Upon A Midnight Clear

By Anna del C. Dye

Life has been interesting from the day Angie was conceived. Why would her twentieth year of life be different? Her fiancé left her for his career only to die in Europe just a few weeks before Christmas. Still, she and Mario manage to complete a wonderful Christmas project in the town of Jere.

Now the new year brings bad news about Mario’s father and the prospects of meeting him for the first time makes her heart turn cold. How can she refuse Mario her help, when he has never asked anything from her to repay all he has done for her since he adopted her at five years old?

She considers herself strong, though, with her grandfather as a project, the challenge may prove to be the hardest she has ever worked on. Afraid of not being ready to face her past as the daughter of a monster, she also worries that she may lose her place in Mario’s heart. Will her grandfather tear her jolly life apart, or does she still have a chance for a merry life after all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna del C. Dye
• Release date: Dec 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463351703

Anna del C. Dye

Anna was born in the extreme South along some famous beaches. She grew up with four other siblings being placed in the middle. Her mother died when she was six and she found a new mother in her husband’s mother and loves her dearly. She accredits her mother-in-law with teaching her many things in life.The green eyed, brown haired author moved north to marry her husband Rodney and has resided in Utah since then. Her husband, a native of Idaho, met her in her hometown. They fell in love and she came to Utah on Christmas Eve to be married two weeks later. They are the parents of three princes and a princess.Early on in her life she showed an affinity for sewing and took classes that rewarded her with the opportunities of doing costuming for the cast of four musicals, which she enjoyed immensely. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and understands some Portuguese.Some of Anna’s writing recognitions:She received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and had her article entitled A New American Mother published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her short story entitled Amerine—Fairy Princess wan an award in the Oquirrh chapter contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. Other articles about family and relationship have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West.

Book preview

The_Other_Santa_3_ElecAnna del C. DyeRod D.14952023-03-21T00:32:00Z2023-03-21T00:37:00Z2023-10-15T02:04:00Z32460970347533Aspose289681540768816.0000

Chapter One

Late Christmas

You shouldn’t promise anything to a child, especially about Christmas.

And you are…? said Angieline Tuzzini, eyeing the slim man of about twenty-five.

I’m Scott Rigden.

And you know I can’t make my promise come true because…?

It’s after Christmas and no one has money. After all, you are here at the food kitchen, are you not?

I’m at the food kitchen to help serve food, Mr. Rig­den. Why are you here?

I, hmmm, I too help serve food and more.

Then I’m sure you have something better to do than to accuse strangers of lying.

Scott Rigden closed his mouth and left her standing there.

Now, where were we?

You said our presents were left at your house.

Oh, yes. My daddy and I were opening presents Christmas morning when we found these gifts. We knew not whose they were…. But now that I met you, I see why Santa left them under our tree.

Are you sure? We didn’t get anything for Christ­mas.

Perhaps Santa didn’t have time to find you and knew I would meet you after Christmas.

Oh boy. Did you hear that, Mom? Santa didn’t for­get us. Come, Sammy, let’s go tell Abel. He looked at Angieline and added, He said we were bad, that is why we didn’t get anything.

Young Miss, I’ll be very upset if you cause my little one’s grief, you hear? I have no means to get them gifts so you’d better come clean.

Don’t worry, Mrs. Adeline. I promise they will find something at my home. Now, Terran told me that you are a good cook and I’m in need of your services. I don’t have much, but I could pay $20 dollars a month and you can stay in my apartment with the little ones and eat with me.

You mean that, Miss?

I know it isn’t much, but it’s all I can do for now, Mrs. Adeline.

I’ll take it. My sons deserve a roof over their heads and food in their tummies.

Wonderful. I’ll help you and you help me. Would you feel all right if we go to my home tonight after the kitchen closes?

Yes, oh yes, that would be perfect.

All right, then. I will come back this evening to help serve the food. Now, could you please write down the names of your boys? I need to get their presents.

