Holiday Basket

Miles had noticed the basket standing at the front door when he first started working. But he had never taken a chance to read what the sign said. He saw a couple of people drop off blankets or toys in the basket. When Ramona finished her shift, she took them out and put them inside a duffle bag.

While it was calm right before the dinner rush, he paused to read the colorful sign.

'Wanted for Christmas: blankets and toys to donate to Good Samaritan Hospital.' Miles frowned as he leaned over. Inside the basket was one blanket.

"Everything alright," asked Ramona, looking from Miles and the basket. "Did I spell something wrong?"

"No, you spelled everything right," he assured her, as Ramona's worried expression turned into a relieved smile.

"So, you're collecting donations?"

Ramona nodded, her smile growing. "On Christmas morning, the hospital workers give gifts to the children. My family and I help collect the donations."

"That's nice." Miles nodded before looking out the window at the hospital next door.

"This is for the hospital next door?"

"Yes. I like to help because I was stuck there one Christmas…" Her voice trailed off. Her smile shrank to a nonexistent size as she recalled the events in her head.

"So, you want to help other kids not have such a lonely Christmas?"

Ramona lit up again and nodded.

"That's very nice of you. I'll try to pick up some things and bring them by."

"Thank you!"

Ramona immediately huddled into herself, embarrassed by her outburst.

"Thank you. I'm sure the kids will appreciate it."

"No worries."

Miles walked away from the basket back to his original task - cleaning tables. Ramona followed behind to clean in her area.

"So when do you deliver the gifts? Christmas Eve?"

Ramona shook her head as Miles stopped in front of a table across from her area.

"My parents and I visit on Christmas morning and help pass out the gifts with the other nurses."

"Ah, so you'll won't come into work on Christmas?"

"I'll still come in for the evening shift," she said as she moved the dirty dishes onto her tray. She finished cleaning the rest of the table, noticing that Miles was spacing out.

"Miles?'

"Sorry."

Miles went back to work as if Ramona hadn't caught him lost in thought.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I just realized I have to work on Christmas. That'll be a nice change."

Ramona tilted her head in confusion.

"My family is pretty busy, so we don't get together for holidays. So it's usually me at home working on winter vacation homework. Coming to work and being with people will be a nice change."

Ramona's heart immediately swelled for him, saddened by his lonely Christmas. Who knew the last time he had spent the holidays with his family? She knew people considered it a romantic holiday. Her parents celebrated it as a family day since they worked at her grandfather's shop for the rest of the year.

Ramona decided that she was going to invite Miles to her family's Christmas, at least for the morning, so he wouldn't be alone. By the time she decided to ask, he had already moved several tables away.

"Miles…" started Ramona as she ran to catch up with him, only to trip over her feet, sending her back into Miles' ready arms.

"Yes?"

He looked down at her face with concern since she had tripped trying to say something. But now Ramona was too red to say anything at all. He lifted her, and the color returned to her face as she stood.

"I'll help with the tables," she suggested.

"Thanks."

Miles returned to clearing the tables, unaware of the inner turmoil Ramona was facing. She would ask Miles to join her family for Christmas next time, without tripping.