"December 23rd"

"December 23rd"

9:00 A.M.

Outside of a medium-sized suburban home on the outskirts of Chicago, snow beings to gently fall from the grey overcast skies. The frozen precipitation covers the bare tree branches and the brown, frozen grass of all the neighborhood lawns in a seasonal blanket of white. 


The rapid dropping of the temperature outside coats the window glass in a thin layer of frost as the heat from the furnace and roaring fireplace protect the family dwelling inside from the wintry conditions.


The smell of cookies baking in the oven fills up his small family home with an aroma that is undeniably linked to that of the holiday season. His three sisters move with a feverish pace throughout the house, sprinting from one room to the next.


Colton Miller sits on a plush cushioned chair next to the fireplace in the middle of the living room with his computer resting on his lap. As he looks for the perfect gift for his girlfriend, he intermediately looks up from the screen and gazes out on his neighborhood that is quickly becoming the setting out of a typical Christmas story.


It is Saturday December 23rd, 2016 and the calming and relaxing nature of the Christmas season is quickly replaced with the last minute chaos of his sisters and mother preparing for the slew of upcoming holiday events. 


BANG.


A loud crashing thump echoes through the home as Stacy and Mary run into each other like a pair of polar expresses that have veered off the tracks. 


"Stacy," a disappointed Mary yells as the collision has caused the oldest of the three girls to drop her gift and shatter into pieces. 


"I am so sorry. I didn't see you," Stacy - the youngest of the trio - quivers. 


"That was for my grab bag party tonight. What am I going to do now," Mary exclaims.


Norah, the mother of the family, looks on from the kitchen counter that has been turned into a make shift bakery with an assortment of all kinds of Christmas treats being prepared for multiple destinations. 


"What's wrong?" their mother inquires. 


"Stacy ran into me and broke my ornament for my friends grab bag party tonight," Mary complains. 


"Okay, well, just have your brother take you out to find something new, there is still plenty of time," Norah advises. 


"Colton," Norah calls. 


Colton the oldest of the siblings, home for the holidays, still looking out on the peaceful scene just beyond the windows has his trance broken by the call of his mother. 


"Ya?" he responds. 


"Would you mind taking your sister to the mall to find a new gift?" Norah asks. 


"Mom I'm a Junior in high school I can drive myself," Mary rebuttals. 


"The snow is starting to come down pretty good," her mother returns. "I would just feel better having your brother take you." 


"No problem Mom," Colton says with a little smile. 


Colton has always loved the Christmas season. Every year he enjoys the weather, the music, the scent, and the coming together of friends and family. 


However, being as shy and reserved as he can be at times, there has always been one aspect of the season he has always been dreaming of more than most.  


Colton has always wanted to be in a relationship during the holiday season. He's had desires of walking around his town, or in the city, hand in hand with someone that he truly cared about. Soaking in the atmosphere, walking around with the houses and buildings glowing from the Christmas lights, and enjoying the snowy weather. 

Now graduated from college, twenty-eight years old, with a steady job, and in the midst of his longest relationship, he finally has the opportunity to experience what he has wanted for so long. 



"This actually works out perfect because I still need to find the perfect gift for Sarah," Colton says throwing on his peacoat and lacing up his shoes. 



"Oooooh what are you going to get her," Mary teases. 



"That's the problem I really have no idea," Colton reveals. 



As the brother and sister go back-and-forth their mother quietly watches on with a smile, as she continues to bake the sweets in the kitchen. 



"Alright Mom, we'll be back in a little while," Mary says as she heads out the front door. 



"Be safe," Norah says. 



"See you later," Colton says as he heads for the door. 



"Colton," his mother calls out just as he is about to leave. 



He turns around to see what his mother has to say. 



"A little advice on the whole gift giving situation," his mother chimed in. "More times that not it's better to just keep it simple. Don't try to buy your feelings, just show them." 



A coy smile comes over Colton's face as he thanks his mother for the wise words and heads out the door. 


