Anna felt a lump rise to her throat. “You’re so right, Mr. Dadu. I really needed to hear that. Thank you. You always know exactly what to say. And I’m really sorry about you and your friend.”
He smiled, and now it wasn’t such a sad smile anymore. “Oh, no need to feel sorry for me. I have a wonderful family, as you know, and a very happy life. But I must admit I admire someone like Beth, who it appears has figured out something about grief that many do not. It had nothing to do with you, Anna, and I am sure she did not set out to hurt you. It sounds like she really does want you in her life. You should give her a chance, and keep an open heart.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dadu,” Anna said. “I will.”
“It is the right decision. Another one.” He winked. “You are on a roll!”
“What am I going to do without you and your daily advice?”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Miss Anna, I am always here for you, just a phone call away. Just because we are going to be leaving Snow Falls soon does not mean we will be gone from each other’s lives. You have made yourself an honorary Aziz family member this week with the generous kindness you have extended to us all—and that will not be forgotten. This is a promise.”
—
Anna had intended to watch the play from backstage so she could make herself available in case anything went wrong with any of the set decorations—but Bruce insisted she sit in the front row and enjoy the play as an audience member.
“You’ve worked so hard and made this the best set we’ve ever had,” he said. “Even if something does go wrong, I’m sure it will be nothing we can’t handle. You deserve to enjoy the play like one of our guests. Please, I insist.”
So, Anna found herself sitting in a comfy “VIP” front-row seat as the curtains rose on the Snow Falls Holiday Hoopla’s first-ever presentation ofA Holiday Carol, written by Maryam Aziz. She leapt to her feet and cheered when they said her friend’s name, then quickly sat back down so the play could begin.
Maryam had written her own take on the classic Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol,” with a multi-celebration spin. Thestory centered around a woman named Elvira Scrooge, who was too caught up in her job as the manager of a large corporation that employed all the members of a small town to remember the true spirit of the holidays. Over the course of three acts, she was visited by three “Holiday Hosts”: the Host of Ramadan, as played by Saif; the Host of Hanukkah, played by Josh; and the Host of Christmas, played by Celine. Then, much to Mr. Dadu’s and the rest of the crowd’s delight, the play ended with a rousing Bollywood sing-along to A. R. Rahman’s 1998 classic “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” the lyrics projected via overhead projector. The audience did their best to join in; the repetitive refrain helped. Soon people were improvising Bollywood dance moves in the aisles, much to Dadu’s and Anna’s amusement.
As the curtain fell, Anna’s voice was hoarse from singing, her hands ached from clapping, and her feet were sore from dancing. It had been a truly superb performance—and she had especially enjoyed watching handsome Josh play the Hanukkah Host, sharing his love of a holiday she held dear, too.
Afterward, the party spilled out into the town square, where Ron and Don had set up booths serving their mulled wine and cider. Ginger was serving baked goods, too, and the owner of Buon Natalie’s was handing out delicious plates of turkey and stuffing, and meatballs with cranberry sauce. Josh was still inside with the rest of the play’s cast, but Anna anticipated he would be out soon and she’d get to congratulate him for a job well done in person. She wandered around the square, sampling the food and drink and greeting all the familiar faces.
Then she saw Maryam, surrounded by her jubilant family. They beckoned for Anna to join them.
“Maryam! Congratulations! That was amazing. You didsuch a great job! I’m so proud of you. You’re a writer now, it’s official.”
“Thanks,” Maryam said. She was glowing. “It really did go well, didn’t it? I had so much fun.” But then her face fell, and her family backed away to a discreet distance, giving the friends a moment to talk. “Oh, Anna. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss a lot of stuff about this place, the last place I ever thought I’d end up celebrating Eid tomorrow. And yet... it felt really right.”
“It will feel even better after we surprise Saima with the news that her wedding is back on. And, of course, after your special surprise for Saif,” Anna said.
Maryam looked around to make sure no one from the wedding party was around, and tapped her nose conspiratorially.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Anna Gibson,” said an unfamiliar voice.
Anna turned and saw a woman with bleached-blond hair and a bright red toque. Standing behind her was Samantha, the assistant set designer Anna had met the other day at the playhouse who had come to pick up Chase’s uniform. “That’s her,” Samantha whispered, nudging the other woman forward.
“Anna Gibson?” the woman repeated.
“Yes, that’s me,” Anna said uncertainly.
“Hi, I’m Kiki Andrade, head set designer for the movie being shot here in town. It issucha pleasure to meet you. Were you the person behind the wonderful set for tonight’s play?”
“Well, I mean, I had a team,” Anna said humbly, but Maryam interjected, “She had a team of volunteers helping,but the concept was all her. She is a set design genius!” She pushed Anna forward to accept the compliment while Anna blushed.
“She certainly is,” Kiki said, looking at Anna admiringly. “You captured the spirit of all three holidays perfectly with your design—not an easy thing to do, and I heard you only had a few days. I’m so impressed. I’d love to get the chance to work with you, if you’re not otherwise engaged.”
“Oh,” Anna said with surprise. “Do you mean—”
“I mean I want you to call me, as soon as possible,” Kiki said, taking a business card out of her pocket and handing it to Anna. “I’d love to meet and talk about future projects, see what might interest you. Do you by any chance plan to be in Los Angeles soon?”
Anna thought of the open plane ticket back in her hotel room. “You know, I actually do have plans to go to LA very soon...”
Kiki grasped her hand and shook it. “Please, call me first before you talk to any other production companies. We wouldloveto work with you.”
Anna was walking toward the cider booth for a refill when someone slid his arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. She turned and found herself in one of her favorite places on earth: Josh’s arms. “Hello, Hanukkah Host! You were fantastic!”
