Castle Juliet

by Brandon Berntson

  “We have a present for you in the truck,” Phillip said. “And we should probably bring it in now. We don’t want it to get snowed on too much. With your help, Gerald, my good man, I think we can manage.”

  Gerald and Jane exchanged a glance and raised their eyebrows.

  “What is it?” Alice said.

  “Yes, I’m curious, too,” Jane said.

  “You didn’t get me a tractor, did you, Phillip?” Gerald asked.

  Jack remained secretive, not saying anything, and stood there, holding his present with a smile on his face. Phillip smiled and shook his head.

  “No,” he said. “But it’s heavy, and I’ll need help bringing it in. It shouldn’t get wet, either. It’s under a tarp now, wrapped in cloth.”

  Phillip looked at Jack, and they winked at each other.

  “Jack’s been helping around the house lately, and we both thought of a good present for you. Jack and I both put our touch into it. Besides, I thought I’d give the poor kid a break from carrying things.”

  “My arms are still tired from carrying the turkey two months ago,” Jack said.

  “You didn’t leave the other guest out in the truck, did you?” Alice asked. “Oh no! Is someone dead?”

  “Gosh, I hope not, for our sake,” Jane said, playing along.

  “Let me get my coat,” Gerald said. “And put my boots and gloves on.”

  Phillip nodded.

  “Do you know what it is, dear?” Jane asked.

  “Haven’t the foggiest, my dear,” Gerald said. “But since I’ll be bringing it in—looks like I get first peek.”

  “Pish-posh,” Jane said, sounding petulant.

  “Giggle-snort,” Gerald said.

  “Now’s when you’re supposed to bark, Boxer,” Alice said, looking down at the dog, who was sitting on his haunches, looking at Alice and panting. He tilted his head.

  “He’ll get it in a minute,” Alice said. “He wasn’t expecting guests. I think it threw him off.”

  “I’m just gonna put this present with the rest of them under the tree,” Jack said.

  “What is that, Jack?” Alice said, batting her eyelashes.

  “It’s a present,” Jack said. “Didn’t I just say that?”

  “I mean, who is it for?”

  “Why, for you, of course, Alice dear.”

  “Yippee!” Alice said, clapping her hands, and jumping up and down again.

  This time, Boxer barked excitedly—twice, in fact—making up for lost time, and Alice reached down and patted his head. “Good dog.”

  When Gerald was ready, Phillip opened the door, and they stepped outside into the wintry night. The others waited inside. Snow blew inside from a slight breeze, swirling across the threshold. Jane and Alice waited in breathless anticipation while Jack—more casual than normal—took off his coat, left his boots by the door, and sat on the couch. He leaned back, smoking an imaginary pipe, and blew imaginary smoke rings into the air.

  “Jack, what are you doing?” Alice asked.

  “Savoring the moment,” Jack said, smiling secretively. He made his mouth into an O and blew smoke rings toward the ceiling.

  Phillip emerged soon after, backing into the house. It was getting noticeably colder with the door open. Something long, rectangular, and wrapped in cloth, tied with rope, was in his hands. The object was roughly six feet long. Soon, Gerald emerged, holding the other end. Once they were inside, Jane closed the door behind them.

  “I didn’t peek,” Gerald said.

  “Goodness!” Jane exclaimed. “What on earth is that?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know,” Alice said. “Maybe it’s a coffin!”

  Jack thought this immeasurably funny, laughed out loud, and Jane reprimanded her daughter.

  Jack continued to lean back on the couch, this time with both arms spread across the back, and somehow—without the pipe—blew smoke rings at the ceiling. “That one looks like a wreath,” he said, pointing to one above his head, only he could see.

  “Let’s put it up over there, Phillip,” Gerald said. “Next to the fireplace. Does it stay long-ways or stand upright?”

  “Upright,” Phillip said. “And you have the bottom.”

  The two men moved around the furniture, weaved through the living room, and Gerald gently set his end down on the rug, while Phillip righted it. Each of them took a deep breath when the object was in place.

  “What is it?” Jane said.

  Boxer let out another yelp.

  “You’ll have to wait ’til Christmas,” Phillip said.

  “But it is, Christmas!” Jane exclaimed, and Boxer barked again, agreeing.

  “You’re right, Jane!” Phillip said, stepping back.