Dan and Sammy; I’m Mary Adeline. Thank you for this, you don’t know how much it means to me.

Angieline’s heart felt warm as she walked the cold streets close to the kitchen looking for some clothes for that destitute family. She had heard Terran mention that they slept in the church down the street and that the hus­band had left them to find work in another city.

To her left, she discovered a secondhand store and entered.

Morning, Miss. Anything I can help you find?

I need warm clothes for a five-year-old and a three-year-old boy.

Anything in particular? The storekeeper motioned toward the back of the store and she followed.

Everything.

Here they are, Miss. Let me know when you are done.

One hour later, she had found everything she needed for the boys and the mother, including a small toy for each child.

On her way back to her apartment, she found a dis­carded foot-tall Christmas tree at the curb which she took.

When she entered her building, she pushed the eleva­tor’s up button. As the doors closed, a voice called, Hold the elevator, please.

You? the two said at the same time.

Why are you following me? The rude gentleman from the kitchen had entered the elevator.

I’m not. I live here on the top floor.

She had him now. There are only two apartments on the seventh floor. One is mine and the other is Mr. Tuzzini’s. Where is it that you live again?

I’m Mr. Tuzzini’s assistant, if you must know.

His assistant … humph, she would see about that.

Good day to you. Angie stepped out first and moved to her door, key in hand.

As soon as she entered, she set the little tree on her side table and admired the few paper decorations on it. She then remembered the rude man in Mario’s apart­ment and made sure the door between the apartments was locked.

She had been in Manhattan for a week now. Mario had left straight from Charleston to see his lawyer Russ Macomber in Brooklyn. She had never been away from her adopted dad before, and she felt his absence. She hoped that Mrs. Adeline’s company would help ease her into single life until this project with Mario’s father was complete.

Music came from the radio next door, and her mind took her to the man living in her father’s apartment. She would mention it to Mario when he called next and wait to see what he wanted to do about it.

I hope he will tell me to get the police.

Why did the man irritate her so much? He presumed to know everyone when he didn’t. Her dad had taught her to get to know the person before she made any con­jecture about them. Her cheeks reddened. Come, Angie, you are doing just that with him, aren’t you?

She went to get groceries for the meals for that week and pushed Scott out of her mind. By the time she got to the soup kitchen, she didn’t have time to think about anything but setting mashed potatoes on each plate. There were about sixty people there, all cold and hungry.

While doing dishes, Mrs. Adeline approached her.

Miss, my children are very excited about going to your house to stay…. Are you sure it’s all right?

Why wouldn’t it be all right, Mrs. Adeline?

On account of the color of our skin, Miss. Not all white people will want to help us without wanting some­thing in return.

Their loss, Mrs. Adeline. And about something in return…, I’m afraid I do need you to prepare my food. I’m not very good at it.

That I can handle, Miss. Will my kids have to do anything for their keep?

They are your boys and I suspect you know better than me how to handle them. You know, no running, swinging brooms, flying pillows, etc.

We lived in a mansion before we lost our position, Miss. My boys know how to behave in someone else’s house.

Then I’ll leave them to you, Mrs. Adeline. I’m sure they will be all right.

Thank you so much, Miss.

I’ll take you all to my house as soon I finish the dishes.

May I help you? a deep voice said from behind her.

Oh, it’s you, again. Are you sure you aren’t follow­ing me, Mr. Rigden?

Mr. Scott…. I mean Scott will do just fine. Listen, I think we got off on the wrong foot before and I won­der if you would like to start all over…. You know what I mean?

She stared at him and wanted to say no. However, her dad’s teaching came to mind and she realized she’d better do right by her daddy.

Well, Scott, I believe you are right. I’m Angie. She gave him a wet, soapy hand.

I’m sorry I misjudged you earlier. I shouldn’t take it so personally.

Take what personally, Scott?

The destitute and how people abuse them. It disgusts me.

And you thought I was one of the…

No. I didn’t mean you. Though I really don’t know you. Terran told me you were here to help and I no­ticed that you didn’t interact with them.

