Christmas Eve Morning…

Susan Scrounger stared blankly at the elevator doors waiting impatiently for them to open, allowing her to catch the service that would take her down to the office area off the reception where she worked. There was something to be said for owning the apartment building and working on-site or there was to her. She hated slackers and this was a good way to avoid that problem. Anyone who worked for the Scrounger Company worked devilishly hard for the minimum wage, meagre, pay packet they were given, not that they dare complain to her about it or they would immediately be dismissed. Susan’s father and his partner, Ben Marmaduke, had owned the building and when Ben had died of a sudden heart attack, having no off-spring or close relatives of his own, had willed his share to his partner’s line. As providence would have it, for Susan anyway being an only child, had greedily accepted the reigns of the company and the money it brought in for little work on her part, on her own father’s death ten years before.

The passing of her father had been a terrible blow for everyone in the building and as in the case of her father’s partner, sudden. The trauma of which Susan never allowed herself to forget as it had been Christmas Eve… The doors to the elevator opened slowly with the mechanism sounding decidedly noisy… Hmm, she’d have to have harsh words with Superintendent Crochet, he’d been slacking lately and festive season or no festive season, she was well within her rights as a conscientious employer to rid herself of incompetent people, even if he had been with the company for over forty years.

Walking inside the steel cage that would take her to the lower levels, she glanced at the two women who were already inside, Ms’s Tweed and Waddle who had been tenants in her father’s day, claiming a relationship to her deceased Mother. They greeted her with a cheery good morning, which she replied, after careful appraisal of their shabby, but clean appearance, emitting an inaudible reply.

Both of the women glanced at each other in silence, Ms. Scrounger had never been the same since her mother died with the father turning into a lonely man, who put his energy into the apartment block rather than his grieving child who needed his love and attention. Now, Susan Scrounger was considerably worse for her father’s neglect after his wife’s death, constantly demanding rent increases and notoriously late with any repairs to the building when asked. To all intents and purposes, the woman was a miserly person and totally beyond pity or compassion.

The elevator stopped again with the same noise, which any engineer would put down to good old wear and tear. Not the owner, she blamed everything but the fact that it required new parts. A young thin woman who had a birdlike stature stepped inside, the heavy atmosphere that had previously invaded the area now lightened remarkably as she, with a brilliant smile, wished everyone a wonderful morning and the best of the season…after all, it was Christmas eve.

 The older women cheerfully replied with enthusiastic greetings of their own. Susan Scrounger evaded the happy young woman’s face, grunting yet another reply, however this time she wasn’t able to get away with the rudeness.

“Don’t you just love Christmas, Ms. Scrounger?” Bright blue eyes that were filled with the excitement of the season captured the grey cold ones only to be given an icy glare along with an insulting appraisal of everything about her, from her shoes to the old clothes she wore.

Susan didn’t physically turn up her nose at the younger woman, but she clearly gave the impression of doing so in her expression. She traded glance for glance, which usually caused even the strongest of minded people to remove their gaze, but apparently not this young woman. Finally Susan replied. “No.”

Tina Crochet felt sorry for the older woman. The compassion she felt for all life made her one of those people that you loved from the first moment you met her. Having spent her life living in this building with her parents and a younger brother who was now in the armed forces, she knew everyone that was here in this small world of theirs. Even this woman who was now her father’s employer, and who had a bitterness and profound loneliness about her that Tina wanted to reach out and offer her friendship. Alas, she’d once tried that and had it thrown in her face along with a few other choice words. Well, she’d never stopped hoping that one day Susan Scrounger might actually decide to join the world like every other person, especially at this time of year, and enjoy themselves for a few days of the year. “Oh, I simply love it, can’t wait to help Dad with the tree later, and who knows, it might even snow tonight!”

The childish excitement had the two older ladies smiling indulgently and agreeing with Tina. Susan, on the other hand, gave the woman another long stare and shook her head. Thinking here was another of those silly people who never grew up, next thing you know, she’d be asking for a handout for the local shelter, it was all poppycock!

Deciding that being in the elevator was too much with these three women chattering and laughing over …what was only one day of the year and in her opinion a total waste of money. Not surprisingly these people never had a bean to rub together the rest of the year, they spent so much on gifts and food for one day, how ridiculous was that. Jabbing her finger at the panel, the elevator slowed down and stopped two levels before the ground floor and Susan swiftly left the steel cube without a polite departing word.

Just as they thought the owner of the building out of earshot, Ms. Tweed clucked at her teeth with her tongue and spoke out clearly. “That woman is more like a machine, she doesn’t know the meaning of the words ‘goodwill to all men’. If I didn’t know better I’d say she’s no better than old Scrooge in Dickens’ tale ‘A Christmas Carol’!”

With that a hand stopped the door from closing and Susan Scrounger, with a heavy scowl, peered back inside the elevator. “I’d be careful what you say, Mrs Tweed, this old Scrooge might put your rent up today as a Christmas gift!” Turning her attention to Tina, who had been about to say how harsh Ms. Tweed’s comments were and that they should feel pity for her, with her mouth still open and her words unuttered, Ms. Scrounger spoke directly to her. “Tell your father I want to see him NOW!”

