Ian

by Denise Irwin

  Leona called a time out for lunch. Jack went to the front porch to call his father to come in for lunch. Jack said, “Dad, the outside decorations are really cool. Mom said to come in for lunch.”

  Sam and the dog came in through the front door and he glanced at the tree. It was amazing because it was decorated including the angel on top.

  “Leona, did you and the kids do the entire tree?”

  “Yes we did. How did you make out on the outside decorations?”

  “They’re done. After lunch come out and see.”

  After lunch, the entire family walked out the front door. Sam had hung white twinkling lights in scallops just under the porch roof. There were large candy canes outside of the porch rail and the lights blinked from red to white.”

  Molly asked, “Where’s the Santa that waves to everyone?”

  “He’s in the garage. I thought that I would just decorate the porch. Don’t you like it?”

  “I do really like it, I was just surprised that Santa wasn’t there.”

  After the kids went to bed, Sam handed his wife a glass of wine as he asked, “Lee, tell me how you managed to get the angel onto the top of the tree?”

  “Before I tell you, promise me that you won’t get pissed off.”

  “I can’t make that promise and you know it.”

  “I went into the garage and got the ladder that opens up because it’s more stable. Then I climbed to the top of the ladder and put the angel in place.”

  He admonished her, “You could have fallen.”

  “I could have, but I didn’t.”

  He let out a low sigh and then said, “There’s just no convincing you that you could have been hurt just before Christmas, is there?”

  “No there isn’t, because I made sure that I was safe. I plan to wrap gifts and bake cookies tomorrow. Do you want to help?”

  “Sure as long as it doesn’t include you climbing a ladder.”

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  Thompson had been released from solitary to eat in the dining hall; however after a fisticuff, with the other inmate who’d told him, “You’re a walking dead man.” He was back in solitary. He was confused about why they were fighting. What had he done that had the bastard in an uproar

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  After the kids left for school on Monday morning, Sam brought the gifts to the dining where there was plenty of space to wrap gifts. Leona remained in the kitchen to bake cookies. By the time the kids came home from school, there was no evidence of the wrapped gifts or the cookies.

  After the kids went to bed, Sam asked, “What are you planning to cook for your parents?”

  “Pour me a glass of wine and I’ll tell you.”

  As he handed her a glass of wine, he said, “Okay, you have your wine, so tell me what you’re planning for dinner?”

  “I baked two chicken pot pies and they’re in the freezer. I had planned to make a salad, but by now all the fixings are gone, so I had to come up with another idea.”

  “And the new idea is?”

  “A warm mushroom salad. I’ll serve sorbet between courses.”

  “Won’t your mother be impressed?”

  “I sure hope so or all my hard work was for nothing.”

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  The kids slept in on Christmas Eve, leaving their parents to a quiet morning. “Sam, I am just delighted that we’re not in the middle of working on anything so that we’ll have a stress free holiday.”

  “We get a nice reprieve until the sentencing.”

  “Let me get started making breakfast so that I’m ready.

  Molly and Jack came into the kitchen for breakfast.

  Jack asked, “What time are our grandparents coming.”

  “Jack if I knew I’d tell you, but your grandmother sometimes comes early and sometimes comes late. Go into the dining room and play board games until she arrives”

  Just after lunch Nancy called, “Leona, we’re on our way, is there anything that you need me to pick up?”

  “No Ma. We’re all set.”

  When they disconnected the call, Leona went into the dining room to tell her children that their grandparents were on their way.

  They both yelled, “Thanks ma.”

  She then returned to the kitchen, Sam asked, “What is all that about?”

  “I have no idea.”

  They heard the front door open and close, but heard no voices. Sam asked, “What are they doing?”

  “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Do you think that I should go look?”

  “No, they can’t get into too much trouble.”

  They sat quietly and then heard loud laughter. Her parents entered the kitchen still laughing. “Leona, did you put your children up to that.” She handed her daughter a cherry pie she’d baked.

