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Two Turtledoves

12/26/2025

“Hello?” Matt held the phone to his ear.

“Corporal Jozsa?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m Sergeant Wilson. I am your assigned liaison resource during your convalescent leave. I’ve got some forms that require your signature, and you will report forthwith to Saint Hedwig’s hospital in Pine Hollow to complete these. I’m only here until lunchtime. Clear?”

“Yes, Sergeant. I’ll arrive on the double.”

“Outstanding. When you arrive, report to the front desk. They will direct you to my location.”

“Yes, Sergeant. I’ll be right there.” The call dropped, and he tucked his phone away. “Mom?”

“Matt? Are you okay?” She emerged from the kitchen with a mug of hot chocolate for him.

“Yeah, I have to get to St. Hedwig’s right away to fill out paperwork. Can we go? He’s only there until noon.”

“Oh, sure. Let me get my coat on and we’ll get going.”

Abby pulled out her phone. “Hi, Matt.”

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you.”

“It’s no bother. I was hoping to hear from you. Want to say hi to Teddy?”

“Yeah, but I have a favor to ask first.”

“Sure. Are you okay?”

“Not exactly. I have a sergeant who’s expecting me to get to St. Hedwig’s before noon, and Mom’s car won’t start. Harry’s away, and Ned has Bonnie’s car. I’m sorry to ask, but it’s kind of important.”

“No, I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m putting you on speaker so you can talk to Teddy while I get my coat on.”

“Teddy?”

The baby looked around in astonishment.

“Hey, it’s Daddy. We’re going to take a ride together. How does that sound?”

“Gluh-gluh-gla-hmmmm.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too, buddy.”

Matt sat in the back seat with Teddy so he could prop his cast up on the carseat.

“Did you sleep okay?” Abby peeked in the rearview.

“Yes, thanks. How about you, monkey boy? Are you sleeping nicely for Mommy?”

‘Mommy.’ A thrill chased down her spine as she focused on traffic. “Yes, he’s a very sound sleeper. Most times, anyway.”

Matt held his finger down where Teddy could reach it, but his little snowsuit had integrated mittens. All he could do was tap on his dad’s finger. “Look, I’m sorry.”

“Your mom’s car wouldn’t start. It happens. It’s not your fault.”

“Well, yeah, but I mean about…”

She glanced back to try to read his face.

“I wish you didn’t have to wait so long. I wasn’t even supposed to be here this year. I think it would have hit me harder if I didn’t get to meet him until he was old enough to speak and run around…” He brushed a finger on Teddy’s forehead. “Old enough to resent me for not being around.”

“I wouldn’t have done that. We prayed for you all the time.”

“Thanks.” He tapped his finger on Teddy’s nose. “But why? You didn’t know me. Still don’t.”

“Matt, what’s the matter?”

“I don’t know.” He glanced at the rearview and down at Teddy. “Daddy’s just dumb.”

‘Daddy.’ That made her smile. “I doubt that. You don’t seem dumb to me.”

“We just don’t know each other.”

“Well, when you’re done with your guy, we can work on that. Here we are. I’ll drop you at the door.”

“I’ll bring Teddy inside. Okay? That way, you won’t have to carry him from wherever you wind up parking. This lot is pretty packed.”

She put her hand up over her mouth to cover the geeky grin. “Sure, thanks.” She pulled up to the curb near the door and helped him get out. She looked at the carseat. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t want him out in this cold. Hand him over.”

She couldn’t suppress the excited jolt that ran through her body. He didn’t catch it. ‘Good.’ She watched him carry his son into the hospital like it was the most natural thing in the world. ‘Because it is. And look at that view…’ She felt bad about ogling his behind for a moment as she climbed into the car. They disappeared inside as she pulled away. ‘He’s going to be my husband. I can ogle that butt until my eyes fall out.’ She grinned as she pulled away to look for a parking spot.

