Home with My Sisters (38 page)

“No,” Faith said.

Josh shook his head, and Yvette laughed. “It's my house and I'll have a horse in it if I want to.”

* * *

Yvette and Brittany were the queens of the evening. They rolled them up to the bonfire in their heavily blanketed wheelbarrows and gave them long sticks to roast S'mores. Yvette couldn't actually eat, but she seemed delighted by all the sights, and sounds, and lights. Roger was meticulously making the rounds, checking all the moving parts and lights and every once in a while returning to squeeze Yvette's hands. Her eyes were constantly wet with tears.

“Can Granny open her presents tonight?” Brittany said.

“That's a great idea,” Hope said.

“I have all my presents,” Yvette said. “Every single one of them.”

“You mean you peeked?” Brittany said.

Yvette laughed. “You're priceless,” she said. “I can't wait until you open the ones from me.”

“You didn't have to get us anything else,” Brittany said. “You've already given us so much.”

“I'm just sorry I didn't cop on a year ago,” Yvette said.

“What does that mean?” Brittany said.

Yvette laughed. “It means I should have mended fences a long time ago.”

Brittany ambushed Yvette in a hug. “I forgive you.”

Yvette hugged Brittany back as carolers began to sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Hope looked around at this crazy group of people she called family. Definitely not perfect. At times downright annoying. Perhaps a little unconventional. And she couldn't imagine it any other way.

“Mr. Jingles just stole a bag of marshmallows!” Brittany said.

“I'll get him,” Josh said. He tore after the dog.

Harrison came to push Brittany around the grounds. Hope, Faith, and Joy wheeled Yvette to a private spot in the yard where they could gaze upon all the glittering lights and happy people.

In the distance Roger and Carla were walking together, weaving their way through the people and the lights.

“Thank you,” Yvette said. “You girls have performed true miracles.”

“We love you, Granny,” Joy said. She leaned down and hugged her. Soon Faith joined in and then Hope.

“Killing me with love,” Yvette said. “I guess it's better than burning down my house.”

CHAPTER 41

They sat in the living room. It was well after midnight, but they were all still wide awake. Yvette seemed to have a new burst of energy, as if summoning everything she had to make every second count. She sat in front of a sea of presents.

“We were supposed to draw names,” she said. “What's all this?”

“Turns out we're not much of a name-drawing family,” Hope said.

“I'd rather you give these to someone else,” Yvette said. “You're my gifts. Love is the only thing I get to take with me.”

“Start with this one,” Hope said. She handed her a package. Yvette's hands were shaking too much, so Brittany and Josh helped her tear into it.

“Clementine oranges,” she exclaimed, running her fingers over them. “Like when I was a little girl.”

Once she got into it, Yvette seemed to have a blast opening all her presents. Ornaments with their pictures on them. A bottle of top-shelf whiskey. A mug for tea. A box of chocolates. A soft blanket. She exclaimed over each and every one of them. Roger stepped up and handed her a gift. They all watched as she unwrapped it. It was a picture frame that said: M
OM
.

* * *

“I never knew that people cried so much when they were happy,” Brittany said.

“Life is full of surprises,” Faith said. “Now go to sleep.”

“Will Granny make it until Christmas?”

“I don't think so. But I think we've given her the best Christmas she could have ever asked for.”

“She'll get to be an angel,” Brittany said.

Faith kissed her and pulled her blankets up. “Just like you,” she said.

* * *

Hope knew the minute she saw Roger's face the next morning. She found him standing in the hall between Yvette's room and the living room. Tears were running down his face and he was shaking.

“I'm so sorry,” Hope said. She reached out for him. He sidestepped her and headed out. She stood still and soon heard the slam of a door. She bit back her own grief and resisted the urge to go after him. She hurried to Yvette's room and was at least grateful to find that her eyes were closed and she looked entirely at peace. She went and held her hand and kissed her cheek.

“I love you,” she said.

