An Aurora Skies Christmas Romance Tale

A proper reply to your sweet comments later @lanlyn 😘
(It's SUPER late at night while I'm posting this! 😳 )

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An Aurora Skies Christmas Romance Tale

Chapter 2 continued...

The next morning there was a knock at Mr. Hodge's door. He was afraid the odd woman would return and he wasn't happy about it. At all!



However, he decided to keep quiet and pray - which he never did anymore - that she'd think him not home and leave. Maybe I should do this every time she comes over and maybe she'll get the hint, he thought gleefully. It had to work.

"Happy December 2nd Mr. Hodge!" the ever cheerful Miriam greeted from the other side of the door. When there was still no answer she said, "I don't know if you're in there or not, but," she paused, "I'm sorry to have missed you." Then she sighed. "I'll leave this right here for you again. Merry Christmas!" And with that she ran back to Ciro's truck, her footsteps crunching in the snow to Mr. Hodge's ears.

He bolted for the door, swung it open, fully intending to yell something out at her, but she was gone.

Sighing in frustration he glanced down at the present, picked it up, wanting to just chuck it into the fire, but his curiosity kept getting the better of him.

****

The third day Miriam returned again. And the fourth. And the fifth. Still bringing presents while he continued to ignore the door.

On the sixth day, he stepped outside for a moment to take the trash out...



...when he turned to find Miriam magically present by his door, startling him. "Hey!" he sharply addressed while throwing his coat to the ground and stomping towards her, fully intending to chew her out. No longer would he stand for this anymore!

"Hello there Mr. Hodge!" she greeted with that ever annoying bright smile of hers. "Happy December --"
"Save it missy!" he ordered. "I don't want you coming around here anymore and I especially don't want your presents!"
"But--"



"I warned you that if you ever came back onto my property I would call the police so here it goes." He whipped out his prepaid phone and started dialing.
"Please Mr. Hodge," Miriam begged, "I don't mean to be a bother, or trespass--"
"Well you are!"
"I'm sorry I...I just want you to be happy..."
"I'M JUST FINE THE WAY I AM!" He shouted, throwing the phone up to his ear.
"Alright," Miriam surrendered, holding her hands up which dropped her gift onto the snow. "I'll go." And then she ran a little more quickly than usual back to Ciro's truck.
"HEY!" he cursed under his breath. "You get back here!"

"911, what's your emergency?"

Mr. Hodge lowered his phone continuing to curse, as he sharply pressed the End Call button.

****

Five minutes later, the police arrived on the scene. One of them was quite familiar with Mr. Hodge, having dealt with his shenanigans before. Once it was determined there was no emergency, the veteran officer dismissed his rookie to return to the vehicle while he stayed behind to chat with "Mr. Scrooge."

The two shot a few glances at each other for a moment, pretty much knowing how this was going to end, while the officer adjusted his duty belt and asked, "What is the disturbance this time Mr. Hodge?"
"A woman," he promptly replied. "A crazy woman named Mary-something who keeps coming onto my property and driving me crazy!"
"How exactly is she driving you crazy?"
"She's been coming by here every day since the first of the month, saying she's my 'human advent calendar' or something, and bringing me gifts that I don't WANT!"



The officer peered at him for a moment with a suppressed laugh while resting one hand on his hip. "So you're saying," he reiterated with his hands, "that a woman is coming over to your house giving you...gifts? What kind of gifts?"



"Christmas gifts, what else!? And she's always dressed like an elf when she comes. She's a crazy woman Officer, I'm telling ya!"



The officer's eyes brightened with realization setting in. "Ohh, are you talking about Miriam Day?"
He shrugged. "I guess so."
"Oh pfft," he dismissed with a wave of his hand, "she's harmless Hodge! A real sweet lady that one. She's on the city council and an especially chipper and festive person this time of year. She's just trying to spread a little Christmas cheer, although I can't imagine why she'd head over here into your neck of the woods," he muttered that last statement.
"Exactly! She's annoying and I want her off my property, but she won't leave! She insists on bringing me gifts every day until Christmas!" He shook his head in frustration. "You gotta get rid of her Officer!"