Oh, I’m sorry. Would it be better if I did?

No. I didn’t mean it that way.

In what way did you mean it, then?

Perhaps when I know you better, I can tell you more, Angie.

Sure. I’ll be here every day from now on.

Listen, it’s a bit late and dark. Since we live in the same building, would you like to go home together? To not be alone, I mean.

Mrs. Adeline and her boys are coming with me. Angie noticed the disappointment in his blue eyes and felt bad for him. He was quite attractive with that bunch of curly hair and the squared jaw. She wondered what he did, as she imagined the role of a lawyer or politician to be best suited for his features. I believe a guard is in order for two women and two boys, don’t you?

Really? I mean, sure, I’ll love to escort you…all.

On the way home, Angie engaged Mrs. Adeline in small talk, while Scott chased the boys amidst giggles. The gesture warmed Angie’s heart. The young man liked children and they enjoyed him. In that new light, she wondered what else this man had going for himself.

Well, here we are.

Scott raced the boys to the elevator and got there first.

Hey you. This isn’t a place for people of your color. Move along.

The terror in their eyes when the two boys ran to their mother’s side broke Angieline’s heart. Scott stopped with his finger on the button to look back and forth from her to the concierge.

Mr. Smith, Mrs. Adeline and her children live with me and they will be respected, or I’ll make sure my father sends you on a permanent vacation. Is that clear?

Yes, Miss. Of course. I didn’t know.

Well, now you do. This way children. We have San­ta’s presents to open.

The little ones stayed by their mother, who held their hands tightly. Angie sent a glance at Scott, and hoped he wouldn’t feel that she had overreacted to the situa­tion. Though, it made her so mad … Mario would also have reacted the same way.

Well, Angie, boys, Mrs. Adeline, I leave you in good company. If the boys need a place to run, I can take them to the park tomorrow.

Thank you, Scott. It will be better if we stay close by for a few days.

I understand. I could play with them in my … boss’s apartment for a little bit too.

Would it be all right with your boss, Scott?

He isn’t here, Mrs. Adeline. He hasn’t been here for some twenty years. I don’t see why he would mind now.

How interesting. He knew more of Mario than he had told Angie. But her dad would have said something if he had hired someone to help with his father’s affairs, wouldn’t he? She’d better wait until Mario got back to charge the young man with any wrong doing.

The mother and two sons stood at the door, just inside Angie’s apartment. She turned lights on and the boys looked at the pile of presents about the small table. Their little eyes brightened like the new star in Bethlehem.

I’ll get you chocolate while you open your gifts. Mrs. Adeline, they have their names on them. The only ones that don’t are the toys. I guess Santa wanted them to choose and share those.

That is so nice of you…

It has nothing to do with me, I assure you. Santa did all the work.

*****

I tell you Mario, your father hasn’t been seen for three months. All I can get from the new accountant is that he isn’t well and can’t talk with me.

I see why you contacted me so urgently, Russ. What does my mother have to say about it?

Your mother…, Mario, she passed away ten years ago. Didn’t you get my telegram?

A breath caught in his throat. No. I would have wanted to say goodbye to her.

Since you didn’t come to her funeral, nor mention her again, I thought you didn’t want to have any contact with your parents.

Mario saddened and a long silence ensued. He has been wrong to leave his mom out of his life, especially away from Angie. His mom would have understood why he kept the child and grew to love her like he did. He cleared his throat and passed his finger under his nose. He’d better get back to the present…, before he regretted separating himself from his father too.

Who is the new accountant and why does my father have a new accountant?

The old one died, some six months ago. Your father hired this man from I don’t know where, just a month later. His name is Joshua San Bier.

Did you look into him?

I’m closing my offices, since I have no sons to follow in my footsteps and I will be retiring this year. I don’t have many people working for me anymore. Besides, it’s not like your father would confide in me about who he wants to hire.

