A Glimpse
Chapter 2

An Unexpected Visitor.

As she continued to sob, Lana felt a hand touch her shoulder. Looking up she saw the face of a stranger. Normally, this would have frightened her, but this face was kind, gentle and full of happiness. There was also a look of concern and at the same time compassion. There was something about his eyes. They had a way of telling you that everything was going to be alright. Lana smiled at this older gentleman. "I thought I was alone out here," she stated. "I didn't see you before."

With a smile on his face, that could be valued as a one million dollar smile, he replied, "No dear you didn't see me before. You see I've just arrived." There was something almost familiar about him, but she just couldn't put her finger on what it was.

"Well," he said, "I was out for a walk and I just spotted you over here. I wanted to see if you were alright." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "Why are you crying," he asked?

"It's a long story," she replied, "one that I really don't wish to share with anyone, today."

"That's okay," the man said. "But it's Christmas Day, don't you have anyone to be with?"

All she could do was nod her head, no.

"There were friends and family once, but now it seems like that was more than one thousand years ago." I ruined my chances for happiness. You know what they say, 'You made your bed, now lay in it.' "That's my story, but don't worry about me. I will be fine." Having said this, she got up and turned to go.

"Yes you will, young lady, you will be fine." This he said with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. "May I ask you a question before you leave?"

"Well you can, but whether or not I answer will depend on the question."Are his eyes deep blue green?

"Miss, do you ever wonder what it would be like if things happened differently?"

Lana thought for a second as if she were pondering how things might have worked out, but then looked back at him and said, "No!" "What would be the point of doing that? Nothing can really change. It's way too late for that."

His reply was soft gentle and a matter of fact. "Never say never my dear, things do have a way of working out."

Lana thought to herself, if only that were really true. Then she smiled at the man and chuckled. Then she looked back into the deep blue green eyes and said, "I really have to be going."

'I understand the kindly gentleman said," but as she turned to leave, he said, "I have a Christmas Gift for you."

She looked at him with a very serious look in her eyes and said, "Sir, I really have enough gifts and I don't need anymore."

With a look just as serious as hers, he said, "This is a very special gift, one you should not turn down!"

As he said this Lana felt that familiar feeling. Somehow she knew this gentleman. She couldn't say exactly who he was, but she felt that she could trust him.

He took a large silver coin out of his pocket and held it out to her. She took it and looked at it for a second or two, then put it in her purse.

"Thank you sir," she said, feeling a little better. "You are very kind." Having said this she turned to go.

The kind old man stopped her. "Lana," he said, "Take out the coin and make a wish, please?"

Somehow she felt compelled to do as he had asked. She took the coin out of her purse she held it in her hands.

"Wish for insight into the way things could have been dear one."

She did and after doing that smiled at the man, gave him a hug, said to him, "Merry Christmas," and before turning to go said, "Thank you!"

When she turned to walk away, she heard him say, "Merry Christmas, Lana!"

As she walked to her car, which was parked at The Talon, it began to snow. She noticed that by the time she was back at her car that she had a fair amount of it on her coat and in her hair.

How did he know my name, she wondered? Her drive back to the mansion was short, but her thoughts along the way were about that man. Why did he seem to be so familiar to me? When she reached the mansion, it was cold, dark and lonely. The chef asked her what she wanted for dinner, but she decided to skip supper and turn in early.