Have A Merry Little Christmas by Cindy Flores Martinez

Can you believe Christmas is less than two weeks away? I hope you’re enjoying the season!

Today, I’m sharing an excerpt from my latest story, “Merry Christmas, Amor”, which is part of the collection, “A Merry Little Winter”. It takes place in the picturesque fictional small town of Mulberry Shores where Christmas is alive and well. Main Street is wonderfully decorated and there's a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

In this scene, the very handsome Deputy Matt Nuñez stops to talk with a homeless woman on the street when he's off duty. Esperanza De La Cruz joins him.

Excerpt – Merry Christmas, Amor

Esperanza watched Matt step out of the car and shut the door. He had made a U-turn and parked at the curb close to where the homeless woman walked. At least, she appeared homeless. Her shopping cart was full of things that didn’t look like groceries, and she wandered as if she had nowhere to go.

The things Matt had said about his childhood had rendered Esperanza immobile. Sitting there in the silence, her mind was still reeling.

“Good evening.” Matt’s voice filled the air.

Esperanza gathered herself together and stepped outside.

“I’m Deputy Nuñez from the Sheriff’s Office,” he said to the woman who had stopped on the street.  “What are you doing out here alone? It’s cold out tonight.”

“Good evening deputy,” said the woman with a feeble voice like that of a much older person. Her cheeks appeared sunken in, and her graying hair was unkempt. “I came to find my son,” she said. “He lives here in Mulberry Shores. I lost touch with him so I don’t know which house belongs to him.” She glanced around as if she might see him standing out there in the dark.

“What’s his name?” asked Matt. “Maybe I can find him for you.”

“His name is Christopher Harris.”

Matt pulled his phone out of his pocket. “How do you spell his last name?”

The woman explained how and then gave him her name, which was Gloria.

Matt quickly typed on his keypad. “There's a Christopher Harris living a few streets down from here. Do you think he’s your son?”

Hope filled her sorrowful gray eyes. “Yes. It has to be him. Unless there's more than one Christopher Harris living in Mulberry Shores.” Her expression quickly darkened. “But even if he’s my son, I don’t know if he would want to see me.”

“Why not?”

“Because,” she said, “I—” She stopped. “I wasn’t a very good mother.” She lowered her gaze. “I wasn’t there for him when he was growing up. But I’ve changed since then. I’m sober now.” She gazed up at Matt with her eyes moist.

Matt’s face boasted the same expression as when Esperanza first met him—a strictly official look that hid any sympathy he may have felt.

“I can call him for you,” he said. “His number is listed. I can’t guarantee how he’ll react.”

“Oh, yes, please,” she said. “I would be so grateful.” The hope rose again in her eyes.

Matt stepped away, dialed the number and waited for an answer. “Good evening, this is Deputy Nuñez from the Mulberry Shores Sheriff’s Office. May I please speak with Christopher Harris?” He paused to hear the response. “Sir, I have a woman here by the name of Gloria who says she’s your mother. Do you know her?”

A man’s muffled voice resounded through the speaker.

“Yes, she’s here in Mulberry Shores. She said she’s been trying to find you but doesn’t know where you live. She would like to speak with you.” He paused. “Okay. Hold on.” Matt lowered his phone and turned to Gloria. “He said he wants to talk to you.”

Her face lit up as brightly as the Christmas tree that shone on Main Street. “He does?”

Matt approached and held out his phone.

With a trembling hand, she took it from him and raised it to her ear. “Hello? Son?” she said. “Is it really you?”

Their conversation was nothing like Gloria had feared. Any hurt that may have existed between them no longer seemed to be there.

Esperanza held her breath as she listened.

Gloria lowered the phone, her face now brighter and her eyes brimming with tears. “My son said he wants to see me,” she said, the emotion seizing her voice. “He said he wants to come and get me.”

“Did he?” Matt sounded as if he hadn’t expected it.

“But I don’t know the name of this street.” She glanced around with a desperate gaze.

“I can tell him for you. I’ll give him directions.” Matt took the phone and described to Christopher where they waited. Slowly, he hung up, his expression reflecting disbelief. “He said he’ll be here in a few minutes.”

Gloria clutched her chest and let out a joyful laugh. “I can’t believe it. My son is coming for me. He’s coming for me.” She began to weep.

Esperanza’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears spilled down her face. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Gloria. “I’m so happy for you.”

* * *  

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L1XZ654

Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes Christian Romance. She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world. You can learn more about her at www.cindyfloresmartinez.com