Fine, I’ll hire a detective on my own. Russ, do you mean I’ll have to get a new lawyer?

That is the gist of it.

Who is going to train him to do what you do for me?

I’ll take that as a compliment and thank you. How­ever, there are other lawyers who will keep your affairs confidential. It’s the law, you know. Besides, why don’t you do it yourself? After all, you passed the bar exams.

I have too much to do. That would complicate my life too much.

All right. If you don’t feel good about any of my associates, bring me a lawyer and I’ll train him for you. But I will retire at the end of the year.

I’ll look into it as soon as I figure out what is going on with my father.

Mario, there is something else. Joshua San Bier peti­tioned the court to declare you dead. That is why I con­tacted you. It’s imperative that you stay and make an appearance in court in two weeks. They will have to see you to believe you are alive, after twenty years missing.

They will ask all sort of questions of why I left and never came back, won’t they?

I know the judge who will handle your case, and can make him aware of your situation in person.

So, you will ask for a closed-door meeting with the opposite side included?

Only if you agree with it. I believe that if I explain it to the judge, he will consider it.

I would prefer it closed doors. I don’t want my reap­pearance to create a buzz in the newspapers over what happened all those years ago.

I see. Mario, do you realize that it may be pivotal that Angie testifies before the judg...

No, I won’t drag her into this sordid affair. She will be protected from that past and no one will look at her askance on my watch.

Very well. I’ll do my best to keep her out of it.

You will have to do better than that, Russ. My girl will not be questioned by anyone, especially about the or­deal her mother went through.

Mario expected a stronger fight from his friend about the subject. Something told him that this conversation would continue some other day.

Listen, why would an accountant care if I’m legally dead or not?

The way I see it, he must have his hand on your father’s money and now he’s aiming at yours.

Do you believe my father has an account with my name on it? He gave me my inheritance twenty years ago and I don’t expect anything more at his passing.

*****

Two weeks later, Angie answered the phone in her apartment. The morning was a sad gray, and she missed Mario. He brought sunshine every new day and she couldn’t wait to see him again.

Hello, who is this?

She expected it to be her father, yet another voice she didn’t recognize answered her question. This is Russ Macomber, Angie. Do you know who am I?

Yes, I do. Angie wondered why her father’s lawyer would be calling her. Is my dad all right?

Yes. He is here by my side as is Judge Brenton, who is looking into the case of Mario’s disappearance.

I see. How can I help you all?

Are you alone and can you answer the judge’s ques­tions? It’s very important, Angie.

Give me a moment and I will be able to do just that. Mrs. Adeline, could you please go get fresh bread from the store. I would love to have some long buns.

Right now, Miss? It’s almost time for lunch.

It will only take you twenty minutes at the most.

Come boys. Get your jackets, it’s a cold day out­side.

Here is some money. Perhaps they have honey too?

Russ heard some little boy’s high voices from the other side of the phone.

We’ll do our best, Miss. You heard me, out of the door with you.

Mr. Macomber, I can speak freely now. What is it that you need from me?

Your dad will explain it to you, Angie. Here he is.

Sweetheart, important or not, you don’t have to an­swer any questions if you don’t want to. It is your right.

Spoken like a true lawyer, Daddy. Now let me talk with Judge Brenton and stop being so protective of me. We did agree I’m not a little girl, remember?

You’ll always be my little girl, Angie. Here is the judge.

Miss…

Tuzzini, Judge Brenton. What can I do for you?

Please forgive me, but your situation has me on pins and needles.

What situation do you refer to?

You being adopted by Mario Tuzzini, and his rea­sons being above reproach.

My father has taught me much of what he knows, Judge Brenton, and that includes laws and especially my rights as a citizen of this nation. However, I don’t have his experience, yet. Though from what you say, I gather that you are being prejudiced against my father. That speaks poorly of you as a judge, not my father.

It may be, Miss Tuzzini. But I have never seen a man adopt a girl and raise her alone without ulterior mo­tives.

