Finally reaching the sanctuary and protection of the library, he found the door still closed. He opened it cautiously, crept in quietly and looked furtively all about the room. Seeing no one, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief at having reached his destination all in one piece. He was grateful to find the library empty, as he would not have to undergo a repetition of the day’s earlier episode with the stern parlor maid, Marie.
Charles tiptoed in, approaching his bookshelves. There was just enough light, as Marie always left the small lamp beside his chair burning on overcast days. Charles took his favorite book down from the shelves, and with it climbed up into the big red plush overstuffed wingchair. He settled his head on the soft cushion of one arm and his feet, that just barely reached, on the other. In a very small voice, he began to “read” the pictures of the story that he knew and loved so well, in his own child-like fashion.
1.
Bobby, his parents and little sister, Bella, exchanged holiday greetings with lots of hugs and kisses from Grandmother and Grandfather. Bobby always hugged his grandfather around his knees, and “Gramps” always lifted him high in the air and gave him extra hugs.
2.
On the very first day after their arrival, Bobby, his father and his grandfather would hitch up old “Jinglebells” to ride out into the woods in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Grandfather would bring along his shotgun to pick off some mistletoe from a limb high up on a giant tree.
3.
Upon returning in the evening after a long day’s search, the tree and bundles of mistletoe would be hauled into the house, the “prized” tree to be stationed in its usual place of honor in a corner of the parlor.
4.
There would be popped corn and cranberries to string and lots of colorful balls and other ornaments that Grandmother had packed away safely to use each year.
5.
In the days leading up to Christmas, Bobby would take little Bella out in the snow to collect holly branches to “deck the halls” of Grandmother and Grandfather’s house.
6.
Invariably, Bella’s feet would get cold and Bobby would have to carry her back to the house, but he didn’t mind. Bella was very small and light and Bobby loved taking care of his little sister and teaching her new things.
7.
On the eve of Christmas, Bobby liked to watch his mother helping his grandmother with preparations for the big holiday. Mixing, baking, roasting and boiling all the day long. The most wonderful smells in the world emanated from the kitchen. Fresh breads baking for the turkey stuffing, cranberries and oranges being ground for relish, and wonderful spicy smells for pumpkin and apple pies.
8.
That evening, everyone would gather around the piano in Grandmother’s parlor and sing Christmas carols. Grandfather would charm them with wonderful Christmas stories and Grandmother would make hot cocoa on the big old wood burning stove.
9.
Early on Christmas morning, Bobby and Bella, in their excitement to see what “Father Christmas” had brought for them, would creep down the stairs before anyone else in the household was awake. There was a doll and stuffed bear for Bella and an adventure book and new sled for Bobby.
10.
In the early afternoon on Christmas day the family would gather around the table to share the wonderful meal that Grandmother and Mother had prepared. As Father carved the turkey, little Bella looked on in hungry anticipation.
11.
Each year, after having spent the entire week at the farm, Bobby’s family prepared to make their journey back to the city on Christmas evening at twilight. Bobby loved his time on the farm more than anything, and as the time to go back home drew nearer, Bobby grew increasingly petulant and rebellious.
12.
13.
Bobby did not want to leave the farm. He fussed and fretted throughout the entire ride to the station. Though his mother and father coaxed and pleaded with him, he cried aloud.
14.
As the family was preparing to board the train, Bobby pulled away from his parents and ran back to his grandfather.
15.
His mother called, “Bobby, come back!” Over and over she called, “Come back, Bobby, please come back and stay with us. Your mommy and daddy need you, we want you with us, darling.”
16.
Charles thought about how he had never been allowed to call his parents by any names other than the more formal ones of Mother and Father, certainly never “Mommy” or “Daddy”. These familiar terms of endearment, though appealing, were very foreign to him. On some occasions his father might call him “Old Man”, as “See here, Old Man” before some short verbal exchange, but nothing more demonstrably affectionate than that. With these lowering thoughts muddling his feverish brow, Charles grew ever more weary as his eyes grew ever more heavy and the picture book slid listlessly from his fingers.