The door slid shut and the three left behind said nothing for a few moments. “She wouldn’t do that to you, would she, Mrs Tweed…put your rent up that is, on Christmas Eve?” Tina asked, distressed at the prospect. Everyone knew that the two old ladies had been virtually penniless for these last couple years and now lived off a small pension that barely fed them on the basics after they paid the rent for their accommodation.

“Don’t fret so, Tina, I’m sure she was just grouchy this morning, she didn’t mean it. It’s a bad time of year for her, remember, the anniversary of her father’s death, poor child.” Mrs. Tweed spoke in a hushed tone. If Mary had been alive Susan wouldn’t have turned out like she had, the poor woman must be turning in her grave seeing how her daughter treated others.

Miss Waddle gave her friend a grave glance. The words were said to appease the fears of the younger woman who would be upset at such a thing, she was like one of those people you actually could see as an Angel, she tried to find the best in any soul and often did too. Unfortunately Ms. Scrounger wasn’t likely to be saved in such a way, it was probably too late for her to change her ways. The worse predicament was that the apartment owner WAS likely to raise the rent, and then what would they do? Three years ago they’d pooled their scarce resources and moved in together to save on the rent, however, medical bills and the spiralling cost of living had been slowly eroding what little they had. No matter what, they would do what they had always done for …too many years to remember, bake an enormous rich fruit cake for the homeless and take it over Christmas morning before church…the poor things there had nothing, sometimes not even a friend. At least they had the companionship of each other and that warmed their hearts when they couldn’t afford the winter fuel bills.

As the doors slid opened, Tina followed the older ladies out and wished them a wonderful walk in the park before she went in search of her father, whom she found working on the heating boiler gauge, now well past its best and verging on antique. If it hadn’t been for his years of experience on the old thing, it would have packed up years ago. With a warm smile she sneaked up on him and tapped him on his shoulder.

He shot up almost hitting his head and with a scowl that didn’t reach his eyes, he shook his balding head at his eldest child. She had been the most adorable baby ever born and had turned out to be just as adorable if not more so as an adult.

“Ah now, you shouldn’t scare your old dad like that.” He gave her a cheerful smile as he wiggled his bushy eyebrows at her.

“Sorry, daddy. I saw Ms. Scrounger in the elevator, she wants to see you.” Tina kept the abrupt NOW to herself for the moment; her father hated the woman’s ill-tempered outbursts, it made his work that much harder than it should be, especially now when they had family problems which were to him far more important than that woman’s spoilt outlook on life.

“Thanks,darling, I’ll find her after I fix this thermostat. I won’t be too much longer.” He glanced at the ageing mechanism. It was no use asking  the owner to replace the item she would ask him if he’d had a blow to the head.  Buying something new wasn’t in Ms. Scrounger’s vocabulary…ever!

“I’m going to buy some presents after work, I’ll be a little late, don’t worry and have dinner without me. I’m willing it to snow, Mom will love it, and with Jack home too, what more could we ask!” Kissing her father she left the building with a spring in her step. Her father watched her go his eyes momentarily sad.

If only things had been different he would have liked to see her go to college, but they hadn’t been able to afford it and when his wife became sick, Tina had made the sacrifice to help bring up Jack and keep the household running. All he’d ever wanted out of life was to give his family an average life, a roof over their heads, food on the table and at Christmas in particular, at least one present. When Mrs. Scrounger and Mr. Marmaduke were alive, it had been just like that and the place had been buzzing with happy people. The building had always appeared bright and cheerful with a wonderful tree in the lobby. Once Mrs. Scrounger died and then old Marmaduke, the place had become as cold as the hearts of the people who had been left behind to grieve. A great pity Mr. Scrounger hadn’t learnt something from his lovely wife in the years they had been married, then his daughter might not have turned out like she had, oblivious to everything but the accumulation of money.

“Crochet! Are you ignoring my request to see me immediately, didn’t that stupid daughter of yours pass on my message? Or, is it a case of wasting time I pay you to daydream before you condescend to see me?” The harsh tone and thunderous expression on the young woman’s face reminded Dan Crochet of a spoilt brat who hadn’t been taught any manners and he knew that wasn’t the case. Mary and Martin had ensured their daughter had a good rounding of education, such a pity, a great pity, she had turned away from all that her mother, in particular, had stood for.

“My daughter isn’t stupid, Ms. Scrounger, and I was about to seek you out, after I’d fixed the boiler, it’s playing up again! What can I do for you?”

His tone didn’t appease the young woman. As she glared at the old contraption, something inside her snapped. She hated Christmas with a vengeance, all of it! The cheerful people who constantly greeted you with insincere words, shops piled high with goodies to tempt you to spend your money, constant pressure to help the poor and needy, and the whole sentimental drivel!

“Leave the damn boiler, we won’t need it today. If it gets that cold, people can pay for extra heat in their own rooms. I want the elevator squeak fixed and then I want you to go over to Harry’s Hardware and pick up what I ordered.”

The words were barked out with barely a breath between sentences. Dan Crochet stared briefly at her before lowering his eyes to the ground. Damn, they didn’t have any money for extra heating, which would mean that Sally, his wife, would have to remain in bed all day tomorrow instead of getting up and enjoying Christmas with the family in the main part of the apartment. They would have to heat only what was necessary, and that would be the bedroom where his wife was generally confined after her last bout of pneumonia. He’d been hoping to ask for a pay raise later today, his salary had remained the same since Susan Scrounger had taken over from her father, barely covering living expenses. The only reason, in the beginning, he’d remained here to work was the fact that the apartment was rent free, and now at sixty, he wasn’t likely to find work that would have the same perks, if you could call it that. He dreaded retirement. Where would they go, and worse, how would he survive now that the doctors had been pessimistic that Sally wouldn’t survive another winter in her condition? If only he could afford the treatment they prescribed, if only it was his only wish for Christmas, his wife’s good health, he could do as Tina asked him and have faith, if only it were so easy.

