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Christmas finally rolled around for Gardenview to celebrate. With the museum closed for the holidays the toons celebrated in peace. Toons gathered together and decorated their rooms with festive lights, Ginger, Cosmo and Sprout baked gingerbread and peppermint treats together in their communal kitchen, and throughout the museum halls the old speakers played quaint Christmas music.
Today Rudie planned to come around. Each year Rudie traveled throughout Gardenview and delivered letters from toon to toon. This tradition started when Rudie offered to give out letters from other holidays toons so they could talk to their buddies. Soon, he would collect the packages to be mailed.
As of now, Rodger sat at his desk and slid each of his letters into an envelope. Toodles sat close by as she bounced with pure excitement. She waited all morning to send out her letters and couldn’t wait.
“Is Rudie almost here?” She asked once again. The question had been asked all morning and Rodger would answer with the same ‘not yet’, but now he could finally give her a different answer.
“He should be on his way.” Rodger responded without looking up from his letters. His flow of sliding them into envelopes had been interrupted when he spotted out of the corner of his eye a letter to Glisten.
He’d been close with Glisten for a very long time and realized a few years ago how he truly felt about the mirror. The problem was that he couldn’t figure out how to tell him. He resorted to writing letters, but each attempt became failure upon failure. They never properly expressed how he felt. Either they wouldn’t be vulnerable enough or he couldn’t word his adoration precisely.
The letter he rediscovered was his best attempt, but it remained inadequate.
His train of thought ended when he heard a knock at the door. Toodles perked up and looked over to Rodger. He looked to the door and stood up. “That must be Rudie.” He commented.
Toodles dashed to the door with her letters in her hand and tried to open the door with no luck. Rodger patted her head with a chuckle and opened the door for her. In front of the entrance stood Rudie, messenger bag rested on his hip and a jolly sway to his stance.
“Merry Christmas!!!” Rudie greeted and moved his messenger bag towards the two. “Do you guys have your letters ready?”
“I do! I do!” Toodles exclaimed and presented her bundle of envelopes to Rudie.
“Almost. I’ll grab mine for you.” Rodger responded and turned to his desk. He slid the final letter into an envelope and neatly stacked each one. Then he returned to the door and handed them off to Rudie.
“Thank you! I’ll be back later with your mail! Merry Christmas!” Rudie waved goodbye and skipped along the halls.
Rodger closed the door and watched as Toodles trotted to the couch to continue a coloring book that had been given to her to hold her over. Rodger sat down at his desk and decided to organize his papers. Before he could start, one piece of paper caught his eye again. It was the failed confession letter he wrote. He picked it up carefully. Maybe if he edited this letter, he’d finally have something acceptable to give to Glisten. He decided he’d skim over it and highlight what needed to be changed. Then he could rewrite it.
Rodger picked up a highlighter and glanced over the words, but there was a problem. He didn’t remember writing it like this. Maybe he skimmed too fast and missed a couple of keywords. That had to be it. He scanned over the letter slower this time, but none of the words rung a bell. As he read over the letter again, three words stood out.
‘Merry Christmas, Glisten’
Ah. He must’ve accidentally picked up a draft for Glisten’s Christmas letter. He didn’t remember writing one… or it being displayed on the desk, but with his surplus of papers it was plausible. Maybe he lost track of it until now. Unless he gave Rudie the wrong letter… but that'd be preposterous! The letter laid on his desk next to… the confession letter.
Rodger dug through each and every paper in hopes of finding the letter. It had to be here! There was no way he sent off the wrong letter! To his dismay, none of the patchments matched what he was looking for. To be entirely sure he frantically picked up the letter that started this entire fiasco with it mere inches away from his face. Each word read syllable by syllable like his life depended on it.
None of the words confessed his affections. None of the words had been written with full vulnerability. None of the words were spoken from the deepest chambers of his heart, which could explode out of his chest at this moment. He lowered the letter from his face and stared at the scattered papers that populated his desk.
He had given Rudie the wrong letter.
Then he realized. There was still hope. If he could find Rudie before he collected everyone's mail, he’d be able to swap out the wrong one! He’d have to go now to catch Rudie!
