A CHRISTMAS TALE (8)

[S. Austin61 (Goldman74)]

(8)

Christmas Eve is Coming Soon…

The next few days seemed to fly by. Jaime and Carla Aarons spoke almost daily. They had become long distance friends. Jaime was always interested in how Bobby was doing in school.

She went every other day to CORA’S PUPPY FARM AND BOARDING KENNEL to take the towel that Todd had just used for his bath and retrieve the one she had taken only the day before.

“This dog is going to love that boy of yours.” Cora said one day. “You should see the way she snuggles up in the towel. In fact she won’t let any of her litter mates anywhere near it.”

“She is sure getting big.” Jaime noted on one of the visits.

“Just wait till you take her home in a couple of weeks.” Cora replied.

“I can’t wait.” Jaime set the towel next to the puppy they had picked out. Very quickly the puppy snuggled into it.

“She does like it.” Jaime noted.

“No,” Cora explained. “She likes your son.” She smiled.

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll be back in a couple of days with another one.”

“I’m usually always here…if not my daughter will be more than happy to help you.”

“Thanks” Jaime waved as she left Cora’s house.

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When Jaime arrived back home she was surprised to see Callahan’s car parked in front of the house. She parked the car and quickly went into the house.

“Steve!” She called out.

“He’s not here Jaime. The school called…the principal from what Steve said….”

“I better get over there.” Jaime grabbed her purse and headed for the door just as Todd and Steve came up the porch steps.

“What happened?” Jaime cried out when she saw Todd had a black eye.

“He got into a fight with one of the other kids.” Steve explained. “Apparently the other boy had and older brother who didn’t like Todd fighting with the littler one. All three were sent home.”

“What was the fight about?” Jaime had her suspicions.

“I tried to tell him there was no Santa.” Todd winced.

“I thought we talked about this.” Jaime took him by the hand and headed for the kitchen so she could get some ice to put on the quickly blacking eye.”

“He has to know the truth.” Todd complained. “He just wouldn’t listen so I punched him in the nose.”

Jaime glanced up at Steve. “Was the other boy hurt?”

Steve nodded. “A bloody nose is all.”

“Well that’s bad enough.” Jaime started putting ice into the ice bag. She held it up to Todd’s eye. Here hold this so it won’t swell up.”

“Huh?” Todd wondered

“So it won’t get all puffy.” Jaime tried to explain. Then she turned to Steve. “I don’t like the idea of our son fighting on the playground.” Jaime scolded.

“Come on Jaime, boys will be boys.” Steve tried to defend.

“No way, first our son injured another child and then the brother of said child injured Todd. I don’t think its right.”

“You’re right” Steve agreed. He turned to Todd. “You got that Tiger…no more fighting.”

“Ok dad.” Todd promised.

“I wonder if I should start home schooling him.” Jaime asked as she stood to answer the ringing door bell.

Steve and Jaime both went to answer it. A man, woman and two boys stood on the porch.

“Mr. Johnson.” Steve opened the door. “What can I do for you? Please come in.”

“Steve?” Jaime wondered.

“Jaime this is Larry Johnson he’s the one that Todd punched in the nose…”

“So you admit you son beat up Larry.” The woman sneered.

Steve ignored her. “and this is Duane Johnson…he’s the one who gave Todd the black eye.”

“Is that true Duane?” The woman glared at her fifth grade son. “Did you hit Todd in the eye?” she demanded.

Duane nodded.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you.” The woman apologized. “I didn’t know Duane hurt you child.” With that the four of them left just as quickly as they had come.”

After they left Steve and Jaime shooed the kids upstairs. “We have to call Santa and tell him about the fight.” Steve told them.

“There goes my puppy” Jaime heard Todd mutter as he walked up the stairs.

Steve turned to Jaime after he was assured at least Todd was safe in his room. “I just thought of something, What time do we have to pick up the puppy on Christmas Eve?”

“I’m not real sure.” Jaime looked toward the stairs to make sure Todd wasn’t coming down. “I can ask her tomorrow when I take Todd’s towel to her. Oh Steve, you should see it…it’s so cute. She…the puppy loves to snuggle with the towel. She’s going to be so bonded to Todd.”

That will be good.” Steve agreed. “But you need to ask her I don’t know if we can keep the pup hidden all day.”

“I never gave that a thought” Jaime sighed. “I guess we’ll have to come up with something.”

“Not to change the subject but you did give Rudy and Oscar their official invitation to Christmas dinner. You know the two of them.”

Jaime nodded. “I haven’t had time. I’ll call them right now. And when will your parents be back from NY?”

“They’ll get here Christmas Eve day. The friends they are visiting bought tickets for the Christmas show at Radio City, Mom and dad will be on the train as soon as it’s over. I think the show is at 11:00 in the morning. It’s about an hour and a half long. They should be here by 4:00 at the latest.” Steve told her.

