Jennifer Robins by Over the Mistletoe

hungry right now; you’re all the lunch I need.” He pulled up a chair from the side of the room and placed it in front of the desk. “Here ya’ go.” He then scurried around to sit in the chair behind the desk. “I know you only have an hour and I will need to get back to work also, but I’m glad to see you, Rachael. I was worried about what you thought when I didn’t show up Saturday.”
    She settled in the chair and sat forward. “I was worried, all right. My Dad said maybe the bad weather held you up. I was afraid it was because you really didn’t want to see me again.”
    “Not at all, I’d never even think that. I wanted to see you so bad, I jumped off that streetcar in a hurry to get to your house and that’s when I fell.”
    Rachael lowered her head. “I’m glad… Oh dear, not that you fell, that you wanted to see me again.” She sat back and smiled.
    “Listen Rachael, when I left the paper company on Friday, they gave me my week’s pay and I thought you might want to go to see a movie. There’s a good one this week at the Starlight Theater.”
    “I haven’t been to a movie in so long. I’d love to go, but are you sure you can afford it?”
    “Of course I can. There’s this new movie out, called, A Christmas Carol . Which reminds me . . . the store is having a Christmas party tomorrow for all the employees and we can invite a spouse or friend. Want to come?”
    “I’d like that. What time?”
    They’re going to close the store at six and we’ll have the party until ten. Do you have to work tomorrow?”
    “No, I’m off after today until after Christmas. I can be here.”
    “I’d come and get you but they want me here to set things up. Maybe you can help. I’ll ask if you can come in earlier. I think it will be all right. And we can have some fun getting ready for the party together. Would you like that?”
    “Yes, I would. I can see if my dad can bring me here. He said something last night about getting home early tomorrow. So you think about four?”
    “Yeah, four would be good.” Stan stood and walked around the desk. “Come on, I’ll see you to the door. I know you have to get back to work and so do I. After tomorrow, we’ll have to see about that movie I’d like to take you to.”
    She was stunned by the way he talked to her as if he’d known her for years. He limped along at her side, but before they left the room, she turned to him and said, “You don’t have to see me to the door, Stan. Better keep off that foot as much as possible. I can see myself out.”
    He paused. “All right, I guess you’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He touched her shoulder and moved closer to her as though he might kiss her, but then shook his head and stepped back. Rachael lowered her head in disappointment.
    Rachael went along to finish out her workday at the market. In spite of the snow, she had a light, happy step to her gait. Her boss gave her a funny grin when he saw her.
    He came up to her. “What ever it is that makes you so happy, it’s a nice change from what you were this morning.”
    She nodded.
    “There’s been a change for this afternoon and you will be working in produce the rest of the day.”
    “Okay, I like it there. I’ll go over right now.”
    “Good, and Rachael, Merry Christmas.”
    The afternoon went by at a rapid pace and before she knew it, it was time to go home. Tony Samoni, the Italian produce boss, came up to her with a bottle of wine in his hand. “You take this wine home for Christmas.” He took a brown paper bag from the table and slid the bottle into it.
    “You don’t need to give me anything, Tony,” Rachael told him.
    “You take...wine good for you, it make-a you blood good. Here.” He handed her the bag. “And Merry Christmas to you and family.”

 

Chapter Eight
     
    All the next morning Rachael wrestled with the time while trying to keep busy so it would pass quickly. Her father had told her he’d get her to the store by four