Allison O'Brian on Her Own, Volume 2
Page 34
Now everyone clapped again. Long and loud this time. The pastor came back up and led them in one last victorious Christmas carol, and Allison was sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the house—not even Marge Jenson’s! It was an evening Allison would remember always.
On Christmas morning Grace and the kids came over, and they all ate a big breakfast, then unwrapped presents around the Christmas tree.
“Thank you, Allison,” cried Heather when she opened the book and ran her fingers over the title page. “Emma, by Jane Austen. Oh, Allison, this is swell.”
Allison grinned, then held up her mittened hands. “Hey, thanks, Muriel. I sure could’ve used these when I was stuck out on the island.”
“This is great, Allison,” said Andrew as he unwrapped the blue woolen scarf to find an aviation book within. “Did you make the scarf?”
Allison nodded as she opened the small box from him. “My locket,” she cried. “How did you ever find it?” She gently pulled it out of the box.
“I spent half a day searching the island,” said Andrew. “The chain was broken in several spots, so I got a new one. It’s real gold.”
Allison opened the locket and to her surprise saw a picture of Andrew in it. She quickly closed it without saying anything and looked over at him. His cheeks looked slightly pink. “Thanks, Andrew. I hope I never lose it again.”
“Thank you, Allison,” James said as he held up the pen-and-ink drawing of the clipper ship for everyone to see. “I think we’ve got another artist in the family. This is very good. I think I’ll hang it in the library.” He handed her a big box, and she quickly opened it to pull out an authentic leather bomber jacket and aviator’s hat, complete with goggles.
“Oh, Dad,” she cried, “this is great!” She pulled on the jacket and hat and strutted around the room. “Now I’m ready to go up into the wild blue yonder.” She stopped by Dad’s chair and waited as he opened the other present from her. He carefully unwrapped the lighthouse and studied it without saying anything.
“I hope you like it, Dad,” said Allison quickly. “I know it’s sort of strange, and it probably really belongs on a ship, but it reminded me of us. You know how a compass helps you find your way, and then I found you in the lighthouse, and finally I found a home—”
“It’s perfect, Allison,” he said with misty eyes. “Everything is just perfect.”
“And my lovely turkey will be perfectly ruined if I don’t go check on it,” announced Muriel. “Dinner is at two. And I could use a couple of kitchen helpers in another hour or so.”
They all sat around the big dining room table. James insisted that even George and Muriel join them, and there were no protests. They said a special Christmas blessing, thanking God for all the amazing miracles that had allowed them to gather at the table together for their very first Christmas ever.
“Wonderful ham, Muriel,” said Grace.
“Yes, and the turkey is so moist and tender,” said Allison. “I used to hate turkey at Grandmother Madison’s because it was always so dry and tasteless.”
“I like the mashed potatoes the best,” commented Winston. “What’s so funny?” he asked defensively as everyone laughed.
“It’s just that we always have mashed potatoes,” explained Andrew gently.
“I don’t care,” said Winston. “I like ‘em.”
Just then the phone rang.
“Who would call at this time on Christmas?” asked Dad as he rose from the table. “Excuse me, I’ll try to keep it short.”
Everyone continued to visit and eat while Dad was gone. Winston told everyone how he planned to start his ant farm right away. “First you have to send for the ants,” he explained. “Isn’t that weird? I could go out and dig up my own ants.”
“But maybe the ones you send for are special,” suggested Allison.
“Like smarter, you mean?” asked Winston.
Just then Dad returned. “Allison,” he said. “Telephone for you.”
Allison went into the hallway to answer the phone. “Hello?”
“Hello, darling” came her mother’s voice over a crackling line. “I just wanted to wish you a very merry Chrismas, Allison, dear.”
“Thank you, Marsha. Merry Christmas to you, too. How is the movie project going?”
“Just fine, dear. Although it’s hard being away from home and family during the holidays. And I wanted to say that I’m sorry that you couldn’t come to visit me for Christmas. I never dreamed that they’d change the location for this film. But I must admit it’s grand being in Rio—so festive! I wish you were here to see it.”
“It sounds like fun.”
“Yes, I think you’d enjoy it. And I know I’d enjoy having you here. In fact, I was missing you today, Allison.”
“Really?”
“Of course, dear.” Then Marsha’s voice grew hushed. “After all, Allison, I am your mother.”
Allison smiled. “That’s right. You are. Maybe I could come visit you for Easter—if you don’t already have plans—”
“Oh, do you think so?”Marsha’s voice sounded hopeful. “I’d love to see you then, darling!”
“I’d love to see you, too, Marsha. And—” Allison paused to gather her nerve. “I love you, Marsha.”
Marsha made a slight choking sound, then said, “I love you, too, darling. But I’ve got to go now.”
“Have a happy New Year, Marsha!”called Allison as she heard the line disconnect between them. She hung the phone back on the wall and sighed. Yes, Allison thought happily, 1949 has all the makings of a very good year indeed!
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 200 books, including Just Another Girl and Anything but Normal. She recently was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com
Books by Melody Carlson
Words from the Rock Series
True
Life
Always
Just Another Girl
Anything but Normal
Never Been Kissed
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