“Right away, Ms. Scrounger.” Dan tipped his head and moved away from the woman, who stared after him thoughtfully, an idea forming in her head that wasn’t of the holiday season kind.

Christmas Eve Night…

Susan flexed her aching muscles as she surveyed her surroundings. The front lobby was clean, tidy and without a festive trimming to be seen. Just as she liked it, and with a satisfied smug expression, she glanced at the hoarding that she had Crotchet collect from the hardware store that morning. When she’d asked for the item, the proprietor had laughed thinking it a joke. When he found out who wanted the advertising board he realised it was no joke, and had agreed to provide the article, although he’d stepped up the price because of the sentiment it held or rather lack of it.

With a small tight smile, Susan read the simple message,'Christmas isn’t welcome here; do not enter looking for handouts!' Most of the residents hadn’t been impressed, except for the more affluent ones who had actually agreed with the sentiment. Susan had ignored the snide comments she heard from a couple of the residents, Bah humbug! They might not be saying that next week when she raised their rent.

About to head to her apartment on the top floor, the front door swung open and in stepped Tina Crotchet, her arms full of small fancily wrapped packages, which she dropped when the force of the door hit her as a sudden gust of wind closed it behind her abruptly. The younger woman with a cheerful smile knelt and picked up the packages and as she did so, Susan heard her singing softly; it was one of those blasted carols that had been hammered to death on the radio for the past month. Even in her own lobby she couldn’t get away from the sounds of Christmas. A sullen expression settled on her features as she watched the woman pick up the final package and head towards the elevator. She could have helped the woman but she hadn’t wanted to, why should she. Watching Tina arrive at the elevator panel wondering how the young woman was going to press the button, she had her answer swiftly.

“Ms. Scrounger, I wonder if you would be so kind as to press the button for me?” Tina spoke clearly and Susan jumped fractionally as she thought the woman didn’t know she was there.

Surprised, Susan didn’t say anything as she moved towards the elevator area jabbing the button, she was going up anyway, or otherwise she wouldn’t have done it! At least that’s what she told herself anyway.

“Thanks, I’m glad you were here, but then you always are, aren’t you.” There was no sting to the words, merely an observation, as Tina stepped inside with the woman who hadn’t spoken a word to her.

Stepping inside the steel box that would take them up to their relevant apartments, grey eyes glared at Tina. Why was she always so cheerful, what did she have to be so happy about; it wasn’t as if she had good prospects? From what she knew of the younger woman, she had left school unqualified, now worked in a coffee shop for what must be a minimum wage, and helped at home. Probably didn’t even have a social life of any kind, she never saw any boyfriends…or any friends at all. Not that she thought as far to parallel it with her own life, because when had she any social life she hadn’t, it was all work and reaping the rewards, or rather the greenbacks for her labors, just as she wanted it.

“What do you mean?” Susan asked cautiously.

Tina grinned. “Oh, it’s just that you work so hard here and never take a day off, I think that’s admirable.”

Susan stared at the woman she thought was sassing her. She had to be, right? “I take time off, I’m not always here,” gritting her teeth together as she ground out the words.

“Are you going to spend Christmas with family, it’s a marvellous time of the year, don’t you think?” Tina had heard her parents talk about Ms. Scrounger and her lack of festive cheerfulness, although never the reason why. Perhaps she should ask them, the older woman was really very pretty if she ever stopped scowling and smiled once in a while. Surely she must have a romantic interest in her life or once had.

“I don’t celebrate Christmas.” Susan looked at the level. Great, thankfully the next stop was this chatterbox woman’s.

“Really, on religious grounds?” Tina, amazed, hadn’t thought that perhaps Ms. Scrounger was part of the Jehovah’s Witness or one of a perhaps less known religious group.

The doors slid open silently, and Tina, with a bright smile, stepped out turning to the woman left inside, speaking quickly as the doors slid shut without a sound. “Merry Christmas, Susan, have a great day tomorrow. I hope you receive all you wish for, even if you don’t celebrate it.”

As far as Susan was concerned, she was getting all she wished for, the opportunity to increase the rents first of the year, she’d have her festive celebrations at that time.

A couple of minutes later inside her apartment, which as Susan opened the door felt cold and unwelcoming, in many way what others thought of her life and her heart too. She grimaced at the icy cold of the hall, wondering why it was like that, hadn’t Crotchet done his job properly again, forgetting for a moment that she had told him to ignore the boiler problem. When she recalled the conversation moments later, her features schooled into a tight mask. Crotchet was getting old she needed a new superintendent for the building, which would be her Christmas gift to the man…three months severance pay and on his way. Generous, she thought, under the circumstances. He wasn’t competent enough anymore to fulfil his duties to her way of thinking.

