Christmas in New England by Jonah
This is a work of fiction so be aware that every character herein is also fictitious. If you think you recognise yourself, or somebody else in here - you don't. Some places, and some institutions in here are real, but the people attached to those institutions in the story are not. Most characters are my own creations, but some are the creations of another author. I want to thank Jacob Lion, in the USA, for his permission to use his characters in my stories.
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Chapter 10
Boxing Day, or the day that would have been Boxing Day if we were still in the UK. Cold! Not in the house of course. In the house we were all snug as bugs in rugs - or even in the same rug. Just because the bug has become plural doesn't mean the rug has to. Sorry! Was I rambling?
Anyway, it was the Feast-Day of Saint Stephen (or don't they recognise that in the USA either?) and we were all grateful to be in a nice warm house where there was not eight inches of snow. Certainly Sam and Silas should have been grateful for it. Their trailer probably wasn't as snug.
In point of fact, I'm not sure that Silas was particularly grateful to be indoors while the snow was outdoors. That wasn't because Silas was a particularly ungrateful child. Rather, it was because he had been influenced by our three boys. Eight inches of snow could not, in their view, be allowed to remain unmolested.
A hearty cooked breakfast had to be partaken of - a must if you're going to be out in the snow - and lots of warm clothing had to be applied.
I did not apply warm clothing. I had no intention of going anywhere remotely cold. The boys - both Garret and I agreed - were welcome to it.
"Good!" said a coated and woolly-hatted Yori. "You cook dinner."
That was us told. While Garret and I commenced the manufacture of a makeshift turkey stew, a snowman was created, and at least four snow angels. Then a snowball fight ensued, in which Yori and Sam took on the four musketeers. It was midday by the time the stew was ready, and we had even found bananas and oranges for dessert. Not one of our comrades complained that dinner had been too long in coming. In fact I didn't hear a single complaint of any kind.
After dinner, Sam and Silas, and their Christmas presents were loaded into the car and driven back to their trailer by Yori, while we saw to the washing up. By "we", I don't mean Garret and I. We began the job but were relieved of it by the three amigos.
"You cooked," said Barry. "We're washing up."
After the washing up there was the small matter of packing. Our flight in the morning was an early one. We would have to leave at around seven to get to Boston on time, so the packing had to be done today. When Yori returned we were all upstairs attending to that, so he settled down for a nap.
It was about an hour later that we found him thus and I produced a cup of tea to revive him. The boys, of course, had juice.
Lloyd's Christmas Quiz book was produced to pass the time till teatime.
Which Christmas song includes the words, "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough?"
(Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas)
The writings of which prophet told the wise men that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem?
(Micah)
In which modern-day country did St. Nicholas live?
(Turkey)
What was the name of the spider in the first "Home Alone" movie?
(Axl)
Which book of the Bible tells us that Jesus was born in a stable?
(None of them - it isn't in there and He most likely wasn't)
It's true that Lloyd was better at asking questions than answering them, but everybody was too good-natured to point that out. Besides, we enjoyed it.
Our evening meal was, once more, leftovers followed by relaxing in the music room.
Barry didn't get out the OBC this time. He obviously thought we'd heard enough of it. In fact it was Garret who sat himself at the piano.
Now Garret plays by ear - which Barry didn't - but hadn't touched a keyboard for many years. Self-consciously he began picking out the melody of The Carol of the Drum. As the only one who knew the words, I sang it for him. Soon Garret was playing the left-hand as well.
Having got the feel of the instrument, Garret led us through "White Christmas", "Sleigh Ride", "Winter Wonderland", and "Stop the Cavalry".
Barry was back in the driving seat for his party piece. He had found a piano arrangment of Prokofiev's "Lieutenant Kije Suite" and decided that he was game for it.
"When Garret took over again it was to play through "The Wassail Song", "The Twelve Days of Christmas" , "Joy to the World", "We Wish you a Merry Christmas", finally finishing up with "Auld Lang's Syne".
Yori would certainly remember this Christmas. It was hard to think of Yori being a lonely old man - he wouldn't let that happen - but certainly he would remember the company that he had this Christmas with fondness.
Hot chocolate and an early night! After all, tomorrow is a busy day.