Chapter 6 — The Christmas Market
That evening, Robert and Sophie went to the downtown Christmas market together.
Daniel came too.
Rows of wooden stalls filled the square.
Lights hung overhead.
Music played near a giant decorated tree.
Sophie held Robert’s hand.
At first, conversation was awkward.
Then Sophie saw a stall selling tiny wooden animals.
“Grandpa!”
Robert smiled.
The awkwardness disappeared.
They searched booth after booth for red glass ornaments.
Nothing matched.
Then near the far end of the market, Robert stopped.
A small sign read:
CLARA’S HAND-PAINTED CHRISTMAS GLASS
Helen’s ornament had been signed:
C.R.
Robert approached.
An older woman stood behind the stall.
He showed her a photograph of the broken ornament.
“Did you make something like this?”
She studied it.
Then smiled.
“I made hundreds like that.”
Robert laughed.
Helen had been right.
Clara no longer painted the exact design.
But she still had several unfinished red glass ornaments.
“I could recreate it.”
Sophie looked excited.
Then Clara asked:
“Or would you like to paint one yourselves?”
Robert immediately looked nervous.
Sophie immediately said:
“Yes.”
Ten minutes later, both were sitting at a small craft table.
Sophie painted white stars.
Robert attempted gold lines.
His lines were not straight.
Sophie stared.
“Grandpa.”
“What?”
“You’re messy.”
Robert looked at her.
Then laughed.
“Apparently.”
For once, nobody corrected the imperfect design.