Walking over to the window she saw the sparkling lights below greeting her with a wondrous glow, for a moment watching them before swiftly closing the heavily lined curtains, throwing the room into a dim light from the virtually useless low wattage bulb she had in the light fitting. Striding towards the kitchen area she selected a TV dinner from the refrigerator and placed it in the microwave, her idea of a good meal was the cheapest form possible, in both purchase price and the cost to prepare the meal. Tomorrow she would have the traditional roast turkey with cranberry sauce all on a plastic tray. Who said she couldn’t be festive!

Eating the paltry food, she heard the doorbell ring once. Puzzled, she stood up and peered through the security spy-hole, no one was there in the hall, she must have been hearing things. Then decided, quite out of character, to open the door and check thoroughly. Glancing around the hall, she saw no one there, as she suspected, a figment of her imagination. About to close the door her eyes strayed to the floor, and there, placed close to the door, was a small package, gaily wrapped in festive paper and topped by a bright red bow. Checking the hall once more for any sign of who had left the obvious Christmas present, she cautiously picked it up and looked at the label.

To: Ms. Scrounger
From: The Crotchets
Merry Christmas!

Staring at the package all Susan could think of was why? She had never indulged in the sentimentality to buy gifts for anyone, at least not since her father died, and then he hadn’t been that interested. Uncle Ben had always been the jolly one at Christmas and he loved the spirit of giving that Christmas said called to him. ‘God Bless Us Everyone’, he’d frequently called out to all the tenants and strangers too! They usually replied with smiles and greetings of their own. She found it quite boring and childish.

Closing the door she stared at the gift before placing it on the side table, muttering that it had caused her dinner to get cold!

Half an hour later she sat in front of the TV, which she rarely switched on. However, this evening she felt like watching the news rather than reading about it in the paper, call it her treat for Christmas Eve.

As usual the news was littered with the escalating violence of their society. She was right to think as she did, who in their right mind believed in Goodwill to all men these day’s, obviously not the general public. As the newscaster droned on, Susan felt the fatigue of the day passing over her, coupled with the boredom of what was happening in the world as she closed her eyelids for a few moments for a nap….

An Unusual Night Before Christmas…

Opening her eyes startled at the doorbell being repeatedly pressed, Susan rose out of the chair and marched over to her door, looking out and finding no one there again! What was this, annoy the owner of the building evening, didn’t these people have better things to do with their time! Opening the door with a violent movement, she stepped out into the hall and what happened next confused her. As the floor appeared to come up to greet her, she tried to pull back while her heart beat widely and her blood rushed through her veins, she felt like she was going to faint. However, that didn’t happen. The floor steadied and she was standing in what appeared to be her hall and yet, there was something different about it.

The floor covering was different, familiar but far too new to be hers. Peering closely she gasped, the pattern was the same as hers, except this one was so new the colors hadn’t faded, giving the impression it was a totally different covering. The walls were all freshly painted in off-white, and the hall lights were brightly shining, not a tarnish mark in sight. Voices floated from the doorway of her apartment at least …walking inside, she was drawn to the lounge and the cheery bantering of people having a wonderful time.

Susan stood next to a man expecting him to say something, he didn’t, and apparently he didn’t see her, how strange was that? He stood at her height but had a round stature. She could hear his voice and it echoed like a memory inside her head as she watched the scenario unfold around her...

“You really must sing, Mary; you make our day, no, better yet, our Christmas.”  The jolly man beside Susan spoke eagerly.

A woman turned at the request. She was a pretty woman, not conventionally beautiful, although when she spoke her voice held a melody as if she was singing already. Her red hair flew around her face as she faced the jolly man with a wide smile. “Ben, we might wake Susan and you know what that will mean.”

“Of course I do, my goddaughter will want to stay and party, she’s a chip off the old block, Mary. One day she will be the toast of every party, isn’t that so, Martin?”

The man called Martin turned around and Susan gasped holding a hand to her mouth, it was her father, a younger version but her father nonetheless. What did this mean, what had happened to her?

His laughter filled the room as he placed a loving arm around his wife. “Sing, my dear, if Susan wakes she can join us for a little while, after all, Christmas is for family. Incidentally, where is the rest of the family?”

Mary smiled tenderly at her husband, he was such a marvelous man and so generous to everyone. “My cousins will be here any moment, the Crotchets gave apologies, their first baby is due in a couple of weeks and Sally was tired after shopping today, they promised to visit tomorrow.”

“Excellent, shall we continue with the festivities,” just as Ben began tinkling the ivories of the piano in walked Mary’s cousins. Again Susan gasped when she saw the younger versions of Miss’s Tweed and Waddle…cousins?

Ten minutes later, with a very happy selection of people laughing and singing, the door to the lounge opened and in stepped a bleary eyed barely five year old little girl holding onto a ragged teddy bear as she blinked at the lights in the room.

Ben Marmaduke saw the child, and with a jolly laugh swiftly went over to the door and picked up the girl in his arms, holding her gently aloft. “Here she is, our special Christmas Angel.”

Everyone smiled, greeting the child before she was deposited into her father’s arms and kissed on the cheek. “Want to join in, pumpkin? Mommy is singing for her super.”

Puzzled and yet fascinated at the same time, the older Susan stared at the events unfolding and as she did so, the memory that had eluded her began to surface, she recalled this now. It had been just one of the many Christmas celebrations that were always so vibrant when her mother was live, they’d always had such a good time she remembered now…how could she have forgotten.

