Pointing to the stone hearth Max said,
“Just put the wood down there,” and proceeded to teach Tommy the fine art of lighting the fireplace. Making sure the chimney flue was opened he put down the crumpled newspapers and smaller kindling first, and as soon as they lit, placing the larger pieces on top. The crackling wood brought back memories of when he showed their own young son Johnny how to start a fire, many years ago.
“Mommy, can we get a Christmas tree?” For a year, they never really celebrated anything. She smiled and looked at Max who nodded and was smiling from ear to ear.
“Can we go to a tree lot tomorrow and buy one?” begged Tommy.
“I’m sorry sweetheart, we’ll see.”
“Oh man. . .” said Tommy as he slowly sat down looking sad and dejected. Max went over and sat next to him.
“It’s okay Tommy, if you never ask, the answer is always no,” he told him.
“I tell you what, tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we’ll see what happens, now get some sleep.”
“Let us know if you need anything, we’ll be right upstairs,” said Kathy as she and Max began the arduous task of negotiating flights of stairs.
“Good night and sleep well, you are safe now. We’ll see you in the morning.”
Nestled under warm blankets in front of a cozy fire was certainly a far cry from the previous nights when they huddled together to stay warm, sleeping in the car. That was certainly no life for a little boy. Tommy was fast asleep on the other couch. Francine looked adoringly at him and then gazed around the beautiful room illuminated by the flickering flames of the fireplace. Resting her head on the soft pillow, it had been such a long time since she felt this loved. It had been a very stressful year, especially the last few days driving up from LA. Closing her tired eyes she was comforted by the howling winds outside combined with the sound of a typewriter upstairs. Calmed by the gentle serenade, just before drifting off she whispered,
“If this is all a dream, I don’t want to wake up. . .”
The sun streamed through the window causing Francine to awaken. Startled, she sat up and looked around and was relieved to know that the previous night wasn’t a dream. She looked across to the other couch and saw Tommy’s empty blankets, he was already up. Hearing activity in the kitchen she got up to investigate only to find Kathy wearing a festive snowman apron and Tommy wearing reindeer antlers, unloading groceries and putting them away. Guiding Tommy’s exuberance Kathy said,
“Okay, the milk goes in the cooler and the coffee and coco goes in that lower cupboard.”
“Hi mommy,” said Tommy and ran over to give his mother a big hug. This is the first time in a long time that Tommy had a real kitchen to hang out in.
“Good morning, sweetheart. And to you too Kathy. When did you guys go shopping?”
“Good morning, dear. We didn’t. But I realized last night that there is not a thing in the house to eat so I called Jimmy in the store down the street with a list, and he delivered the goods. With coolers full of snow and the wood burning stove, we’re all set.”
“Mommy, can you believe all this stuff? Look, we can make Christmas pancakes and cinnamon toast, right Kathy?”
“We sure can.” Kathy brought down a box of some of the Christmas decorations appropriated from their upstairs apartment.
“Francine, you and Tommy take that box and go into the parlor and start Christmasizing the place while I make breakfast.
“Yaay”, shouted Tommy, pulling his moms arm into the parlor. It melted her heart to see her son so happy, it had been such an agonizing year for him. They opened the box to find bows and wreath’s, candles and stockings, holly an ivy and silver and red ribbons. At the bottom was a small tin box painted blue with a red heart on the lid with the words A Lot Of Love. After placing the blankets and pillows in the closet they decorated the room with Max and Kathy’s Christmas treasures and stood back, holding hands to survey their work.
“Mommy, it’s so beautiful.” Suddenly there was a call out from the kitchen,
“C’mon guys breakfast is ready.” The table was laid out with scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, cinnamon toast, blueberry muffins, coffee, orange juice and a Christmas centerpiece with two lit red candles.
“Wow,” said Tommy whose eyes were as large as the pancakes. A thankful Francine said,
“Kathy, what did you do?” Smiling, she replied,
“Let an old lady have her fun, I never get to cook like this anymore.” They all sat around the table when suddenly the house was filled with Christmas music from the old windup Victrola in the parlor. Max came in rubbing his hands and proceeded to join them.
“Let Christmas Eve begin. Tommy, did you save me any cinnamon toast?” They all laughed and enjoyed each other’s company during their Holiday family breakfast.
“Mommy, can we go to the Christmas tree lot and buy a tree?” asked Tommy. Max leaned over,
“Tommy, let me tell you a secret that I want you to never forget.” Tommy frowned and said,
“Okay, what is it?” eating another forkful of pancake. Max whispered,
“Christmas won’t come from something you buy,” Kathy smiled at Max and finished,
“It comes from your heart if you give it a try.” Max smiled and gave his wife a wink.
to be continued