Story Excerpts:

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 Sister Crystal Grace waved a hand in the air. “The wheelchair thing was just for show.  I am ninety-something. I had to act it.” She cackled openly, excitedly. “I haven’t aged in years, another reason I have to go.”

“You are a dang superhero, I swear.” Daisy laughed. 

“Nah,” she said, buckling her seatbelt. She gazed at Mariah. “Darling, stop worrying. I’ve been able to feel your anxiety for hours. Like I told you, I can’t leave a body here, stuck in a coma, stuck in limbo. I have to disappear. I have to physically go back through that crevasse. It ends where it began. This is my last wish.” 

“A Christmas wish,” Daisy mused.

“Yes.” 

Mariah just stared. She wanted to bawl. 

Sister Crystal Grace touched her shoulder. “It’s all going to be okay. I took every trace of me from the convent. There may be a couple of group photos, but everything else is coming with me. In a few years, I’ll be a cryptic rumor, mostly forgotten.”

“A legend,” Daisy suggested. 

“Are you sure this is the best idea? I mean, disappearing?” Mariah asked her.

“People disappear all the time. Haven’t you heard of the Mayans, the people of Easter Island, the Cahokia in Illinois, and the people at Angkor Wat in Cambodia? They all vanished in some way or another. Much of the world is beyond our comprehension. I’ll be a memory soon enough.” 

“I don’t think so, Sister.” Mariah shook her head.

“Trust me. Now, start the engine before we’re discovered.” 

Mariah faced the front. “Did you give me your calming hocus-pocus when you touched my shoulder?”

“No, but, heaven forgive me, I was tempted,” she admitted.

Daisy giggled. 

Mariah began driving toward the famous caverns, full of misgivings, full of doubts, feeling sad and disturbed and a bit panicked. 

“So,” Daisy began, facing Sister Crystal Grace in the back seat, “you’re going to Bethlehem. Gonna hang with Mary and Joseph and see Jesus get born? The real manger scene. Righteous!” 

“I’m looking forward to it immensely." 

“Excuse me…Cleo?” a male voice said.

Nicole tensed, swallowed hard and turned to face him. He was rather athletic looking, with brown hair and deep brown eyes. Her body relaxed, and she exhaled.

He cleared his throat and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s me, the lion tamer,” he proclaimed, in an awkward tone.

Nicole smiled broadly, instantly recognizing his masculine features.

“Oh, I’m so silly. I just got this disturbing feeling in my stomach. I can’t explain it.”

His daughter dropped her teddy bear, and he leaned down to pick it up. “That’s all right. I do look a little different. It’s rare that I recognize anyone, but you’re the queen, the best.” He shrugged. “And your black hair is a real standout.”

Nicole was flattered. She watched him, pleased by what a caring father he seemed to be. She wasn’t the only one living a double life. She wondered why she had felt such fear at his presence. It felt odd, like her life was going to take another turn, maybe a turn for the worst. She shook away her insecurities and smiled at the child.

“She’s cute as a button.”

“Yeah, she’s a gem.” He paused, obviously at a loss for words. “Hey,” he began enthusiastically, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at the club during the day.”

Nicole crossed her arms. “It’s open during the day?” she questioned.

“Sure. It’s a skeleton crew, but sometimes that makes it more interesting. It’s kind of a come-as-you-are get together. It’s more relaxed. You don’t even have to dress up.”

Nicole could hardly believe her ears. Her mouth opened wide, watering with anticipation. This was not bad news. This was her lucky day. She began placing her items on the conveyor belt.

“Thanks for the tip,” she cooed. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

His eyebrows rose. “You will, my queen.”