“I want to sing like mommy.” Her younger self declared precociously and attempted to do so. As the night wore on, Susan listened with faint recollection of some of the conversations but mainly she soaked up the feeling of the love of her family and seeing her parents again!

There was a constant ringing of the doorbell again, her face wreathed in smiles for the first time in years as her Uncle Ben gave a toast. “Peace and Goodwill to all men and women let the spirit of Christmas into your heart and you will never regret it. Merry Christmas one and all!”

Turning, she noticed the door open but no one there, who had rung the bell she wondered. Venturing out into the hall reluctant to be parted from her family, the floor once more moved and she felt the same sensation she had previously, and yet this time, when the sensation ended, she wasn’t outside her apartment but someone else’s…

Staring intently at the number on the door, which was slightly ajar, her frown creased her forehead the lines becoming noticeable, this was the old women’s apartment, Tweed and Waddle, why had she ended up here? The floor coverings looked like they always had…old and worn, so she was back to the present…or was she.

Entering the room she wondered if like the last event she would be invisible to the occupants. Walking inside she could smell the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cakes, or as she found out, only one cake, however, it was size of which she had never seen before, enormous! Now why would they want such a large cake, who on earth would eat it with them?

“Jessie, I think this year will be the best yet, don’t you?” Carol Waddle announced, her flour marked apron testifying she had done her share of the baking of the large fruitcake.

Jessie Tweed smiled warmly at the other woman. “Oh yes, Carol, we’ve surpassed ourselves this year and now I think it’s time for us to do our toast as we always do.”

Arm in arm they left the kitchen and walked into the cozy shabby room filled with ornaments and knick-knacks years of memories had left them with, obviously cherished and loved. A few minutes later the women held small glasses of sherry, which Susan had noted the decanter was now quite empty, sharing but a half glass each. Why not just open another bottle and fill the decanter?

Susan stood watching the women whom she figured, as before, didn’t see her. Whatever was happening to her was allowing her to see glimpses of other people’s lives, the past and present.

Raising their glasses to each other and then to an old photograph on the side table they toasted. “Goodwill and peace to all men and women everywhere, may they allow the spirit of Christmas to pass into their heart and be ever blessed. To all those we love today, tomorrow and long since passed… even Susan.” Carol Waddle spoke softly as they smiled at each other warmly and then at the old photo.

Smarting at the ‘even Susan’ comment, she walked around the two old ladies and looked closely at the picture. There, to her astonishment, was a familiar group of people obviously enjoying themselves, having been taken a year or two after the scene she had witnessed earlier. Because not only were her parents, Ben, and these two women there, she was sitting on the lap of another smiling woman who was hugging her tight, a large framed gentlemen at their side holding a baby. Peering closer, she tried to make out who it was…then the oddly familiar features became clear, it was old Crotchet before he lost his hair and added on more years along with the pounds! So who were the woman and the baby… his wife and daughter perhaps?

“Such a pity about Susan, Carol, her mother would be turning in her grave if she knew how her happy child had turned out, especially this time of the year, our dear Mary did so love Christmas.” The words had a defeated tone about them as Susan realised that these two women pitied her… why? She had far more than they had in life; look at the way they lived for instance. Barely able to afford the rent and when she raised it, who knows how they would afford to pay that. Perhaps they would end up on the streets in a cardboard box and who would be the pitied one then she wondered.

“Yes, our Mary did so love the holiday season, it was such a loss her passing and Martin taking it so badly. If only things had been different, we should have done better by her, being family and all.”

“We invited her and Martin over for Christmas for years and each time they refused. Look at how rude she was to us the last time we asked, you cried for days afterwards, remember, she was so cruel.” Jessie Tweed never forgot that time, it had been the last occasion they invited the woman over for any celebration meal, or gave her presents. She had been so spiteful and hurt her cousin greatly, her too, not that she had allowed Susan to see that.

Carol Waddle remembered, and the same reason for the tears that time now cursed down her cheeks unchecked. “I still think we should have kept asking, even if she did disown us as relatives. Even if she did say we’re nothing more than hangers-on to a friendship with her parents to get out of the rent increases. It hurt so and still does, but all we wanted was to show her the love and affection her mother would have expected and had always given.”

The words cut into Jessie Tweed. Carol was such a soft hearted person and deserved the best that life could offer her instead of this poverty trap they had to endure, but God would see they were taken care of, she had faith. As they tried to offer hope to others at this time of the year with the cake for the mission, they were blessed in that they had a roof over their heads which was more than others had at this time.

“Okay, raise your glass, Carol. God bless and keep you with special greetings and joy Susan Scrounger.”

The answering smile at the toast had the two women hugging each other warmly. Susan stared at them, an incredulous expression on her face. Even though she was so cruel to them and had been for years, they still toasted her and wished her well.

The doorbell rang continuously again. Here we go again! She thought, leaving the room for the hall once more as the floor shifting experience began again…

~ ~ ~

For a moment Susan thought she was back to her level and outside her door, however, on close inspection, it was her building supervisor’s, Crotchet, door, and as before, the door was slightly ajar to allow her inside.

For the first few moments Susan thought the apartment deserted, and then she heard a big cheer from the tiny lobby leading to the bedrooms. Quickly stepping towards the sounds, she ascertained a frail woman in bed with Dan Crotchet sitting to her left side and a young man to her right, Tina Crotchet was at the end of the bed holding a brightly glowing candle and a small package.