"Now hold on there Hodge," the officer calmed. "Has she done you any real harm?"
"No, but she's trespassing and I want you to do something about it!"
"I get that's she's somewhat trespassing and I'll talk to her, but you know," he paused, curling his lip a bit, "I would think that you'd find it quite flattering that someone in this town actually cares about you..."

Hearing that Mr. Hodge met the Officer's gaze with a heavy-hearted look in his eyes.

Instantly the officer's face fell with remorse. He wasn't expecting that reaction. "Uh... that didn't come out right."
Mr. Hodge lowered his eyes to hide his agreement.
"What I mean to say is Hodge...be grateful for this angel that's miraculously appeared in your life. You may not like it, but...just humor the girl alright? Swallow your pride and allow her the opportunity to serve. To spread her overflowing Christmas cheer."
Mr. Hodge just rolled his eyes and let out a light huff.
The officer didn't really have much else to say. "So...I guess we're done here?"
There was a slight, surrendering nod.



"Ok then," the officer concluded, heading for the door. "Oh and by the way Hodge," he turned, "It's a $500 fine to call 911 when there isn't a legit emergency going on. However," he paused, "I'm willing to let that slide for the sake of Miriam Day's Christmas spirit. That woman sure has blown my mind with this one," he shook his head with a chuckle. "Besides, the last thing you have is $500 to fork over am I right Hodge?" 

Mr. Hodge grit his teeth as he closed his eyes and shook his head in annoyed defeat. Eventually he managed to get out, "Good day officer."



****

The next day, the seventh, Miriam didn't arrive in the morning.

Mr. Hodge found himself continually glancing out his foggy windows, rubbing at them each time to see better, fully expecting to find her trudging through the snow toward his front door in that skimpy outfit of hers. He couldn't figure out why he kept looking especially since...this is exactly what he wanted. For her to disappear.

He felt a tiny hint of disappointment, perhaps more than a tiny hint, poke at his shriveled heart, but he shrugged it off and simply said, "Good riddance." He then headed over to the couch to relax and read the morning paper, relishing in the pleasurable heat from the fire.



Later that afternoon as he prepared to head out and split some firewood, a familiar knock rang through the air.

Freezing in his tracks, Mr. Hodge released a giant breath while gazing up at the ceiling. He was instantly reminded of the Officer's words.

Opening up the door, still refusing to smile, Miriam stepped back a little to allow him out.

"Happy December 7th Mr. Hodge," she greeted, somewhat less cheerfully than before.
There was a sigh. "There's just no avoiding you is there?" he frankly asked.



A smile drew across her lips. "Nope. Not this Christmas season Mr. Hodge."
He tried not to roll his eyes at her.
"I promised you a gift every day until Christmas and...I intend to keep that promise. Of course," she paused, digging the tip of her shoe into the snow, "if you'll allow me the opportunity to keep my promise?"

Gosh this woman certainly has a way with words...and with people, he couldn't help thinking. She was really something. And he still couldn't figure out why of ALL people she'd give a darn about him, but...

"I guess so," he replied with a deep sigh.
Miriam's eyes lit up like a diamond in the sun. "Oh thank you Mr. Hodge! You won't regret--"



"Alright, alright I get it, just," he deeply sighed again, "leave me with your gift and be on your way."
Eyes still glistening, Miriam handed over a box of assorted chocolates, nicely wrapped with a red ribbon. "Hope you can eat these..."
"Of course I can!" he expressed while harshly grabbing the box. "Why wouldn't I!?"
Miriam froze. "Oh uhh...I dunno," she replied awkwardly. "I guess because some people are diabetic or...they're trying to watch their weight..."
His eyes pierced hers sharply at that comment.
"NOT saying that you're trying to lose weight! I mean...you look great," she complimented, quickly studying his physique. "I just--"
"You can go now."
"Okay!" She spun on her heel and did just that.


😁

More to come soon!