The Handyman's Dream by Nick Poff

Author:Nick Poff [Poff, Nick]
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

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On Christmas Eve, Ed sat glumly in front of the TV, dressed for the trip to Crestland with his mother, killing time until he needed to leave. He was watching a rerun of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It was a Christmas episode, and he couldn’t say it was doing much for his mood. First Mary was told she had to work on Christmas Day, ruining her plans to spend the day with her parents. Then, after making plans to spend Christmas Eve with Rhoda, a co-worker conned her into working his Christmas Eve shift, meaning she had to cancel her plans with Rhoda and spend the evening alone in the newsroom.

“Terrific! Wonderful!”Rhoda hollered. “You get me all hyped up for Christmas Eve and then you run out like this. What am I supposed to do, stand out in the snow and light matches?”

“I hear ya, Rhoda,” Ed said to the TV.

“Rhoda, will ya please?”Mary pleaded. “This has been a rough week, and the worst part is just about to begin.”

“I’m with ya, Mary,” Ed said.

The fade-out was on Mary, standing alone in her kitchen, surrounded by her Christmas decorations, eating a peanut butter sandwich. The commercial came on, and Ed suddenly realized he had tears running down his face.

“Aw, crud,” he whispered, wiping them away. He glanced over at the Christmas tree. There was Frosty, smiling at him as usual.

The episode resumed, ending happily with Lou, Murray, and Ted surprising Mary in the newsroom, rescuing her from a Christmas Eve alone.

“Boy, I wish,” Ed muttered.

Suddenly he stood up, looking at the tree. He walked over and gently placed his hand around Frosty.

“I know this is stupid. But, Frosty? Bring him back to me, okay? I lied. Just knowing he loves me and wants to be with me next Christmas isn’t enough. I really need him here tonight.”

The phone rang, and Ed was so startled he almost pulled Frosty off the tree. His heart beating a little faster, he went to answer it.

“Ed?” Norma barked. “Where are you? It’s time to go. You know how your aunt Eleanor will act if we’re late to dinner.”

“I’m coming right over, Mom,” he said, sighing.

He clicked off the TV, then turned off the Christmas tree lights. Pulling on his coat, he looked around the dark, quiet room.

“Well. So much for wishes.”

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