  Leona took the pie and put it on the counter. “Ma, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. They wanted to know when you and Dad were coming and when you called, I told them you were on your way. What made you laugh so hard?”

  “The dog handed us candy canes on the porch.”

  Sam handed his mother-in-law a glass of wine as he said, “We knew that they were excited about something, but didn’t know what it was.”

  Jack and Molly wandered into the kitchen. Sam asked, “Did the two of you teach Vinny to hand out candy canes.”

  Jack said, “We did and it was Molly’s idea.”

  Nancy said, “That dog is just incredible.”

  They chatted about the kids’ school and the agility course training. Bill said, “Jeremy decided not to take the job in California. The University of Maryland offered him more money to stay.”

  Nancy said, “I was looking forward to traveling to California.”

  Bill said, “If you want to go to California, we’ll go.”

  Leona excused herself, “Let me get the salad into the oven to warm it up.”

  Nancy chuckled, “Daughter, didn’t you mean to say that you were putting dinner in the oven?”

  “Nope, I knew that just before Christmas that the salad greens would be just a poor sight to see, so I found a recipe for a warm mushroom salad.”

  “That sounds interesting. Have you had it before now?”

  She chuckled, “No, so we’re gonna find out together if the recipe’s worth saving.”

  She set the bowl in front of Sam so that he could pass it around the table. Everyone put some on their plate and then approached the salad with caution. Molly said, “Ma, this is really good.”

  “Thank you. I’m so glad that you like it.” That encouraged everyone else to at least try it.

  It turned out that they all loved it. Nancy said, “I’d really like the recipe.”

  “Sure, I’ll e-mail it to you.” She got up to put sherbet in small dishes and then brought them to the table.

  Molly asked, “Are we eating dessert before dinner?”

  “No this is to clear your palate for dinner.”

  “Ma, I don’t know what that means, but it tastes good.”

  Leona gathered up the sherbet dishes and pulled the first chicken pot pie out of the oven. “I’m gonna let this cool for just a few minutes. Can I refresh your drinks?”

  She refreshed everyone’s drink and then put the pot pie on the table. “This is really hot, so pass your plates to Sam.”

  Sam handed her mother her plate, Nancy said, “Daughter, you have really outdone yourself, this pie is delicious.”

  After the dinner dishes were taken away to go into the washer, Leona said, “I’ll put the coffee on now for the dessert and we’ll go into the living room to open gifts.”

  Nancy handed Jack and Molly their gift first. Molly cried after she unwrapped her gift. “Grandma, this is just the best.” She then gave her grandparents a hug and kiss.

  Leona asked, “What is it?”

  Molly handed it to her mother. It was a framed picture taken during their last class with Vinny.

  Jack opened his and it was a picture of him and the dog f
inishing the last run. “Thank you so much. This is a very thoughtful gift.” He gave his grandparents and hug and kiss.

  They went back into the kitchen for dessert. Leona asked, “Where are you going tomorrow?”

  “We’re going to Jeremy and Zoe’s house. I thought that you had plans.”

  “We’re heading to Sue and Neal’s.”

  Bill said, “Thank you for a wonderful dinner, but we need to get home.”

  Sam and Leona walked them to the car and did the hugs and kisses thing and watched them drive away.

  The kids had gone to bed before their grandparents left. Sam poured his wife a glass of wine as he said, “That was a wonderful dinner. I know that your parents enjoyed it and dig Molly liking the salad.”

  “That’s a good thing, because that’s what I’m taking to Sue’s tomorrow.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The kids came running into their parents’ bedroom. Molly climbed up on the bed and pushed Leona’s eye lid up. “Ma, I see that you’re awake and I want to open my presents.”

  “Go down to the living room, but don’t unwrap anything. Dad and I will come down.”

  She then nudged her husband, “Sam, the kids are in the living room waiting for us.”