“This is for you, Mom, your Christmas Eve surprise.” All eyes turned to Tina who passed the wrapped package, which Susan noted was similar to the one she had received, to her sibling, most likely, not that she had seen much of the brother, he was in the armed forces from what she could recall of conversations she’d overheard.

“Oh, darling, you didn’t need to do that. I have all the gifts I could ever want with you all here, especially Jack!” The young man squeezed his mother hands. He had been given compassionate leave since there was grave doubt his mother would survive to see another Christmas.

“Open it, love, or Tina will, you know she can’t resist presents.” Dan Crochet smiled with indulgence at his eldest child who had arrived this evening laden with presents for each of them, including this special one for her mother. Silly child had even purchased one for Ms. Scrounger, what a waste of money that was, but Tina would have none of that and he loved her more, if that were possible, for her tender and generous heart.

Carefully with bony fingers that trembled over the packaging, Sally Crotchet finally un-wrapped the gift gently, opening the lid of the satin box and revealing the inside, a set of silver Angels along with a note depicting their use.

“Worry angels?” Sally asked puzzled as she lovingly touched the wonderful gift, knowing that it was her daughter who had saved up from her small wage to enable them to have a gift each. Her husband had been worrying himself into the ground over how to make the season enjoyable with no extra cash for any presents or goodies.

Smiling broadly Tina replied while Susan watched, remarkably, with a small smile of her own. Yes, even she had been touched, or, at least a part long since thought untouchable had opened up to the generosity of spirit, which appeared to be in abundance in her building, even for her.

 “Yes, Mom, worry Angels. When you have problems or worry, you give them to the Angels and they take care of them from you and when you see them again, they will all have been taken care of.”

Everyone laughed, but it was the laughter of hope and faith in the sentiment that went with the gift. “Ah, my ever optimistic child, I think you have the heart of an Angel and we have been blessed enough with our family being together this year.”

Jack Crotchet stood up to his six feet three and smiled. “Okay, enough of the mush, let’s make the toast, shall we.”

Dan Crotchet smiled at his son, proud that he was making something of his life, so much so he was educating himself with the help of his regiment, and one day hoped to be a lawyer. Right now, wishes were part of Christmas and who knew, perhaps theirs would be answered. Passing a drink to each of his children and a glass of water to his wife, who he tenderly kissed, her paper-thin skin testifying her fragility, “I think it’s Tina’s turn to toast this year.”

Like the child who had been given a candy bar for being good, Tina Crotchet grinned widely, so bright was the smile Susan felt the glow touch her too, as she waited to hear what this woman said.

“I remember old Ben Marmaduke used to say this and I think it appropriate for today. Peace and Goodwill to all men and women, allow the spirit of Christmas into your heart and you will never regret it, Merry Christmas one and all!”

Sally and Dan looked at each other as they recalled their old friends now long since passed on. Things move on, it was true, but it was still hard to equate that the child of such a loving and generous couple as the Scrounger’s, had turned out to be nothing more than the sister of ‘Scrooge’.

As before, the doorbell rang loudly for only Susan to hear. Now she wondered if whoever was doing this to her, had had their fun, she wanted to go home now and think over what she had seen.

Stepping outside the old familiarity of the previous sensations were replaced with a sheer drop as if she was falling a long, long way, to the depths of the earth.

~ ~ ~

“Ah, at last! Thought you’d never get here,” a hollow sounding voice, definitely not familiar to Susan, echoed in a long passage- way.

“Who are you; I demand to know what’s going on? Are you responsible for all that’s been happening to me?”

A chuckle equally as hollow as the voice, rattled along the blank walls of the corridor.

“I’m, shall we say, an echo of what others want you to be.”

Susan shook her head, what the hell did that mean?  “What do you mean, who wants me to be like what exactly?” She asked annoyed rather than fearful, this was all a dream anyway, old memories surfacing, that’s all it could possibly be.

“People who love you. It is rare we take such steps but you had such a force of love working to help you, we made the decision to try…though I told them not to expect much from you.” The voice a monotone sounding bored with the whole experience.

“What do you mean, not to expect much from ME?” Susan looked around. She couldn’t see anyone, just a voice echoing in the halls without a physical form. It was really quite eerie and disconcerting.

“Enough of the ‘whys’, there is little time left for you to make amends. I have other more deserving people to help, it is Christmas Eve, you know, and time waits for no man or woman.”

Disgruntled at the attitude, Susan replied quickly. “Make amends? What do you mean; do I get to see you?”

A bellow of cynical laughter followed. “No you do not. What you would see is not pleasant, merely a reflection of what you are today, you will see me only if you do not make amends. Now go down this corridor at the end is a door, if you dare open it, the truth will be revealed.”

The silence that followed was almost as bad the unpleasant voice was. Susan wondered what would happen if she chose to ignore the instruction and stand here waiting for an explanation. Then a mist appeared from nowhere, moving slowly up her feet then to her ankles. My goodness, she was going to be choked to death by smoke!

Rushing down the long corridor she finally, as the mist reached her waist, arrived at the door, instinctively holding back in apprehension, whatever had the voice mean by the truth?