* * *

As per Yvette's wishes, she was cremated. They had planned to spread her ashes in the woods, but they were waiting for Roger. He'd locked himself up in the cabin and not even Mr. Jingles had been allowed in. The dog paced through the house, whining. It was Christmas Eve Day and the festive mood they'd been in yesterday seemed so far away. Josh and Brittany had been crying all day. Harrison and Charlie had busied themselves in the kitchen, creating one comfort food after the other. Piles of bacon and coffee, and donuts for breakfast, macaroni and cheese for lunch, and now it smelled as if a roast was on for dinner. Stephen was being a good sport, bringing offerings to Roger's cabin, and although Roger had opened the door each time and accepted the offerings, he still hadn't let any of them in or come out himself. It was hard to lose a mother at any age, but they had no way of knowing for sure what mental age Roger was operating at, and impossible to know it on an emotional level. Hope wanted nothing more than to comfort him. The slam of his door and his tightly drawn curtains kept her from breaking in and forcing comfort upon him.

“I don't feel right about celebrating Christmas anymore,” Brittany said.

“Me neither,” Josh said. “Can we just skip it?”

“We don't have to force anything,” Faith said. “But Granny had a wonderful day with all of us yesterday. She would want us to be happy too. She would want us to celebrate with the best gifts we could ever ask for.”

“Xbox games?” Josh said.

“Each other,” Faith said. Josh didn't look convinced.

“And Xbox games,” Joy said. “What?” she said off Faith's look. “We all need a little something to boost our ratings.”

“I just want Roger back,” Brittany said. “I don't want to celebrate Christmas without him.”

“Me neither,” Josh said. “And it looks like Mr. Jingles feels the same.”

“We'll try,” Hope said. “But first things first. I think we should all call him Thomas, or Grandpa, or Dad.”

“Roger that,” Joy said. Hope threw a biscuit at her. Joy caught it in her mouth.

“Do we get to each open one present on Christmas Eve?” Joy said.

“Ah, the old tradition,” Faith said.

“Can we, Mom?” Brittany's eyes lit up.

“You didn't carry on the tradition?” Hope said.

“We only did it because Joy couldn't stand to wait,” Faith laughed.

“And even then it was just a farce,” Carla said, biting into a piece of coffee cake. “Joy had already opened and rewrapped them all anyway.”

“You did?” Brittany sounded horrified and fascinated in equal measure.

Joy turned to her mother, mouth agape. “You knew?”

“We all knew,” Faith said. “The best part was watching you pretend to be surprised the next morning.”

“Well, I didn't do it this year,” Joy said.

“It's not Christmas yet,” Hope said.

“I'll lock her in her room,” Harrison said. “She won't be peeking this year.”

“Good luck with that,” Joy said. “You'll be asleep before I can say ‘Twas the night before Christmas.' ”

“How about a Scrabble tournament,” Austin said. “In Yvette's honor.”

“We can make up words,” Hope said. “Tonight they all count.”

“I hope I get ‘glitty,' ” Austin said. Hope looked out across the grounds. The lights were off out of respect for Yvette and Thomas. She glanced at a set of candles on the mantel.

“Are any shops still open?” she asked suddenly.

“It's dark, but it's actually only five p.m.,” Austin said. “There will be plenty open for those last-minute shoppers.”

“I knew you didn't get my gift yet,” Joy said.

“Har, har,” Hope said.

“You've got that look in your eye,” Faith said.

“What look?” Hope said.

“She's right, you do,” Joy said.

“What look?” Hope said.

“Don't tell me you're about to adopt every stray dog in the neighborhood on this Christmas Eve,” Faith said.

“Can we?” Brittany said. “Can we?” Mr. Jingles, either from hearing the word
dog
or from Brittany's excitement, barked rapidly.

“We need candles,” Hope said. “Tons of them.”

Austin stared at her. “You do have a look,” he said. “What are you thinking?”

“Forget Scrabble,” Hope said, putting away the board. “What do you say we make real words instead?”

* * *

They bought all the candles they could get their hands on, plus used every one from their house and Austin's house. It wasn't an easy job, and it took hours, but they worked together and when they finished and lit them all, and stood back to gaze upon their efforts; it was all worth it. In large letters facing his cabin, with a heart before and after the words, the candles spelled out:

 

MERRY XMAS DAD

 

They didn't have enough candles or time to spell out
grandfather,
but Hope assured the kids he would understand. The candles were flickering in the wind, but each person held a lighter and would be quick to ignite any that burned out.

“Now what?” Joy said.

“Now, we sing,” Hope said.

