I thought I was helping an elderly woman reunite with her family for Thanksgiving. By night’s end, her hidden motives shattered my plans and pulled my demanding, workaholic boss into a night of unexpected truths I never saw coming.

The night before Thanksgiving, festive lights glowed in every corner of the city. Families laughed, couples strolled, and holiday music drifted from open doors.

I wandered past it all, feeling the ache of solitude grow stronger. My gaze caught a shop window filled with little glass ornaments painted with winter scenes.

“Mom loved those,” I murmured to myself.

Every year, she and I would pick one for our tree, sip hot cocoa, and watch old movies. But this year, it was just me.

A movement caught my eye. An elderly woman was struggling through the snow, dragging a heavy suitcase. Something inside me stirred, and I walked over.

“Ma’am, do you need some help?” I asked.

She looked up, relief flooding her tired face. “Oh, bless you, dear. I’m Edie. I… came to surprise my daughter, Melody, for Thanksgiving. It’s been years.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, smiling. “Would you like me to walk with you?”

Her eyes brightened. “Oh, yes. I’d be so grateful.”

We started down the sidewalk together, Edie leaning on my arm. It felt good to have a purpose tonight, even a small one.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed and the screen flashed “Arthur.” My boss. I sighed.

“You should take that, dear,” Edie said, glancing at my phone.

“It’s just my boss,” I replied, hesitating. “He’s… not usually calling about anything nice.”

Edie chuckled softly. “Bosses rarely are, are they?”

“He probably wants me to do something ridiculous. Like… buy a Christmas tree or decorate his home.”

“On Thanksgiving Eve?” Edie’s eyebrows rose. “Goodness, he sounds demanding.”

“Yeah,” I admitted, muting the call. “But tonight, I think I’d rather help you.”

“Thank you, dear. Melody’s going to be so surprised.”

“Where does she live?” I asked, shifting the suitcase to my other arm.

“Oh, just a few streets down,” she replied, looking around. “I think it’s over there. Or… maybe the other way?”

“No worries, Edie. We’ll figure it out together.”

As we walked, Edie suddenly stopped and put a hand on my arm.

“Oh dear, I almost forgot,” she said. “I can’t show up at Melody’s empty-handed! She’d be so disappointed.”

“Of course. Let’s find something special.”

We spotted a small shop ahead, its windows full of twinkling lights and delicate gifts.

Inside, shelves were packed with everything from cozy scarves to tiny figurines. Edie’s eyes lit up, and she slowly made her way through the store, studying each shelf with careful attention.

Arthur’s name flashed on my phone again, and I sighed, feeling the pressure. His texts were piling up, each one more impatient than the last. Edie asked, glancing at my phone.

“Is that your boss again? He must be lonely tonight. We all are.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s not the most understanding guy. Probably wants me back at the office. But it’s fine. I’ll ignore him for now.”

Edie smiled gently. “Good. A gift deserves some thought, you know?”

She turned back to the shelves, examining a beautiful ceramic angel, then moving on to a small music box. But nothing seemed to satisfy her.

Finally, she held up a delicate glass ornament painted with a snowy forest. “What about this?” she asked, turning it in her hands. “Do you like it?”

My heart softened as I looked at the tiny forest, reminding me of quiet winter evenings from my childhood.

“I love it. Especially ornaments with painted landscapes… they remind me of the holidays with my mom. We’d pick out one each year for the tree.”

Edie nodded thoughtfully. “Then let’s get two,” she said, holding out one to me. “One for you and one for Melody.”

“Oh, Edie, I couldn’t…”

She waved her hand. “Nonsense. These little things… They keep us warm inside, don’t they?”

She placed one of the ornaments in my hand. I smiled, feeling unexpectedly touched.

“Thank you, Edie.”

Arthur’s calls buzzed again, breaking the moment.

“We’d better hurry,” I told Edie, gently nudging her toward the counter. “I, uh, have to get to work soon.”

“Of course, dear,” Edie said, giving me a knowing smile.

She moved to the register, still holding her ornament carefully as if it were more than just glass and paint. As we walked out, I felt a strange warmth from that tiny piece of glass.

We finally arrived at the house Edie had pointed out, her hand shaking as she clutched the small gift bag. A part of me felt happy for her, hoping that this reunion would be as heartwarming as she imagined.

“Here we are,” I said, giving her an encouraging smile. “Ready?”

Edie nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Oh, yes, dear. Melody’s going to be so surprised.”

We made our way up the steps, and I rang the doorbell.

The door opened, revealing a young woman. She looked at us, her brow furrowing. “Uh, can I help you?”

Edie stepped forward, her voice trembling with excitement. “Melody, dear! It’s a mom! I’ve come to surprise you for Thanksgiving.”

