CHAPTER FIVE #3
Before Mick can say something, Jonah makes an announcement.
“Food is ready! As we all know, at every other family gathering, the elders always go first. However, on this very special day, we always make an exception. True holiday spirit is best found in the eyes of children. It’s that sparkle of joy and wonder that we all try to find the older we get.
In that spirit, we invite all those who are under eighteen to come and fill your plates.
” Jon adds, “Those who go through the line and remember their manners will get a special treat after dinner.”
The mad rush that had started suddenly slows to a walk.
It would seem that Jon is starting to understand parenting and how a lot of the time it’s a balancing act of bribery and negotiation.
Your reward for more than eighteen years of that?
Becoming a grandparent. I may be new to this whole thing, but from my understanding, I get to spoil, give treats, and make sure to buy all the noisy toys to send home with them. Yep, I’m looking forward to all of it.
I feel someone standing behind me. Hands rest on my hips, and a kiss is placed at the base of my neck.
“I’ve been sprung from Santa duty. I got a look at the tables, and you outdid yourself, baby.
This is fantastic.” I turn in his arms. “What I love is that leftovers are made up into plates and taken to the shelter to hand out. That reminds me, though. We’ve got to put aside a couple of plates and bring them to Ray since I don’t know if he’ll go to the shelter to get one.
” Jason nods and opens his mouth to say something when I feel a pull on my hand.
Jason must, too, because he looks down at the same time.
Zaria is standing, looking up at us. “Daddy said he could do it, but I wanted you to help me. Can you take me to get a plate?” Jason nods and reaches for her hand, but she pulls it away.
“No, Grandpa, I want my Mona to take me.” I don’t think my heart could melt more for this little girl.
She takes my hand and begins to pull me.
“Come on, Mona. Daisy has her gigi helping her.” I look back at Jason, and he gives me a smile that shows his love. I really am a lucky woman.
An hour later, and everyone is sitting around feeling full.
Well, almost all the grown-ups are. Babies are napping, the youngest little ones are watching a Christmas movie, while others are playing with toys in various spots throughout the room.
Three young teenage boys are outside in the cold.
Jason is sitting next to me, along with his boys and Jeremy.
Erik, Grant, Ben, Jackson, and Wyatt are sitting across from us, along with some other brothers down the rest of the table.
Anna comes over and hands me a cup of coffee as she sits down across from me and between her men.
She looks around the room. “Where are the boys? I mean, Zack, Jack, and Branson?” Brett, her nephew, answers and shakes his head.
“They’re outside playing catch with Jameson.
It’s freezing out and they’re fucking playing baseball again.
” Jackson nudges Brett’s elbow. “They’re in awe.
They haven’t left Jameson’s shadow since they got here.
Branson’s having a great time with them here.
All three boys know all about Jameson’s high school and college career.
Zack and Jack have been starting to pitch some, so they are gonna pick his brain till he stops them. ”
Millie, who’s sitting at the table next to ours, chimes in.
“Don’t be fooled. My boy is eating this shit up.
He’s loved helping Branson with his hitting, and I know he’s gonna offer to help your boys.
He doesn’t talk about it, but I know that since his injury cost him his chance at the majors, he’s missed the game.
He wouldn’t be out there if he didn’t want to be.
That boy of mine is as stubborn as they come. ”
Thomas sighs. “Yeah, but it’s like twenty-five degrees out and they’re barely in hoodies out there.
They’d be fine if they had listened and brought their coats.
” Jason chuckles next to me. “Son, you and your brother were the same way at that age. Hell, I’m pretty sure your uncle and I here were like that, too.
It’s normal behavior for a young teenage boy.
It’s a way for them to think they’re smarter than you. ”
Wyatt leaned forward in his seat and pointed toward Thomas and Brett.
“Those boys out there in the freezing cold with no coats on? They’re just beginning to test the rules and push boundaries.
You know, they’re safe here. Cold but safe.
All three of those boys need to figure out the pain of acting stupid.
The younger they are in their teens to figure that out, the less likely it will include serving time.
” Spoken like someone who didn’t figure that out early enough to prevent that for himself.
For the next couple of hours, conversations and family time continue.
Desserts are brought out and devoured. Our younger crowd eventually faded and were sleeping in various rooms and on the laps of a few adults.
The holiday feeling of family, love, and festivity fills the room and my soul.
This day always fills my heart for months to come.
Rory comes out from the hallway with his guitar in his hand and hands Hanna a harmonica.
Things are about to get musical, and I always love that we do this.
Granted, the musical instruments are a newer addition, but music as an art form can be healing, soothing, and incredibly inspirational.
I may not be musically inclined myself, but I can appreciate the artistry of it.
Time to hear what holiday classics we get to be serenaded with this time.
Jason
Rory and Hanna have been playing a variety of classic Christmas songs along with some non-Christmas music for the last half hour or so.
Romona told me this was something they always did, but I don’t think I realized just how enjoyable it would be to sit around with our family, a fire in the fireplace, and sing along on occasion if we knew the song.
The last song just ended, and Rory starts slowly picking at his guitar.
After a minute or so, I recognize the old song he’s playing.
He continues to quietly play when a voice starts singing solo.
A voice that’s singing the song with all the emotion Judy Garland sang the original with.
I turn my head and am shocked to see it’s Millie singing.
No one else joins in, all of us content to listen to her voice. A voice that makes you feel every word of the song. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the melancholy in the lyrics before. “Faithful friends who are dear to us…”
There’s a squeeze on my arm, and Romona leans into me. “It would appear that your brother is completely taken with her.”
I look over and see an expression on Jeremy’s face that I don’t think I’ve ever seen. It’s a mix of shock, awe, and…I’m not sure what else, but maybe…just maybe, he’s actually seeing what’s been right in front of him for so many years.
I watch Jeremy as Milie ends the song. “...have yourself a merry little Christmas…” She finishes, and there are a couple of moments of silence.
Everyone in the room starts applauding and cheering.
Rory speaks up before everyone. “Where the hell have you been keeping that voice, Millie? That’s fucking remarkable.
” I’m glad to not be the only one who didn’t know she could sing like that.
Hell, I’ve known her since she and Jameson moved to town twenty-something years ago, when she was a new widow.
Jameson’s dad was killed in the Iraqi War.
She’s always greeted her customers with a smile and good food, but she rarely lets people in.
However, I’ve watched her slowly fall for my brother.
I just hope he’s finally opening his eyes and seeing her for who she is.
Rory and Hanna convince Millie to come sit with them, and she leans in to whisper to both of them. Rory and Hanna both nod right away. I can’t wait to hear what song is next. Looking over at Jer, I don’t think he’s taken his eyes off Millie since she sang that first note.
Rory begins to strum his guitar. His hair is uncharacteristically down, making him look like a younger Jamey Johnson. Millie, out of her diner uniform, looks like the embodiment of Stevie Nicks.
It takes me a few seconds, but I recognize the song.
It’s not a Christmas song, but the subject matter is fitting for this time of year.
I pull my woman into me more and sit back and just let their harmony wash over me.
Romona has always said that music, really good music, will bring out emotions in the listener.
It’s one of the art forms that touches a person’s soul better than almost anything else.
The tone of Millie’s voice singing “Let It Be” is something I never thought I’d hear.
It’s like watching creek water wash over a stone.
It’s more than calming. It's… well, I don’t have the words.
What I do know, looking around this room, which is filled with people who have welcomed me and my kids with open arms into their family, is that everyone is feeling something in this moment.
I give my woman a kiss on her temple and decide to just be, not think, and enjoy the rest of the night with my family.