Rodger bolted up from his desk and quickly slipped on his coat. He returned to the desk and messily slid the Christmas letter into an envelope before he dashed for the door. He snapped out of his haste when he realized Toodles would be alone. He’d hate to drag her along Gardenview over this mistake. He shouldn’t be gone too long.
He walked over to Toodles and got her attention. “Toodles, I have an urgent errand to run. You don’t have to come with me, but you will be alone. I should only be gone for 30 minutes at most. Will you be okay while I’m gone?” Rodger asked, successfully able to hide his nerves.
“Of course I'll be okay!” Toodles replied with a nod and returned to her coloring book.
Rodger chuckled at her sureness. "You're right. I'll be heading out now, don’t leave the room while I’m gone, okay? If I’m still out when Rudie returns, collect our mail. You can leave it on the coffee table. I’ll be back soon!” Rodger quickly instructed before he dashed out the door with a final farewell.
He closed the door and looked up and down the hall. It appeared Rudie already left the floor. He jogged over to the elevator and pressed the button for the second floor of the toon rooms. He tapped his floor impatiently. After an eternity, Rodger was on the next floor, but while he searched, he grew puzzled.
Where was Rudie?
There was no sign of him. He couldn’t have collected the letters on this floor yet! Rudie was quick, but not that quick! Rodger wandered down the hall and spotted Teagan standing in the shared kitchen of her floor. He jogged over to her.
“Hello Teagan! I’m sorry to bother you, but did Rudie come through here?” He asked swiftly.
“Oh, yes he did earlier.” She answered and looked him over. “Is something the matter? You look like you’re in a hurry.”
“Yes, but I’ll tell you later. I have to find Rudie as soon as possible. Goodbye Teagan!” Rodger answered quickly and jogged back to the elevator. After some debate, he decided it’d be faster if he took the stairs. If Rudie already passed through this floor, he’d have to be on the bottom already! He didn’t have much time before Glisten got that letter!
Rodger dashed down the flights of stairs and hoped he could catch Rudie outside the elevator. He finally reached the bottom of the steps and slammed the stairwell door open. Rudie wasn’t near the elevator, and the elevator wasn’t in use either.
Rodger walked past it to peek down the hall, but there was no sign of Rudie there either. Rudie definitely didn't pass this floor already. That'd be impossible compared to if he finished the last floor before he got there. If Rudie wasn’t here, where was he? Then an idea crossed Rodger’s mind.
Could Rudie have changed routes? Every year he started from the mains and went down to the secondary character floors. With no sign of Rudie, it seemed plausible.
Rodger returned to the elevator. He had to ask someone though, just to be sure, and he knew exactly who to ask. He hated to wait in the elevator again, but he knew it’d be best if he didn’t run up the stairs. He had to save his energy.
The elevator dinged and Rodger immediately scanned around the Christmas floor. Bobette had to be here somewhere. He caught a glimpse of her holding a box of supplies and flagged her down while as he jogged towards her.
She turned around when Rodger called her name. “Hey Rodger! Did you need something?”
“Yes, I have a question.” Rodger stood in front of her and panted. All this running around had tired him out already. “Do you know if Rudie changed routes this year?”
Bobette stayed quiet for a moment, thinking, before nodding. “Yeah, I think he mentioned that to me this morning. Why?”
“I need to talk to him, that’s all. I’m going to look for him now, thank you!” Rodger waved goodbye and dashed back to the elevator. Unluckily for him it was already in use. The second elevator wasn’t available either, so Rodger had no choice but to use the stairs.
He opened the door to the stairwell and began his long hike up. He decided to climb up to Astro’s floor because it was the second highest and he should be able to catch Rudie there. His biggest problem was that it’d be a long way up.
Rodger wheezed and panted up the stairs. He gripped onto the guard rail for dear life with each step was harder to go up than the last. He saw the light from Astro’s room come through the window of the stairwell door and he’d never been happier to see it. He opened the door and then remembered another problem when he chose to go to Astro’s room.
It was huge. If Rudie was here it’d take forever to find him. His exhaustion wouldn’t make the task any easier. Nonetheless, Rodger didn’t have a choice.
