A Forgotten Christmas

A FORGOTTEN CHRISTMAS

The empty stares hid the treasures of a lifetime.

“These people seem like they want to say something but just can’t seem to remember what they want to say.”

Her eyes wandered through the room. Piercing looks from the scattered faces made her uncomfortable. Nothing seemed alive. For a moment, she was afraid.

“They just seem to be thinking about something,” she murmured, “but nothing is coming out.”

Is it possible to forget what you forgot? The paradox seems unlikely because how would you even remember what you did forget? The answer might seem rather simple and casually waved off as a flippant remark but try convincing an inquisitive eleven-year-old.

A week after visiting the nursing home, her mother headed to the lake to help her parents close the house for the winter. When they arrived, Grandpa Ben was sitting in his chair looking out at the lake with Max sleeping at his feet.

“Grandpa, when we were at the nursing home Gram told me about the Golden Christmas tree.” She began. “When I asked Mom about it, she said it was one of the legends of the lake.

Maddie was inquisitive and begged her grandfather. “I want to know more about the legend of the golden Christmas tree?”

He thought for a moment staring out across the lake.

“It is a strange legend,” he began, “and no one around here quite knows where it started. That big patch of woods across from here that runs up the hill is where this special tree can be found. Supposedly, the tips on its branches turn a golden color but it only happens for a day near Christmas.”

“Mom mentioned something about a shiny pinecone on it?”

“That’s also part of the legend,” Grandfather Ben continued, “if you can find the tree on that day then it will produce one silvery pinecone that if picked from the tree will grant you a special wish.”

“That is so cool!” Maddie exclaimed. “I can’t believe it never has been found?”

“Well, your great grandmother told the story of how she did find it once when she was about your age. She found the tree and picked the silver pinecone but when she was walking back the long way around the lake a snowstorm suddenly blew across the hill. They found her a few hours later feverish and near exhaustion. She repeatedly told her story but there was no pinecone to be found, so most people figured she was frightened and hallucinating during the storm.”

“Wow,” Maddie whispered.

“Grandpa, I remember about the sea serpent legend and you made that one up,” she dramatically announced. “You always told us that story because you were worried about us going near the water alone when we were younger.”

Her grandfather mischievously smiled. “Well, it worked, didn’t it?

“I suppose,” she replied, but she wanted to know more if the legend could possibly have been true.

“How come no one ever sees this sea serpent in the summer when all the boats are on the lake?”

“Isidore, better known as Izzy, stays hidden in deep caves during the summer and when the lake freezes over in the winter, she come out to hunt for fish under the ice.”

Grandpa Ben’s cell phone rang. “Hi, are you done shopping already?”

Maddie’s mother and grandmother had left a few hours ago to do some Christmas shopping in the village shops in East Brookville.

“Oh boy,” her grandfather replied on his phone. “I can be there in about an hour, so keep on shopping and I will take care of it when I get there.”

“Something wrong?” She asked.

“Your mother’s car has a flat tire, so I need to head over there and change it for them. I will be gone a few hours, so do you want to ride over?”

“I am not feeling that well right now. Is it okay if I stay here with Max and watch a Christmas movie?”

“I think that will be fine,” her grandfather added, “and you have a best friend and watch dog to keep you company.”

Max picked up his head alerted to his duty.

“So, stay under the covers right here on the couch and get some rest. I bet you will feel much better after a nap.”

Maddie acknowledged her grandfather and waved to him as he walked out the door.

Her grandfather had been gone a half-hour when Maddie’s curiosity got the better of her. She wandered down to the lake with Max leading the way.

She spotted the wooden rowboat left near the shore. Her grandfather used it occasionally to fish in the shallow end of the lake and Maddie had become adept at rowing and navigating the little boat. She found the set of oars and even a discarded lifejacket in the deck box, so she was ready.

“Come on, Max, let’s head out for some adventure!”

The frisky setter easily jumped on board and with some effort, Maddie had the rowboat moving away from shore to the opposite side of the calm lake. Ice hadn’t formed yet on the lake so Maddie had no trouble rowing. If there had been a trail that led through this maze of trees, it was now over-grown and lost.

“Where do we start, Max?”

Maybe it was the right path or the wrong one, but it didn’t matter as she wandered from opening to opening through the thicket. Her legs started to tire as she climbed straight uphill and the minutes passed. She knew that at some point she would need to return to the rowboat and get home before her mother and grandparents returned. They probably wouldn’t understand what she was trying to do. Going out on the lake alone even with Max wasn’t the smartest decision she made. If she could only find that golden tree and the silver pinecone, they would be so happy and understand. She hoped?

Ten more minutes trickled down as she hiked through the maze. Find that mysterious pine tree.

