Short Story: Christmases Past

Short Story: Christmases Past

Don’t look now, Bobbie, but that family opposite have bought a tree at last,” Gladys said, peeping through her nets.

Bobbie, being a cat, licked his paws and obeyed.

“Fancy waiting ‘til Christmas Eve! People don’t bother like they used to. Mind you, I expect it’s ‘cos they’re struggling.”

Bobbie stretched across the hearth, warmed his belly and said nothing. Gladys watched the family unload the car.

“Did I tell you the woman spoke to me the other day? Her name’s Jenny, seems very nice. Said they had to downsize because of the economy. I wasn’t sure what she meant by ‘downsize’ but she wasn’t rich, even a few holes in her jeans. Kiddies looked well cared for though…loved an’ all. I told her about the Christmases me and Harry had,” she looked at Bobbie. “Harry was before your time, you’d have loved him. Everybody did.”

The family lugged the tree inside, the breath from their laughter puffing like dandelion clocks in the cold air. Gladys was reminded of a scene from ‘A wonderful Life’.

“Harry and me couldn’t have kiddies. Still made the best of Christmas though; we’d invite all the neighbours round. Mind you, I couldn’t tell you the names of anyone now. They all died off or moved away. I’ll be joining them before too long eh, Bob?”

Bob yawned, closed his eyes.

“No use in getting maudlin, that’s life, and I haven’t had a bad ‘un. Wish Harry was still here though.”

She glanced at her wedding photo and then at her reflection. An eighty year old looked back. She wondered where the time had gone, and how much was left in the hour glass.

“One year, me and Harry dressed up as Mr. and Mrs Christmas. We gave presents to the little ‘uns! It was wonderful seeing their faces. They believed we were real!”

She laughed and stroked Bobbie. He was lovely, but she missed having people to talk to.

Still, she’d bought a Christmas meal for one. If she slipped on Christmas, she’d slip on other things.

Peering through the nets again, Gladys could see the family singing as they decorated the tree. She pressed her hand to the window as if trying to feel the warmth of their love and joy, cold glass prevented that.

Then Gladys noticed to her delight that snowflakes were sticking to the pane. She also noticed Jenny hurrying across the road. “Oh no, she saw me snooping!

Three short raps rattled the door. Gladys opened it. Jenny didn’t look cross.

“If you have no plans for tomorrow, Gladys, we’d love to have you.”

Gladys looked into the eyes of an angel, silently thanking her from the bottom of her heart.

She cleared her throat. “Oh that would be lovely, Jenny...just like Christmases past.”

Jenny invited Gladys for a sherry, and they walked arm in arm towards the twinkling lights.

Bobbie watched from the window. His expression was as near to a smile as a cat could get.