Christmas Memories (eBook)

Raul Robles (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
418 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-108037-9 (ISBN)

Infos

Immerse yourself in the magic of 'Christmas Memories', a heartwarming story set in the quiet, snow-dusted town of Tree of Hope. When an enigmatic visitor with a peculiar past arrives, his unusual actions begin to stir the foundations of this sleepy community. Is he a Christmas miracle, or is there more to his story than meets the eye?

As a dedicated nurse and a skeptical businessman find themselves drawn into his strange world, they uncover long-buried secrets and confront the true meaning of family, forgiveness, and second chances. Can the spirit of the season heal old wounds and transform a forgotten town, bringing a sense of belonging to those who need it most?

'Christmas Memories' is a comforting journey of rediscovery, a testament to the power of human connection, and a reminder that the most precious gifts are often found where you least expect them.

Textauszug

1

It’s the first week of December, and the city is absolutely buzzing with festive decorations, practically urging shoppers to open their wallets. Streetlights are wrapped in colorful ribbons, mimicking candy canes. Small bulbs cover the trees and bushes along every inch of the streets. The chatter of passersby blends with the hum of cars and the cheerful sounds of Christmas music drifting from every corner.

Familiar carols echo in everyone's ears, lyrics they’ve known since childhood. People walk by, laden with their purchases and plans, feeling completely immersed in the holiday spirit. Among all these bustling individuals was John Gram. He wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings, even though it was the first time in ages he’d walked these streets. Normally, his chauffeur drove him everywhere he needed to go, but that day was different.

An hour before, he’d been sitting in his office, deeply engrossed in his work, when a sudden pain in his chest startled him for a moment. It passed quickly. He didn’t try to call anyone: not his assistant, not his doctor, not even his son. He simply rose from his chair and looked out the window of his thirty-story office, observing the distant streets below. He founded a law firm that handled many of the city's most important businesses. Approaching seventy, he was still in excellent shape, a testament to a life governed by discipline, order, and control. He didn't smoke, didn't drink, didn't overeat, and never wasted time on trivialities.

His life was his work, and his firm, his legacy. Yet that day, as he looked out the window, he noticed how different the streets appeared and felt an unexpected urge to go for a walk and get some fresh air, hoping it would make him feel better. He left his office without notifying his assistant, who wasn't at her desk, and took the elevator. When he reached the ground floor, everyone looked at him in surprise, greeting him with a mix of respect and fear.

Only one security officer, a contemporary of John's, dared to speak.

"Where are you off to, John?"

John seemed not to hear him, but seeing the door hadn't opened, he looked directly at the officer.

"Oh… Paul… Well… I'm just going for a walk… that's all," he replied, a touch of uncertainty in his voice.

"Shall I call your driver?"

"No need, I just want to stretch my legs. I won’t go far. Just a quick stroll and I’ll be back," John responded with more assurance.

The answer seemed to reassure Paul, who then opened the door for him.

"Thanks, Paul…"

John walked on without looking back. Paul watched him until he disappeared around a corner. The streets were damp and cold, but the atmosphere was pleasant; passersby chatted and smiled. He wandered until he stopped, gazing at one of the lamp posts on the edge of the sidewalk. After a moment, a few seconds, he murmured to himself:

"It's Christmas…"

He continued walking aimlessly, but now he was truly paying attention to his surroundings. He noticed the decorations, the music, and the festive clothing of the people around him. Suddenly, something else happened: it began to snow, little by little. He extended his hand, and snowflakes landed on his palm. He couldn't remember the last time it had snowed, much less the last time he'd touched snow. He closed his fist over the flakes melting in his hand.

Despite the cold, he didn't stop. He looked right and left. With each passing moment, memories associated with Christmas stirred within him, but they were memories he couldn't quite grasp. He had been wandering for at least one hour when he heard a melody that made him stop. The music came from a store's display window. He approached until he stood directly in front of it. The display depicted an old-fashioned general store or small bazaar, like one from a village in the past. Two parallel counters, laden with sweets, toys, and ornaments, filled the shelves. In the background, a large Christmas tree was spectacularly decorated. The cash register was antique, adorned with Christmas tree branches, lights, and red bows. The music originated from an old musical jukebox beside the tree and played a modern rendition of a traditional carol.

