Member-only story
Not Another Christmas Miracle
“Isn’t this getting a bit old, Nicholas?”
December 25th was supposed to be my scheduled day off this year, but of course that jolly old dodger called me up to meet for tea in London.
I sighed. “Shouldn’t you be resting now? Wasn’t it your big day last night?”
But Nicholas Klaus had never been one to take ‘no’ for an answer. I wondered if he had adopted energy drinks into his regimen. “Oh, come on. I’m not even as old as you, and I still have some kick in my bones.”
“Fine,” I said, “but don’t expect me to like it.”
“I never would have entertained the thought, old friend.”
It was easy to blend in when all the tourists were focused on the holiday decorations. I moved through shadows, stepping from person to person, as behind my eyes I saw the flickers of their lives. Each one was like a candle ready to be blown out by one gust of wind. I blinked, clearing the visions; I had to be careful in crowds, lest I be overwhelmed by what I saw.
Nicholas waved to me from an outdoor café. No one seemed to notice his red-and-white coat that spoke to his career. In front of him sat a steaming cup of tea smelling of jasmine and other herbs. I wrinkled my nose and sank into my seat.
