The 12 Tales of Christmas season 2 - Alone on Christmas
Welcome readers to another story in the 12 Tales of Christmas. I hope you’ve been enjoying the stories I’ve been producing. I’m doing my best to bring you some good quality content. And now we come to story number 7. YouTuber IcyAda_Plays chose to volunteer for this number and offered the word Yule.
And boy oh boy do I have a good story for you.
This is a story which is a triple love letter. it's to Christianity, to all the postal workers out there, and to all the lonely souls out there. Especially during the Christmas season things can be hard. To those rejected by family for selfish reasons or who have lost their families to tragedy know this. You're not alone in this crazy world.
To all the postal workers out there during this time of year some of us appreciate what you do. And to all the good honest Christians out there doing the right thing God bless you and all you do.
In this story a lonely local postal worker happens to be a literal alien. And he's about to learn about the spirit of Christmas when he meets a friendly local choir. Get ready for Alone on Christmas.
It's been years since my family arrived on that spaceship in what the humans called the Mojave Desert. That was twenty years ago as a matter of fact. Now here I was at 6:50 PM at night bringing the truck into the post office station to call it a night. For me, Zephyr Callus of the Elfin people, I’ve always been something of an outcast. Which was why my family rejected me as they prospered on Earth.
Because of which the Christmas season was always hard for me as it's supposed to be a time of joy, family, and friends.
I shook my head and thought, No I won’t think about it, I’ve had enough on my mind as is.
I entered the station and parked my truck. I got out, closed it up, and headed in. I signed out before my boss, a human male named Zachary Frink, approached me. “Hey, Zephyr, there you are.” he greeted.
I finished punching out and then looked at him. “Hello Mister Frink, I’ve checked out sir.”
Zachary nodded and said, “I noticed, but I wanted to ask, have you got anywhere to go this year?”
That took me off guard. “Um...sir what do you mean by that? "
“I mean ever since you came to work here, I’ve noticed you’ve never talked much about yourself or your family. Don’t you have anyone to go to?”
Whether he realized it or not the human’s words cut deep. My people the Elfin pride themselves on family bonds. But how could I associate with my family after what they had become? All thanks to their success in the financial sector. “It’s…” I began looking for the best way to say it without drawing attention.
“it’s complicated sir. Please, I don’t want to be a burden to…”
“Zephyr, you’ve been one of the best postal workers at this station since before I took over as head.” My boss interrupted.
It was true I had known Zachary since he was a young man learning the ropes. And now here he was a confident 35-year-old with a girlfriend and life of his own. I flushed and rubbed my snow-white hair. “I appreciate the thought sir but I’m not that special.”
Zach raised an eyebrow at that comment. “Nothing special, are you kidding me? When you’re here we know that no matter what the mail will get through. You’ve been a big help to this office.
"And the neighborhoods you’ve driven in have nothing but good things to say about you.”
“Please sir I don’t want to trouble you with my problems. I should…”
But my boss was having none of it. “Zephyr, I’m not taking no for an answer as I can tell you’re feeling lonely. You've done a good job of hiding it but I can tell. And you’re a good guy so I want to help you ease that burden this year.”
My face furrowed at this. “How?” I asked in open puzzlement.
“The church choir I’m a part of are going to be singing some Christmas carols in the local mall parking lot this year. Don’t worry our pastor has secured the proper paperwork and everything. Besides which the choir and pastor Roberts want to meet you.”
That took me by surprise. “Your pastor and the choir want to meet me?”
“The most resourceful and dependable Elfin who ever graced this post office I’ve told them.”
At first, I thought about rejecting his offer. But then something seemed to awaken in me. It was a feeling, a longing for some company during a supposed joyous time of Yule. I decided anything was better than sitting in my small one-person apartment all night.
I nodded and said, “Very well sir I will come. Though I don’t see what I can do to offer any help. I don’t sing or anything like that."
Zach said, “Consider this my gift from me to you for all the work you do. It's a chance for you to meet some more of my fellow humans, and we'll show you how we're not that bad to be around. "
“All right let me get my jacket on and we’ll go.” I told him.
