Miracles in the Making (5 page)

To his right Candy propped one elbow on the counter. “What do you know? It’s getting pretty close to Christmas. Do you, perhaps, have a knack for dancing?”

Noel stumbled, his cup fumbling in his grasp. The burning liquid sloshed around in his cup, licking at the smooth round edges. Rescuing the piece with two fingers and the help of a little luck, he changed the direction of his gaze. “I don’t see why it matters. If you’re intent on knowing, I’d recommend a different partner for you.” Before he finished speaking, Noel twisted to one side in a diminutive attempt to mask his discomfiture.

One hand placed on his left shoulder, Candy cheerfully enlightened him. “I would love to teach you.”

Noel’s absently sipped his coffee. The balmy mixture throbbed in his throat. A cough rasped out of his mouth and nose.

Snatching up a washcloth, Candy set aside her cup, and bending lightly mopped up the floor where a damp spray of fluid had landed. Chuckling as she worked, she quickly finished her task and returned to her drink. “You were interested in a morning dance?” She started, “If so, I think I know just the place.”

With one hand, Noel rubbed at the back of his neck, contemplating the notion. After a few seconds he began, “You said you know just the place. Any place I would enjoy?”

Candy rolled her eyes, chafed at the query. “Would I even make the suggestion if, for a second, I believed otherwise?”

“Okay, okay,” Noel easily backed down, “So, where are we going?”

Swingers
, the dance hall where they spent the greater part of the day, was rousing and lively, just as Candy had said it would be. Filled to the max with customers similar to themselves, searching for a cheerful diversion, there was barely room enough to move. A variety of spirited guests lined the aging black bar sides, while the remainder spun lightly across the classy green tiled floors. Jimmy Boyd lit up the sound system, “
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
”. The tune made most of the guests either smile or laugh. Near the back of the room, Noel swept Candy across the floor, as sleek on the dance floor as he was on the ice. “You were saying about the dancing?” He asked, mildly rubbing her nerves.

Candy eyed him, then brushed the bland words aside. “Am I saying anything now?”

“No, but that’s what had me bothered.” He told her straight up without a hitch.

Rather than the verbal bite he expected, Candy surprised him by saying, “You are a wonderful dancer, I should have left that one be. I hope you’re having fun too.”

Noel grinned, obviously delighted. “Great choice partner, great choice.”

The next morning misted by, leaving both lovers peacefully wrapped in each other’s arms, motionless even while the clock surged to rouse them. By the time either lover revealed any true sign of life, the sun had ascended high in the sky and the hour had surpassed eleven a.m.

This time Noel reacted first. One hand comfortably supporting his head, he revolved to his left side and took in the gleaming face of the clock. Twelve, on the dot—that wouldn’t sit well with the captivating princess beside him. Giving Candy a temperate nudge to one side, he lit with delight when she half-darted from the feather soft bed.

“Hell of a way to offer a good morning,” Candy groused when she swung around to see where the irritation had started.

“I could have always opted for a kick to the chin. That would have
really
hurt.”

Candy scowled. “Here I was beginning to think that’s not what you wanted.” Returning the mocking shove he’d served with one of her own, she planted both feet on the floor. Shrugging into a wild violet cotton robe, she left the conversation to take what route it would. Rounding the bed, she cut a line across the room. Slipping through the half open bathroom door that divided the space from her bedroom, she wobbled over to sit by the sink.

Weary though she’d garnered some sleep, she examined the night and all it had brought. Wondering if the whole thing was all part of some big dream, she rubbed her eyes and tried to clear the confusion. No matter how much effort she forced however, the splintered thoughts wouldn’t fall into place.

Just when she thought she had drifted over the edge, Noel brushed by the partially closed door at her back and skimmed the tile to stop by her side. “Anything I can help you with, darling?”

Candy’s jaw tightened and her teeth ground together. Through the small space that remained, she grated the words, “You could give me my space. Can’t you see that’s what I want?” The room spun so she clutched the counter in a tight grip and fought for her balance.

Noel’s hand slapped at his side. “How on Earth can I know your desires when
you
don’t know what they are?” The harsh question rolled off his tongue, layered times over with bitterness and bewilderment.