He explored the room with his head on a swivel. Despite his constant looking around, he jumped out of his skin when he heard a voice behind him.
“Rodger? What are you doing up here…” Astro asked quietly.
Rodger’s head whipped around to make eye contact. “Ah, hello Astro. I’m sorry to intrude, but I need to see Rudie. Has he been here yet?” While Rodger spoke with Astro his exhaustion eased away.
“Oh… um…. I’m sorry but… Rudie just left.” Astro explained awkwardly. That’s when Rodger noticed the envelopes in the stars Astro summoned. “He gets through our floors pretty quick…”
Rodger stood in silence for a few minutes. He should’ve thought of that. Of course Rudie would be done with the mains this quick. Rodger quickly composed himself.
“I see. Well, thank you Astro. I’ll be going now.” He waved goodbye and dashed for the elevator.
He decided to return to the last residential floor where Glisten lived. He could find Rudie and fix the mistake before the letter got delivered. His foot tapped the elevator floor rapidly. He grew incredibly antsy and almost started pacing. Thankfully it didn’t turn to that when the elevator finally dinged. Rodger sprinted out of the elevator and finally found Rudie.
Rodger’s heart thumped heavily as he rushed to Rudie. “Rudie!” His voice sounded horrifically desperate, he wouldn’t be surprised if most of the floor heard it. Rudie startled and whipped his head to Rodger.
“Oh! Hey Rodger! I was wondering where you went! Don’t worry, Toodles got your ma-”
Rodger shoved the envelope in front of Rudie. It was crinkled from being held tightly in his grasp. “I gave you the wrong letter earlier. This is the one I intended to give you.” He blurted out and stood stiff as a board in front of Rudie.
“Oh! Haha, well it’s a good thing you… found me... Oh. Hahaha… I already gave Glisten his letters.” Rudie finished his sentence awkwardly. The words made Rodger’s heart drop.
He stared at Rudie with a blank expression. “What.” The word came out too fast.
“Yeah. He was in the kitchen so I gave them to him while he was there! Sorry Rodger! If you want I can give him this letter when I get to his room.” Rudie held his hand out to take the letter, but Rodger brought it back to himself.
He cleared his throat. “No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Thank you, Rudie.” Rodger waved goodbye and turned back towards the elevator.
“Oh okay! Merry Christmas Rodger!” Rudie waved goodbye and continued his duty.
Rodger stepped into the elevator and once the doors closed he immediately rested his face in the palms of his hands. His legs ached from exertion and he had no choice but to lean against the elevator wall. He craved to sit down, but that’d only serve to worsen his humiliation.
It was too late. He had no choice now but to wait until Glisten read that letter. It didn’t leave a good feeling in his gut.
His lamenting was cut short when the elevator dinged. He immediately sprang back up with his hands behind his back. He walked to his room and opened the door. His posture wilted immediately after he closed the door and he tossed the letter onto his desk before he slid off his coat.
“Hi Rodger!! I got the mail like you asked!” Toodles’ little head peeked up from the couch with her hand rapidly waving. The sight brought some light back into Rodger’s face.
“Thank you, Toodles. Did anything happen while I was gone?” He walked over to the couch and sat next to her. The soft cushions a wash of relief for his burning legs.
“Nope!”
“That’s good. How’s your coloring book coming along?” He looked down at the coffee table. Crayons scattered the surface with a pile of envelopes in a corner. The two individual bundles of letters held together with a rubber band as they were sorted in advance. He’d take a look at his letters later.
“It’s great! But… I will need another one soon.” Toodles looked down at the coloring book. She had already finished over half of it.
“I’ll talk to Brightney and see if she has anymore for you.” Rodger raised his hand and gently pat Toodles head.
“Okay!” Toodles responded excitedly.
Despite the fact there was work he needed to do, Rodger spent the rest of the day with Toodles. He knew the second he didn’t distract himself with her energy, he’d be back to lingering on that letter. Before long, it was Toodles bedtime. He had her tucked in and read her a bedtime story. Then, he was alone once again. He sat on the couch in the dimness of his room with a single lamp on to retain some light.