11:30 A.M. 


Colton and his sister Mary get in his car and drive to the local mall in hopes of finding her a new gift for a party later in the evening, and for him to find the perfect gift for Sarah. 


"So what have you been thinking about getting her?" Mary asks 


"I'm not sure I mean we've been dating for almost a year now so I feel like it has to really mean something," Colton confides. "This is the longest relationship that I have ever had, and I just want this Christmas to be perfect." 


"So you have no clue," Mary laughs. 


"No not at all," Colton playfully responds. 


"Well if I were you I would listen to Mom and just keep it simple," Mary says. "Don't go overboard or put to much pressure on yourself. I know it sounds cheesy, but it really is the thought that counts." 


"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Colton added.


The siblings battle through the last minute shopping traffic and the increasingly heavy snow, finally making it to the Fairview Mall. They pull into the parking lot that is packed with cars, and very few precious parking spots. 


"I'll let you off up front and look for a spot," Colton says. 


"Are you sure I feel like we should stick together, this place looks like a zoo," Mary commented. 


"We'll be fine," Colton states. "Just keep your phone on and at worst we can just meet up at the food court in the middle of the mall." 


"Alright, I'll see you in there," Mary says. 


Colton pulls up to the main entrance and the car comes to a sliding stop, the snow is now beginning to cover the pavement. Mary opens the door and makes her way into the mall. 


Just as she does, Mary runs into a group of her high school friends who will be at the party with her later. They all say hi to each other and begin talking and laughing, as Mary looks back and waves goodbye to her brother.


"Shit," Colton sighs knowing that he more than likely won't see his sister again until the family is together tomorrow for Christmas eve. 

12:30 P.M. 


After a lengthy search, Colton finally finds a parking spot all the way at the back of the mall. He gets out and locks his car, finally ready to take on the challenge of navigating his way through a sea of nervous last minute shoppers. 


He slips and slides his way through the brisk and seemingly endless parking lot before finally making it to the front entrance. As he pulls open the door and steps into the warm and busy shopping center, he is shocked to see just how crowded the mall really is. 


He knows that it would be nearly impossible to find his sister in the mass of people that shuffle about in front of him. Colton decides to send his sister a text to meet up at the food court in the center of the building like he had mentioned before.


After frustratingly navigating his way through the massive crowd of people, Colton finally makes it to the food court. He finds an empty table that he swears is a gift from above and takes a much needed seat. 


He sends a text to Mary that he is in the food court and waiting. 


BUZZ. BUZZ. 


Colton looks down at his phone. 


"My friends and I found the perfect gift so I am just going to leave with them and get ready for the party," the text reads. 


Colton dejected puts his head in his hands and can't help but laugh. 


"Okay...see you tomorrow," his responding text says. 


Colton looks at all the people around him and stays determined to accomplish the task at hand. 


"Alright let's do this," Colton confidently says.


Colton rises from the food court table and begins his journey through the mall. His first stop on the list of possible gifts: Smith's Jewelry. 

After battling the crowds Colton finally arrives at his first destination. He walks into the shop and peers into the display cases that shows off all of the beautiful pieces. 



"Can I help you with anything sir," a store clerk asks. 



"Ya I actually called about the snow flake pendant that you've been selling this year," Colton says. 



"Oh yes that has been one of our most popular items," the clerk boasts. "Whoever you are getting that for must be someone pretty special." 



"She is," Colton brags. 



"Alright let me go check what we have in stock," the clerk says. 



As the clerk leaves to retrieve the pendant a calming feeling comes over Colton, thinking that this journey has come to a satisfying and relatively easy end. Then the clerk returns to the counter. 



"I'm sorry sir but that particular piece is all sold out," the clerk informs. 



"Wait what?," a puzzled Colton stammers. 



"Unfortunately a gentleman came in ten minutes ago and purchased the last remaining one," the clerk states. 



"But I called this morning and asked if it was still available," Colton pleads. 