Candy knew his words carried a point, but before she could start to the prod, Noel spun around and stalked from the room. She heard the door slam long before she had any urge to budge and still Candy remained frozen in place. By the time the urge to move scraped at her raw nerves minutes had drifted by and the provoked man had no doubt gained terrible ground.

Her numb fingers slipped from the granite and Candy plopped onto the floor. Now she’d gone and done it again—she had the man of her dreams but rather than hold him, she’d pushed him away.
Fear, terrible ice scratching fear, once again this had been the cause, but there was no use in moping.
Candy shook off the thought. The fact was there was nothing left that she could do to alter the situation now. She slammed her fist into the ground. Leaping to her feet, she strode for her closet. Two hours and close to twenty dresses later, she descended the stairs in a red polyester pant suit with matching black shirt and heels. It was one of her top four favorite outfits and always worked to make her look good. That in itself freshened her mood, if perhaps only a little.

She decided to pay her siblings a call. Yes, at times, her siblings could be dramatic, but the last thing she wanted right now was to feel alone. If that meant indulging in commotion and theatrics, right this second, she’d happily do exactly that and twice as much.

Her mind made up, Candy started from the apartment, on her way down the dimly lit street. A chilly breeze swept the evening air and clouds were already beginning to gather. The view suitably reflected her feelings and the coolness pinched her already taut heart. Forcing these trivial observations aside, she ascended to her sister’s front door.

She barely finished her first mild knock when the portal soared open and she went sailing in. Winter may have toiled around them, but as always, Marie Frost bloomed like a fresh spring flower.

“Surprise, surprise, didn’t expect to see you. Why I was sure you were busy enjoying that handsome stranger you found! How you did is a wonder all its own. The man was a contender to Alexander…” She paused, her eyes roving the area. Leveling her gaze on her sister as she rambled about, Marie looked first to one side then to another.

“Speaking of which…” she began, using a little more care.”Where is the handsome prince who came with you the last time?”

Candy responded with an inquiring stare. “Finally noticed, did you? Are you positive you want to hear that disastrous story?”

No longer bursting with exhilarated animation, Marie reigned in her restlessness, becoming more thoughtful. “Yes,” she agreed, with a slow nod. “In fact, I’d be sorrier if you chose to do otherwise. I notice you’ve come alone tonight.”

Flopping down on the arm of the sofa behind her, she beckoned Candy to pick out a seat of her own. More concerned with her stresses then with her chair, Candy sank to the cushion at her sibling’s direct right. She began talking again as soon as she sank. “I imagine you can guess. Noel and I quarreled, hence the reason I’m by myself tonight.”

Marie patiently waited, motioning with one hand for her to go on. Though this struck Candy as odd, she picked through the thoughts racing faster then she could handle, searching for what to explain first.

“You’ll be pleased to hear, I slept with the man.” Her cheeks turned rosy and her entire form warmed. The memory alone caused her to shy.

When Marie saw this, she patted her arm. Candy noticed Marie was a much different person than usual—not wild and melodramatic, but gentle and unusually understanding. Grateful for the blessed change Candy resumed her tale with one hand squeezed tightly closed. “You heard me,” she stated. “We shared a bed. That was all good in itself, but I’m sure you won’t be surprised, the following morning I told him to leave.” Her eyes squeezed shut and she grasped at her seat. “I don’t have any idea what I was doing. I didn’t know then and I know even less now. All I can say is I was terrified. Marie, I feel so stupid.”

Inching along the edge of the couch, Marie wrapped her arms around Candy’s shoulders. “I won’t say what you did was impressive but I’ll admit, had you asked me some time ago, I would have predicted it. For goodness sake, for years you’ve made more than clear your opinions of love, or more correctly what will happen because of it.”

As she listened to this, Candy’s eyes fluttered open. “What on Earth am I supposed to do? I don’t even know where the man’s at right now.”

Marie held her hands up. “You could always place an ad in the paper,” she suggested with the first real hint of glee, the light faded as soon as it lit. “More to the point, you’d best hope for a miracle. On a good note, you picked a good season to pray for such—what with Christmas coming up on us so soon.”