  “Can we see what it is now?” Alice said.

  “Gerald?” Phillip said. “You want to help untie these knots. I’ll stand aside while you, Jane, and Alice have a peek.”

  Gerald and Phillip fiddled with the knots until the ropes were untied and lying on the rug. Now, it was just the cloth draped over the long, skinny object. Alice stood by Jack, who was still leaning back on the couch, smiling to himself, harboring a secret he wasn’t about to share. Jane came over and stood next to Gerald, while Phillip backed away and stood by Alice.

  “There it is, all set,” Phillip said. “You may unveil.”

  Alice hopped impatiently from one foot to the other, but wanting to hold back, obviously, while her parents unveiled whatever was underneath. Boxer stood next to Alice, wagging his tail, looking from one person to the other, just as eager.

  Phillip put his hands on Jack’s shoulders, who opened his eyes, stopped blowing smoke rings, and said, “Hey, Pop!” Phillip looked at Jack and smiled.

  “Come on!” Alice cried. “Come on! I can’t wait any longer!”

  Gerald and Jane reached up and pulled the cloth off at the same time, revealing an elegant, newly polished, grandfather clock. Jane stumbled back, paling instantly, as though about to faint. Gerald opened his mouth, clamped it shut, opened it again, pointed to the clock, furrowed his brows, looked at Phillip, looked at the clock again, then clamped his mouth, once more. Alice made a gasping sound. Jack stood up, looked at everyone, then looked at his dad and nodded.

  “Cooool,” Alice said, her eyes wide.

  “Merry Christmas!” Phillip and Jack said at once, and both shook hands proudly across the couch.

  “A splendid job, I think, sir!” Jack said. “The reaction you were looking for.”

  “Indeed,” Phillip said, nodding.

  “Oh, Phillip,” Gerald said, in a tone of reverence. “This is too much. Really. I don’t know what to say. It’s…gorgeous.”

  “I don’t think Jane knows what to say, either,” Jack said. “Someone should get her a glass of water.”

  “I got it!” Alice said, and disappeared into the kitchen. The sound of running water followed, stopped, then Alice came back holding a glass out for her mother. “Here, Mom,” Alice said. Jane took it and drank.

  “Are you okay, dear?” Gerald said.

  “I didn’t mean to shock you, Jane,” Phillip said.

  “Oh, Phillip,” Jane said. She found a seat in a nearby chair. “Oh, Jack. I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”

  “I think you’ve said all you need to,” Phillip said. “Like Jacky-boy said. It was the reaction I was hoping for.”

  In the next second, Jane burst into tears and buried her face in her hands.

  “Jane, dear?” Gerald said. He stepped toward her, knelt and put his hand on her arm. “Jane, honey? What’s wrong?”

  “I…I…” she started, but couldn’t finish, and burst into tears again.

  “Honey?” Gerald said.

  “I…all…I…” Jane tried once more, lifting her face. She swallowed and tried again: “All I made for Jack and Phillip were some lousy scarves!” she finished and burst into tears again.

  Everyone broke into laughter; the dog barked; the doorbell rang, and Jane fainted.r />
  *

  Gerald went to the door, opened it, and revealed the sixth, mysterious guest. He looked different than Alice remembered, wearing a sheep-skinned coat. His hair was longer. Days of stubble shadowed his cheeks and necks. In all his friendly, smiling glory, it was, indeed, Mr. Fred Tozensby. Alice threw her hands to her face and exclaimed: “Fred!”—as if she needed to hear it from her own lips in order to believe it. It had been months since she’d seen him.

  “Hello, princess,” Fred said, brushing snow off his shoulders. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “It’s good to see you,” Gerald said.

  The two men shook hands, and Fred brushed more snow out of his hair. “It’s nice to be invited, and I thank you.” Fred, extremely civil, bowed to Jane, who smiled, blushed, and nodded. Phillip looked over at Fred, stepped close, and shook his hand.

  “Phillip,” Fred said.

  “Fred,” said Phillip, and both men chuckled.

  “Well, if it isn’t little Jacky-boy,” Fred said, looking toward Jack. “How is the Holy Grail holding up? Still safe from the marauders?”

  “As good as gold, sir,” Jack said, and gave Fred a proper salute.

  “An outstanding young gentleman,” Fred said. “You must do your father proud.”

