the Christmas Box (1993) by Evans Richard Paul

Author:Evans, Richard Paul [Paul, Evans, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-12-22T02:59:54.203000+00:00

Chapter V

THE STONE ANGEL

My conversation w ith Keri had left me curious an d b ewildered. As I gazed outside at th e s now-covered streets I saw Steve i n h is driveway brushing snow off hi s c ar. It occurred to me that he migh t h ave some answers. I ran upstairs t o t he Christmas Box, removed the firs t l etter from it, and scrolled it carefully.

Then stowing it in the inside pocket o f m y overcoat, I quietly slipped out o f t he house and crossed the street.

Steve greeted me warmly.

"Steve, you've known Mary a long t ime."

"Pretty much all my life."

"There's something I want to ask y ou about."

He sensed the serious tone of my v oice and set the brush down.

"It's about Mary. You know she's like f amily to us." He nodded in agreement. "There seems to be somethin g t roubling her, and we want to hel p h er, but we don't know how. Ker i t hinks that she might be hiding something. If that's the case I think that I might have found a clue." I looke d d own, embarrassed by the letter I was holding. "Anyway, I found some l etters in a box in the attic. I thin k t hey're love letters. I was hoping tha t y ou could shed some light on this."

"Let me see it," he said.

I handed the letter over. He read it, then handed it back to me.

"They are love letters, but not to a l over."

I must have looked perplexed.

"I think you should see something.

I'll be over at Mary's Christmas Eve t o v isit. I'll take you then. It'll be aroun d t hree o'clock. It will explain everything."

I nodded my approval. "That will be f ine," I said. I shoved the letter bac k i nto my coat, then paused. "Steve , have you ever wondered what th e f irst gift of Christmas was?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious, I guess." I walked b ack to my car and drove off to work.

As had become the norm, it was a busy day spent helping brides-

to-be match colorful taffeta swatches t o formal-wear accessories; choos e b etween ascot or band ties; pleated , French-cuffed shirts with wingtip collars or plain shirts with colorful ruffle d d ickies. I had just finished measuring and reserving outfits for a larg e w edding party. Upon receiving th e r equired cash deposit from the groom , I thanked them for their business , waved goodbye, and turned to help a y oung man who had stood quietly a t t he counter awaiting my attention.

"May I help you?" I asked.

He looked down at the counter, swaying uneasily. "I need a suit for a s mall boy," he said softly. "He's fiv e y ears old."

"Very good," I said. I pulled out a r ental form and began to write. "I s t here anyone else in the party that wil l n eed a suit?"

He shook his head no.

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