Chapter 19

The First Day

12:00:01 AM

Judith Sonderman finished her meal and, unwilling to brave the cold just yet, relaxed with a second cup of hot coffee. The late hour and satisfying meal started to have their inevitable effect on her, and weariness began to take its toll. She had enjoyed indulging herself, remembering Terry and how beautifully right their relationship had been. If only ... she thought, sadly. If only I hadn't rejected him so harshly. He might still like me enough to try again. The idea of simply picking up the phone and calling was overwhelmingly tempting, and giving it a little more thought, Judith decided to call him, on Christmas afternoon. Terry would certainly be at his parents' home tonight, and she felt way too scared to call there.

Just then, something caught her eye and she looked up. Carl was sitting transfixed, looking at something on the other side of the dirty, streaked window. She followed his gaze and saw the old man. Remembering the promise she had made to herself, to try to get him out of the cold, she felt terribly sad that he was trapped outside in the bitter snow and wind on Christmas.

Contemplating her blessings and feeling genuine sorrow for all those less fortunate, Judith was still watching when the old man began to glow. Not trusting her eyes, she stared in fascination as his ragged, dirty clothes were replaced by a shining, blindingly white robe that pulsed with its own energy source.