A Prayer for Every Year

December 6th
Her desk that morning held two things. Other than the gift of paperwork she also had another sealed, unlabelled, white envelope. Underneath was an ad for a book reading. The book was one from her childhood, one she would never forget as long as she lived. After all, it wasn't every day a hermit was taught compassion by a little boy. Plus, it was already set out on her coffee table at home. She grinned.
"The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey," Bobby read out loud. The others all looked up and Sue blushed. Carefully opening the envelope, she withdrew two tickets to the reading and gasped. She'd seen the ad before and had yearned to go, but by the time she had a break to go and get a ticket they had been sold out. The only reason Lucy found herself going was a friend who had tickets. She'd offered Sue a chance to go instead, but Sue declined. Now she could go too!
Thank you so much, she thought to the heavens.
"Sue, there are two tickets here," Myles stated, looking as pompous as ever. Sue looked startled down at the tickets. Sure enough, two were there, sticking out of the envelope where she'd dropped them in surprise.
"I for one, have already read the book," Bobby declined gracefully, "and Myles will be busy that night, won't you?" Myles looked slightly stunned, but a significant look at Tara prevented him from contradicting.
"I've already planned a night of poinsettias," he agreed. Sue shrugged before Tara caught her attention.
"I'd go, but I've already got plans." And Lucy was already going…
"Jack?" Sue asked. He looked up from his diligent writing.
"Would you like to come with me?"
"I've never heard the story before," he stated. Sue grinned.
"All the more reason! There's nothing better than having a story read to you," she said. At his hesitancy, she turned her puppy dog eyes to him. She didn't use them often, only when she really wanted something, and this, this , was something she really wanted. Within seconds, he gave in.
"Alright, I'll go with you," he answered. She smiled and signed him a sincere thank you. His face lit up at the gesture as he signed your welcome back at her. She looked down at the date and gasped. It was that night! She jumped when she looked up, Jack leaning over the front of her desk.
"Should I pick you up?" he signed. He'd been working extra hard to learn sign language for her, loving the intimacy and privacy it provided them. She nodded with a grateful smile.
"Shall we do dinner before we go?" He agreed with a nod of his head before telling her he'd pick her up a six and going back to his paperwork. Sue sat down, taking a careful look at the substantial pile of papers, but feeling lighter than she had in a while.

True to his word, Jack picked her up at six and they headed to their favourite Italian restaurant before the show. Dinner was easy for them as it was nothing different than the other times they'd managed to share a pizza. Sometimes it baffled her that, out of the number of times she and Jack had come to this restaurant, their servers didn't know their orders by heart. They kept the conversation light over the meal and left in happy spirits. They found Lucy near the middle of the seating with two seats saved on one side. She greeted them enthusiastically as they took their seats. Soon, the reader stood up to the podium, inviting all of the children closer to see the pictures. Then he began,
"The village children called him Mr Gloomy. But, in fact, his name was Toomey, Mr Jonathan Toomey…"

"…And that day in the churchyard the village children saw Jonathan throw back his head, showing his eyes as clear as an August sky, and laugh. No one ever called him Mr. Gloomy again." Sue snuggled closer to Jack as she applauded the reader. At some point during the story, his arm had found its way over her shoulders and she was reluctant to have him remove it. When he did, to stand with the rest and applaud not only the story but also the reader, she held in a disappointed sigh. He did, however, take her hand on the way out. He walked her to her door, stopping her before she entered. Making sure she could see him he said,
"Christmas is all in the heart." Then tapping her nose and kissing her cheek, he was gone. She blushed and turned into the apartment, pausing as she turned down her bed.
She knew who was sending her the gifts for the 25 days of Christmas!

The story is A Christmas Miracle for Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski. I suggest if you can find it to read it. It is really an awesome story that will touch every heart
When I go to my favourite restaurants, the ones where I'm there like, once a week, they all know my order. Its nice and hassle free!