  “I’m the best of the bunch, sir!”

  “You’re the only one in the bunch,” Phillip said. “I don’t have a choice in the matter.”

  “I forgive you, Dad!” Jack said. “You’d think that way if there were a thousand!”

  “You’re probably right, Jacky-boy,” Phillip said. “I won’t argue with you.”

  “Don’t I get a hug?” Alice virtually wailed, and everyone stopped, turned, and raised their eyebrows.

  Fred looked from one face to the other, waiting to meet everyone’s approval.

  “Don’t look at me,” Gerald said, holding his hands up and backing away.

  Jane, too, shook her head. “You’d better give the young lady a hug, Fred, if you know what’s good for you.”

  Fred looked at Jane, looked at Phillip—who motioned he was having no part of it—then looked at Alice. He smiled. Alice was pouting.

  “Why the pout?” Fred said.

  “I haven’t seen you in ages!” Alice said. “No one told me you were coming! I want a hug!”

  Fred laughed along with everybody else.

  “Alice has a crush on Fred, Dad,” Jack whispered to his father.

  “So, I gathered,” Phillip said.

  “Jack Bristol!” Alice cried.

  “Dad made me do it!” Jack said, in his defense, and to emphasize it, pointed at his father. Alice gave Jack a deadly glare, one of the first he’d ever seen.

  “Don’t mind them, Alice,” Fred said. He kneeled down, opened his arms, and said, “Come give your Uncle Fred a hug.”

  Alice did so with joy. She smiled wide, ran, and leapt into Fred’s arms, squeezing him tight. Fred, too, hugged Alice in return.

  “Good to see you, little lady.”

  “Good to see you, Fred,” Alice said.

  “Well, I’d say you missed the main event,” Gerald said, “But this one’s measuring up quite nicely, I think.”

  “Oh,” Fred said. “You can let go of me now, Alice.”

  “No,” Alice said.

  “Alice,” Jane warned, and Alice finally let go, petulant again.

  “Yes, it was quite the scene,” Gerald said. “Jane fainted.”

  “I’m sorry I missed it,” Fred said.

  “Hey,” Alice said, “How come you guys all know each other? Mom?”

  Jane looked at Alice, paled slightly, and put her hand to her throat. She looked to Gerald for explanation.

  “Well, we know each other because we all work in town, Alice,” Gerald said, adjusting his glasses.

  Alice frowned, furrowed her brows, incredulous. She’d told her parents about Fred, but they’d never mentioned anything else about him. Phillip, too, seemed to know Fred rather well. The four of them were getting along famously. Jack hadn’t mentioned anything about it, either, even if he did know. Jack, who—once again—was leaning back against the couch and blowing invisible smoke rings into the air. He raised his head, pulled an invisible pipe from his lips, and winked at Alice.

  “What the heck is going on?” Alice cried, stomping her foot.

  Gerald patted her on the shoulder. Boxer stood up in her defense, also wanting to know, just as confused as Alice. No one paid Alice any mind, and they went about the festivities, telling her she’d find out soon enough.

  Fred took off his jacket and hung it up next to the others by the door.

  “Phillip has graced our house with that handsome clock there by the fire,” Gerald told Fred. “The scene we were talking about before you arrived.”

  “I would’ve waited,” Phillip said. “But I didn’t want to keep the clock outside in the truck.”

  “Wow,” Fred said, opening his eyes wide. “That’s quite a handsome clock, too.”

  “I think in all the excitement,” Gerald said. “We forgot to wind it. Jane is still trying to catch her breath, I think.”

  Phillip chuckled, understanding too well.

  “Yes, a beautiful clock,” Fred said.

  “Thank you,” Phillip said. “Jack helped me with it. He did most of the sanding and staining. He whined a lot, but it paid off.”

  Jack made his fingers into a pistol and pretended to fire a shot at Phillip, who winked at him in return.

  “It’s beautiful,” Jane said, still in awe. She took a step back and looked at the clock, which she seemed to be doing a lot as the evening progressed. Its very presence seemed magical. “Yes, a beautiful clock.”

  Boxer barked unexpectedly.

  “I want to know what’s going on!” Alice suddenly wailed, her tiny hands balled into tight fists. “And I want to know right now!”