“Ok so there will be the four of us…Rudy, Oscar, and mom and dad for Christmas Eve Oyster stew and the same for Christmas Day.”

“What about Lynda and Callahan.” Steve asked.

“They are going to their own families.” Jaime stated.

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They next day Jaime headed back for the breeders to ask just what time they had to pick the puppy up.

“Well, anytime before 7:00” Cora told her. “I sing in the church choir at 8:00 and then I’m going to my sisters for the night.”

“I’ll see you around 7:00 then.” Jaime assured.

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Christmas Eve started out gloomy but soon the sun came out and the temperature rose to a balmy 20 degrees.

“I have some last minute things to do.” Jaime said at breakfast. “Can you hold down the fort here?”

“We’ll be fine.” Steve assured. “Just remember I have to be at Union station at 4:30 that’s when mom and dad’s train gets in.”

“I’ll be back way before that.” Jaime promised. “Just fix the kids Mac and cheese for lunch. If you want, while they are napping, you could cut up the cheese and meats for tonight. Rudy and Oscar will be here around five.”

“I’ll do that.” Steve promised. “What time should I put them down for a nap?”

Jaime thought “I’d like Taylor to take an early nap today; I want her to go to bed early so Santa can come here. Todd can go down when she does. I’d say around 10:00

“Sounds good I’ll take care of it.” Steve walked her to the door. “I’ll pick mom and dad up at 4:30 then you can go get the puppy around 6:30. I’ve already got a nice warm spot for him in the garage. Then we’ll bring him in after the kids go to bed…it shouldn’t be more than a couple of hours.”

“I guess you’re right, maybe don’t let Todd sleep for so long. He’ll be good and tired by 8:30.”

“Good idea.” Steve watched as she headed down the sidewalk and got in the car.

“Ok guys, let’s wrap mommy’s presents.” Todd you said you had something from school.”

Todd proudly held out what Steve assumed was a mug made out of clay. “This is what I made.”

“That’s very nice. He cut off a piece of wrapping paper, gave him what was left on a roll of tape and let him wrap it himself.

“Now for Taylor’s” Steve took out the ceramic mold he had made with Taylor’s hand print and foot print molded into to it.

“I think mommy will really like this.” Steve spoke to Taylor as he carefully wrapped it in a box surrounded by tissue paper.

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When Jaime arrived home the kids were just finishing their lunch. She saw the two extra presents under the tree.

“It looks like Santa has been busy.” She whispered to Steve. “Did you get the cheese cut up.”

“Everything is all set.” Steve smiled. “Taylor slept till noon and I woke Todd up at 11 so he only slept for about an hour.”

“Good he should be very tired tonight.” Jaime smiled.

//////////////////////////////

“Will you be ok while I go get mom and dad?” Steve asked.

“We’ll be just fine.” Jaime assured.

Steve headed for Union Station to pick up his parents. Their train was right on time” Steve helped them with their luggage and presents.

“How are the kids?” Helen asked once they were in the car.

“They are good, excited about tonight.”

“I’m sure they are.” Helen agreed.

They arrived at the house at the same time as Rudy and Oscar. They each had an arm load of gifts or the kids.

“You guys spoil them too much.” Jaime pointed to the ever growing pile under the tree.

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They had no more finished dinner when the door bell rang. Shrugging Steve went to answer it. “Russ, what brings you out on Christmas Eve?” he asked.

“Do you remember Mara Lutzman?”

Everyone nodded.

“Well the FBI just called. It appears she got away from them.”
“How did that happen?” Oscar demanded.

“They were taking her to the airport; she jumped out of the car at a stop sign. I just thought you might want to know.”

“Thanks for telling us Russ.” Steve showed him to the door.

“I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.” Jaime said. “I need to go to Cora’s and get the you know what.”

“Steve nodded “I’ll try to keep the kids busy.”

Jaime arrived just in time. “I’m sorry I’m late.” She breathed. “we had something unexpected come up at home.”

“That’s quite alright.” Cora handed her the puppy that still had the name Austin on the collar. “I hope you son enjoys the puppy.”

“I’m sure he will.” Jaime took the puppy and the food Cora gave her and the instruction. “Thanks again.” She put everything in the car and headed home.”

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Later that night Jaime slipped out into the garage and brought the puppy in. She set him in the dog bed they had bought with another one of Todd’s towels. “Now you stay here and be a good girl till morning.

Jaime had no more disappeared when the dog got off the bed and started sniffing the floor. She sniffed all the way to the stairs and then sniffed down the hallway till she came to Todd’s room. She walked in and snuggled in a pile of clothes on the floor.

A few hours later it would prove to be the best thing the dog had ever done…well up to this point…