“You’re right, kid. Let’s get this show on the road.”
We packed up some snacks and headed down to the hangar. When we opened the door, piled next to my plane were at least a hundred pink plastic flamingos. I needed more for what I was doing, but they were going to be delivered later that afternoon, and it was going to take all day to get them set up.
In retrospect, I probably should have recruited some help, but I didn’t want to put anyone out a few days before Christmas. People were spending time with their families, and I had Emily to help as long as I could keep her attention.
“That is a lot of birds.” Her little jaw was wide open. “What’s the plan, Dad?”
“Well, we’re gonna load them up on the trailer over there and take them out to the field next to the runway and set them all upright there.”
“Won’t she see them right away?” Emily asked. A very good question, but I’d thought this plan through.
“It’s going to be dark out when she gets here, so she won’t see them until the lights get flipped on, and we’ll already be up in the air by then,” I replied.
“Who’s going to turn the lights on them?” she asked.
“Rob—Mrs. Jameson has offered to handle that for us. She’s going to pretend that she can’t go flying, and then it’ll just be me and Samantha up there. Mrs. Jameson is going to turn the lights on, and the whole field will be lit up with flamingos in Santa hats. What do you think?” I asked her.
“I think this is the best Christmas surprise ever!” she squealed.
“Well, we don’t have a lot of time, so let’s get to it!” I held up my hand, and Emily gave me a high five.
It took us hours, but we got the first hundred flamingos set up, and I was able to run some wires for lights as well. We were just waiting on the last batch of birds and the hats to arrive. This would be the Christmas surprise to beat all Christmas surprises.
Chapter Fifteen
Samantha
Robin had to run out to do a few errands, so I was left to hang out in the house for a while. I played with Daisy and Delilah, and we discussed the very important naughty-and-nice list while I assured them that they were obviously on the nice list for being such good little girls. They showed me their dolls and told me all about their personalities and what they like to do for fun. The imagination of children would always amaze me. They were so creative, and my nieces were no exception.
Truth be told, I spent most of the rest of the day meandering through the house examining all the decorations that I knew belonged to my parents. Robin had made every effort to include our old family heirlooms and decorations throughout the house along with her own. It made me a little teary eyed, but I was determined not to be selfish or to ruin the day for anyone else just because I was feeling somewhat reminiscent and down. It came in waves really, and while I was having fun with my family, and I was looking forward to flying with Jason later that evening, I couldn’t help but to revert back to my old ways when left to my thoughts too much.
When Robin returned, I asked to borrow her car so I could go for a drive. I wanted to get out of the house for a bit by myself. While it was wonderful to be with family, I was used to living alone and wanted a little time to myself away from my parents’ things. The only place I could think of to go was the coffee shop. I was finished with my shopping, and it was too cold out to walk around, so a fresh cup of coffee and a book was the perfect way to spend a little time. When I arrived there, Gabe was outside.
Instead of buying him a cup of coffee to warm up outside, I decided that I’d invite him to join me inside. I felt bad that he was always outside and probably down on his luck, and it was the season of giving, after all.
“Hi, Gabe. How are you doing today?” I asked him as I approached.
“Well, Samantha, I’m doing great for an old man. How are you today? Are you all ready for Christmas?” he asked me jovially.
“I guess so,” I replied. “Gabe, I’m going inside to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Would you like to join me?”
“I’d love to enjoy your company, young lady,” he replied, a cheerful grin spreading across his round face.
“Shall we?” I motioned to the door, and he gathered his small bag and followed me in.
I quickly found us a seat in the rear of the coffee shop and then ordered coffees and cake for both of us. It’s the holidays, and calories don’t count. Once I’d received our order at the counter, I placed them in front of us and observed the man sitting across from me. While it was clear that he didn’t have a home in Friendship, it wasn’t clear to me what he was doing there at all.
“Gabe, what brought you to Friendship?” I asked.
He rested his hands in his lap and smiled softly at me. “I go where I’m needed, and the people of Friendship seemed to need me.”
“What do you mean? Do you know people here? Are you from here?” I asked him, confused by his answer.
“Oh, I’m from all over, really. I know almost everyone here now,” he replied without further explanation.
“I see. Are you staying through the holidays?”
“Yes, there are some things I need to do while I’m here. More people that need help.”