"I know, but unfortunately because of the high demand we do not reserve any purchases," the clerk says. "It is first come first serve." 



Colton, discouraged, can do nothing but turn to Plan B, as he exits the store and looks for his next course of action. 



BUZZ. BUZZ. 



Colton looks down at his phone.



"Battling these crazy crowds looking for the perfect gift," a text from Sarah reads. "We are still on for tonight, right?"



A smile of relief comes over Colton's face as he reads the message from Sarah. 



"Absolutely," Colton types in reply. 



The brief moment of happiness is quickly dispatched by a feeling of desperation. Colton looks down at his phone again to check the time and knows that he has to get a move on if he wants to find a gift. 



After constant searching, going from store to store, and battling the every growing crowd of consumers, Colton decides that nothing in this mall is right for Sarah. He decides to leave and head to the small downtown area just a couple of minutes away from his home, to check for something special there. 



3:00 P.M. 



Colton finally makes his way to the mall exit and leaves the building. Just as he does he takes a moment to admire the conditions outside. 



"Whoa," Colton blurts. 



The cars, parking lot, rooftops, and just about everything else, are completely covered in a heavy amount of snow. The snow has seemed to taper off but the damage has already been done. 



Nonetheless, Colton slowly makes his way to the back of the parking lot and back to his car. 



Though he reaches where he thought he had parked his car, there is nothing there. Colton spins around to see if he had over shot it, or maybe was a row or two over in the wrong direction. Alas he finds nothing. 



"I could have sworn I parked it right here," Colton says approaching an empty parking spot. 



"Oh no," Colton bellows. 



Though the snow had covered it, and at the moment has covered everything else, a little blue sign sticks out like a sore thumb. Colton walks over to reveal what he already knows what the sign will say. 



Handicap Parking Only. 



"Unbelievable," Colton says in disbelief. 



He tries to call his sister to see if she and her friends were still in the area and could possibly pick him up. There is no answer to his call. Next he tries home with his mother and two younger sisters to no avail. He would try his father, but he knows he would still be at work in the city. 



After some contemplation, Colton decides to trek to the nearest bus stop. 



Battling the deep snow, blowing winds, and the sheer disbelief of his current predicament, Colton finally reaches the bus stop on Washington Street.



Finally the first bit of good fortune, the bus arrives in a timely fashion and is headed straight for the downtown Youngstown stop. Colton boards the vehicle, puts in a few quarters, and takes a seat as he awaits his next destination. 



"You look like you've had a long afternoon," a bus rider with a bushy white beard says. 



"You could say that," Colton says with a slightly downtrodden tone. 


"I've been searching for weeks for the perfect gift to give to my girlfriend and I've gotten nowhere. Now tonight we're supposed to meet in Franklin Park at nine and exchange gifts. I really don't want to mess this up." 



"Well you've got yourself quite the predicament son," the rider says. "Let me ask you this, how much do you care about..." 



"Sarah," Colton reveals. 



"Sarah," the rider says reverently. "How much do you care about Sarah." 



"She is my whole world," Colton says. "I love her." 



"Have you told her that," the rider asks. 



"Ya," Colton says. "I mean not in so many words, but I think she knows. I just didn't want to say it to soon and mess things up. I think that keeping it in until you know for sure how the other person feels is the right move. Right?"



"That's something only you can answer and something only you can give her," the rider coached. "You are the only person in the world who is capable of telling somebody else what is in your heart." 



Colton looks on, listens, and falls into deep self reflection. 


The bus comes to a halt at the last stop before downtown Youngstown, breaking Colton's deep train of thought. The rider he had been conversing with stands up. 



"Well this is my stop, I've got a lot of work ahead of me tonight," the rider says. "A little piece of advice son. Don't try to overcomplicated or overshadow what is in your heart. If you keep it simple and let it show, everything will be fine." 



The rider takes a few steps towards to the front of the bus before turning around. 



"Oh yeah," the rider breaks in. "Merry Christmas." 