Open, open, open… The insidious sound repeated like a mantra as she placed her hand on the handle and turned the knob allowing her inside…

The door clanked shut like a prison cell and Susan felt fear rise. Inside the place she had entered was, in fact, outside. Trees, bare of any foliage, greeted her along with the sound of approaching footsteps. Moving forward, she looked closely at the line of people walking slowly past her, it was a funeral march…but whose?

Susan’s eyes finally became accustomed to the dim winter late afternoon scene. She saw the Crotchets grief heavy in their features as they stood at an empty graveside as the coffin was slowly lowered. Then, as in slow motion, the scene moved to a small lobby, where several people talked and she listened intently trying to find out what was happening.

“My Sally might still be alive if it hadn’t been for THAT woman!” Dan Crotchet burst out, the pent-up anger and grief making him vocally loud to the whole room though he didn’t care who heard him.

Susan watched as his son, whom she had seen earlier that evening in the other scene, laid a calming hand on his father’s shoulders as the older man burst into fresh tears. The younger man’s features grim, his eyes agreeing with his father, however refusing to allow his emotions free reign.

Looking around her, Susan tried to find Tina Crotchet, where was she in all this? Then spied the younger woman over at the side door talking with, what looked to Susan like a couple of bag ladies, their clothes dirty and torn and what appeared to be their entire possessions in large plastic bags, which they held to their chests.

“How are you both doing?” Tina Crotchet asked softly, smiling encouragingly at the two women she hadn’t seen in a while. Not since the terrible fire that had ravaged the apartment block when the boiler finally blew up. Fortunately the two ladies had been in the park…others had not been as fortunate. She guessed they had been as her father had been, dismissed several months before from his post, if only her father had been there, then these two ladies would not have lost everything, including a roof over their heads.

“As well as can be expected. Carol here is suffering the most, I’m afraid.” Jessie Tweed replied. The intervening year hadn’t been good to them, any of them. Having lost their apartment, they now had to live on the streets and as winter was fast approaching, she doubted her cousin would last the season in the freezing cold, as she was suffering from mild pneumonia, a tragedy that had befallen Tina’s mother the week before.

Choking out a reply, tears she shed for her mothers passing now doubling up at the predicament these two lovely women had found themselves in, pride not allowing them to take charity, though they had given it themselves in the past. Oh, if only things hadn’t gone so terribly wrong. “I wish things had been different and that I could help you, but…”

Jessie smiled at the tender-hearted child. Oh, if only another child they once knew had even a fraction of this woman’s compassion for others. Things would not be so dire. “Tina, I know, we both do and everything will work out as it should. Perhaps at Christmas time we can look you up and say hello?”

Wiping away the tears Tina smiled weakly. “Of course, I’ll give you the address.”

A flash went before Susan’s eyes. Now she was standing in the same cemetery, however, something was different. It was spring, if the trees foliage was anything to go by. This time she clearly saw one figure standing beside a headstone and moved over to the mystery person, which turned out to be Tina Crotchet. Must be her mother’s grave…she’d never been to her own mother’s that she could recall; now wondering why.

As Susan approached Tina was speaking quietly, presumably to the headstone. She’d heard people did that, it helped them to get things off their chest.

“Things could have been so different, if only you hadn’t died when you did.” Sighing heavily Tina turned away then back again, bending to place a single flower on the grave.

Staring at the headstone, Susan felt like the world was rushing along without her when she saw not Tina’s mother’s name, but her own!

A gasp echoed in the cemetery but no one heard. If people couldn’t see or speak to her, how could she know what happened to her, and why? Peering at the inscription upon the headstone, it was simple and to the point.

Susan Crotchet
Born 1970 – Died 2004
Aged 34 years
Accidentally in a tragic fire
May you now rest in peace!

For the first time since she could remember, Susan cried uninhibitedly. She wasn’t sure if it was for her, or all the things that were happening to her. Was this preventable? How could she not die, there was nothing to say when it happened, merely that it was a fire and an accident but where was the fire?

She shouted at Tina Crotchet, pleading with her to explain how she died. There was nothing but a pitying look on the woman’s face as she gave the grave one more glance before walking away. Susan had noted with that last glance that Tina appeared to have aged considerably beyond her years. Perhaps sorrow marked her cheerful spirit forever.

Well, I can’t let it happen…any of it! I must do something; something must be done…

The ringing sounded loudly again and Susan knew she was on the move again!

~ ~ ~

Shaking her head expecting to be anywhere but in her chair with the TV blaring out in her ear, she was back home safe!

For a few moments she looked around and watched the flickering images, it was a period piece, probably Oliver Twist or something along those lines… Galvanising her body into action she rushed up, flinging open the curtains to look out the window. Yes it was still dark, was it still Christmas Eve though?

Spinning around she looked at the clock, it was still the 24th and only a little after seven thirty. She had been asleep for an hour…only an hour! And in that time she had seen possibilities of what could happen and she knew, in her heart, that she could and would prevent the worse from happening, if God allowed her.

There were things to be done for sure but how?

Picking up the package that had been left for her she wondered if she should she open it now. Ignoring the twisting of the nerves in her stomach, she ripped off the wrapping and opened it up. To find a small satin box that when she carefully slid the lid open, inside it sat five worry Angels identical to the present she had seen Tina present to her mother. Was this an omen? Swallowing hard, she felt tears of thankfulness that someone had seen through her hard shell and tried to reach out to the person inside. And if she had the chance, which she was now certain she possessed, then she could change, change for the better. That was what the …dreams…were about. How could she forget what Christmas stands for? Now she must make up for it and right now, this very minute!

