I recall when I was young and single, Christmas always held a special romance apart from the traditional celebration. For some reason, hopes or
expectations of love and romance seemed more pronounced during this time of year. But maybe that’s not so odd after all, considering it was love that prompted God to send his Son in the first place. “For God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten son…”
This week, I’m running parts 2 and 3 of a romantic Christmas short story, On Christmas Day In the Morning by Marcia Gunnett Woodard. But first, please go here to read the beginning, which was posted on Jennifer Slattery’s page on InspyRomance.com last week. Then come back here and read the second installment.
On Christmas Day In the Morning, Pt 2
Waiting was the only thing, really, that Macy could do. Rita, the waitress, dropped her at the motel, and Macy snuggled down in the cozy, rose-abundant room, sleeping until she drifted awake to a beautiful, sunny day—covered in snow! It had snowed almost a foot while she’d slept.
A quick call to the rental company produced a tow truck whose driver gave a quick look under the hood and started her car right up. After giving a quick hug-and-thank-you to Rita, who was working again this morning, Macy was back on the road, dashing through the snow, on the way to her dream. Nobody had told her that it wasn’t a good idea to dash through ten inch drifts across the highway. She slid into the ditch.
Seemingly invisible to the other motorists (and suddenly realizing she’d forgotten to charge her phone) Macy tried everything she could remember from watching her dad and those practical tip moments on TV. Slowly, she worked her way back onto the road. Five minutes down the road, it happened again!
Feeling like an old pro this time, she used all the tricks she’d learned from her first round with the Snow Monster. This time, it only took 45 minutes to work her way out! She’d learned her lesson, though, and for the rest of the trip she drove more cautiously. By the time she reached Huntingberg, she was almost 24 hours behind schedule. It was Christmas Eve.
Her phone still not charged, she drove eagerly to Lance’s apartment. The Christmas lights were lit, the tree was shining in the window, but Lance’s car was not there. The Christmas lights on the houses didn’t seem as bright, as she drove the few blocks to her friend, Sarah’s, where she was staying.
As soon as Sarah opened the door, Macy asked the question that had been gnawing at her heart. “Sarah, do you know where Lance is? I swung by his place on the way in, but nobody was home.”
Sarah seemed about to bubble over with excitement. “Oh, yes! It’s so romantic. You remember my roommate Leah, from college? Well, she and Lance are dating! He bought her flowers, and a necklace, and the most romantic card. And tonight he’s taking her out to dinner, and then they’re going to see the Christmas lights in the park.” Sarah’s giddy giggle sounded as if she were overdosing on romance.
Macy sighed to herself.
Well, God, I guess that’s my answer. This will be a hard Christmas, but I still have You, and I still trust You for what’s best.
Oooh, looks like Macy’s hopes for romance this Christmas are dead. What do you think? Come back on Thursday to find out how the story ends!
Marcia Gunnett Woodard studied English and writing at Indiana Wesleyan University, and has been a published writer for over 30 years. She has written devotional and inspirational articles, newspaper stories, theatre scripts, short fiction, and children’s books. She is also a freelance editor and writing consultant. Her “day jobs”—newspaper carrier, Avon lady, barista—have fed her incurable fascination with people, and she enjoys writing to explore the commonalities and diversities of the human race. She sees her mission as using the parabolic arc of story to launch projectiles of truth and grace past barricaded minds and into walled-off hearts. Visit her online at: It’s All About Marcia, stop by her website, connect with her on Twitter @MarGunWoo, and pop by her Facebook page.
