not Christmas without that place. Maybe the town can take up a collection.”

“Keep me updated,” Craig said, turning to leave. “What that man needs is a miracle.”

“It’s that time of year,” Flora, the receptionist, said. “Maybe it will happen.”

At the chorus of “yes” and “amen” Allison looked up in surprise. She hadn’t realized nearly everyone in the office, including a few clients, were listening in, but there they were, nodding in agreement.

“Miracles don’t happen like that,” Allison said.

“They can and they do,” Flora said firmly.

Allison didn’t answer, but made her way back to her office and closed the door. Taking a deep breath, she rested her head on her hands for a moment.

“It’s not true, you know,” she said to the tiny penguin that sat near her office phone. Kenny had given it to her birthday. For some reason, though it was an odd gift, she liked it.

Reaching over, she adjusted the penguin and met his eyes. “Miracles don’t always happen this time of year.” Her lips pressed together. “Not for me, anyway.”

Opening her email, she scanned what had arrived. Nothing related to the Pressman tree farm. Her phone rang, and she saw it was her mom. Surprised, she picked up the phone.

“Hey Mom, you okay?”

“Of course,” her mother’s voice came through. “I’m fine! But are you?”

“Me?” Allison swallowed. How did her mother do that? She always seemed to know when something was upsetting her.

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