  They put on jogging suits and went downstairs. Leona said, “Wow, it looks like Santa brought the two of you a lot of gifts.”

  Jack said, “Mom, Molly and I know that Santa doesn’t exist. You and Dad wrapped those gifts.”

  “Jack, who told you that?”

  “Mom, everyone knows it.”

  A piece of her heart broke off because her children were growing up and didn’t believe in Santa anymore. “Well the cards are signed by Santa this year, so please believe for just this year. You may each open one gift and then we’ll have breakfast.”

  Jack said, “Molly, you go first.”

  “Thanks Jack.” She looked at the tags and found her name on a large gift. She ripped the paper off to find a musical jewelry box. She lifted the lid and it played music. “Mom, what is the tune that’s playing?”

  “It’s called ‘A Dream That Your Heart Makes’.”

  “This is really nice Mom. Jack it’s your turn.” He pulled out a box and when he unwrapped it, he found two books. The first one was The Complete Book of United States History by School Publishing, 2001. The second one was 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong and Roger Roth.

  “Thank you so much Mom and Dad. I can’t wait to read them.”

  Sam told him, “You have the week off from school, so that’ll give you plenty of reading time.”

  “Okay gang, I’m going to go into the kitchen to make breakfast. I’ll call when it’s ready.”

  Sam followed her in. “Are you okay about Molly and Jack not believing in Santa anymore?”

  “No I’m not, but they would’ve learned sooner or later. I had just hoped that they would believe until they graduated from college.”

  “Well, let’s see what they tell their children.”

  “I don’t know about you, but I will definitely listen to what they tell my grandchildren.” She went into the front living room to tell her children that breakfast was ready.

  They came in and sat at the table. Molly asked, “Are we taking Vinny with us to Aunt Sue’s today?”

  “No Molly, we’ll have to leave him home today.”

  “Why Dad? We always took Bailey with us.”

  “Bailey went to Aunt Sue’s a lot, so he was familiar with her house. Bailey was also used to going into one of the kennels and that might scare Vinny. I don’t want him to think that we are giving him back to a rescue center.”

  “I understand because I wouldn’t want him to think we were giving him away.”

  “Molly, we’ll take him to Aunt Sue’s on another day to let him get familiar with her kennels.”

  Leona said while winking at her son, “Let’s go see what else Santa brought on his sleigh.”

  Jack said, “Molly pick one out and unwrap it”

  It turned out to be a necklace. “This is just so pretty, Mom, can I wear it today?”

  “I’m sure that Santa would be proud if you wore it.”

  Jack selected a box and when he opened it, his eyes lit up. “This is a train set and it even has a track. It’s just so cool.” He winked at his mother and then said, “Thanks Santa.”

  The remainder of the gifts were clothes. Both children received sweaters and jeans. Molly did get a new winter coat since she’d outgrown the one she has. Jack asked, “Would it be okay if we put the train together?”

  Sam said, “Yes.”

  Sam and Leona went back into the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Sam asked, “What time are you planning to go to Sue’s.”

  “She asked that everyone be there at 3:00 this afternoon, but I’d like to be there no later than 2:00 to give her a hand.”

  “It’s only 9:30 in the morning and that gives Molly and Jack a chance to play with Jack’s train set.”

  “I know.”

  “Lee, are you planning to make lunch today?”

  “I have leftovers from last night, so I’ll heat them up.”

  Leona fed her family lunch and then told Molly and Jack to go up and change. They didn’t understand that if they just had lunch, why they had to change their clothes. They both put on their new sweaters and jeans. They went down to the kitchen where Leona said, “The two of you look so nice.”

  Molly said, “Thanks Mom.”

  Jack winked at his mother and then said, “Santa brought us some really nice clothes, didn’t he Molly?”

  “Yes he did Jack.”

