Christmas 1996
It was the last week before Christmas break and kids were dressed in their winter coats and scarves, some proudly holding their Holiday projects they made in class as they waited to board the school buses or to be picked up by parents. Some of the older 4th grade kids saw Itsuki standing alone, waiting. They approached him and started to push him around and make fun of him, but Itsuki stood his ground. Suddenly the ring leader was shoved up against the cinder block wall with a stiff forearm across his neck.
“Look you little punk, if I ever hear of you or anybody else messing with my little brother, you’re gonna wish your mama never had you.” Annie then released her hold and he fell to the ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath.
“Now get out of here before I get mad,” and they scampered away like scared little rabbits. Itsuki gave his sister and hero a big hug. She shook her head and stooped down to straightened and zip up his coat and wipe the dirt from the front.
“You’re a mess,” she said as she and picked up his Holiday project that was pushed to the ground. It was a tree topper made of popsicle sticks in the shape of a star, painted red and green and sprinkled with gold glitter.
“I made it for you Annie,” he said with a smile. She shook her head again, smiled and took him by the hand.
“C’mon Itsu, let’s go home. We have a Christmas tree to decorate.”
Christmas 2000
Mary was in her sophomore year at Western Washington University in Bellingham, twenty miles south of the Canadian border. It was the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. Her undergrad major was Literature. The family was awaiting her return for winter break with great anticipation, especially nine-year-old Itsuki. Seth and Layla’s books were selling like hotcakes, especially their new Christmas edition and Annie was in her senior year at Shorecrest.
Ever since she could remember Annie took piano lessons. Towards that end Seth and Gracie had purchased a used baby grand piano for her. In the beginning she practiced diligently but in the past few years seemed to lose interest. However, Itsuki was very interested and seemed to have a natural talent. So, Annie would take all of the past lesson books and teach her little brother the basics. He would dedicate himself to practice more than Annie ever did. Soon the student surpassed the teacher. Itsuki played the piano night and day and as a member of the school orchestra and Seth and Annie never missed a performance. Mary got the chance to drive down and attend the Kellogg Middle School Holiday Musical Program and together the entire Gonzales family were in proud attendance.
Seth finally got a call from Dr. Thompson, the music teacher at Kellogg and requested a meeting to discuss Itsuki’s apparent musical aptitude. On Dr. Thompsons recommendation Seth hired the best piano teacher in the area to provide private lessons at the house. It was as if the floodgates were opened. Any time of day or night the house was filled with grand music. Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata or Debussy’s Clair de Lune or Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue or Nocturne in E-flat Major Op. 9, No. 2 by Chopin, and of course Seth’s favorite, The First Noel.
to be continued