© Copyright 2005 by More Than Novellas

Welcome to The Interactive Fiction room ... let me tell you why I am so excited about this opportunity to present this story to you. The following authors are on three different continents, so this is truly a world wide venture. And you could be next. Add your voice to the interactive stories room!

Elizabeth Delayne
Nov 28, 03
LizDelayne@hotmail.com

John hurried into the mall, dodging customers and their bags as people came out, toward him, heading home for Christmas with their families. He flipped his wrist, checked his watch, and grimaced. Not only was he running late, but the mall would be closing in fifteen minutes.

Rachel Waspe
Dec 3, 03
Funshine999@aol.com

He hadn't gotten anywhere near completing his shopping; the books that his mother wanted so much were safely stashed in the bottom of his bag along with the big concordance that his father had craved for so long but there was still Tucker to buy for as well as Phoebe, Clarence and, of course, little Megan. His face softened as he thought of his little sister with her cheerful face. Little Megan who was confined to a wheelchair, Megan whom everyone thought was weird and whom everybody avoided. But Megan was a gift, John thought fiercely and then caught himself before he wasted the rest of his shopping time thinking up satisfactory ways to snub those who had said such horrible things. Of course Wendy understood, she always understood but Wendy wasn't there any more was she?

Mrs Brown
July 28, 04
mrsbrown1@optusnet.com.au

Shaking his head as if to clear away the mist of hurt, John strode resolutely through the toy department. Within minutes he was the proud owner of a fancy slot car racing set for his youngest brother Clarence, and for Megan the kind of brand name doll that his parents simply couldn’t afford to buy. The kind he couldn’t really afford to buy either - but he’d been working double shifts every day since Bible College broke up that year - and he was determined to make this a Christmas to remember for his family. That only left Phoebe and Tucker. They were both still in their early teens, but he remembered well how he had felt at their age and knew they’d appreciate something grown up. He was thrilled to find a leather wallet embossed with a fancy letter “T” and added a masculine silver key ring before making tracks to the women’s accessories. The crowds were thinning out quickly, but he ignored the repeated loudspeaker announcements to proceed to the cashiers, and avoided meeting the eyes of the waiting sales staff as he quickly scanned the displays. He had just reached down a soft angora shawl, almost identical to one he’d seen his sister Phoebe admiring in a catalogue recently, when he saw it. His heart began to pound as he walked toward the beautifully packaged sets of hat, scarf and gloves. There on top was a set in vibrant fuchsia - Wendy’s favourite colour. His hand reached out for it of it’s own accord, as he thought of how gorgeous she would look in it. He could almost see her shiny, dark hair streaming from beneath that hat, the scarf wrapped around her slender neck and bringing out the bright blue of her eyes, her long, delicate fingers inside those fine gloves. But he had no right to give her such a gift, she had said goodbye to him for good. . . she had told him that it was not to be.

“Excuse me sir, we’re closing.”

His hand gripped convulsively on the package as he wheeled around to the assistant, startled. Her face softened on seeing the haunted look in his eyes and she spoke gently.

“I’ll just be at the counter when you are ready - tell me if you need any help.”

John nodded his thanks, and took a deep, shuddering breath. “Oh God,” he prayed silently, “Please take away this hurt, if it really is your will, help me to accept it.”

Lights were beginning to be turned off throughout the store, but still he found himself unable to replace the package to it’s place the shelf. It would be ridiculous to buy it . . . just holding on to foolish dreams . . . prolonging the agony . . . yet he could not bring himself to leave it behind. With a sad sigh he placed it on top of his gifts and took them to the counter.

Rachel Waspe
Aug 3, 04
Funshine999@aol.com

He watched in a daze as each item passed through the counter, only half-hearing the annoying bleep that confirmed the transaction.

He landed with a bump when the shop assistant named the price. His eyes opened in shock, it must have been the parcel for Wendy that had cost so much. He gulped and reached for his wallet. Wendy was worth it...but Wendy wasn't his any more. If only they hadn't argued, if only she hadn't...but he mustn't go there. It was Christmas and he had other things to do.

mrs brown
Aug 7, 04
mrsbrown1@optusnet.com.au

A short bus ride later, and John was quietly letting himself in the front door of his family's small inner-city home. Luckily, the rest of his family seemed either to be occupied with decorating the tree or the preparations in the kitchen, and he was able to tip-toe unnoticed through the narrow hallway and up the stairs. The back room he shared with his two younger brothers when he was on holidays from college was untidy, but thankfully empty. He had just finished taping up the paper on the last of his gifts when he heard the door open behind him.

Rachel Waspe 
Apr 28, 05
Funshine999@aol.com

"No, don't come in!" He said, trying to hide all of his parcels, despite the fact that they were all wrapped in brown paper anyhow.

"You didn't give me a kiss."

Megan's soft voice, trembling with unshed tears made John spin round and he strode over to the door to lift her light frame out of the ever present wheelchair.

"I'm sorry, my Meg, I didn't realize that it was you. I was going to give you a kiss, honest, but I had to put my parcels down first so that I could pick you up." He sat down on the bed and cradled her against his chest, tenderly kissing her forehead.

