Unexpected Christmas Day Encounters
It’s Christmas Day today. I decided to just sit in our bedroom and listen to the Christmas carols playing on the classical station. I sat in my armchair and laid my book upon my lap. I shut my eyes and put my head back to listen. As is my habit, I touched the radiator to heat my fingertips. It was ice cold. Perhaps it was too early for the heat to come on, I told myself. Soon I felt a need for a cup of tea. I went downstairs to pour some. The teapot was empty! I had forgotten to brew some the night before!
I heated water in the kettle, then went to look at the porch. Last night, we had the most horrendous storm. It raged, it screamed, and howled all through the night. I slept restlessly and woke up several times because of it.
Now, I walked toward the porch. I switched on the light, for it was still utterly dark. Kelly had winterized the porch just last week, but alas, last night the wind played havoc. The screens have all flown off! Everything was sopping wet. The rain was coming down furiously. There was no way I was going out in the pouring rain and the angry wind to retrieve the screens. No way!
I went back to the kitchen to steep my tea, then went upstairs to wait. Once more I felt cold. I went down to the basement. The boiler was cold. I pressed the little red button that would start the boiler during an emergency, but nothing happened. I pressed it one more time. Once more, nothing happened. Oh dear, I’m in for a long wait, I thought. I called the oil company. A sleepy voice answered the telephone. Since the pandemic, everyone now works from home. It is dark outside. It is Christmas Day. I felt guilty calling this early.
“I’m sorry, it’s dark outside, it is Christmas Day, and I know you do not want to hear from me, but I have no heat.”
I heard a little resigned sigh at the end of the line. “What is your address?” she asked wearily.
I told her. Once more I said, “I am so sorry to bother you today. Merry Christmas,” I apologized.
She seemed to be more awake now. “Don’t worry about it. It has been quite light, as things go. Someone will be there eventually.”
That made me think that I’m in for a long wait. I switched on the electric radiator in the kitchen and settled to scan through my Facebook messages. In no time at all, the phone rang. “Approved Oil. I am standing by your garage. Which way shall I come?” a male voice asked. I told him.
In came a tall young man with his mask on. He looked like he was in his thirties. Once more I apologized profusely. His eyes began to smile.
“Do I look unhappy? Today I make triple time!” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You are young. That is why you don’t mind.”
With a loud booming laugh, he asked, “How old do you think I am?”
“In your thirties?” I replied.
Above his mask, his eyes wrinkled in a merry amusement. “I am fifty-five and I will be retiring in two weeks!” he said with great satisfaction.
I felt so much better. I no longer felt guilty.
I smiled at him warmly. “In that case, a very Merry Christmas to you and a happy retirement.”
After he left, I thought to myself, “What a nice man, yes, a very nice man indeed!”
On this note, I wish all of you lovely people a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2021!