Chapter 13
The school gymnasium was packed as it was opening night for A Christmas Carol. The play was being directed by Angelica Shepard, a former Broadway star who’d recently married Dr. Parker North, a trauma doctor from Denver. This information was included in the program they received as they made their way to the front row, where Max had reserved two seats for them. They’d made a few wrong turns trying to find Telluride High, which had cost them precious time. They’d planned to meet Max’s other guests before the start of the show, and they still would, but not until afterward.
Hannah wore a pair of slim-fitting black wool slacks with her black boots. She wore the purple, red, and black ski top Candy Lee had given her for tomorrow and its matching jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. Her legs were a bit cold, but her upper body was warm and toasty, just as Candy Lee had explained.
They settled into their seats. The crowded gymnasium was completely silent except for the sound of a baby with the hiccups. A few soft laughs could be heard, then all went silent as the deep maroon curtains were opened.
Hannah watched in fascination as the young actors and actresses performed the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. The stage was set to resemble an old house in need of repair. The young student in the starring role performed as though Charles Dickens’s tale of Scrooge had been written for him exclusively. When Scrooge was later visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, the audience oohed and ahhed. A couple of small children cried and were taken out of the gymnasium.
Hannah couldn’t take her eyes away from the stage. She was so caught up in the action, she didn’t realize that Liam had taken her hand in his until he gave her a squeeze when the Ghost of Christmas Present took Scrooge to visit the impoverished Bob Cratchit, where he was introduced to a very ill Tiny Tim, who might die because Scrooge was too cheap to pay Bob Cratchit a decent wage. In Act Two, when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come frightens Scrooge with visions of his own death, and former associates will only attend his funeral if lunch is served, Hannah gave Liam a return squeeze. In the final scene, when Scrooge was transformed on Christmas morning, with love and joy filling his heart, Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. This was her during Christmas, minus all the mean stuff.
The audience gave the kids a standing ovation, and the clapping lasted so long that Hannah’s hands were beginning to sting. She’d never been so touched by something so simple. Though she knew the story, she’d never really connected its true meaning to herself, but this was so her. She’d even referred to herself as Ms. Scrooge. No more. She wiped the free-flowing tears from her face and sat down when the director, Angelica, came out onto the stage. She thanked her students, the parents, the volunteers, and the art department at the local community college. And once again, there was a standing ovation.
When all the excitement had simmered down a bit, Max said he wanted to introduce Hannah and Liam to the guests they were supposed to have met before the play.
“They’re serving cookies and punch in the cafeteria. Let’s meet up there; we’ll be able to hear better.”
Liam and Hannah followed Max through the crowded gymnasium down a long hall that was decorated with Christmas trees cut from green construction paper. Bells and angels and snowflakes had been placed neatly on bulletin boards. Hannah couldn’t get enough of the cheery scene. How had she missed this as a child? It wasn’t as though she’d had a bad childhood. Her father had been wonderful, but sadly, he hadn’t bothered to share the joy one should share with a child and their loved ones during this festive time of year. Like the fictitious character created by Charles Dickens, Hannah had experienced a life-changing moment, only hers wasn’t nearly as dramatic as the story of Scrooge. But it was far more of an eyeopener. She would not let another minute pass without being forever thankful to Angelica Shepard and the students at Telluride High. As a matter of fact, she had all those millions at home just sitting in the bank. She would find something charitable that she could be a part of, maybe something to help children from abusive homes. Yes! That was it. She would talk to Grace later and see what she thought of the idea.
Cheered by her newly discovered love for Christmas and the joy it brought to so many, Hannah couldn’t wait to call Camden and tell her about her experience.
In the cafeteria, Max had gathered a large group of people, and one by one, he introduced Hannah and Liam.
“This is Stephanie, Patrick’s wife. And this”—Max fluffed the blond curls on the head of a little baby boy—“is Shannon Patrick Edward O’Brien, future Olympian.”
“You don’t know that,” said a young girl with dark brown hair and large brown eyes. She appeared to be around ten or so.
“Amanda, mind your manners,” Stephanie said. “This is my daughter, Amanda. And this”—Stephanie motioned for another girl, who had been talking with a group of kids her age and was the spitting image of Amanda to come over—“is Ashley, who is thirteen.”
Both girls shook hands with Hannah and Liam.
Next they were introduced to Ella, Max and Grace’s daughter. “I’m three,” she said, and held up three pudgy fingers.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ella. I am three, too, but twice,” Hannah explained to the little girl with dark hair and green eyes just like her mother’s.
The little girl didn’t have a clue what Hannah was referring to, but since everyone else laughed, she laughed right along with them.
“This is Bryce, Grace’s brother, and his beautiful wife, Melanie.”
More handshaking and nice-to-meet-yous. Hannah knew she wouldn’t remember everyone’s name, but at least when Max spoke of them, she would be able to recall their faces. Faces she always remembered; names . . . well, not so much. That was Camden’s job.
Patrick kept looking around, then spied a couple, raced across the room, and practically dragged them across the cafeteria. “This is my sister Claire and her fiancé, Quinn Connor. They’re attorneys, too. Quinn is from Ireland.”
Liam stepped forward to shake his hand. “Nice to meet ya,” he said with an overly exaggerated Irish accent.
“And ya, too,” Quinn said in a genuine Irish accent. “We’ll have to talk shop another time.”
“Nice meeting you both,” Hannah said. There were so many people, she was a bit overwhelmed by it all. In a good way.
“Okay, I think you’ve met most of the clan. We’re all going to Eagles Nest for a late dinner, minus the kiddies, of course, if you want to join us. We’ll take the gondola up, though. No snow coach this time.” Max searched the group, stopping when his eyes found Grace. They were a handsome couple, Hannah thought. Though she didn’t think Max could hold a candle to Liam, but now wasn’t the time or place for those kinds of thoughts.
“Do you want to go?” Liam asked her.
“I’m game if you are,” Hannah said excitedly. “I am hungry, come to think of it. I don’t think I’ve eaten since breakfast.”
“Then I’ll take that as a yes.” To Max, he said, “We’ll meet up in say”—Liam looked at his watch—“half an hour?”
“Perfect. Grace’s mother, Juanita, is in town tonight, so she’ll handle the kiddies. She’s got some help, I think.” Max looked at Grace.
“Yes, her beau, as she calls him, is hanging around tonight,” Grace said. “Mom is a widow, but I think that might change soon.”
“How nice,” Hannah said. “I guess we’ll see you at dinner.”
Finally, they were able to make their escape. When they were inside the Hummer, Hannah leaned back against the headrest. “I think this has been the best evening of my life. And to think what I’ve missed all these years. I am going to make up for it, I promise.”
“What have you missed?” Liam asked as he carefully maneuvered through the parking lot.
“Christmas. I’ve missed Christmas.”
On the drive to the gondola, Hannah gave him the condensed version of her life and her distaste for the holidays.
“I’ve never been big on celebrations, but I never had anyone to celebrate with. But now I think that’s changed for me as well.”
Hannah said nothing. She let the silence of the night envelop her and wrap her in the best gift of all.
The future and all its possibilities.