"When's Wendy coming back?"

John started at the question and stared in concern at his little sister. "I told you she wasn't coming back again, don't you remember, sweetheart?"

"You lied." She said calmly, wrapping her arms around her beloved brother's neck. "She promised me that she'd always be here for me. She has to be coming back."

"Meggie, the last thing that Wendy wants to do is leave you but...well, she can't come round here while I'm here. It would be too awkward for both of us."

"But you love her." Megan's lower lip trembled and a hot tear splashed onto her cheek. "And I want her back."

"I know, honey, I know." John held her possessively and took a deep breath. Wendy was the only other person who saw Megan for who she really was - the only one who accepted her completely. Could he let Wendy stay away because of him when it would hurt Megan? "I'll call her and ask her to come and see you." He promised.

"Will you be nice to her?"

"Of course I'll be nice. We had an argument, Poppet, but I'd never intentionally hurt her." But he had hurt her, not intentionally but he had still hurt her. Just as she had hurt him.

"Phone her now." Megan demanded, smiling sweetly at him. "Promise?"

John swallowed hard and stood up, gently lowering Megan back into her chair. "I promise." As Megan wheeled herself contentedly out of his room, he reached for his cell phone.

Mrs Brown
May 1, 05
mrsbrown1@optusnet.com.au

His fingers were trembling as he pressed the numbers on his phone. Numbers he knew he could never forget.

He had to ring right now, like he had promised, or he knew he’d never have the courage. His heart was in his throat, thumping wildly as it rang - and then he heard her voice.

“Hello, this is Wendy -”

Her voice, as sweet and gentle as ever . . . would it still be when she knew it was him?

“I’m sorry but I’m not able to take your call at the moment . . . so please leave a message after the tone and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. Bye.”

The realization that he’d reached her answering service took him completely by surprise and the beep came and went before he could react. He hung up, feeling strangely deflated now that he had set his mind to calling her, then realizing it might be the chance he needed he quickly dialed her number again.

“Please let me know what to say, Lord,” he prayed as he listened to the message again, waiting nervously for the tone. His voice wasn’t quite steady as he began to speak, but he pushed on anyway.

“Wendy, it’s me - John. I hope you don’t mind me calling, I know you asked me not to . . . but it’s Christmas, and Meggie asked me to call. She misses you . . .” the suddenly as though the words came of their own accord, “I miss you too . . .”

John felt his throat close up with emotion and, unable to say any more he ended the call, the phone in his hands looking blurry through his tears. All at once his pride didn’t matter any more and he dialed the number one more time.

“I miss you too, Wendy. I’m so sorry I ever let you go.” His voice was husky as he said what he should have said a weeks ago, “I was hurt that you weren’t ready to be more serious about the future, about me - but I should have waited - I should never have given you an ultimatum like that. I’m sorry . . .”

He paused until he could continue again, “I understand if you still don’t want to see me, but could you please come and see Megan? She doesn’t understand why you don’t come anymore . . . if you want to ring first, I’ll make sure I’m not here if you like. . .”

He couldn’t go on, although there was so much more he wanted to say. All the things he treasured about her that he’d never told her, all the dreams he’d cherished about their future . . . he sighed, pressing the button to end the call and sinking back onto his bed.

He was still lying there, staring at the ceiling, when his mother called him from down stairs several minutes later.

Rachel Waspe
Jun 17, 05
Funshine999@aol.com

Wendy slammed the front door and dumped her bag on the floor. Shivering from the frigid temperature outside, she peeled off her coat and yanked her threadbare scarf from around her neck. As she passed the phone she pressed the button for any messages.

A blank message. How original! Who was it this time? A secret admirer or a deranged stalker?

Wendy giggled at her cynical question but the laugh was cut short when the next message played. John.

"Oh John." She whispered, tears filling her eyes as he apologized for calling. "Don't you know that I have been waiting for you to call?"

Her heart plummeted when she realized that he was only calling for the sake of his sister. Sweet Megan, Wendy missed her too. Not as much as she missed John, but missed her all the same.

The message finished abruptly and Wendy had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she had missed the end. But then his voice once more filled the small hallway.

*I miss you too, Wendy. I'm so sorry I ever let you go.*

Wendy cried out in joy and relief. He still loved her. And she still loved him. They would have another chance together. Maybe she would even consider what he had said that last time.

*if you want to ring first, I’ll make sure I’m not here if you like*

Was that an invitation? He wanted her to visit! Wendy was only sure about one thing. She was NOT going to phone and give him a chance to avoid her when she turned up on his doorstep.

Wendy smiled and reached into her bag for the gift that she had impulsively bought for him. Would he like it? Well, there was only one way to find out.

Elizabeth Delayne
Jun 30, 05
LizDelayne@hotmail.com

The Christmas Eve services were extraordinary as usual, but John couldn’t get over the grief. A month ago, he’d thought of attending with Wendy ... it wasn’t a plan so much as a belief. He’d believed they would be together.

And now she was alone.

“John?” He looked down at Megan and ran a hand over her crop of hair. “Yes, Poppet?”

“Don’t be sad. It’s Christmas.” She looked up at him with eyes so open, so believing. “You can push me to the car.”