Despite her burning desire, Maddie was soon becoming discouraged. As much as she wanted to believe in the legend, it just wasn’t to be. Maybe her grandfather was right. A legend is only a story made up to entertain people.

Opening like an enchanted cathedral in the woods, a small, delicate three-foot pine tree stood alone in the middle of the opening. A beam of sunlight penetrated the shadows cast by the surrounding towering giants. The little tree basked in spectral glow ablaze in a golden hue. It appeared as royalty but even more majestically with the treasure hanging from one of its boughs. The legend had described a solitary silver pinecone that would bring any wish to whomever removed it from the tree. As brilliant as the tree was, the silvery light emanating from the pinecone was almost blinding. It was a Christmas tree for a king.

Maddie had been distracted searching only for a pine tree that would be towering and powerful enough to bear the silver pinecone. This could only be the one that would be privileged enough to be part of the mystery. Instead, the special Christmas tree that people had vainly searched for over the years was a wispy, overlooked dwarf. Perhaps only unnoticed until this special time of the year when it changed into a vision for legends.

Max licked her face as tears of happiness and amazement flowed from her eyes. She rose to her feet and gently reached out to remove the wonderous cone.

“Thank you,” Maddie whispered to the pine tree, “you will make this Christmas special for my family.”

Without hesitation, Maddie tucked her prize into her jacket pocket and moved quickly downhill knowing that it would somehow bring her to the lake. Unexpectedly, Max took the lead instinctively following the scent from their earlier climb. She was so excited that she almost fell into the water as they reached the lake’s edge. Quickly she slipped on the life jacket and called Max into the rowboat. In her haste she hadn’t noticed the bellowing mass of clouds rolling across the top of the hill and darkening the sun. Twenty feet from shore, the wind howled, the waves kicked up, and falling snow covered the lake in a white shroud.

It was strange how unexpectedly and quickly the blinding cloud of white changed the lake’s appearance. She quickly lost sight of land as a veil of wind-driven snow enveloped her into a white emptiness. The howling wind lashed at her furiously almost in anger for what she had taken from the golden pine tree. The legend never mentioned a penalty for finding the silver pinecone and maybe now she had to pay the price. The little boat spun wildly in the furious, revenging wind determined to upend the thieves.

Terrified, Maddie fought at the oars, but the wind and waves worked together to overpower her efforts. Max sat close by her trying to offer some support.

The rowboat bounced and spun wildly. Maddie slid off the seat and crouched on the wet floor with Max huddled next to her. She was so scared and worried more about Max than herself. Ice crystals pelted her eyes. The blinding snow worsened, and she could barely see the end of the small boat. Suddenly, Max perked up, and the fur was rising on his back as he broke into a menacing growl.

“What’s wrong, Max?” Maddie shouted above the hollowing wind. No sooner, a thump sounded, and the boat tilted to the side. Something had struck them. She thought it must be a log floating across the churning lake, but seconds later, it happened again.

Holding the edge of the boat she slowly lifted her head and peered over the side. The metal-color water was angrily swirling and twisting in the tempest but the slightest of movement caught her eye. Coming directly under and across the boat was a dark, torpedo shaped shadow. It could have been mistaken for a log but there was no doubt, it was something alive. Maddie hoped it was the biggest fish in the lake and not….

She screamed and Max jumped up barking. Rising from the violent water and piercing the veil of snow were two pale yellowish eyes. Izzy had appeared.

Maddie’s head spun in fear and amazement. The sea serpent was only a legend. A creature that no one had ever seen, but here she was. The monster her grandfather had vividly described arched upward at least ten feet from the surface. In and out of the swirling snow its appearance became visible. A rounded snout formed the face, with the yellowish eyes alongside the head. Three appendages that resembled fins swept back from the head with large fins standing straight out running down the length of the body. A crimson tongue flicked out from the mouth occasionally revealing the rows of pointed teeth. The sea serpent was a shade deeper than the color of the lake, so looking down into water it only appeared as a moving silhouette. There was no mistaking the two s-shaped humps rising from the water behind the raised body. Izzy was at least thirty feet long.

The sea serpent bobbed in the turbulent water completely balanced in the froth. Its piercing reptilian eyes stared threateningly at the figures in the boat. Maddie clutched Max trying to calm down her barking protector. A loud hissing roar poured from its throat. In a flash, Izzy dove under the surface. An eleven-year girl was fighting off a gripping fear that the monster was coming back to finish them off.

The boat pitched again as the monster dove underneath them. It made another pass but this time the little boat lifted from the water as Izzy twisted her rolling body from below. A terrible scraping sound echoed from the water as the serpent’s scales raked across the wooden boat. It was only a matter of seconds before the monster would leap from the swirling water and crash her powerful body down on the helpless boat and its victims.

