My Family Isn’t Coming Until Tomorrow
A nearly missed Christmas gift and a Santa Claus who decides to improvise the rules for Christmas Eve when Germans mainly celebrate their Christmas
Would it be, as in previous years, just a cash envelope for her great-grandchild at Christmas? Emma had never really taken to the internet, and on top of that it hurt her to watch one shop after another close down in the city centre of Cologne, including the well-known toy store.
But apparently something similar still existed in the southern part of the city. So on December 24th, armed with an address her neighbour had given her the evening before and accompanied by her little dog Felix, she set off. The tram was crowded with people rushing to the city centre for a last-minute gift. Luckily, she would able to dodge these crowds. She got off, walked down the street, and checked the house numbers.
A group of cheerfully chatting children, accompanied by their parents, passed her. The toy store couldn’t be far away then. There it was! She pushed against the entrance door, but it was locked. Opening hours on Christmas Eve until 1 p.m. It was already ten past. What bad luck! Putting her hand to her forehead she peered into the shop. She had had no idea the store would close so early. Nobody to be seen inside.
Felix began to bark and pulled her along, chasing after a Santa Claus who had just stepped out onto the street. She hadn’t yet managed to stop her little Romanian rescue dog from pulling on the leash. Felix couldn't wait to explore the world, it seemed, while his owner was, apparently, a little too slow for him.
“Felix!” She tried to change direction, just as the dog trainer had advised her.
The Santa Claus ahead of them glanced back over his shoulder, then stopped and turned around. “Felix!” he called out. “Hello, Mrs. Hartmann!” It was her neighbor.
Felix’s tail practically turned into a propeller as he jumped up with his paws—dirty from the street—against the man’s Santa costume.
Emma put on an apologetic expression. “Hi, Mr. Ahrends! Felix, no! Stop it!”
“What are you doing here?” came from both of them at the same time, which made them laugh.
“I wanted to get a toy for my five-year-old great-granddaughter, Marie. Yesterday, Mrs. Schiffer explained to me where the shop was located. These days you can hardly buy anything locally anymore—everything is online. You can’t look at anything in person. But unfortunately, the shop is already closed. My family isn’t coming until tomorrow, the 25th, you know.”
Santa Claus pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. “Sylvia, are you still in the shop?” The woman on the other end said yes. “My neighbor is standing right next to me. She needs a Christmas present for a small child and just barely missed closing time.”
He turned back toward the shop and motioned for Emma to follow him. “I’ve known the owner for years because every year on the morning of the 24th I come here to read a Christmas story to the children. That way, at least, I get a little into the festive mood on Christmas Eve. My family isn’t coming until tomorrow either. My daughter and son-in-law, with their two children, Sandra and Peter, have been celebrating Christmas with their own family for many years now. What are you doing this evening?”
“So far, I’ve always tidied up the apartment, adjusted the Christmas decorations, prepared lunch for the next day, and listened to music,” Emma shrugged.
“Come by later, if you like. We can certainly manage a few Christmas songs with guitar accompaniment. Bring Felix along. That way none of us has to spend Christmas Eve alone in our apartments. And tomorrow you’re very welcome to come with your family as well. I’ve cooked enough food for everyone.”
They had reached the toy store. The owner unlocked the door for them. Emma went home with a doll—one that reminded her of her own childhood. One you couldn’t buy on the internet, because it was handmade locally by a doll maker.
With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Gordina Steckert, brightbooks.de
Gordina Steckert, brightbooks.de
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