Xmas Spirit by Tonya Hurley Read Free Book Online

ravenous wolf.
    “Looks like fun,” Virginia commented.
    “I volunteered,” Charlotte said defensively. “You can’t saythey didn’t include me.”
    “Sad to see that people don’t change,” Virginia noted.
    Charlotte knew she was talking not just about Petula and The Wendys but about her as well.
    “That’s not true. They are good. Deep down.”
    Virginia said nothing as the two watched Charlotte’s younger self drop into a pile of wrapping paper on the floor in the now-empty room, all her classmates having received their gifts and split for vacation. Charlotte rummaged through the torn paper and bows searching for a leftover. Anything would do, but nothing would have to. She came up empty, except for a beautiful piece of ribbon that had fastened the bow to Petula’s gift, the FROM:/TO : tag still attached. The Secret Santa gift Charlotte had gotten for her. She folded it neatly and wiped a tear from her eye with it before placing it in her pocket.
    “Not much for Christmas that year,” Virginia said bluntly. “Except tears and bruises.”
    “So what’s your point, Virginia?” Charlotte whispered. “That I was a punching bag? Unloved? That’s not exactly breaking news.”
    “No, I was hoping you’d be reminded that there is a place where you are loved.”
    “Yeah, and dead,” Charlotte snapped. “Is that what you are trying to tell me, that I’m better off dead?”
    Virginia let the question hang in the air, unanswered.
    Charlotte stared back at the child apparition, a pained expression on her face. Virginia was hoping for an epiphany, given the season.
    “Petula and The Wendys. They were happy to see you, I guess?”
    “We, ah, ran into each other in the hallway, but we didn’t really get a chance to . . .”
    “To what? Speak?”
    “No, but I did speak to Damen. He offered me a ride in his car.”
    “Before or after he almost hit you?”
    Charlotte dismissed the sarcasm.
    “And best of all, I saw Scarlet. She looked amazing!”
    “Cheerful and welcoming as ever, I’m sure.”
    “You’re cherry picking!” Charlotte erupted. “Only showing me the worst stuff.”
    “You are suffering from a bad case of selective memory,”Virginia said, frustrated. “You need to removed the rose-colored glasses. That’s your problem.”
    “No, it’s your problem . . . ah . . .” Charlotte fumbled unexpectedly for Virginia’s name.
    “Virginia,” the ghost informed.
    “Well, Virginia,” Charlotte inquired, “why did you come here? Did you come to rain on my Christmas parade, or are you just jealous that I’m alive and you’re not? What do you want?”
    “I came to get you.”
    “Well, then you came for nothing. I’m not leaving.”
    “Everyone misses you terribly, Charlotte.”
    “Don’t you see? This is my second chance. I know who I am, and I know the good that’s inside these people. We can be close now, but on equal terms. Petula might accept me now. Scarlet and I can be real friends. It’s the greatest Christmas present I could have ever imagined.”
    “Nothing has changed, Charlotte. And nothing will now. You were the one who brought the good out in Petula, brought Damen and Scarlet together. Now none of that will ever happen. They will be as cruel and selfish and unhappy as ever, and you will be as invisible to them as ever.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence. You can leave now, ah, what did you say your name was again?”
    “Virginia,” the child reminded her. “We all want you back, Charlotte.”
    “I’m sure, um, my boyfriend, um . . .”
    “Eric?”
    Charlotte’s poor recollection of him really took Virginia aback.
    “Yes, that’s it, Eric. He obviously doesn’t want me back. Not enough to come get me himself.”
    “He’s just being stubborn, Charlotte, moping around, missing you.”
    “Well, he’ll get used to it eventually. Same as I will.”
    “Your being here is affecting all of us, Charlotte. Don’t you care?”
    “I do care.