Page 93 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

Charlie made her way to Gram, perching on the arm of her wingback chair. Gram placed a hand on her knee.

“I wanted everyone here for this very special moment,” Julian announced over the sounds of the choir. He lifted the trophy up and placed it on the mantel above the fireplace. “I think Glendale’s first ever third place win deserves to be displayed here where everyone can see it instead of in my office.”

Jim stuck his fingers between his lips and whistled so loud a few of the choir members winced and adjusted their hearing aids.

“I think there’s enough room up there for a few more trophies,” Gram called.

There were whoops of agreement.

Harriet crossed her arms. “I still think we deserve second place.”

Maggie shook her head. “Let the children have it.”

“They’re lucky they’re cute,” Harriet muttered.

“With their little tambourines,” Gram added. “And off-key singing.”

Charlie laughed at the look on Harriet’s face before catching Julian’s eye. Harriet was never going to let this go.

“I believe my codirector has a little something to say,” Julian said, gesturing for Charlie to take the floor.

She stood. She hadn’t given them a proper goodbye when she left, and even though she’d made it back before the performance, she still wanted to make sure the choir really understood what they meant to her.

Charlie looked from face to face, trying to find her words. “So, I know we’ve only known each other for a short while, but I’ve had a really wonderful time volunteering here at Glendale, and I sincerely wanted to thank every one of you for always making me feel so welcome.”

Maggie folded her hands over her heart.

“Before I got here, I was lost, drifting through life instead of actually living it.” Charlie embraced the heavy emotion that gathered in her chest. “My brother passed away a couple years ago from cancer. He was not only my music partner but truly one of the brightest parts of my life.”

Across the room, Gram’s eyes watered. She lowered her head, wiping at tears.

Charlie continued. “For a long time I really didn’t think I’d be able to sing again or find the same joy in music I once did. But then Gram and Julian cornered me in an elevator and roped me into this—”

Laughter echoed through the room.

“Because sometimes I know what’s good for you!” Gram said.

More gentle laughter.

“You do,” Charlie agreed. “Anyway, I guess I wanted to thank everyone for embracing me. I know you all think I was here to help you put this choir together, but I think you helped me far more.” She cut off, her eyes glassy.

Maggie jumped up from the couch and rushed her, capturing Charlie in a fierce hug. Harriet collided with them next, and then Elaine and Dot and Jim and Frank. Pretty soon the entire choir was amassed in a giant group hug. Charlie laughed and blinked a couple loose tears from the corners of her eyes. She plopped back down next to Gram as Julian took control of the conversation again.

“Well, I certainly don’t have anything as lovely or as sentimental to say. But I do have an announcement to make,” he said. “I wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know that as of the new year, I will no longer be working at Glendale as the activities director.”

Charlie frowned as the room erupted in gasps of confusion. He hadn’t mentioned anything to her, and sure, maybe there hadn’t been much time with the chaos of the competition and Christmas, but what about this morning?

There was a sudden outcry, the emotion in the room shifting dramatically. Gram stilled beside her, unusually silent. Frank shook his head, brow furrowed, clearly disliking the news.

“Why?” Harriet demanded at the same time that Maggie tearfully said, “You’re leaving us?”

“No, no,” Julian said, holding his hands up to keep their questions at bay. “I’m not leaving. Not exactly.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Harriet demanded.

“It means… I’ve been given a promotion. Marlene is retiring in February, so Glendale needs a new general manager, and Diane has offered me the job. You all know I love what I do, but this is a chance for me to make new changes here. So I’m not leaving, just moving into a new role.”

Harriet harrumphed. “You could have led with that.”