HangAShiningStar

Part 2 of the Christmas Cards 1999 Series

Disclaimer: The characters and situations from �Buffy the Vampire Slayer� and �Angel� aren�t mine and never were mine. The are and remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and the WB Network. The author has received NO monetary recompense of any kind whatsoever.

Archive- Sure, but email me and let me know where it�s going.

Feedback- Absolutely.

*******************

"Do something sacrilegious this Christmas! Bondage Show, December 24th and 25th at Nouvelle Justine. Beginners welcome."

"This holiday season, worship at The Church of Sinatra. Appearing live with swing dancing till 3 at the Five Spot."

"Why should Christians have all the fun? Kosher Delights will be open all day December 25th."

Cordelia sighed and began to fold up the LA Weekly she'd grabbed on the way home Thursday, figuring her Christmas plans would consist of takeout Chinese and two rentals from Blockbuster, when a small, uncluttered ad caught her eye.

"Start a new Christmas tradition. Bring the family to The Hollywood Toreador Theatre for a classic Christmas double feature: 'Miracle on 34th Street' and 'The Bishops Wife.' All proceeds to go to the Society for Film Preservation."

Perfect, Cordelia thought. It would be crowded, and she wouldn't feel so alone. Plus she'd get the warm fuzzy feeling sentimental old movies always inspired. Or at least she hoped so. At worst, she would kill a good four hours. Maybe she could come home and go to bed early.

The previews had already started when she entered the theatre for the early showing, just past noon, and she groped down the aisle in darkness. She had expected a theatre so small to be full, but she found an empty seat easily, and slid into it.

The movies unspooled, and Cordelia tried to lose herself in them, their optimism. Tried to believe in the happy ending. But she couldn't shake her sadness. It was just self-pity, she told herself. There are millions of people who never went to Austria or Telluride for Christmas, and you didn't see them moping about it. Just because this was her first time staying in California didn't mean she couldn't have fun.

Her internal pep-talk had no effect, however, and when the movies ended, she felt just as bad as before. The house lights came up, and Cordelia glanced around the small auditorium. There were only four other people there, all sitting alone. Cordelia glanced at her watch. The next show time wasn't for 45 minutes. She looked around again. None of the others were leaving either.

She caught the eye of an older woman, who smiled and shrugged. "Do you think they'll mind if we sit through again," she asked Cordelia.

Cordelia shrugged back.

A young man a few rows ahead of her turned around. "Either of you ladies know a good restaurant that's open," he said. "I don't know where I'm going for dinner yet, but I know it's not to Chez Steve."

Cordelia turned to him, and he smiled wryly. "That would be my place," he said. "I'm Steve."

"I'm Cordelia," Cordelia answered.

"What a lovely name, dear," the older woman said. "I'm Marie, by the way."

The other two women in the theatre introduced themselves, too. Another older lady named Jean, and a girl about Cordelia's age named Ashley.

"I know a hotel with a nice restaurant," Jean told them. "It's where I was going for dinner myself. It isn't far."

Steve stood and made a flowery bow to the rest. "I would be honored if you ladies would all consent to join me in a Christmas meal. Dutch treat, of course," he added quickly.

The women all looked at each other.

"Well, I was going anyway," Jean said.

"I don't have plans," Marie said.

Cordelia and Ashley exchanged glances and Ashley shrugged. "Why not," Cordelia said.

They talked all through dinner. Steve, an actor, told outrageous stories about his adventures looking for work that had them all laughing, and Ashley, a production assistant, countered with her own tales of superstar egos gone wild. Marie passed around photos of her grandchildren, all back east.

As they finished up, the waiter brought the check. "I just want to tell you," he said to them, "I started out today feeling lousy because I had to work on Christmas. But seeing your family have such a good time has really made it worthwhile for me. You have a Merry Christmas."

"You, too. Merry Christmas," they all echoed.

Later, driving home, Cordelia thought, if this were a Hallmark movie of the week, we'd all have promised to see each other again. Steve and Ashley would have fallen in love. As it is, we didn't even tell each other our last names.

But looking out at the setting winter sun, it didn't really matter.

The phone was ringing as Cordelia entered her apartment, and she raced to answer it.

A woman�s voice, sounding very tinny and distant, said, �Collect call from Sybil Brand Women�s Prison. Will you accept the charges?�

�Yes, of course, absolutely,� Cordelia said.

�Is that you, darling,� said her mother�s voice. �I�m sorry I didn�t call earlier, but there�s been a line for the phone all day, I guess you can imagine.�

�Yes,� Cordelia said, her voice close to breaking, �how are you?�

�About as well as can be expected,� her mother replied. �How was your Christmas, sweetheart?�

�It was nice,� Cordelia said. �Surprisingly nice.�

Part 3- All Is Calm, All Is Bright
Main Menu ~ Christmas Cards 1999