  Startled, Jane put a hand to her heart. Everyone stopped and looked at Alice. Boxer barked a second time. Jack stopped blowing smoke rings at the ceiling, sat bolt upright, terrified to strict attention.

  “Alice!” Jane said, shocked.

  Fred opened his mouth, clamped it shut, unable to decide what to say. Phillip stood with his eyebrows raised, amused. Gerald did everything but break into hearty laughter, because he didn’t want to embarrass his daughter any more than she already was. Gerald looked at Phillip, then at Fred, then at Jane, even Jack, begging for help in some way or another. Fred looked at Alice and winked. Jack was the one who stood, however, and answered Alice’s question. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  “Alice,” Jack said. “I was just telling Dad about Fred a while back is all, the great time we had riding the horses, the adventures we had with him and King Arthur. So, Dad took it upon himself to visit Fred and thank him for taking us out and showing us such a good time. Which he did with nobility, I might add.” During all this, Phillip looked at his son, eyes sparkling, never prouder of his boy. “And, from what I gathered, they got along splendidly. Quite the merrymaking it was, Alice.” All this time, Alice looked to her parents, to Phillip, back to Fred, and with Jack’s words, noticeably calmed. Jack continued: “And then…well…as the holiday got closer, Dad—that’s Phillip over there as you know him—visited Gerald, your dad—as you know him—and suggested he invite Mr. Fred to this house for the holiday, which everyone thought a magnificent idea—seems how Fred is alone with the horses, and well…doesn’t have anyone to spend the holidays with—even though Christmas, the horse, is named Christmas, and that’s well and good and all, but it’s not like you can put Christmas lights on a horse or anything. And horses being great company, they can’t very well sit at the table, can they? They can’t hold a knife and fork, and you can’t really have a Christmas conversation with them, unless, of course, you speak horse, which—as far as I know—no one here does. I know you have a crush on Fred—” Alice blushed madly here. “—so here he is! So, we thought we’d surprise you, kind of like another Christma
s present. And are you surprised, dear Alice?”

  Alice was still blushing when she looked at everybody a little guiltily now, and defended herself: “It’s just an innocent crush! He’s a handsome man. Don’t you think so, Mom?”

  Jane paled and widened her blue eyes, then looked at Gerald.

  “Don’t worry, dear,” Gerald said, patting her on the back. “I won’t be jealous.”

  “Uh…” Jane said, still hesitant. “He is a very handsome man.”

  Fred took a gulp, looking guilty himself, as if everything really were his fault. Gerald simply shrugged. Phillip smiled, amused by it all.

  “It’s quite all right, dear,” Jane said, as Alice looked around, opened her mouth, closed it, and glared at Jack again.

  “You’ve all been conspiring behind my back!” Alice wailed. “That’s not nice!”

  “We did it to surprise you, Alice,” Jane said. “We thought you’d be pleased.”

  “I am pleased!” Alice shot back.

  “Then why are you crying?” Jane asked, worriedly.

  “I don’t know!” Alice did everything but wail at the top of her lungs.

  Phillip stood back, eying the entire scene with an amused look on his face. Fred seemed very awkward and uncomfortable suddenly, rubbing his hands together, believing he was responsible for all this and would do anything, say anything to quell the moment—if someone would just tell him. Something did dawn on Fred because he looked at Jane and said, “May I?”—and Jane, in return, nodded eagerly.

  Fred stepped toward Alice. Alice seemed angrier by the fact she was crying than anything else. She wiped her eyes with the backs of both hands and sniffled at the same time. Fred knelt and put his hands on Alice’s shoulders. Gently, he kissed her on the cheek. Alice stopped crying immediately and looked at Fred with doleful eyes.

  “Merry Christmas, Princess,” Fred said. “That is present number one. The other—like the clock previously—is out in the cold. But in no fear of getting wet. It will be fine until after supper.”

  *

  Alice’s eyes grew wide at this announcement. Fred did, however, say it would be wiser to wait until after dinner, and Jane and Gerald agreed. Jack smiled like a mischievous, all-knowing child, as if he’d concocted the entire scheme himself. Alice, more anxious to see what her present was, fidgeted, rolled her hands together, and tapped her feet against her chair. It was Christmas, after all, and she knew better than to press the issue. She kept her comments to herself, and the following minutes trudged by with agonizing slowness.