Christmastime 1946

Lillian watched as her old neighbor stopped at the corner, looked one way, then the other – and then gazed down at the ground, as if lost in thought. She continued walking, then abruptly turned around and came back towards them.

“Huh,” said Lillian, puzzled by her manner.

“What Mom? Are you listening? Mr. G said we have to start decorating for Christmas.”

Lillian draped her arm around Gabriel. “Yes, Christmas will be here before we know it. I was just watching Mrs. Wilson. She must have forgotten something.”

Their old neighbor was almost upon them, but was still so deep in thought that she didn’t notice them until Lillian greeted her.

“Oh, hello there, Lillian, Gabriel!” The worry on her face vanished as she smiled. “I didn’t see you. I was just… Where are you off to?”

“Just getting a few things for dinner.”

Mrs. Wilson leaned towards Gabriel. “And how are you? How’s school? How’s your job?”

“My job is swell,” answered Gabriel, relieved that she didn’t pinch his cheek like she used to. “I’m getting out all the red and green things, and anything to do with Christmas – reindeer, bells, angels and stars, creche sets – we have five this year – and Santa Claus, of course.”

Mrs. Wilson smiled indulgently at Gabriel. “It’s that time of year. The onslaught of Christmas shoppers will soon be upon us all. I’ll stop by the Red String soon. See if I can find anything for Harry.”

“And where are you going, Mrs. Wilson?” Lillian asked.

“Oh, just – nowhere, really, just thought I’d...” She glanced around. “Well, time to get started on dinner, I suppose.” She tightened her headscarf and gestured back down the street a bit. “Good thing you’re walking this way. I just saw Billy sitting outside on the stoop. Looks like he could use some cheering up.” She waved goodbye and hurried on.

Lillian sensed the unease under Mrs. Wilson’s words and wondered at the source. Then she noticed that Gabriel was watching Mrs. Wilson with a studied expression.

“What? What are you thinking, Gabriel?”

Gabriel nodded at the conclusion he had come to. “She’s not happy like she used to be.”

“Mrs. Wilson? What do you mean?”

Gabriel gave a shrug. “She was happier during the war.” He saw that Lillian was about to object and clarified his thought. “I don’t mean she liked the war. But I think she liked what she did. I think she misses her job with the city.”

Lillian glanced back. Mrs. Wilson had already gone inside her brownstone. “Hmm. You may be right, Gabriel. Mrs. Wilson has so much energy and loves to be busy. I think her position at the Board of Transportation suited her. But I also think she’s relieved to be home more. Everyone is.”