Picking up the receiver, she dialed Dan Crotchet’s number. “Mr. Crotchet, I need to see you right now…please.”

Dan Crotchet heaved a heavy sigh at the voice. However, the simple ‘please’ at the end of the sentence had him floundering, and Ms. Scrounger never said please or thank you, that he had heard in years. “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

Smiling, jigging around like a small child, Susan then picked up one of the many flyers that arrived at this time of the year. “Ah, just what I need.” With fingers dialing the numbers she saw there, she fervently hoped someone was there and almost whooping with joy when the call was answered, and not by a machine. The doorbell rang at the same time she completed her final call and quickly opened the door to the Superintendent of her building, who looked none too comfortable at being there.

“Come in, come in, Dan, may I call you Dan?” Flabbergasted, Dan Crotchet could do no more than nod his head. What was wrong with this woman, she was actually smiling.

Ten minutes later, with a large bonus check and a pay raise, not to mention talk of a partnership, Dan left his boss’ apartment unable to understand what was going on. However, it was all true. He once again looked at the large check and to make it real for him, she’d even paid him a couple of hundred dollars in greenbacks.

Susan hadn’t known a time when she had enjoyed herself so much. She took the stairs three at a time, rather than wait for the elevator to arrive and within minutes she was on the doorstep of Miss’s Tweed and Waddle, knocking excitedly on the door.

Jessie Tweed opened the door, her face paling when she saw the owner of the building. Was she going to raise their rent tonight? That would be so like the woman, yet, what she heard next completely threw her into a loop as she collapsed alongside her cousin on the sofa. Susan had asked them over for Christmas dinner at her apartment, and that as her gift for the season especially since they were family, they had the apartment rent free for the rest of their lives and they could have one each if they wanted.

Half an hour later, Susan having managed to convince the old ladies that she hadn’t gone completely off her trolley, heard them agree to have dinner with her next day.

In a happy daze Susan entered the lobby, pulling off the hoarding that was the last remnant of her mean spiritedness of the season. At that very moment two old people were passing the building, earnestly holding on to their boxes for shelter. Opening the door she shouted over to them, and they slowly shuffled over. Once they were close enough to Susan, she pressed into each of their cold hands a wad of cash, accompanied with a cheery Merry Christmas.

Susan re-entered the building grinning like she never had before and thinking that if she died at this moment, it would be obvious to anyone that she had died happy, and she was, she really was.

Just as she headed for the elevator the doors slid open and Tina Crotchet stood there. Tina at first had been unable to believe her father’s story, until he placed the dollars in her hand then a beaming smile replaced the unsure expression. Finally, Susan has finally come home and seen the light. She thought and rushed out of their apartment in search of the older woman.

“Hello, Ms. Crotchet, thank you for what you did for my father…for all of us.”

With a sheepish expression, Susan looked down at her feet then winked at the younger woman. “Susan, my name is Susan. I did it for all us that is true, but I especially did it for you, thank you for making me see sense and caring.”

Unsure what she meant, Tina looked at her quizzically then realization set in. “Ah, the Angels, glad you liked them.” My goodness she must send them to all her friends though this woman wasn’t exactly a friend, but she had inkling that in the future they would be, good friends, the best of friends.

Tentatively, Tina stepped out of the elevator to stand opposite her. Susan did something she had never done in her life…she hugged the younger woman and whispered. “Thank you for saving my life, Merry Christmas Tina Crotchet!”

Christmas Day…

Amid the flurry of an enormous turkey arriving for dinner, along with all types of accompaniments, presents of all descriptions as a goodwill gesture from the owner of the building were deposited on each of the tenants’ doors. Along with a short note to say that all rents were frozen for at least ten years. The ten years for which she had been such a bad landlord, as well as informing them that that evening, in the lobby, there would be a big party to celebrate the day.

Susan looked upon the various people whom she knew wondered if she had been taken over by aliens, so shocked and confused were they by her sudden change of attitude. However, she really didn’t care because, deep down now, she felt happy and satisfied with her life for the very first time in years. As her eyes slipped along the familiar faces enjoying herself, a feeling that the future could only bring greater happiness came over her. And just for a moment, Susan was sure she could see her parents, and Ben Marmaduke, enjoying the festivities along with them. She had even arranged for Sally Crotchet to be brought down for a short time, encased in warm blankets and with a roasting hot boiler, ensuring she didn’t feel any cold at all. They were going to talk with doctors in the New Year to ensure that Sally had the best possible treatment to aid a full recovery.

Clearing her voice she turned to the people closest to her, surprised but happy to find Tina Crotchet at her side. It made that joyous glow grow even more inside as she smiled at the woman. “I’d like to make a toast if you would charge up your drinks.”

Everyone around did as instructed, then there was a marked silence as Susan swallowed hard to bring up the courage to make her first ever Christmas toast. She then felt a smaller hand grip hers in a gesture of support and warmth. That was such a good feeling, her heart swelled and the sparkle lit her eyes. She quickly thanked Tina with a warm glance before she spoke. “Peace and Goodwill to all men and women, allow the spirit of Christmas into your heart and you will never regret it. Merry Christmas, a prosperous and safe New Year, one.