The Christmas Lamp by Lori Copeland Page A

National Avenue when the Acura pulled out of the hospital drive. Roni longed to erase the worried lines etching his forehead. “I know you’re concerned, but the nurses say she’s doing very well.”
    “She looks frail to me.” Jake reached for Roni’s hand.
    “I don’t know what I’d do without her. It took a long time to form a relationship, but we did. She’s all I have now.”
    Roni tightened her grip in his. “God willing, you still have lots of time with your grandma.”
    “Do you mind if I stop by my place, and then feed Max? I want to pick up a few things.”
    “Not at all. I’m in no hurry.”
    Besides, Jake was growing on her. She’d love to see how and where he lived his personal life.

    Jake’s residence was the entire second floor of a building that had once housed Springfield Grocer Company.
    The structure sat on Booneville Street near the hub of Springfield’s downtown area, the historic, old town district where second and third floor spaces were being refurbished into trendy lofts and apartments. When the Acura pulled up in front of the building, Roni couldn’t contain her excitement. “This is where you live?”
    “This is it.” Jake cut the engine, got out, and opened her door.
    To the left was a private elevator that whisked them to the second floor. The bottom floor was empty with a For Lease sign displayed prominently.
    “You’re renting out space?” Roni asked.
    “The building’s too big for one family. It was once a wholesale food distribution operation.” He sniffed. “If you have a good imagination you can still smell the aroma of fresh ground coffee.”
    Drawing a deep breath, Roni detected the faint fragrance. “You really can.”
    The elevator stopped, and she stepped out into the apartment itself. Jake flipped a switch and soft lighting lit the luxurious area. The apartment had a marble entry, plush sofas and chairs, and rich mahogany tables; carpets and accessories from abroad filled the spacious loft.
    “It’s breathtaking,” she murmured.
    Jake walked through the room switching on additional lighting. “When I was a kid I used to come here around the holidays. My parents knew the owners then, and Jill and I would sit in the front window and watch the Christmas parade. It was quite an event back then. If I were lucky I’d get to invite a friend from school, so I became pretty cool around Christmastime.”
    “I’ll bet you were cool all the time.”
    “I wasn’t,” he assured her. “I was a geek with big glasses. I wore sweaters and slacks. I ate lunch alone every day, except for the couple of weeks prior to the holiday parade.” He hit a button and the drapes drew back to reveal downtown Springfield. “Several years ago, the old building came up for sale and I bought it.” He motioned.
    “Come here.”
    She walked over to enjoy the sight. Outside, Christmas lights were starting to come on. The neon signs and the lighted snowflakes hanging from the streetlights glistened and glowed. The sight gave her goose bumps.
    Jake’s arms encircled her waist, and she leaned back to rest against his tall frame. “Pretty, isn’t it?”
    “It’s lovely.”
    Then his tone sobered. “Do you think Grandma will make it?”
    How she wished she could remove the worry in his voice. A cardiac episode could be serious. The nurses had said she was stable, but anything could happen at her age.
    “I don’t know, Jake. All we can do is pray.”
    He squeezed her waist and then released her. “The attic’s this way.”
    “The attic?”
    “Yeah, I have to look for something. Want to help?”
    “Sure.”
    She turned to follow him through the spacious apartment. Pausing in front of a door, he confessed. “It’s probably cluttered up there. I’ve been promising myself I would clean it, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.” He opened the door and ushered her up a steep flight of stairs.
    The attic area was monstrous. Stored items dating back to the days that the