He pushed aside his grief, and grabbed onto the bars. Megan was fiercely independent, and rarely allowed someone to push her–so she would think it a treat for him to push her around.

“John!”

He stopped, his hands vicing on the bars. This time, the voicing of his name made him frown.

Megan turned her head and smiled with glee. “Wendy!”

Wendy immediately stopped and dropped a gentle kiss on Megan’s head. They exchanged excited chatter, so easy for them.

But John missed the words. He couldn’t get over the fact that Wendy was there. He watched them, without hearing them. It was so natural for Wendy to open herself to Megan.

Seeing them, it reminded him ... of how much he loved her. Of what it had felt like to fall that final step into love.

He released the bars, took a step back.

Wendy immediately grabbed his hand. “John, wait.”

“Yes, John. You have to see her. You have to tell her,” Megan said, trying desperately to turn her chair around to face them. “You must. You promised."

“Promised what?” Wendy asked.

He stared down at where her hand held onto his. He couldn’t get beyond that. She was holding onto him.

His mother came over, took hold of Megan’s chair. “Come on Megan,” she said, "lets leave these two alone.”

“But they don’t want me to go ... do you?”

Wendy look at John, a little hesitant.

His mother laughed. “Perhaps another time, Megan. We have to get home. You know what happens on Christmas Eve.”

As his mother wheeled Megan away, John looked back at Wendy. He swallowed. He didn’t quite know what to say. There was so much to say.

“What did you promise, John?”

He shrugged, glanced over to where Megan was pulling herself into the car. She looked over at him then. And he got her message-nothing less than an order.

Don’t mess up this time.

He was sure she thought he needed her help. He wasn’t sure he didn’t. Megan was so much better at speaking her mind. When he spoke his ...

He looked back at Wendy.

The last time he's spoken his mind, he'd lost her.

“What?”

“What did you promise?”

“To ... call. To tell you ... we missed you,” he turned his hand over suddenly, grasped her fingers. “That I missed you.”

“I got your message,” she started walking, her fingers curled around his. “I’m glad you called.”

“You are?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to call,” she stopped, stepped back, and released his hand. Then she opened her bag.

“I have something for you.”

Mrs Brown
Jul 1, 05
mrsbrown1@optusnet.com.au

Wendy pressed a small, carefully wrapped parcel into his hands.

"When I saw it, I thought of you . . . " she explained a little nervously.

John looked down into her wide blue eyes, struck anew by how absolutely beautiful she was - spiritually as well as physically - and cursed himself again for having been impatient with her. He'd wait forever for a commitment from her if he needed too, if only he could have another chance.

As her fingers brushed against his he realised how cold they were, and noticed again how worn and thin her scarf was. He smiled, a warm glow spreading within him with the delightful anticipation of giving her his own gift.

"I have something for you, too," he told her, "but it's at home. Why don't I save this until I can give you mine?"

"No, please, can you open it now . . . while we're alone?"

There was a definite look of apprehension in her eyes, and the pink flush which had lit her creamy face only moments ago had faded. What could she be giving me that she wants me to open in private?

"Sure, Wendy, whatever you want."

John's fingers felt strangely hard to command as he painstakingly undid the paper, careful not to let a single curl of ribbon slip to the ground. As he pulled aside the last layer of tissue he revealed a plaque of burnished wood. Two brass hooks were fixed to the front and embossed above them in gold lettering was the scripture verse from Joshua 24.15, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

"It's a key holder," Wendy explained quietly, "I thought it would be lovely to put just inside the door . . . of our first home, wherever that may be."

John's eyes flew to hers.

Rachel Waspe
Jul 5, 05
Funshine999@aol.com

"Does that mean...?" His voice trailed off but the meaning hung between them, as if suspended from the sky.

"I don't want to lose you, John." Wendy sounded dangerously close to tears.

"You'll never lose me again." He gave her a fierce hug, completely killing her scarf, which disintegrated and fell at her feet. "And I promise that you will never be this cold again." He tipped her face up to his for a quick kiss. "You need somebody to take care of you and I know just the person to do it."

Wendy laughed. "I'm not the only one who needs taking care of. Do you think that I haven't noticed that you have a hole in your coat?"

"Ok, we can take care of each other, starting now. The first thing to do is to give you your present."

* * * * * * * * * *

The delight on Wendy's face was defintely worth the extortionate price that he had paid for the fuchsia fleece kit. "Oh John, they're beautiful. How did you know...?" She slipped her hands in the gloves and draped the scarf around her shoulders, clutching the hat in her hand.

"How did I know that you needed them? I didn't but I sure knew that you'd like them." John used the scarf to tug her to him for another kiss.

Megan clapped her hands in delight, startling the two of them, who had been so engrossed in each other that they hadn't realised that she had joined them. "Wendy gave you a gift, you gave Wendy a gift and God gave me my gift."

"What gift was that sweetheart?" John asked, leaning down to give her forehead a kiss.

"Wendy and you." Megan grinned. "You're getting married aren't you? Can I be a bridesmaid?"



... completed July 5, 2005 ... see the interactive stories room to read or add your own part ... to another story!







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