As his mind wandered it returned rightfully to the letter and his face found it’s home in his hands once again. Glisten had to have read the letter by now. If not, he was about to. Who knew what he’d think when he read that fluttering mess of feelings. Rodger had never been great at expressing himself and his failed letters only proved it.
Now Glisten had one of those failed letters in his delicate hands. A pitiful display of vulnerability that would rest between his fingers, and he wouldn’t think twice about it until he read it. It’d be obvious that it wasn’t the right letter too, Rodger knew that letter had nothing to say about the holiday season. He’d hate for things to become awkward between Glisten and him over such a thing.
It’s funny how one simple mistake could ruin something so complicated.
Rodger’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was gentle and quiet, easy to miss if there were other sounds that danced in the air. In the dead quiet however, Rodger heard it loud and clear. Despite it’s lack of urgency that knock became Rodger’s judgement call.
That had to be Glisten. There was no way it wasn’t.
He stood up carefully from the couch, his legs argued against it with their aching, and he wandered to the door. His heart beat a thousand miles per minute and his hands were drenched in sweat. It felt silly to be this nervous over one of his friends being at the door, but given the subject matter it certainly wasn’t.
He hesitated in front of the door. His hand inches from the knob. Despite his nerves he knew he couldn’t keep Glisten waiting. He’d have to open the door eventually. He couldn’t escape his fate.
He cracked open the door and peeked out. There he stood, pink, fluffy bath robe and all with a gentle smile plastered on his face like always. Yet knowing Glisten, it could fall the second he walked through the door.
Rodger cleared his throat. “Ah, hello Glisten. I wasn’t expecting you” An obvious lie. “Did you need something?”
“Yes! I would like to speak with you in private. If that’s okay.” Each of those words brought a pang of nerves back into Rodger’s chest like he was being pelted with rocks.
“We can talk. We’ll have to be quiet though, Toodles is sleeping.” Rodger nodded and opened the door for Glisten to enter. He shut the door gently and stood in front of Glisten stiff as a board. He tried to look casual but it seemed impossible. “What did you want to discuss?”
“I wanted to talk about the letter you wrote me.” Despite the calmness of his words, Rodger’s heart throbbed harder. He didn’t think that was possible.
Rodger cleared his throat again to steady his words. “Yes, that’s right. What about my letter?”
Glisten giggled. “Come on Rodger, no need to act oblivious! You already know!” Glisten’s smile deepened while he looked at Rodger. “The reason I came here was to say that… I feel the same way!”
Rodger blinked and stared at him like a deer in headlights. “You… you do?” The words came out of him full of disbelief.
“Yes! I’ve… been in love with you for years in fact! I just never figured out the perfect way to tell you.”
The two stared at each other silently. Their admission of infatuation floated in the air of Rodger’s room like fireflies while it set in for the two of them. Then Glisten’s expression changed to a playful one.
He approached Rodger slowly until their bodies almost touched. Rodger’s face grew warm as Glisten gazed into his eye lovingly. “Can I kiss you, Rodger?” The question came out soft as silk, and Rodger’s thoughts crashed like a computer with too many applications open.
“Ah- Y… Yes- Yes you can…” Rodger choked out the words.
He only grew more flustered when Glisten’s hands raised to his face, held in his palms with feathery touches. Rodger instinctively raised his hands, but didn’t touch Glisten. Completely clueless on where he could put his hands. They stayed up as his focus switched to how close Glisten was.
When Glisten leaned closer Rodger closed his eye. Cool, soft lips pressed against his glass and Rodger wished he had a mouth so he could kiss Glisten back. Rodger relaxed into the kiss and decided to place his hands on Glisten’s shoulders.
Glisten soon pulled away and smiled at Rodger. The two stared at each other in comfortable silence before Glisten swiftly kissed Rodger’s forehead. Glisten giggled at Rodger’s stunned state and let go of his face.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Rodger.” He said between giggles and patted Rodger’s shoulder before heading to the door. “Goodnight!” He waved goodbye and closed the door gently behind him. Rodger stared at the door with a fluttery sensation that radiated throughout his body.
He was left with questions, but it seemed they wouldn’t be answered until morning.