Now you have. If you don’t have any objective ques­tions for me, I will hang up since, as my father said, it is my right.

Very well, then, you give me no choice other than to ask outright. What is the relationship between you and Mario?

He is my father and I his adopted daughter. Though he has always treated me as his own flesh and blood.

Fair. How was your life growing up with him?

Happy, he stopped his practice of law to be with me at home. He got the best tutors for me and taught me everything else I wished to learn.

Tell me some of the things you have learned, Miss Tuzzini.

I became a certified nurse at eighteen years of age when…

That is impossible. You have to go to school first and…

May I ask why you bother to ask me questions, when you refuse my answers. And I do not take it lightly that you have called me a liar, either.

Miss Tuzzini, a thousand pardons, but what you say is impossible.

To you perhaps. My certificate does have a date on it and I can send you a copy if you like?

That won’t be necessary, Angie. I have copy of all her certified achievements with me, Sir.

Russ, you mean to tell me that what she says is true?

I have no idea how old are you, Judge Brenton, but I’m quite flabbergasted that you have not learned one of the most important rules in the world. You see, my father taught it to me when I was just eight.

What do you refer to, Miss Tuzzini?

That you learn more by keeping your mouth closed than by talking.

Well, the child can stand on her own two feet … there is no denying that. If you were in my court, I would have sent you to jail for contempt.

And that would have served who, Judge Brenton? Besides, I’m not a child. I’m almost twenty-one. And I’m not on the witness stand, nor I have been summoned by you, officially. I’m just a citizen answering one-sided questions that will shed no light on whatever subject you are trying to rule upon. May I also remind you that a judge listens to all witnesses, and it is the jury who decides the fate of the accused, not the judge’s prejudices?

I see that you taught her the law well, Mr. Tuzzini. Miss Tuzzini, please tell me how you graduated at eight­een from nursing school.

My father took the classes, because I was too young, and taught them to me at home. The Charleston Hospital head at the time agreed to let me shadow the nurses there because of my father’s last name. When I showed him I knew my subjects well, he let me do my residence side by side with my father. However, it took a bit of convinc­ing to get the head nurse at the school to let me take the exams. But, a well-crafted letter by the hospital’s director did the trick. I had to take all the tests from the first to the last one, one by one. If I didn’t pass one, they wouldn’t let me continue. As you can see, I passed with flying colors.

Well, I stand corrected, Miss Tuzzini. Russ, did you say certificates, or did I hear you wrong?

Miss Tuzzini also has a certificate in secretarial skills, accounting, and one in a paralegal capacity, I forget which.

Is that all? How old did you say you are, Miss Tuz­zini?

I’m almost twenty-one. I have also been tutored in hair styling, manners, cooking, laundry, how to drive a car, and how to read a map. All by age sixteen.

I see, you have kept busy, Miss Tuzzini. Which makes me think … did you have any time to play and be a child?

I did. Though, by age ten I thought it boring. Every time I got bored, Father would suggest something else to learn. I found many exciting subjects. Those that didn’t interest me, Mario wouldn’t let me quit until the end.

May I ask what have you done since age ten?

Study mostly, but at age twelve, I told my father I knew Santa didn’t exist and he set out to prove me wrong.

How did he do that?

Angie told the judge about some of the Santa pro­jects they had worked on together and how much they had learned together. At that moment, Mrs. Adeline came back.

Go ahead and have lunch without me. I will join you soon.

Very well, Miss.

Angie went to her room and closed the door.

Miss Tuzzini, may I ask who is with you?

Let me answer with a question, Sir. Do you know how terrible it is to be a black family in the middle of the depression? This little family with me was one of those who needed help. They will be staying with me from now on.

Don’t you believe it to be dangerous, Miss Tuzzini?

No, Sir. I believe it unjust that children have to suffer while adults turn their heads to not see their color. Now, if you are done, they are keeping my lunch warm.

"I commend you and your father, Miss Tuzzini. Thank you for taking