Snarky Teenager rolled her eyes. “You’re the HOST, remember? Of course you are supposed to speak.”
Elly gave a faint smile and stood nervously. “This has been, at times, the best and worst year of my life. There were times when I never dreamed I would get through it. And yet, here I am, on the other side, a bigger” – she gestured to her hips – “and better person.” Kim whooped with laughter and Hadley cried back at the noise. Elly felt a sob rising up in her throat as she gazed upon the faces she so dearly loved. Keep it together, she warned herself, nobody wants to see you cry on Christmas. “But in all honesty, I truly believe that the day that I stopped at this coffee shop, on this street, that I was being put in the place I belonged. Besides my Mother, who I’m sure is looking down on me now and wondering why she never taught me to cook a turkey, I’ve never had family.” She paused, her eyes filling with tears, and her voice shaking. “Until now. You are my family, and this place,” she looked around her bright shop, “is my home.” Her eyes lingered on the chair next to her. “You are the joy in my life.”
Everyone smiled, caught up in the moment as Elly slowly regained control of her emotions. “So tonight, I’m giving thanks to God for everyone here. You are my presents this Christmas.”
She raised her glass. “To you.”
The table raised their glasses. Kim wiped a tear from her eye, and Snarky Teenager, whose eyes were suspiciously bright, mouthed “LAME” to her boyfriend. There was a wild grab for food, and soon the whole table was laughing and eating as the first flakes of snow danced down onto St. Louis streets.
Elly sat, flushed with happiness, filled with grace and a little too much wine. Slowly, she reached her hand under the table to find Keith’s hand waiting for her - where it had always been. Waves of fire blossomed out from her heart as he closed his hand tightly around hers. This was the beginning of something real, she could feel it. “Pass me a sandwich?” he asked. Inside the tiny shop on Wydown Street, Elly Jordan smiled. To everyone watching, she seemed very much like the sun.
The End
See Elly continue to bloom in Elly in Love, coming soon.
My deepest thanks:
To those who have dared to both love and believe in me, even when there was very little reason behind it: My wonderful husband and unceasing supporter Ryan Oakes. The best gift I ever gave myself was marrying you. To my beloved and unreasonably logical sister Cynthia McCulley, my dear friend and favorite photographer Sarah Glover, the sister of my heart Kimberly Stein; friends Megan Hill, Cassandra Splittgerber, Elizabeth Wagner, Anthony Patton, Jordan Powers, and Katie Hall.
To Emily Testrake at Sister’s Flowers St. Louis, for teaching me the many joys and curses of being a wedding florist.
To those who have helped sculpt this book into what it is today: Michelle Rehme, Denise McCulley, Jennifer Hein, Heather Erickson.
To those teachers who have encouraged my writing through their vast springs of wisdom: Diane Hollenbeck for her instruction in life and literature, and for Dr. Mandana Nakhai, whose bravery, wit and knowledge continue to inspire.
Finally, this book would not exist without three very instrumental and incredible women: Emily “I’m for you!” Kiebel, whose vision and friendship is woven into every sentence of this book, the amazing Karen Groves for her sharp red pen and perpetually encouraging feedback, and for Erin Armknecht, who was simply the best editor a girl could hope for.
Thank you.
Hebrews 12:2