My people when they arrived here had the advantage of prospering in cold climes. That's why we do well during the winter months. Especially in places like Portland, Seattle and even farther north. As soon as I had my light jacket on Zach came out of his office in his heavy winter clothes. I knew from what my people had learned that humans had some issue with the cold weather.
But they were still an interesting race.
We locked up the office being the last two people there. Everyone else had gone home for the day. We exited the building the night sky chilly with the sense of winter in the air. I let out a sigh of relief as the cold air felt good to me after the busy day.
My boss looked at me and said, “Follow me on your scooter. You’re in for a real treat tonight.”
A few minutes later we pulled into the parking lot. Zach got out of his car as I got off my own scooter. The two of us walked over to where several others were waiting. A blonde woman walked up to Zach and said, “Hey,” flashing a warm smile.
“Hey Kelly,” The post office boss greeted before kissing the woman.
I turned away but then felt someone tap me on a shoulder. I turned to see a man with pepper hair in his late fifties early sixties dressed in winter clothing looking at me. “You are Zephyr Callus of the Elfin people?” he asked.
“I am,” I answered.
The man extended a hand and flashed a warm smile. “I’m Pastor Brian Roberts, Zachary is one of those who attends my church.”
I took the offered hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir. I hope my being here isn’t an inconvenience.”
The man waved it off flashing an assuring smile. “Oh, it’s no problem at all. Zach has talked about the kind of hard worker you are. And I must admit I’ve been curious about your people ever since your ship landed in the Mojave Desert years ago.”
I looked away as a sad expression crossed me. “My story is nothing important.” I said wary of telling the man anything.
But the pastor proved quite persistent. “Son, I can tell when someone has a heavy heart and carries much emotional baggage.”
“How can you tell?” I asked turning back to face him.
Brian Roberts flashed a sad smile. "Young man in my 57 years of life I’ve seen a lot of people who carried many burdens in their hearts. Please Zephyr whatever troubles you feel free to tell me. Give yourself some peace."
To this day I don’t know why but something about the man’s calm and understanding demeanor struck me. Have I been alone for too long? I wondered to myself.
I took a breath and decided to take a chance. “Christmas many say is a joyous time of friends and family. Yet, I have no one to turn to, no friends or family, only my work.””
“Why so?” Brian Roberts asked.
“Because it’s how I deal with the pain! When my family came to Earth, we adapted and assimilated into the United States. But my parents and sister…”
I grimaced as old memories came to me. “They changed. They began to view others as beneath them. They believed themselves above consequences.
"The success of Callus Financial Services brought wealth, influence, and some ugly beliefs. I who had always believed in treating others with respect refused to go down that path. And so, I became a postal worker.”
A look of disgust flashed across the pastor’s face. “And they told you that until you got into their business and became like them that you were dead to them?” He inquired.
That took me by surprise. “How did you know Pastor Roberts?”
The man shook his head a sad look on it. "My son even among us humans there are people who have let wealth and success turn them into monsters. There’s a reason why a certain verse from the bible reads, the love of money is the root of all evil.”
I nodded at this and said, “There is truth in those words. Yet I’ve never been sure how humans would react to me. So, I’ve kept to myself all these years.”
The pastor said, “I see, well I’m glad Zach brought you. My boy you’ve shown yourself to be a good person. You’ve adapted to this country and embraced our laws with no issue.
"And you’ve maintained a good moral compass even though it cost you so much. The path of righteousness is never easy. But there is salvation on this path.”
The head of Zach’s church flashed a warm and welcoming smile. “I won’t force you to do anything. But I hope here among us you can find some belonging, inner peace, and a new sense of purpose to your life.”
A curly-haired brunette woman walked up. “Pastor Roberts The stands are ready, and Gwen and Harry have the apple cider and hot cocoa ready.”
Then the chestnut-haired woman spotted me. “Oh, my apologies I didn’t know you were in a conversation."
Pastor Roberts smiled and said, “It’s not a problem Danielle.”
He then waved to me and said, “This is Zephyr Callus of the Elfin people.”
The woman turned to me, and I saw two blue eyes look me over in curiosity. “Oh,” she said. “You’re the hard worker from Zachary's post office.”