The young woman shook her head. “I’m sorry, but… my mom’s already here. I think you have the wrong house.”

My heart sank as I watched Edie’s face fall. She looked from me to the young woman, her confusion quickly replaced by something like guilt.

“Oh… I must’ve been mistaken,” Edie mumbled, stepping back.

The young woman gave us a sympathetic look and gently closed the door. I turned to Edie, the realization hitting me hard.

“Edie,” I said quietly, “you… you don’t have a daughter named Melody waiting for you here, do you?”

She wouldn’t meet my eyes, her face clouded with embarrassment. Just then, my phone rang, Arthur’s name flashing across the screen once more. That time, I picked up.

“Fiona, I need you back in the office now,” Arthur’s voice snapped. “If you don’t return immediately, consider this your last day.”

I felt anger bubbling up. It was a frustration at Arthur’s relentless demands and disappointment at Edie’s deceit. The fear of losing my job loomed over me. I glanced at Edie, then back at the street. I sighed.

“Let’s go, Edie,” I said, hurrying her back to the car. “I have to get to work.”

Her face was unreadable as we drove in silence. She’d lied to me and played on my sympathy. I felt foolish.

When we reached the office, Arthur was waiting, his face red with irritation.

“Finally decided to show up?” he sneered. “You think this job is a joke, Fiona? Ignoring my calls, running around town?”

“I was helping someone,” I said, trying to stay calm. “I thought it was important.”

Arthur scoffed. “Helping? This isn’t a charity, Fiona. You’re dismissed. Clear out your things.”

A wave of shock hit me. I had expected a scolding, but that was harsher than I’d imagined. As I gathered my things, a strange calm settled over me. I wouldn’t let him control me anymore.

Suddenly, I noticed Edie wandering into Arthur’s office, glancing around at the decorations on his desk. Frustration boiled over, and I walked up to her.

“Edie, enough. I tried to help you, and you lied to me. This whole day was… was just a trick, wasn’t it?”

Her face softened, and she reached out to touch my arm, but I pulled away. I could see the sadness in her eyes, but right then, it didn’t matter.

“I’m calling you a taxi,” I muttered, stepping back.

In 10 minutes, Edie climbed into the car, looking back at me once, but I turned away, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in.

***

When I finally got home, the silence seemed to press down on me. Thanksgiving, a day meant for warmth and togetherness, felt emptier than ever. I hadn’t cooked anything, hadn’t even set the table. And now, without a job, the future felt shaky.

I dropped my things by the door, thinking back to Edie. She hadn’t been some manipulator. She was just… lonely. Just like me. She had only wanted company, a shared moment on a holiday that magnifies loneliness like a spotlight.

Why hadn’t I seen her need sooner? Why had I sent her away just because I was frustrated?

A sudden knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. I wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened it, and to my shock, there stood Arthur, holding the small glass bauble Edie had given me in the shop.

“Arthur? What are you doing here?”

He held up the bauble, turning it slightly so the painted snowy forest caught the light.

“I found this on my desk. I didn’t realize something so small could make me… feel something.” He paused, a little awkward. “I just wanted to say thank you. And… I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

I was stunned, barely managing a nod. Arthur looked down, shuffling his feet.

“I, uh… didn’t have any plans tonight. And I guess it hit me that Thanksgiving alone isn’t what anyone should go through.”

It took me a moment to understand what he was asking.

“Would you… like to join me for dinner?”

A tentative smile crossed his face. “Only if you don’t mind. I know I haven’t exactly been… easy to work with.”

I smiled back, a small, genuine smile that felt like the first in a while. “I was planning to go see Edie, the lonely lady I’ve met today. I think… I think she might be alone tonight, too.”

“Then let’s go together.”

When we arrived at Edie’s house, the warmth that greeted us was almost magical. Her home smelled of freshly cooked turkey, spices, and the unmistakable scent of pies baking.

The walls were lined with old photos — her late husband, a young girl I assumed was her daughter, a life built from love and memories. Edie smiled when she saw us, her eyes a little wet.

“I didn’t expect company tonight,” she admitted. “It would have been my daughter’s favorite holiday.”

Arthur placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Then let’s make it special. For her.”

As we sat around her table, Edie turned to me and pointed at my tiny glass ornament.

“I chose these for you and the one who kept calling. Sometimes, people need a little reminder that they’re not alone.”

I glanced at Arthur, who met my gaze with a softness I hadn’t seen before. Suddenly, that evening felt different, as if the three of us had found what we’d been missing.

That night, laughter filled Edie’s cozy home, and together, we shared a Thanksgiving none of us would ever forget.