Scrooge-ish: a second chance holiday romance by L.B. Dunbar

Author:L.B. Dunbar [Dunbar, L.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.B. Dunbar Writes Ltd.
Published: 2022-11-22T05:00:00+00:00

7

While Doll and Me has their own store down on Michigan Avenue, Ashford’s has a specialty collection in our toy department. With that contract, comes a twice-a-year occasion tea in our main restaurant on the sixth floor. At Christmas, of course, the tea is holiday-themed.

I have to work on the thirteenth but put in that I’ll be off for two hours for the tea and add those two hours to the end of my shift.

When Marnie arrives with Tam, I’m a nervous wreck. She’s only a child, I tell myself, but she’s an important one. She’s Zebb’s daughter.

“Hey. Sorry if we’re late. Last period is my planning period and I left as soon as classes ended. Traffic is crazy, though.” Marnie is breathless like they’ve been running but Tam is calm as can be and hugging her Zuzu.

“Not late at all. We have assigned seating and the doors just opened.”

The Tea Room is a highlight of Ashford’s. Great-Great-Grandma Ashford’s pot roast is still served on the menu during our dinner hours. The center of the room hosts a two-story Christmas tree with an electric train running around a track. The tree is always decorated in conjunction with a theme. Sometimes fairy tales. Sometimes holiday stories. Sometimes just an object like a Christmas bear. The idea is to always offer something whimsical.

This year’s theme is A Christmas Carol which seems kind of harsh for children.

However, during this tea, the focus is all on girls, or boys, who love Doll and Me. Each place setting offers a little Christmas gift for both girl and her doll, plus limitless lemonade, finger sandwiches, and holiday treats.

I guide Tam around the giant tree and point out various objects including what we call the hidden ornaments.

“It’s like a game. We give kids a bingo card where they can cross off the ornaments they find. If they find them all, they get a prize. Some are hidden to make it tricky.”

Tam smiles, a devious glint in her eye, and I see the little devil her father mentioned in her. To my surprise, she takes my hand as we round the tree. The symbol of Christmas has lost its luster over the years but standing here, pointing out the ornaments and explaining the history of the room, the magic of the season crackles around me a little bit.

My heart isn’t growing three sizes, but a strange sensation warms my insides.

“Here’s our seat.” I pulled some strings and begged Marcus, who organizes the tea, to give me a table next to the tree.

“Wow,” Tam whispers once we sit.

“This was so nice of you,” Marnie adds.

“It was my pleasure.” I smile at Tam as our drink order is taken. Just like at Doll and Me, conversation starters are in a box, prompting guests to discuss topics or share thoughts.

“Your best Christmas memory,” I ask Tam, reading off a strip of paper.

“This right here. But don’t tell Dad.”

“Our secret.” I wink.

“Yeah, I don’t think your dad would be too happy to hear that one.

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