Candy offered the first glimmer of a smile to brush across her lips. “I’ve got to be crazy.”

“Why’s that?”

“Marie,” she admitted, internally reprimanding herself, “I think I’m in love with the man, and not for a second did I see it coming.”

This time Marie’s black curls danced as she laughed. “The way you look at that man, why I could have told you that if you’d asked!”

As she heard her sister’s laughter chime through the room, Candy drew back, unamused. “Thanks a lot. I feel so much more intelligent now. Your kind consideration aside, what’s your opinion on what I should do?”

“Like I said before, wait for a miracle.” Giving her sister one more pat on the back, Marie rose to her feet. Leaving Candy to muse over the concept, she poured them each a glass of red wine.

Halfway across the city, Noel perched on an old iron bench, located near the entrance to Douglas Park. All around him, trees towered high in the sky and small puddles cut their paths through the grass. One foot arched across the bench, he allowed the other to linger casually over the side while he took in the gorgeous view all around him.

Ashamed with what he’d gotten himself into, Noel pressed his face in his palms.
How have I allowed it to happen? So fast, for that matter, at all?
The questions rolled in his head, burning a vicious path. It told him what could happen, if you didn’t show enough care. Why, he’d come here to prove he was worthy, that he could do the tasks he was given. Instead, he headed straight for disaster, hardly stopping to think twice on the matter. His superiors were correct. They knew he wasn’t prepared. Now he understood those orders, he originally considered so cruel, better. Even if he were to stay, to choose this girl who took over his mind—who knew how long he could remain by her?

Far above, the trees seemed to whisper some strange allay against his pains. The owls billowed out their songs, adding character to the night. It was as though they suggested he go to her; but Noel knew this was an illusion. That was the last thing he needed to do. Leaping up from the bench, the once-angel started to wander.

Over the course of the next three hours he roamed throughout the park, not entirely sure where he was going, only where he would not return. More than once he prayed for assistance—some sign of what he should do. Yet, no matter how desperately he pleaded, the answer he received was always the same. A person can make or destroy their life with a single choice.

Frustrated with his lack of understanding, Noel forced his emotions aside and set off in search of an answer. At times, an image would flash in his head—a girl with thick, silky hair, and curves so exquisite, she could have been a classical work of art. When these visions haunted him, Noel would shove them aside, furious with himself with the vision alone. Noel found himself at the end of the park, his feet hitting the rim of the pavement. To his right, an old woman stumbled forward with a tin cup stretched out in her hand. To anyone willing to look, she begged for a contribution. Sad for the aging drifter, Noel jabbed his left hand into his pocket and scraped at the jingling coins. Scooping out the coins and a few dollars, he dropped them into the cup, offering a genial smile to go with his gift. “A Merry Christmas to you madam,” he kindly said to the woman.

“To you as well. Thank you. Thank you!” He heard at his back. Already well on his way, he paused and switched directions.

It felt good, knowing he made someone happy. If only Candy felt the same. Four days to go until Christmas Eve and he had gained no ground. No matter how hard he drove himself to do otherwise; he could focus on only one thing. Defeat stared him in the face, yet he could find no way around it. Not so long ago, he promised to succeed at those tasks he was given, to give prove that he could.

So, what was destined to happen if he kept on at the pace he was going? What would be the result?
His superiors had assured him, long before he departed, the consequences would not be pleasant. Logic battled emotion. He fought to see some sense in it all. For two hours this struggle continued, without concession or understanding. Left drained of all vitality, Noel crouched to his knees.

Overtaken by cold desolation, he traced blank shapes in the stars. Had he known that the woman who contrived the heart of this battle sat, reticent and alone, staring at those very stars, perhaps this exhausting inner fight would have resolved much sooner. As it was, he waited with no decision completely certain.
Over time
, Noel observed,
more than my immortality has faded, along with it the powers that coincided have disappeared as well.
This included that special vision which allowed him to observe from afar. For the first time he understood what it was to be mortal and all the troubles that went with it.