“Should we start with his favorite?” Faith asked.

The girls exchanged a look, then they started in on “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Finally, in the middle the curtain twitched. Then opened. Seconds later, Roger opened the door to the cabin and stood staring at the message. He looked up to find Faith, Hope, and Joy standing in front of him.

“My girls,” he said.

“Our dad,” Hope said. They competed to be the first to throw their arms around him, then held as if they were never going to let go.

“Merry Christmas, Thomas,” Carla said from behind them.

“Carla,” he said with a nod.

“Merry Christmas, Grandpa,” Josh and Brittany chimed. Thomas stepped outside, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“My family,” he said. “My family.”

CHAPTER 42

Christmas Day found the gang surrounded by a sea of colorful wrapping paper, with snow falling lightly outside, and all the lights on the lawn gleaming. The aroma of pancakes and bacon and coffee wafted through the room as Bing Crosby sang. Thomas sat in the center of them all, with Mr. Jingles at his side.

“We all made out like bandits,” Hope said. Austin looked so handsome in the sweater she'd given him. He had bought her one from the very same store and she was wearing it as well as a bathrobe from Faith and slippers from Joy. Thomas had no less than three new caps and the sweater from his girls. He was wearing the sweater and every single cap, one on top of the other, which thrilled Josh and Brittany to no end. Faith and Hope had yet to take Joy over to the coffee truck, allowing Joy to think the coffee mugs were her only gift from them. Faith couldn't stop smiling.

“These are great,” Joy said for about the fourth time, holding up her coffee mug. “Not disappointed at all.”

“I got you rum,” Carla said.

“Oh, it's in here all right,” Joy said, lifting up her mug.

“Why don't you put your coat on and take a walk with your sisters,” Faith said. She tossed Joy's winter coat and it landed on top of her head.

“Maybe later,” Joy said. “I'm busy thoroughly enjoying my gift of a coffee mug.”

“We won't be gone long,” Hope said. “Up and Adam,” she said to Joy.

“You always get that wrong,” Faith said. “It's up and
at 'em
.”

“That sounds aggressive,” Hope said. “At who?”

“I don't know,” Faith said. “Who is Adam?”

Hope shrugged. “Adam and Eve?”

“Dumb and Dumber,” Joy said. “Either way. I'm not going.”

“You're going if we have to drag you,” Faith said.

“Be a sport,” Harrison said. Faith and Hope had shown him the truck last night. He helped keep his eye on Joy all night.

Joy huffed. “A walk,” she said. “How lovely.” She threw on her coat, and the three of them tromped to the mudroom to put on their boots.

“What are you two up to?” Joy said.

“We just want to take a walk with our sister,” Faith said. “What's wrong with that?”

“Are you guys okay if I leave my coffee mug here. I mean, I wouldn't want you to think I don't appreciate it or anything.”

“Get out,” Faith said. She kicked her lightly on the rump. They trudged toward Austin's cabin, Joy trailing behind. When they were halfway through the woods and almost to Austin's property, Faith and Hope stopped and pulled out a red scarf.

“We're going to blindfold you,” Faith said.

“I knew it,” Joy said. “You're going to get me lost and leave me to find my way home.”

“Poor thing,” Hope said, looping the scarf around her eyes. When they were convinced she couldn't see anything they each took one of her arms and began to lead Joy toward the coffee truck.

“What's going on?” Joy said.

“We're taking you to your other Christmas present,” Faith said.

“Not that you weren't appreciative of the coffee cup,” Hope said.

“I was,” Joy said. “Although you could have at least thrown in some coffee beans.”

“We thought you'd have plenty of those when you start your business,” Faith said.

“I'm having second thoughts about that,” Joy said. Faith and Hope stopped and gave each other a look. Joy plowed into them.

“OW!”

Hope laughed. “I told you,” she said to Faith.

“I guess it could be anything they want it to be,” Faith said.

“What?” Joy said. “What could?” They were out of the woods now. The silver coffee truck, rimmed in little white lights, positively gleamed. A neon sign had been attached to the outside: J&H: Coffee and Cream. A giant red bow was wrapped around the hood. They stood back.

“Merry Christmas, Joy,” Faith and Hope said at the same time. Joy hesitated, then removed her blindfold. She stared at the gleaming truck, blinking several times. For once in her life, Joy was at a loss for words.