"Merry Christmas," a rejuvenated Colton returns. 



As the man exits the bus, Colton looks up to the electronic board in the front. 



"Next Stop Downtown Youngstown," the board reads. 



A look of relief comes across his face, as Colton examines the clock on his phone realizing that there is still time to find his gift for Sarah. 



4:30 P.M. 



The bus finally pulls up to the stop in the middle of downtown Youngstown. Colton scurries off the vehicle and into what has become a winter wonderland of a small downtown area.



Up and down every street are trees that are beaming with bright white lights. Salvation army Santa's stand on the a few corners, ringing their bells hoping to receive a few dollars in charity from the people going from store to store. 



Colton realizes that this is everything that he has he has dreamed about and pictured throughout the years, the only thing missing is Sarah. She is still out doing the same thing that Colton is trying to do for her. Searching for the perfect gift.



After taking a few moments to appreciate the beautiful setting that he has stumbled into, Colton snaps out of it and gets back to the task at hand. 



He hurries from store to store looking for the purchase that has eluded him for so long. After an hour of searching Colton still comes up empty. He walks around the downtown area out of ideas and out of hope. Colton is flabbergasted as to why nothing seems to be what he is looking for. 



He decides to take a break, as he walks into the local coffee shop that sits on the corner of Baker and Main Street. Colton walks past a man dressed as Santa Claus ringing a hand held bell and accepting donations in a red bucket for charity. He slips a few dollars into the bin and makes his way to the front door of the coffee shop. 

Colton pulls open the doors and steps from outside a cold and snowy exterior inside to a warm building with soft jazz music playing, and all different kinds of coffee scents swirling in the air. 



There is is a lounge area with a couch and a few chairs to his left, a couple of wooden tables adjacent to a shelf full of books straight ahead, and the small kitchen area to his right where all the beverages are being prepared. 



Colton gets inline behind five or six other cold and thirsty patrons. He peruses the display case connected to the counter that holds an assortment of baked goods. The Christmas music, combined with the holiday decor around the shop, created a peaceful 
atmosphere. 



As he is slowly moving up in the line, inching closer to the front, Colton feels a soft tap on his shoulder. He turns around to acknowledge the mysterious greeting. 



"Jackie?" Colton states in an amused sense of surprise. 



"How are you," Jackie asks. 



"I'm great," Colton says as the two embrace in a friendly hug. "Wow it is so crazy that I ran into you. What are you doing down here?" 



"Just getting some coffee before I head over to visit my family," Jackie says. "What about yourself?" 



"Just taking a little break from some last minute gift shopping," Colton affirmed. "I actually have a few minutes if you want to catch up?" 



"That sounds great," Jackie agrees. 



The two friends make it to the front of the line, where Colton orders and pays for the pair's hot chocolates. They walk over the lounge area where they take the two open chairs and begin to converse. 



Jackie is Colton's ex-girlfriend from back when they were in college together. Though they aren't together anymore, everything between them ended very amicably and the two enjoy a nice conversation. With people buzzing around them with their own conversations, Jackie and Colton reminisce about old times, as they catch up on what they are doing with their lives at the moment. 



Jackie explains how she has gone on to become a high ranking employee at a Public Relations firm in the city, while Colton explains how he is an Editor for a paper in the suburbs and working towards getting some original writing published. 
After the two laugh and trade a few more stories, Jackie inquires about his current predicament. 



"So who did you forget to do your shopping for," Jackie asks. 



"Uh my girlfriend Sarah," a hesitant Colton reveals. 



"Same old Colton," Jackie quips. 



"Hey cut me some slack," Colton begs. "It's not that I forgot I've been looking for awhile. It just seems like everything either isn't good or meaningful enough." 



"How long have you been dating?," Jackie ponders 



"Almost a year now," Colton stammers. 



"Wow so it is super serious," Jackie states. 



"Ya it is getting there," Colton says. 



"What do you mean," Jackie asks. 