She extended a hand and chimed, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Danielle Foster, a nurse at Portland State University Hospital.”
I took the offered hand and said, “A pleasure to meet you ma’am. I must admit to being a little surprised as most people don’t acknowledge me.”
Danielle said, “That may be the case at the post office but here things are different. Here everyone matters.”
She waved me towards the stand that had large thermoses on it and a bunch of cups. “We’ve got warm apple cider and hot cocoa.”
I smiled and said, “Thank you no, I actually feel comforted by the cold.”
“That’s right I recall you Elfins enjoy the colder climates.” She noted.
She then slipped an arm round mine and said, “Well the least you can do is come talk with the rest of us. I admit I’m rather curious about your people.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised to hear that. A lot of people when they see me are a little unnerved by my appearance.”
“Zephyr, I like the rest of the congregation judge people based on content of character. And from what I see you seem like a good person who’s lonely.” She observed.
I had to wince at this. “Am I that obvious?”
“Very," the chestnut-haired woman quipped.
I let her lead me over and got the chance to speak with the others. In that time, I don’t know how it happened, but my conversations began to lighten my heart. As I talked with them about their lives I began to sense a common bond growing. That and sharing my own story helped ease the burden on me. Finally, Danielle looked at her watch and said, “Pastor I'd say we’re about ready.”
Brian Roberts said, “All right pull out your songbooks everyone.”
The choir did so before I asked, “What can I do Pastor?”
The head of the church congregation said, “Keep an eye on things and feel free to listen. I admit we’ll not be performing at any grand venues soon. But we’ll do our best.”
I shrugged and said, “Very well.”
And then the choir began to sing a song called deck the halls. As the notes came out, I admit it wasn’t any of the choirs I’d seen on the holovision screen. But on listening to them I could sense the joy and heart in what they sang. This continued for a couple of hours, and we attracted a crowd of people from the neighborhood. As the choir finished up the last song the crowd cheered and clapped.
The Pastor looked around and said, “Thank you to all who have chosen to attend this. I hope some of you will feel encouraged to visit my church here in Portland. I’ll have cards ready for any interested persons.”
I walked over to Zach, Kelly, and Danielle who were talking. “You did well, I could sense the heart in what you were doing.” I pointed out.
“So how has tonight been for you?” My boss asked.
“Your pastor is a remarkable man,” I observed.
Danielle nodded her agreement. “Pastor Roberts is remarkable and a very good man. He’s not perfect but he’s a good man.”
“Hey Zephyr, you’ve got some time off you haven’t used if I recall right.” Zach realized.
I nodded and said, ‘That’s right and I haven’t been able to figure out what to do with it.”
“Well Kelly, Danielle and I were planning to head up to Mount Hood to do some cross-country skiing in January. Would you care to join us?”
That took me by surprise I admit. But I answered, “Yes, yes, I would like that. A chance to get up into some colder climes would be very nice.”
“It’s settled then!” Zach stated.
“I especially would like to get to know you better. I must admit I’m very curious to hear more about you Elfins.” Danielle added.
“My story is not the most pleasant of ones.” I warned.
A sour look flashed across Danielle’s face. “I overheard some of what you said. Your family may have assimilated but they lost their moral compass. And people wonder why greed is one of the seven deadly sins.”
Kelly added, “Amen sister, amen.”
I for one nodded and said, “I will...I will be happy to tell you of my people if you’re willing to tell me something of yourself. I seem to recall you mentioned you are a nurse at PSU hospital.”
She nodded and said, “I am, it’s not the highest paying job in the world. But what does that matter when I get the chance to help people with health issues.”
And so, I spent a few more minutes talking with them before we all went home. And for the first time in all the time I’d been on planet Earth I didn’t feel quite so alone anymore.
And there we are good readers. Story 7 of the 12 Tales of Christmas is now wrapped up. But there’s still more to go. The 12 tales of Christmas continue next time, and I hope you’re enjoying these stories. If you are enjoying them, make sure to hit that like button and share this across social media.
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The 12 Tales of Christmas Season 1