“It's the nicest gift anyone's ever given me,” Joy said. She wiped tears from her face with the sleeves of her coat. Faith and Hope put their arms around her. Joy let out a sob.

“You can always turn it into a taco truck,” Hope said. From behind them came singing. “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” rang out as the rest of the family joined them. Harrison was holding a platter of pancakes.

“Let's get in this baby and start making coffee,” he said. He winked at Joy as he got in the truck. “Come on, Mr. T,” he called to Thomas. Thomas laughed and followed Harrison into the truck. Soon their two faces grinned out from the serving window.

“Who wants a cup of java?” Harrison said. “Or hot chocolate?” he added with a wink to Brittany and Josh.

“Can I have a cup of coffee?” Josh asked.

“Sure,” Faith said. “It's Christmas.”

The Garland Girls stood smiling, holding hands. Thomas beamed down at them. “Merry Christmas,” he said.

“Merry Christmas, Dad,” they returned.

“I'll take my coffee black,” Joy said.

“Don't I know it,” Harrison said. Joy squealed and then joined them in the truck.

“Can I come in?” Josh said.

“The more the merrier,” Harrison said. “In fact, let's all get in. It's cold outside.” One by one they started to pile in the truck. Austin caught Hope's hand just as she was about to step into it. She looked up to find him holding mistletoe.

“Merry Christmas,” he said. “Here's to the first of many.” Before he could lean in, she beat him to the punch, pulled his head down to her, and kissed him. Afterward, a shiver ran through her.

“Are you cold?” he asked, smiling.

“Not at all,” she said.

His eyes twinkled as he understood what she meant. Hope threw her head back to the sky. “Look,” she pointed. A bright star twinkled, even though they should have all disappeared from the sky.

“It's Granny,” Brittany said, popping her head out of the truck. “Our angel.” Hope and Austin stepped inside.

“Look at all my gifts,” Hope echoed, squeezing Austin's hand and gazing at the smiling faces of Carla and Thomas, and Stephen, and Charlie, and Brittany, and Josh, and Harrison, and Mr. Jingles. And, of course, her sisters. Faith and Joy. Always Faith and Joy. Laughing, not forced, not phony, but true laughter, a bit of happiness on this Christmas Day.

Suddenly her father was in front of her, holding a wrapped gift. It was about the size of a magazine and soft. Faith and Joy had the same ones. “I helped out a bit,” Carla said.

“She helped,” Roger said.

“We have to open at the same speed,” Joy said. “Because I think they must be the same.” Carla shook her head and laughed. Hope opened hers and caught sight of a red T-shirt. Sure enough, they each had one. They each held them up:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Let's wear these every Christmas,” Joy said.

“I'll be the judge of that,” Faith said.

“You guys,” Hope said. “Already planning next Christmas. I'll have to check my calendar and see if I can pencil either of you losers in.”

Joy squealed and picked up a can of whipped cream, then held it up as if aiming it for Hope's face. Faith grabbed another and did the same thing.

“Don't you dare,” Hope said, already backing up.

“On the count of five,” Faith said.

“You'd better run,” Joy said. Mr. Jingles barked. It was every man for himself as Hope squealed, grabbed a bottle of maple syrup, and prepared herself to battle the whipped-cream-toting nightmares that were her sisters. She readied the maple syrup for optimum flying distance (like Santa and his reindeer), and knew for certain that this was going to go down in Garland Girl history as one of the worst and best Christmases of their entire lives. Perhaps it wasn't ever possible to have one without the other. Not that she was going to get any credit for it. The middle child never did. Her thoughts were interrupted by a string of whipped cream landing in her eye.

“This is war!” Hope cried, and squeezed the bottle of maple syrup in the direction of her sisters' evil, smiling faces.

“I just love Christmas!” Brittany cried out. “Don't you guys?” The Garland Girls stopped, then after exchanging knowing glances with one another, turned their sticky terror onto Josh and Brittany.

“I'm not cleaning this truck all by myself,” Harrison said as the children's squeals filled the air.

“I'll help,” Austin said.

“Me too,” Carla said.

“Roger that,” Thomas said. Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked at him. “Thomas,” he said with a smile. “I'm Thomas.”