Then Colton explains to Jackie that while he and Sarah are serious he hasn't said the words "I love you" yet. He tries to explain that while he is sure that he does love her, it still terrifies him to 
open himself that much to a person. 



"I understand and I think that was kind of why things just went the way they did between us," Jackie responded. "I mean it was nobody's fault. We were still college kids that had absolutely no clue what we were going to do with our lives. I think that's why we can sit down and have an honest conversation like this." 



"I still feel like I have no clue what I am going to do with my life sometimes," Colton jokes. 



BUZZ. BUZZ. 



Jackie's phone rings and she excuses herself to answer the call. When she returns she tells Colton that it was great to catch up, but that she has to leave to get ready to go to dinner with her family. 

The two embrace and get ready to go their separate ways. Before Jackie leaves, she offers some final words of encouragement for Colton. 



"I know it can be scary to let someone into your life and have a hold on you like only someone really special can, but sometimes you just have to take that leap and have faith," Jackie reassured. "I understand that fear of vulnerability, but I also know that it is far better than going through life never knowing what could have been." 



Colton smiles as Jackie says goodbye and disappears into the busy downtown intersection. 



He sits back in his chair contemplating everything the she has just said to him, while sipping the last few gulps of his hot chocolate. A calming sense of self assurance comes over Colton as he stands up and gets ready to head back out on his quest. 



7:00 P.M.



As Colton exits the builds and heads back into the blizzard like conditions, he continues on his quest for the perfect gift. As he continuous to window shop around the festive down town area, he realizes that with just two hours left before he is supposed to meet Sarah in Franklin Park he is quickly running out of time.



Then an unexpected bit of helps arrives. 



BUZZ. BUZZ. 



Colton looks down at a new incoming text. 



"Meet me in Avenue A," a message from his Colton's dad reads. 



Colton heads down the Main Street sidewalk passing by shoppers, stores displaying typical holiday decorations, and cars that are essentially crawling through the streets because of the snow. 

Colton reaches his destination and pulls open the small gift shop doors. He walks in and sees his dad, Jason, standing in the middle of the store. 



"Hey what are you doing down here?," Colton asks. 



"In the same boat as you," his father replies. "Just doing a little last minute pick up. Mom told me you had been out all day looking for a gift for Sarah so I thought I would help you the best I could." 



"Picking up something for Mom?," Colton questions. 



"Yep," his dad confidently remarks. "I've had it picked out for a few weeks now. I just didn't want it lying around the house where your mother could find it, so I had them hold it here until today." 



"Like always you are more on top of it that I am," Colton replies. 


"It is seven thirty and I still don't have anything and I'm supposed to meet Sarah in Franklin Park in and hour." 



"Well let's stop wasting time and look around this place for something," Jason says. 



The father and son go up and down the store looking for a gift. They come across possibilities but nothing that quite seems right. As the two share a few laughs and some nice conversation, their search continues. 



Finally just when it seems like their search is destined to end just like all of Colton's previous attempts have, they find it. Colton finally finds the item that he has been seeking for so long. 



Tucked away in one of the isles in the back of the store is a memory jar. Inside of the glass jar contains little tied up scrolls of paper. You unravel the small pieces of paper and write down a meaningful memory you have of the person that you are giving it to. The jar contains plenty of pieces so that you can fill it up to the brim with all of the fond memories you have of whoever is receiving the gift. 



"That's the one," Colton says. 



The father and son grab the gift and quickly hurry up to the front counter and purchase it. After they complete the purchase, Colton follows his father to his car in the adjacent parking lot. Colton and his Dad drive back to the coffee shop, so Colton can prepare his gift. 



They reach the coffee shop and Colton jumps out of his Dad's car. 



"Thanks for the help dad," Colton hummed. 



"Anytime," his father says as Colton closes the door. 



Just as Colton turns around to head back into the warm shop. 



BANG. 



Colton collides with another man who is quickly trying to maneuver his own way through the crowd and snow. The jar pops out of Colton's hand and goes flying into the street. He watches as the gift he finally found comes hurling down towards the street. 



