Panasik Finding the Christmas
Spirit
Finding
the Christmas Spirit
Hailey Coltrane
paced in the kitchen waiting for the coffee to stop dripping from the
filter. Something
is missing. Hailey
thought swiping a strand of her gray hair from her face.
I feel like I have a hole inside of me. It's been two years since I
retired. I miss feeling valued, like I matter. She sighed. Maybe a
part time job would fill this hole. Full time would be too much. I
need conversation. I so miss my students, their laughter and constant
chatter, the drama of the girls with their boyfriends, and the boys
with their sports. She
filled her coffee mug leaning against the granite counter.
Retrieving her cell phone from the table Hailey punched in the high
schools phone number, still on her phone after two years. The
secretary at the school answered and checked her computer for
positions available. She replied the only job open was for a bus
driver. Hailey pondered on that for a while, finishing her coffee and
decided how perfect it would be. So that afternoon Hailey put in the
work, took the exam, and became a bus driver two weeks later.
Approaching the
first stop, on her first day, she saw five students huddled together
in an effort to keep warm. Opening the door a gush of arctic air blew
inside chilling Hailey to the bone as the students boarded the bus.
Driving her scheduled route, she listened to the girls who sat behind
her rattle on about their Christmas lists. Hailey sighed, realizing
it was two weeks before Christmas and she had no Christmas spirit.
At her sixth
stop she watched a girl board the bus, a girl she didn't recognize.
She had no hat, no gloves, and a tattered waist coat. Her shoulder
length brown hair was stringy, unwashed, her eyes stared at the
floor, no smile, expressionless. Her arms were wrapped protectively
around her hunched over body. Hailey watched her in the rear view
mirror as she chose an empty seat. The other students didn't greet
or acknowledge her existence.
Upon completing
the route the kids filed out, but one boy, named Jeremy: crewcut,
dimpled cheeks, dressed in army fatigues, stopped to tell her a joke
each morning. He walked behind the girl Hailey didn't recognize.
She had to ask, "Hey Jeremy, who was the girl ahead of you?"
"A new girl,
she's in my biology class, kind of quiet. I think her name is Lisa.
I don't remember her last name. Why is she in trouble or
something?" Jeremy asked. He shifted his backpack to his other
shoulder.
"No nothing
like that. I hadn't seen her before, thank you Jeremy have a good
day. "
"Bye Ms.
Coltrane, you too." He yelled as he dashed into school.
After running a
few errands and having lunch Hailey returned to school for her
afternoon shift. The bell rang and the school doors sprang open as if
a horse race was beginning. Hailey opened the bus doors as the kids
piled in. What
a difference from this morning.
She thought.
Giggles and
chatter filled the bus. Then Lisa entered. Her arms still wrapped
around her body, her book bag drooped from her shoulders. She
observed Lisa for a week. Lisa never cracked a smile, never talked
with anyone, kept to herself.
Then on Friday,
Hailey watched Lisa sit down with two other girls. No
Lisa don't sit with those girls. I can spot trouble when I see it.
Hailey
thought.
Their
makeup was thick like clowns, snapped their chewing gum. She noticed
their slit glossed over eyes. There
on something.
There tight leather jackets revealed their bodies and not in a
flattering way. Boarding the bus Hailey coughed and turned her head
from the smoke permeating from their bodies.
I've got to
do something to save Lisa.
Hailey pondered.
I can't watch her ruin her life with these girls. "Hi
there!" Hailey said smiling at Lisa hoping for a response.
The girl looked
up. Without saying a word she continued toward the back of the bus.
That went
well.
Hailey closed the bus door. When the girl's stop arrived at Main
and Hawkins, Hailey tried again.
"Hi I'm
Hailey. What's your name?" She tapped her thumb on the steering
wheel.
The girl gazed
into her eyes. Lisa whispered, "What does it matter?"
"I like to know
my students? You do have a name?" Hailey cocked her head.
The girl sighed.
"Lisa. Lisa Walters." She turned and was about to descend the
steep stairs.
"Lisa, do you
like Christmas cookies?" Hailey threw it out despite how weird that
sounded.
She turned facing
Hailey. "Yes who doesn't?" Her right eyebrow rose slightly.
"I happen to be
an expert in baking cookies. Would you help me?"
"Help you how?"
She asked nervously. "I don't even know you?"
"I have five
dozen cookies to bake and I really need the help. How about it?
Tomorrow after school meet me at the Home Economics classroom 106. Do
you know where the room is located?"
The girl nodded.
"I guess. How will I get home?"
"I'll drive
you home."