Unexpectedly, Izzy disappeared. The storm still lashed violently around them, but the sea serpent was gone. A few minutes passed and Maddie prayed that her and Max might survive.

“Oh, please Golden tree, I only took the silver pinecone to help my Grandmother remember some of her forgotten Christmas memories. I never wanted to cause any trouble. I think you are angry and sent Izzy after us to get the silver pinecone back.” The only sound was the howling, blinding snow.

Suddenly, the boat lurched forward in a spastic motion. Maddie screamed and Max barked furiously. The rowboat was being dragged forward by some strange power. Maddie peered over the bow and couldn’t believe the sight. Izzy had grabbed the docking rope that had fallen from the boat and was towing them through the storm. In minutes, the gusty squall and blinding snow pushed across the lake and her grandparent’s house came in sight. The rope dangled loosely in the water. Izzy had brought them five feet from shore, but the creature was now nowhere in sight.

Cold, wet, exhausted, and bewildered, she brought Max into the house and then curdled up on the sofa under a blanket

Smells from the kitchen woke her from a deep sleep. Her dreams spun like a kaleidoscope from blowing snow, tossing waves, a yellow-eyed sea serpent, but mostly to a golden limbed tree and a silvery pinecone. She was still feeling light-headed when she told them the story of her adventure and the unbelievable things that had happened. They were politely listening to her narration but only smiled in return. Her grandfather went to the window and looked out at the lake.

“The rowboat is right there where I left it the fall,” he began, “and Max looks pretty comfortable lying over there on his rug.” The retriever glanced up hearing his name but quickly went back to sleep.

“Maddie,” her mother calmly spoke to her, “I think you had a slight fever and fell asleep right here on the couch. You know a fever can give you some strange dreams and your grandfather said he was telling you about the legends of the lake before he left.”

She reluctantly shook her head then suddenly jumped off the couch and ran to the closet. She had the proof all along right in the pocket of her jacket. Her heart sank as she pulled out a drab, lifeless pinecone that could have come from anywhere. It all seemed so real but maybe it was just a bad dream after all.

“Grandpa, would you like to walk with me to the lake and look at the rowboat?”

“Sure, Maddie if you are feeling better, but that hasn’t been used since the fall.”

Maddie, Max, and her grandfather walked from the house down to the lake that was now basked in a late afternoon winter light. It was difficult to clearly see the little rowboat lying on the shore. A few minutes later, they reached the banked rowboat.

“It looks pretty normal to me,” her Grandfather began, “despite being attacked by a sea serpent.”

“Maybe I was just dreaming,” Maddie sheepishly replied. “Those legends you always tell us about sometimes seem to be true even though I know you just like to scare us.”

Her Grandfather only laughed. “Well, that’s the fun of being down at the lake where you can make up these kinds of stories.”

“What the heck!” Grandfather Ben froze as he approached the boat. The sides and bottom of the upside-down rowboat were gouged with rows of scraped and mangled wood. It almost looked like claws had raked across the bottom trying to get inside.

Max ran to the edge of the water barking and growling. Her Grandfather stared out in the middle of the lake as he thought he saw an image too real not to believe. In the fading daylight, two yellow eyes and a pair of trailing humps rolled over in a serpentine motion down into the black water.

Christmas day arrived and by the afternoon Maddie’s mother wanted to visit Gram on this special day. There were more people than before in the nursing home visiting relatives but the same empty stares remained on the old people. A nurse pushed Gram’s wheelchair out to the pallor. Maddie’s mother again tried hard to foster some response from Gram but there was nothing coming back to her.

Maddie then quietly moved towards her great grandmother. She reached into her jacket and removed the useless pinecone from her pocket.

“Gram, I wanted to get you a special gift and make this a Christmas you would remember but I didn’t get it.” Tears rolled down her eyes. “I really tried.”

Her great grandmother reached out and touched the pinecone sitting in the Maddie’s hand. The drab, dull pinecone burst into a sparkling silver glow. Within seconds, a forgotten mind reawakened. Gram smiled with a mischievous smile and her eyes. Gram turned her head and saw Maddie’s mother. She reached out to her and called her by name.

Maddie’s mother broke down in a cascade of tumbling emotions and flowing tears. Maddie had done the unexpected and something special this Christmas. The legends were true when you believed in them. Gram had remembered once again.

Gram looked over and winked. “Thank you, Maddie, for giving me a chance for a moment to remember all those in my family that I have ever loved.”

A legend might only be a legend but love can sometimes make it come true.

Maddie broke into a glowing smile. Anything can be found if you try hard enough to find it. And, have a little help from a retriever named Max and a big sea serpent called Izzy to make it easy.