Everything he saw left John speechless. Something about the display mesmerized him; he couldn't tear his eyes away. People walked past him as he stood there, like a statue that seemed to be part of the display itself. His coat began to gather a dusting of snow; people looked at him incredulously but said nothing.

All the seasonal commercial activity had congested the streets, and the roads were jam- packed with cars honking impatiently in the traffic. A motorcycle navigated through the gridlock as fast as traffic and conditions allowed. The rider was confident in his skills amidst the chaotic environment. What the motorcyclist didn’t account for was the effect of the snow on the roads, combined with the cold and dampness. The rider tried to pass an automobile that wasn't advancing and swerved quickly towards the next crossing. Immediately, he lost traction, impacting the ground and sending the rider flying. The force of the impulse sent the motorcycle skidding onto the sidewalk and crashing into a department store window.

He had been standing there for at least fifteen minutes when the motorcycle’s impact threw him onto the pavement, and he lost consciousness. Once the initial confusion of the accident subsided, the people gathered there sprang into action, calling the emergency services. The motorcycle had shattered the display window and, in its path, struck many people, but all were conscious with minor injuries. Only John remained on the ground, unconscious. The ambulance was slow to arrive due to the holiday traffic. Several people tended to the injured, especially John, given his condition and age.

When the ambulance finally arrived, it took the injured, including John, to the hospital. Upon admission, nurses searched his belongings for identification but found nothing. Only in the pocket of his jacket did they discover several business cards for a law firm.

They performed standard examinations, guided by the accident details provided by the paramedics. They determined that John had no significant injuries but might have suffered a concussion from the impact and needed to be monitored until he regained consciousness. The head nurse assumed responsibility for contacting the law firm to identify John and notify his family. Speaking to the firm's switchboard operator, the nurse provided all possible information about the admitted patient, but the firm had several employees who fit those characteristics. The person on the phone assured her they would pass the information to their superiors and visit the hospital if necessary. The nurse concluded the matter, thinking someone would eventually show up.

Over the next few hours, John remained unconscious, and during that time, no one at the firm had even noticed he was missing from his office.

Agatha Cenik was one of the hospital's veteran nurses. She was thirty-five years old and had at least fifteen years of experience in her job. Her brown hair was pulled back neatly, and she was attractive, but a certain seriousness in her personality made her seem distant to most men and her female colleagues. It was her turn to monitor recovering patients; furthermore, that was her last day of work. The next day, she would begin her annual vacation. It was her custom to take her vacation in December and return to work in January without fail.

Her colleagues respected and admired her for her dedication and seriousness, but they also lamented how solitary she was. She never attended any private gatherings or parties; her life was her work. She wasn't married and had no children. There had been men in her life at times, but none lasted long, and she seemed not to care.

It was nine PM when, during her rounds, she reached John's bed. She picked up the patient's chart, checked his temperature, the IV bag, and his position in bed. After adjusting his head on the pillow, she turned to continue her round when a sleepy voice caught her attention.

"Where am I?" John asked, confused.

"You're in a hospital. You had an accident; you hit your head," Agatha replied calmly and gently.

John looked directly at Agatha and felt a sense of comfort with her appearance. Agatha, observing John, noticed the face of a good man; the lines on his face suggested a certain sadness. That changed immediately when, a moment later, John smiled broadly. The expression surprised her, as she hadn't expected it, but it was contagious, and she returned his smile.

"Why are you smiling?" Agatha asked.

"I don't know; it's just that you're very beautiful, and I wanted to smile," he replied bluntly.

"Generally, patients who wake up disoriented don't smile," Agatha explained, trying to justify her question.

"I must be a terrible patient." Agatha this time laughed at the comment, and John did the same.

"Tell me if you can remember your name or anything else," Agatha asked, looking at him intently.

"Yes, my name is John Gram, and I live in the town of Tree of Hope; my parents have a small shop there."

"Can you tell me your age or the name of a family member I can contact?"

"My age… I don't remember. And family?" John paused, thinking, without replying.

"Do you remember what happened? How did you hit your head?"

"No idea, I don't remember anything. What happened to me, Nurse?"

Agatha took a moment to reply so as not to agitate him.

"Apparently, you were...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 7.10.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-10: 0-00-108037-7 / 0001080377
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-108037-9 / 9780001080379