The replacement(Darrell Case) Snow floated down on Jackson’s head, wetting his hair. Tears ran from his eyes continually. He didn’t care. He didn’t care about anything. His company, his home, his business, his life. A cold north wind ruffled the dead leaves. His eyes were on her grave. She was only 25. Why? He had asked God so many times. Why did she have to die? Why would a loving heavenly father take his wife after only one year of marriage? His cell phone buzzed. He took no pleasure in it. He did not want to speak with anyone.

He loved her. Had since the first time he saw her. Mrs Stantin had retired the week before and he had temps filling in until he found a replacement. He stood at the door to his office, watching her. Juley Dayton moved with efficiency. Smiled at him. “Something you need, sir?” she said, her face bright.

“You are a wonder. Why are you working for a temp agency?” He said, setting down in a chair by the wall.

“I’m just working for them until something else opens up.” Juley said.

“Well, Juley, something just has. If you want it, this job is yours.” He said.

“Thank you. Juley appeared relieved. She smiled at him. It made his heart soar. A few minutes after he returned to his office, she called the temp agency and quit. He hired her full time. He left the door to his office open, watching the beautiful woman work.

After two weeks she had been working for him, he took her home and met the family. Her father, John, drove a truck for a trash company. Her mother, Millie, worked in a college cafeteria. A week later, he took her to lunch. He found her to be a fascinating conversationalist. Nervously, he asked her to accompany him to a car show on Saturday. They ate hamburgers and chips out of paper plates. He told her of his passion to own a muscle car. After two months, he planned to propose. He planned it more than anything he had in his life. He arranged with his pastor to take her to his seemingly empty church. Unlocking a side door, he walked her up on to the platform behind the pulpit.

For days, he had rehearsed what he would say. He had finally written it down, knowing he would get lost.

Nervously, he took her by the hand and knelt down before her. She covered her mouth with her hand. Tears misted her eyes. Haltingly, he started.

“Juley sweetheart. You are my life. I get lost in your words. I count the hours until you are with me again. So I want that to end. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Juley my love my friend. Will you marry me?”

“Yes, oh yes, my love, I will marry you.” He regained his feet. She flung her arms around him. The church erupted with clapping. They looked around as the entire congregation filed in from the fellowship hall. The church had prepared ice cream and cake for the young couple.

The next six weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Jackson met with Juley’s parents. Pledging his love for her. He insisted on paying for the wedding. “We can pay something.” Her father John said. A husky man he hugged Jackson.

“Yes, please. We must give what we can. “ Her mother said, squeezing her daughter’s hand. Mother and daughter smiled at each other.

They finally settled on the flowers. Jackson spoke to the florist and paid to bring the bill down. They set the date of Christmas Eve. A time of celebration. At 7PM on Christmas Eve, Jackson stood on the platform. He saw Juley in her wedding gown for the first time. The sight of her took his breath away and brought tears to his eyes. Not only was she beautiful, but tonight they would join their friendship and partnership to last a lifetime. Elderly Mrs. Kendle began the wedding march. Juley came down the aisle on the arm of her smiling father. Tears glinted in John’s eyes.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” The pastor said, his voice trembling tears in his eyes.

“Her mother and I do.” John said, hooking Juley’s arm with Jacksons.

“Thank you.” Jackson said softly to his future father-in-law.

“Thanks dad.” Juley said smiling at her father.

Overcome with emotion, John nodded. Turning, he took his place by his wife.

The vows and the reception passed in a blur. The next morning, husband and wife gathered around the tree they had decorated two weeks before. Jackson gave her a diamond necklace. Juley gave him cufflinks. That afternoon they played in the snow, then returned home to hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Life became a joy to them. Each Day they met for lunch. If he was busy, they would eat burgers she had picked up at the local McDonalds.

He came home one night wore out from the rigors of business. Opening the garage door, he stopped the car. Just inside the door stood his smiling wife, holding two bicycles. That weekend, they rode three miles, laughing and teasing each other like teenagers.    

Cookouts, evenings and weekends, they tried new adventures. He had never been to a yard sale. She taught him what to look for and what to avoid. In the fall, they visited orchards and made candy apples. As Christmas approached, he planned what he would give to her. Last week, he was in his office sorting out Christmas bonuses for his employees when his phone rang.

“Hello.” Jackson said cheerfully. His mind on his beautiful wife and their anniversary.

One brief phone call changed his life forever. Juley had been in a horrible accident. Somehow, the car had gone out of control. It had hit a tree and burst into flames. Trapped in the car, the flames burned Juley beyond recognition. His life came crashing down around his ears. He met her parents at the morgue. John and Millie broke down. John falling to his knees. Millie knelt with her husband. Together, they wrapped their arms around each other and wept. Jackson leaned his forehead against the glass in the viewing room, his world falling apart.

The snow was falling heavier now. Jackson stood to his feet and shivered from more than the cold. His eyes filled with tears as he looked through the drifting snowflakes at her grave. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone running toward him. He gasped. His heart leaped in his chest. It couldn’t be, but it was. Seconds later Juley was in his arms, her weeping face buried in his shoulder. “I love you; I love you.” Was all they could say to each other.

Slowly, the story came out. Juley was shopping for just the perfect Christmas gift for him at Townsend mall. She finally found something she thought he would love. Returning to her car, she felt a terrible pain in the back of her head. She woke up in the hospital just this morning.

The woman who died in the accident had stolen her car and all the gifts. The police found Juley laying in the parking garage unconscious. They took her to the hospital. She had regained consciousness just this morning. Her first call went to her parents.  Her father didn’t believe her. She gave the phone to her doctor. They rushed to the hospital. When her father saw her setting on the edge of the bed, he almost had a heart attack. They had a very tearful reunion. She had tried to call Jackson ten or fifteen times. She insisted against her doctor’s advice on leaving the hospital. She knew where she would find him. She directed her parents to take her to the cemetery. Later, they found the woman who had stolen the car was high on drugs. Now each Christmas, Jackson and Juley have a double celebration. The day Christ came to earth and the day Juley rose from the dead.

Merry Christmas

Darrell Case

        2024

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