CHAPTER 1
Two weeks before Christmas, Madison rushed to work excited about her office Christmas party. In the passenger seat sat her favorite go-to holiday recipe, chocolate-covered cashew clusters. All ten of her co-workers at the dental clinic loved her homemade candy and insisted she bring the same treat year after year.
Dressed in a black Christmas sweater featuring a smiling Santa with an extremely long white, furry beard, Madison hummed along to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas as she anticipated the secret Santa gift exchange. Employees always brought a wrapped five dollar gift, drew numbers, and either opened a new present or stole one of their co-worker’s gifts. Last year she ended up with a goofy sock monkey. The upside was her five-year-old daughter, Betsy, had loved it.
At a stop light, Madison checked her sparkly red lipstick. She loved the holidays—and parties. This is going to be one of those perfect days. I can feel it.
After she parked, Madison frowned as she glanced around the almost-empty lot, plus the dental office appeared dark. That’s weird. I wonder if this is some sort of surprise party where everyone is hiding inside and had to park elsewhere. If so, I missed the memo.
Madison drove to the corner of the lot just in case, parked, and lifted her container of chocolate cashews. As she stepped over a pot hole, a gold bell atop Santa’s red stocking cap jingled. Usually, the sound made her happy and festive. But today, something was off.
As she approached the steps, she squinted when she spotted a handwritten note on the front door. It simply read:
CLOSED
Madison frowned and spoke aloud. “Closed. Closed for what? What about our party? What about our patients?”
She jiggled the door handle but it was locked. Employees hadn’t been given keys since the dentist, Dr. Fenton, was an early riser and always beat everyone to the office. Setting her candy on the steps, she retrieved her cell phone and dialed her boss who finally answered after eight long rings.
She heard a mumbled “Hello.”
“Dr. Fenton? Is that you?” She paused. “Your voice sounds strange.”
“It’s me.”
Madison glanced at her watch. “I’m at the office for our Christmas party but it must have been moved to another location. No one is here and the door’s locked.”
The dentist sounded exhausted. He sighed into the phone. “There won’t be a party.”
Her brows knitted. “I don’t understand.”
“We’re closed, Madison. Closed for good,” the dentist said.
Madison gasped. “Oh, my God. What do you mean?”
“Exactly what you think. My divorce was finalized and my ex got the business.” He huffed into the phone. “As you can see by the sign on the door, treating dental patients isn’t at the top of her priority list.”
Tears pricked Madison’s eyes. “What about your long-time employees?” Her voice quivered. “Who does this two weeks before Christmas?”
The dentist cleared his throat. “Someone who doesn’t have a heart.”
A sob escaped her throat. “How will I pay my bills? How will I pay for rent, utilities and groceries?” She swiped at tears rolling down her cheeks. “How will I pay off Betsy’s toys for Christmas?”
“I’m really sorry, Madison. I’m strapped after losing my business and paying my attorney. I don’t know what to do either. Hell, I’m sitting in my boxers drinking beer and watching television.”
“It’s eight o’clock in the morning,” Madison said.
“So it is. So it is.”
Madison heard her former boss take another swallow. “Are you going to be okay?”
Dr. Fenton laughed for far too long. “Sure. I’m perfect. Dandy, in fact.” His words began to slur. “It’s . . . just . . . like you . . .to . . . care about other people . . . when your world has been . . . toppled.”
Feeling a combination of anger toward his ex-wife, combined with concern for her boss and overwhelming sadness and confusion about her new state of unemployment, Madison felt a massive headache bearing down. “I’m sorry, Dr. Fenton.”
He cackled again like a madman. “You’re sorry. Do you know how long I went to dental school? How long I dreamed about becoming a den-never mind. Good luck . . . Madison. I’ve got to go.”
“Wait. Will you write a letter of recommendation for me? I’ll need to find a job soon to support Betsy.” Madison frowned into the phone. “Not that anyone will be hiring right before Christmas.”
“Of . . . course. I’ll email a letter by tomorrow or maybe the next day. I’m afraid I’m not in any shape . . . to string three words together right now.”
Madison managed a tiny smile. “Thank you, Dr. Fenton. By the way, have you heard from Lisa?”
“No. I’m sure she has seen the closed sign by now.” He sighed. “I’m expecting calls from everyone any minute now.”
Madison nodded to herself. “Oh, yeah. You’ll be getting calls from your employees, not to mention patients. One last thing. What is your wife’s name?”
“Grinch. She’s the Grinch.” The dentist paused. “I have a few other names for her but it is Christmastime so I’ll be nice until the holidays are over.”
Not knowing what else to say to her former boss, Madison said, “Merry Christmas, Dr. Fenton. This will all work out. Somehow.”