Lindy set the gift aside and reached for another package. Tearing away the wrapping, she groaned a sigh. “It’s underwear.”
“Yes, look how pretty it is.”
“No one is supposed to see it, though.”
Ellen constrained her amusement. “You’re right. You shouldn’t show anyone your new pretty underwear.”
After three or four presents, Lindy settled back on her feet and looked expectantly at Ellen.
“What’s the matter, honey, don’t you like your gifts?”
Lindy was quick to nod. “I do. I wanted that bake oven forever and I love the new game and my puzzle. But Santa didn’t answer my letter.”
“I know, honey, and I’m sorry. Do you want to play with your new game?”
Lindy was quick to agree, and the two played several games before Ellen cooked them breakfast. Afterward, they watched Ellen’s favorite Christmas movies and they talked to her parents and brother in Kansas City. Joe asked if his gifts had arrived, and when she said they hadn’t, he apologized for mailing them off so late.
When they were off the phone, Lindy mixed up the batter for a small cake to bake in her new oven.
Because it was just the two of them, Ellen roasted a chicken for their dinner. The scent of it drifted through their apartment.
“Chicken is my favorite,” Lindy said, as she patiently waited for her cake to finish cooking. She sat in front of the tiny oven and stared at it, watching the small timer tick away.
“Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.”
“And peas,” Lindy insisted.
“And peas.” Lindy liked to squish them up with her potatoes and then add the gravy.
It was while she was peeling the potatoes for their dinner that the doorbell rang.
Before Ellen could put down the knife, Lindy was on her feet. “Mommy, Mommy, maybe it’s Santa.”
Before Ellen could stop her, Lindy raced to the front door and threw it open. “Did Santa send you?” she asked, with wide-eyed expectation.
“I believe he did,” the man said, as Ellen stepped out of the kitchen.
“Are you my daddy?” Lindy asked. She whirled around, her eyes bright with joy. “See, Mommy, Santa got my letter after all.”
Ellen’s face flushed red with embarrassment, and she avoided looking at the man in the doorway.
“Ellen?”
She glanced up and stared. “Phillip? What are you doing here?” She didn’t mean to sound unwelcoming. She’d known Phillip in high school and hadn’t seen him since they’d graduated.
“I work for UPS.”
She should have realized that, as he was dressed in his brown uniform. “You deliver on Christmas?”
He shrugged. “All the other drivers are married with families. I’m single and volunteered to do the deliveries, thinking some little girl might be waiting for a gift from Santa.” With that, he handed the package to Lindy. “I believe this one is addressed to your mom and you.”
Lindy grabbed hold of the boxed gift.
Phillip smiled. “I should confess I recognized your name and saved your package for last.”
“Please come in where it’s warm,” she said, when she realized this was his last stop. Ellen remembered that Phillip had always been shy.
“It’s just the two of you?” he asked, looking around.
Ellen nodded. “Mom and Dad are with my brother in Kansas City.”
Lindy was sitting on the floor, opening the package, which was from Lindy’s godmother. Inside was a doll for Lindy and another package wrapped for Ellen.
“I suppose you’re in a rush to get back to your family,” Ellen said.
Phillip shook his head. “My parents are with my grandparents in Yakima.”
In other words, he was alone on Christmas, too. “It isn’t much, but would you like to join us for dinner?” Ellen asked. “I mean, if you want. No pressure.”
“I’d like that more than I can say.” His eyes held hers and they were filled with promise.
Shaking her head to clear the memories, Ellen’s gaze returned to Lindy, who was staring down at the letter she’d written all those years ago.
* * *
—
“Dad arrived that Christmas Day,” Lindy whispered.
“Yes, it was your daddy, the very daddy you’d asked Santa to bring you.”
“I don’t remember writing Santa,” Lindy said, running her finger over the clumsily drawn letters. “But I certainly recall you and Dad dating and how patient and kind he was to me.”