“I forgot my wallet in church.”
“Oh no, Tolu. Not again.”
“Baby, I’m sorry.”
“Now what?”
“I have to get it. I have my ATM cards and all in it.”
“Aaaaw baby. On Christmas day of all days?”
“I won’t be long I promise. Just get lunch ready and I’ll be back before you can blink.”
“Well, I just blinked.”
He kisses her. “I love you my precious. I’m sorry for being sloppy. I’ll be back soon.”
“Just go.” She taps his butt playfully.
She listens as the car drives off, shaking her head at her husband’s forgetful act.
Well, she thinks. I might as well make use of the time and get lunch ready.
An hour later, the table is set. Lunch is ready. The living room is beautifully decorated and Christmas carols filter into the air. Her husband isn’t back yet.
Now she worries, the church is only a drive away; it shouldn’t have taken him so long to go there and back in thirty minutes.
She dials his phone. It rings but he doesn’t pick. She tries again, the results are the same.
What now?
Two hours and sixteen phone calls later, she’s now worried sick. She paces the living room, pensive.
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rings.
Ah. Finally! She rushes to the door, flings it open and gets reay to scold him. But he isn’t the one standing there.
It is a serious looking man.
At first she isn’t bothered until he opens his mouth and identifies himself.
Ten seconds later she collapses to the floor. She’s just heard the worse news of her life.
Her husband is dead. A car crash. There are no survivors.
The day is 25th December.
******************************************
The first time she set eyes on the tiny bundle, she fell hopelessly in love with her. The nursemaids could see it in her eyes.
When the woman had come in six weeks ago, she’d had a blank look in her eyes, like she’d taken enough beating from life. But today was different.
Curiosity made the nurse to ask;
“Your first child?”
She looked up, now. A sad look crossed her face and the nurse couldn’t help marvelling at the beautiful face that the woman had. “No. I lost my first baby, stillbirth.”
“I’m sorry. What about your husband?”
A pause. “He died two years ago.”
“Oh my. I’m really sorry about that ma’am.” The nurse cringed to think that she’d been right; life had sure taught this woman a hard lesson.
“In fact it’ll be exactly two years on Christmas day.” The woman continued in a shaky voice.
Silence.
“So you see, I need this baby. I’ve had so much tragedy in my life for the past two years.”
“I understand ma. When would you like to sign the adoption papers?”
“Do you work on 25th December?”
A bewildered look. “Yes, yes we do.”
“Good. I’ll like to sign the adoption papers that day.”
“B…But why?”
“I want to trick fate.” The woman kissed the baby tenderly. “I’m naming her Christmas.”
The nurse wasn’t sure she wanted to hear more. The woman was obviously troubled. Naming a child Christmas! How strange! What would her life be like with a name like that?
But of course she couldn’t ask all that. The woman obviously knew what she was doing.
A week later, the adoption papers were signed.
Christmas had a new home.
**********************************************************
“Hello ma!”
“Hello, you don’t remember me, do you?”
“Eh…I’m trying to recall where I’ve seen this face before.” The nurse squinted.
“Well, it’s been sixteen years. I don’t expect you to remember but let me ask, is it all the time you get people wanting to adopt babies on Christmas day”
“No…ah! It is you! I remember! Well, you’ve aged quite well. And who’s the lovely lady with you?”
A smile. “This is my daughter, Christmas.”
“Oh my! You really gave her that name? Honey, how are you? You’re so beautiful! You even look a bit like your mummy!”
“Thank you ma. She’s the best in the world. And my friends call me Chrissie.”
“Chrissie. Lovely. It’s not all the time we get visits from our adoptive parents. So, how can I help you? Or did you come here to catch up on old times?”
“Hahaha. As much as I wish to Mrs Bola, we’re here for serious business.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
“We want to adopt another baby. Christmas needs a sibling.”
The nurse laughed. “You’re a funny woman ma; you and your daughter both.”
“Yes, I know. But you see, ever since Chrissie came into my life, things changed. She’s very symbolic of our Saviour Jesus to me and I know that sounds a bit blasphemous but you have to be in my shoes to know what I mean.”
Mrs Bola stared at the two women before her. She could literally feel the connection between them, she saw the look of love that passed between them and she smiled. For the first time in a long while, her heart swelled at being able to give these two people hope.
“Of course. Let’s talk. I’m sure we’ll find a baby that suits you both just fine.” As she turned to enter her office, a thought occurred to her. “Have you made your peace with fate?”
The woman grinned. It’s easy to see that she’s happy. “I’ve made my peace with God.”
The End.
Written by MIMIADEBAYO
I KNOW THIS ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL CHRISTMAS STORY BUT ALL THE SAME MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AS WE CELEBRATE, LET’S NOT FORET THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
CHRISTMAS COULD BE FICTION BUT THE FACT STILL REMAINS THAT A SAVIOUR WAS BORN TO SAVE US. SO, SPREAD THE LOVE AROUND.
CHEERS!
The Hourglass 