Matt hurried into the lobby and planted the carseat on a bench. “Here we are, buddy.” He studied the baby as the baby studied him. “Let’s get you unzipped. What do you say? Don’t want you cooking like a little sauna dude.” He sat down beside the carseat to tug at the zipper. “I know. This would be a lot easier if I had both hands. Maybe I should have broken my leg instead. Huh?”

“Corporal Jozsa?” A familiar voice asked.

“Yes, Sergeant.” He jumped up to stand at attention.

“Carry on, son. Don’t want your mini-me boiling in that astronaut getup.”

“He’s my son, Teddy.”

“Congratulations. I don’t remember seeing any dependents in your package.”

“New development.”

“It takes a lot to impress me, Corporal. Insta-baby was not on my bingo card this morning.”

Matt chuckled as he struggled with the zipper. “It’s kind of a story, Sergeant.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a form for that. I’m an Oh-Triple-One, just like you. Is this Mom?”

Abby jogged into the lobby, mostly to fend off the bitter cold. “Matt, are you okay?”

“Sure, I was trying to unzip him so he wouldn’t get all hot, but…” He waved his good hand.

“Wife?”

“Fiancée.” Matt said.

“Congrats, Miss. I’m Sergeant Wilson and I need your guy to dot some I’s and cross some T’s.”

“Hi, I’m sorry we didn’t get here sooner. There was some guy in a station wagon making a career out of navigating the cloverleaf.”

Matt nodded. “It would have been comical if it wasn’t so annoying.” He continued coaxing the zipper open.

“It’s all good, folks. I figured I was going to get some malingering kid who waited until two minutes to noon to turn up. Actually, would you mind coming along back with us? I think three hands will be better than one and, gonna be honest here, I cannot get enough of that child. Look at that little face.” He grinned and waved at Teddy.

Gary heard Abby yelling something outside the bathroom door, but he was gargling and didn’t catch it. “Abby?” He brushed his teeth and trimmed some stray mustache hairs. “Abby?” He brushed his hair. “Isidore, where’s Abby?”

Sanctus bells jingled. “She received a call from Matthew. His mother’s car won’t start, and he had an urgent need to get to St. Hedwig’s for an appointment.”

“Is Teddy with her?” He hurried out of the bathroom and through to the kitchen.

“Yes, she took the baby to see his father.”

“Well, that’s good. They need some time to get to know one another. I guess it’s just you and me, then.”

“And Mayor Drabek. You have an incoming call.”

“Mayor?”

“Hey, Gary. Don’t want to interrupt you at work.”

“It’s okay. I’m home today. What can I do for you?”

“Since we had a blizzard on Sunday, the Light Fight was postponed to the twenty-eighth. Can you spare a minute to drop the trophy off at the Municipal Annex?”

He turned to its honored spot beneath the mantel. “Oh, sure. No problem.” He frowned. What could he put in its place? Now he’d have to redecorate. Not that he had anything better to do today.

“Thanks, Gary. You’re a pal. See you when I see you.”

“Sure, sure. See you in a few.”

The call dropped. Sanctus bells jingled. “Would you like me to play some music for you while you prepare for your excursion?”

“Yeah, actually. That would be great. Classic holiday stuff. Burl, Bing, Andrews Sisters, all that.”

“It would be my pleasure.” He made way for Andy Williams to sing about a wonderful day.

Gary itched his back as he meandered into his room to change. ‘Doesn’t feel so wonderful.’

Christmas was technically over from a secular standpoint. Santa’s big day came and went, but liturgically, it was just gaining momentum.

“On the second day of Christmas…” Gary hummed along as he put his jeans on. “…turtledoves and a partridge da-da-da-da…” He poked around in a drawer. “What’s it like outside?”

Sanctus bells jingled, and Isidore paused the music. “Twenty-one degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill factor. Real feel is fifteen degrees Fahrenheit.” The music continued.