A sense of destiny comes over Colton as he watches the jar land gently and unharmed in the middle of the street, cushioned by the snow. 



However, just as Colton rises to his feet to retrieve the prize a car rolls over the jar crushing and shattering both the gift and Colton's hopes. 



The other gentleman pulls himself off the ground and apologizes immensely to Colton. 



"I'm so sorry I didn't see you," the man says. 


A dejected but not surprised Colton brushes himself off and humbly accepts the man's apology. 


"It's fine don't worry about it," Colton states. 


The man apologizes again and the two go their separate ways. Colton looks around still in shock of how the latest series events has unfolded. With no other course of action left he decides to start making his way towards Franklin Park, which is with in walking distance from the downtown area. 


BUZZ. BUZZ. 


Colton looks down at his phone. 


"Headed to the park, see you there," a text from Sarah reads. 


Colton reads the text and then looks back at his phone to check the time. 


8:25. 


A little sarcastic smile comes over Colton's face. 


"Ha," Colton snips. "I would have made it." 


Colton heads down the cold and snowy sidewalk of downtown Youngstown and makes his way to meet up with Sarah in Franklin Park. 






9:00 P.M. 



Colton, empty handed and upset, walks through the entrance into the wintery Franklin Park. The benches, walkways, and trees are all covered in a glistening sheet of snow. The only light in the park comes from the dim lampposts and the white christmas lights that line the park trees. 



Cars pass by in the distance virtually unheard thanks to the soft blanket of snow that has gathered on the streets. The only sounds that can be heard are other couples walking by conversing and Colton's feet crunching the crystal powder underneath. 



"Sarah?," Colton calls out in search of his girlfriend. 



"Over here," soft voice calls out from a couple yards ahead. 



Sarah has cleared one of the benches of its snow and has taken a seat on the cold pew. Colton meticulously makes his way over towards Sarah. He does not speak a word before taking a seat right next to her on the bench. 



"So how did your day go?," Colton mutters. 



"You aren't going to believe the day I had," Sarah says amusingly.



This catches Colton's attention and he begins to intently listen as Sarah describes her day.



She goes on to tell Colton how all day people have been trying to help her and have been giving her advice on what to give him for Christmas. She elaborates on how she had been searching for weeks for the perfect gift and how until today she still hadn't found the right one. 



Sarah talks about running around town from store to store hoping that she would be able to find something. How at almost every turn whatever could possibly go wrong did. 



She then describes how she had been given pointers and life lessons by everyone from family members to old friends that she ran into on the street. How all day people had been telling her to keep it simple and that he would love anything she got him. 



"So then suddenly I just stopped and realized what I was doing," Sarah says. "All day, all I had been waiting is to sit down next to a fire place and enjoy this time with my family, and with you. I realized that no matter what I ended up with, there wouldn't be anything in store, wrapped in a box, or that I could buy with money, more meaningful or special than just explaining to you how much I truly care about you." 



Colton laughs. 



"What," Sarah ponders. 



"I love you," Colton beams taking one of her hands in his and lovingly wrapping his other arm around her tightly. 



Sarah's face begins to glow. 



"That's the best gift you've ever gotten me," Sarah says. "I love you to." 



As the two sit on the park bench, hand in hand, with her head resting on his shoulder, a light snow fall begins to flurry down on them. They sit their enjoying spending their time in the company of a loved one. They finally come to the realization that the world had seemingly been screaming at them all day.



While presents, trinkets, and other gifts are nice, there is no greater gift than telling someone you care about how much they really mean to you. That is the beauty of the holiday season. While at times throughout the year things can seem bleak and dreadful, the gathering of family, friends, and loved one seems to restore a sense of peace and balance to the world.



Make sure that you spend and cherish the precious time you have with your family, give thanks to friends that have been loyal and supportive throughout the years, and never let what is in your heart go unspoken. 

Happy Holiday's and Merry Christmas,

THE END.