Episode 1

Claire Larsen Hoover was barreling down the streets of Blue Jay, New York, at a furious pace. In fact, it could even be said that her knee-length Ugg boots were having a hard time keeping up with the rest of her body, which was clothed in a white shirt, a comfortable blue overcoat with Eddie Bauer’s name on it, and her favorite pair of jeans.

Her pace was carrying her home; the only place she believed she’d find solace after a day that had, shall we say, put her through the ringer. And as the Founder and Dean of Blue Jay Cheese School, where the year’s attendance had been below par thus far, this surely wasn’t the first time she’d been moving swiftly through the streets. Benjamin Lefevre’s offer to join the committee of judges for his Annual Ice Carving Contest was also hanging in the back of her mind and she didn’t want to let him down.

Amidst the whistling and evolving holiday cheer that was accompanying the shuffling of Claire’s feet against the street, came the muffled rendition of “It’s a Small World.” Doubling as her ring tone, Claire drew a breath and dug her hand into the violet purse, searching for her cell phone.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, greeting her 16-year old son Emil with a tone that was quite the opposite of the current mood she was feeling. “Did your sister fix you two dinner?” But Emil was quick for his age, and knew that an immediate question about an event that didn’t need to be questioned equaled a rough day for his mom. Claire smiled into the phone. “You know me too well. Today was trying, but I know it’ll wear off once I get through the door. Always does.” Emil quickly reminded his mother that he and his sister, Angela, had registered for the Ice Carving Contest on their way home from school. He knew this would boost her spirits.

She cupped the speaker of her phone with her hand and unloaded another heavy breath. Her breath became a silvery swirl as soon as it collided with the air around her, and she lent her focus to it for a second. “Alrighty, honey. I’ll be home in ten. I love you.”

Upon closing her phone, Claire was drawn to the irony of her ring tone. She’d never been to Disneyland before, where the song is the nucleus of a ride, but she had lived in this very town of 9,574 people her entire life. She loved the fact that she recognized lots of faces throughout her foot commute to and from the Blue Jay Cheese School, and often found herself lost in the lights of the shops along her path. The truth was, it had been a beautiful place to live for 38 years; so beautiful, in fact, that she constantly wished more people had a chance to experience it.

And as she began to imagine more people moving into her city, Claire Larsen Hoover found her face buried in the chest of a passerby.

“Oh, wow, I’m sorry,” came a baritone voice from above her.

Claire took a step back and stared up at a man who was at least a head taller than she was. He was wearing a three-piece suit, complete with short dark hair and almond brown eyes.

“I was just looking for the hotel.” Slightly embarrassed, he smiled down at her. “Do you…?”

“Oh. Yes. Um, a lot of people have a hard time finding that, uh, hotel, because…” Nerves were climbing up and down her vocal chords. “Well, we have so many different hotels in this town!”

The man looked around, cautiously, and immediately looked confused by Claire’s outburst.

“I’m sorry, that was a really bad joke. We only have one hotel, and it’s down the street to the left.”

“Thank you so much!” The man returned to his smiling state. “Hope the rest of tonight treats you like a pal.”

The man patted Claire on her shoulder in passing, and she let him walk a few steps before turning and yelling, “Sorry for being a nut!”

The man turned around and laughed. “Fine by me. It was refreshing.” And then he waved while spinning on his heel.

Claire paused, slightly impressed by how upbeat the man was.

As she began moving towards her home again, a quartet of holiday singers began a rendition of “Hallelujah!” that made her smile. Hallelujah, indeed, she thought. Because tomorrow’s another day.

* * *

Benjamin Lefevre, Blue Jay's French handyman and founder of the Blue Jay Ice Carving Contest was looking for tools in his shed while listening to the local 93.4 HALO FM radio station, "…and a severe storm system is approaching from the north and Blue Jay will be one of the few towns affected...." the radio host explained. Benjamin shook his head and mumbled to himself, "Not before zhee contest!". Looking down toward the floor of the shed, a shiny object he had never seen before lying underneath two large crates caught his eye.


To be continued December 2...