“Yikes. Polar fleece it is.” He took his jeans off again and dug around for thermal underwear.

Pam had traded the bright green blazer out this morning. She was glad she’d switched to a forest green cardigan and a silver-white infinity scarf with gold snowflakes. The office was chilly. She huddled up in her rolling chair, wishing she’d brought fingerless gloves. She simulated this by yanking her sleeves down almost to her fingertips.

Her gigantic round glasses were a necessary tool to cope with the tiny type on her monitor. She figured there was a way to make that bigger, but the glasses were an easier solution than poking around in the computer’s settings.

Even with the type magnified by her surprisingly stylish discount glasses, she was having a hard time concentrating. The visiting soldier was jabbering about some guy’s statistics. ‘Ugh, just get done already.’

“Great, this form will record dependents. Your name is?”

“Abigail Light.”

‘Light?’ Pam peeked around the edge of her monitor. ‘I think that’s Gary’s daughter.’

“Father?”

“Gary Light, US Postal Carrier.”

“Thank you. Mother?”

“Tracy Light, deceased.”

‘Deceased? Poor Gary. Poor Abby. Poor baby.’ She shook her head as tears welled in her eyes. She grabbed a pair of earbuds from the desk drawer and plugged them into a socket on the monitor. ‘It’s not polite to eavesdrop.’ She opened the radio app and searched for a Christmas channel. ‘Ew, no.’ She searched for something that didn’t include overplayed Top40 stuff. Frank Sinatra crooning about chestnuts? ‘Now we’re in business.’

Gary scooted up the stairs to the Municipal Annex and dashed inside. The receptionist looked up and smiled. “I know, right?”

Gary got a wry smile. “Yeah, is the mayor still here?”

“He’s with somebody, but he’ll be free in, um, ten minutes. You can take a seat. Maybe a cup of coffee to warm you up?”

“I’m okay. Thanks.” He found a seat and laid the trophy across his lap.

“Oh, are you returning that? I can give it to him if you don’t want to wait.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind if it’s only another ten minutes.”

“Well, that’s what he has scheduled but the judge is one of his golf buddies, so…”

“Say no more.” He got up and handed the trophy over. “May the best competitor win.”

“Truer words. What’s your display looking like this year?”

“You have to play to win.” Gary shrugged. “I wasn’t up for it this time around.”

“That’s a shame. I really liked your slideshow.”

“Thanks. I had a lot more time to plan last year. It’s been a whirlwind since Teddy was born.”

“Aw, he’s such a little sweetie. I’ll see that the mayor gets this. Stay warm!”

Gary nodded and headed out. ‘Now what?’ He dashed back to his Bronco and jumped in. It was still somewhat warm. ‘Take little blessings as they come.’ Teddy’s face came to mind as he backed out of the spot and headed down the street. ‘Don’t think I need anything from the store.’ He drove past the grocer’s. ‘Well, I’m out, might as well stop in for Confession.’

Pulling into the parking lot at St. Casimir’s, he found it empty. ‘Friday morning. People are at work. I hope Father Tom is around.’

He rolled into his spot and slid into park. The wind buffeted the Bronco. It felt as if he might tip over and roll across the parking lot like an empty box.

Gary stared at the wobbling glass doors. If it was windy enough to shake those things, he was going to get tossed around like a kite in a hurricane. He was used to embracing the suck, but this was ridiculous. Maybe he should come back tomorrow as usual. Maybe it was a sign.

He saw the row of empty spots right in front of the wobbling glass doors. A sound escaped him that he didn’t recognize. Not a gasp or a wheeze. Not an exclamation or a grunt. Whatever it was, it put him out of sorts.

‘Why the heck am I here?’

The Bronco rocked again.

He gritted his teeth and slid into drive. Looking around, although he was completely alone, he slid out of the spot and up to the curb near the doors. That didn’t seem so daunting.

“As long as I don’t get a face full of door…” He turned it off and got out.