"Okay, I guess
that will be alright." Lisa walked out.
On her drive home
Hailey stopped at the grocer to pick up the ingredients for the
Christmas cookies.
After she
finished her route she parked the bus. Hailey grabbed the box of
ingredients from the seat and dashed inside the school. Quickly she
walked down the hallway waving to teachers who lagged behind, most
likely from grading papers. Opening the classroom door she spotted
Lisa alone, in the dark at a table wearing ear plugs.
"Okay, it's
time for a tour." She showed her where all the pots, bowls,
utensils and dishes were stored. Then she spread the ingredients
across the counter.
Lisa remained
quiet focused on Hailey's instructions. Once the dough was mixed
and rolled out, Lisa began talking about her classes. By the time
they were putting sprinkles on the cookies Lisa actually smiled.
After placing the
last sheet in the oven, Lisa said." I lost my dad three months ago,
he was in the army."
Hailey plopped
down in the chair next to her. "I'm so sorry." She reached over
and squeezed Lisa's hands.
"Then mom had
to find a job. So we sold our house and moved here." Lisa
whispered. "I miss my friends and my old neighborhood.' She
fidgeted with her fingers.
"I bet. It's
hard to start over. But you will make new friends after a
while." Hailey hugged her. Together they cleaned the pans and bowls
returning everything to their place.
Lisa
wiped down the countertops and tables. "The cookies smell great and
they're so festive." She glanced over them taking a picture with
her phone. Then they scooped them into decorative tins.
Hailey glanced
at her watch. "My, I can't believe its six o'clock already. I
need to get you home. Do you need to call your mom to let her know
you're on your way?"
"No, she's
at work." Lisa muttered shaking her head.
"Does your mom
work this late every day?"
Lisa shook her
head. "Yes she works nights too."
Noticing the way
Lisa looked at these cookies Hailey changed her mind. "Share these
cookies with your mom?" She unlocked her car door.
Her face
dropped. "Aren't they going to a charity?" Lisa sounded
disappointed.
"Tell you
what. Next time the cookies will be for the charities. Would you like
that?"
Lisa's eyes
grew big as quarters. "I would love to make more cookies this was
fun."
"We don't
have a lot of time left, you know." Hailey tapped her watch. "Next
week is Christmas. "Are you busy Thursday?"
"I will be
here." Lisa smiled. "This was fun. Thank you Ms. Coltrane."
"My friends
call me Hailey." She patted Lisa's hand.
On the drive
home Lisa talked nonstop about various television programs. Hailey
knew her next assignment was getting her to read books. When she
pulled into Lisa's driveway the house was dark. "Do you want me
to come in with you, until your mom gets home?"
"No," Lisa
replied. "I'm fine really. Got some homework to finish up, thanks
again Hailey I had a great time tonight." She climbed out and
closed the car door waving as she unlocked her front door.
For the first
time this season, Hailey selected a Christmas station and sang
traditional Christmas songs on her way home. To end her evening on a
good note Hailey smiled while writing her Christmas cards.
The next morning
Hailey greeted Lisa as she boarded the bus. "Good morning Lisa."
Hailey gripped the large steering wheel and leaned forward.
"I did thank
you." Lisa wore a big smile. She leaned closer to Hailey, "Thanks
again for last night, she whispered.
"Your hair
looks cute this morning. Hailey noticed her hair was washed and
styled. "Aren't you cold though without a hat and gloves?"
"Thank you. I'm
fine." She changed the subject, "Tomorrow night right?"
"Yep same place
don't be late." Hailey closed the doors and waited until Lisa sat
down. This morning she sat with a nicely dressed girl, who Hailey
knew was involved in school activities.
The next evening
Hailey arrived early, she had purchased a table tree that came with
ornaments and under the tree she placed a present for Lisa, a hat
with matching gloves.
Lisa entered the
room and introduced the woman standing by her side. "Hailey this is
Sharon, my mom." Lisa stated proudly.
Hailey smiled,
reaching out her hand. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Walters, you have a
special daughter."
"I had to meet
the woman who took such an interest in my daughter. Lisa's father
passed away three months ago, and I've been working day and night
shifts to make ends meet. For the first time since he passed, Lisa
and I talked as we decorated the house. Not to mention eating those
delicious cookies. I simply had to thank you."
"You are
welcome, now roll up your sleeves and start rolling out the dough
these cookies are going to the homeless." Hailey brought her Ipod
playing the traditional Christmas songs.
On
her drive home, it occurred to Hailey that not only had her
friendship with Lisa resulted in several batches of Christmas
cookies, but also a wonderful batch of Christmas spirit."
|