  Leona knew that her children were poking fun at her belief in Santa, but she didn’t care. Sam said, “You both look very nice to go to Aunt Sue’s this afternoon. Vinny needs to be walked before we go.”

  Jack and Molly walked Vinny out the back door. “Jack, do you think we upset Mom when we made fun of her believing in Santa?”

  “No, I think that it made her sad.”

  “Why would it make her sad?”

  “Not believing in Santa Claus means we’re growing up and that makes her sad.”

  “I don’t want to make Mom sad.”

  “Molly, we can’t stop growing up. Let’s get into the house.”

  “Dad, we’re done walking Vinny.”

  “Did you give him some fresh water?”

  “No, so I’ll go do that now.”

  When Jack filled the water bowl, he said, “I filled his water bowl. Do you think that there’s anything else he’ll need while we’re gone?”

  “No, so I need everyone to walk to the car and once you’re there get into the car and fasten your seatbelts.”

  Leona waited until the kids were seat belted in and then handed Jack the bowl containing the salad. “Jack, just hold onto the bowl. I’ll heat it up when we get to Aunt Sue’s house.”

  “Okay Mom.”

  Sam pulled into the driveway and Leona said, “It looks like we’re the first to arrive. Jack hold onto the bowl, I’ll take it from you once I get out of the car.”

  Sue was standing on the porch waiting for them. Leona took the bowl from Jack and then said, “Thanks for holding onto it. Go ahead and undo your seat belts.”

  She saw Sue on the porch and said, “Hey lady, I know that we’re early, but I get here early so that I can help you today.”

  “Everything is ready so come on in and have a glass of wine with me.” The kids ran after them, Molly said, “Aunt Sue, Jack and I are wearing the clothes that Santa brought us.”

  “Well they are some mighty fine looking clothes. Go show Uncle Neal.”

  Leona handed Sue the bowl of warm mushroom salad. “Hot or cold”

  “It’s currently cold, but we’ll put it in the oven later since it’s served warm. It’s a warm mushroom salad. Molly even liked it.”

  “Well, if your daughter likes it, it’s gotta be good. Where’s the dog?”

  “We left him hom
e for a couple of reasons. We didn’t want him to freak out with the crowd that will be here. We also didn’t want to use one of your kennels and have him think that we gave him away.”

  “You might be right. Neal and I will invite you to dinner and bring the dog. We’ll let him get familiar with the place.”

  “We would appreciate that. He’s really a great dog. We’re taking dog agility lessons; the next class is on the 28th at 2:00 in Perry Hall Middle School.”

  “Can we just come and watch?”

  The house started to fill with people, so Leona and Sue greeted everyone and served the guests a first drink with instructions that they were on their own after the first drink. Jack came running into the kitchen looking for his mother who was behind a group of new arrivals. “Mom, where are you?”

  “Jack, I’m right here.”

  “Right where?”

  Leona put her hand up, “I’m right here.”

  Jack wiggled through the crowd to get to his mother, “Mom, stoop down so I can whisper something to you.”

  She saw that Sue was about to laugh, so she asked, “Jack, can’t you just tell me what you want to say?”

  The crowd in the kitchen were now interested in what the traffic jam was about. Leona stooped down and Jack whispered in her ear, “Mom, you gotta keep this a secret. Gabin and Haley came together.”

  She whispered back, “Okay, I won’t tell anyone. Can I get up so that I can serve drinks?

  “Sure Mom, just remember that it’s a secret.”

  Before she could say anything, her son wiggled his way back through the crowd.

  Sue asked, “What was that all about?”

  “I’ll tell you later after we get these folks a drink.”

  Brian and Phil were next, and Leona handed them their drinks, Brian asked, “Are we on for Saturday?”

  “Yes sir, we are.”

  When the crowd finally had their first drink, Leona told Sue what Jack said.

  “Is that right?”

  “Their parents would be delighted if it’s true. I think that it’s time for us to start mingling and spreading holiday cheer.”