Dad’s strange love making – 01

Her father finally made his grand entrance, bearing the huge roast which he placed directly in front of his place at the head of the table. The smell of the rack of ribs infused the room, and the previous expectant quiet shattered as everyone talked about the meal in front of them.

It was enough to feed twice as many, which was another tradition. Nobody would go hungry, or miss out on their favorites. The mac and cheese, a two year old tradition, was evidence of that. The leftovers would make meals for the next few days.

Oliver spoke up. “As always, and in the family tradition, we turn to the smartest among us on this special day. Mia, would you say a blessing?”

Charlotte couldn’t help smiling. Until three years ago, when her father made that announcement, she’d been responsible for saying grace. Sometimes change was for the better.

Mia looked up at her grandfather smiling, and folded her hands in front of her. “Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts…”

Charlotte listened to her daughter say grace, and wondered what Thanksgiving would be like. How the changes would affect them. All of them.

“… Amen. And God bless Mommy and Daddy, Grandpa Ed, and Gramma Grace, Aunt Wendy and Uncle Crisfitter,” Charlotte saw her daughter peek up at Liam, and he nodded to go on. “Maddy and Katy, and cousins Jeffey and Ricky,” she glanced across the table, where the men were smiling at her, “Aunt Nora, and Grampa Oliver, and please take care of Grandma in Heaven.”

“Amen,” added Liam beside her, and the rest of the table chimed in. He leaned over and whispered, “You did perfect, baby girl. I’m proud of you.”

Oliver stood at the end of the table, gazing out on his family. “Mia, that was a beautiful blessing, the best we ever had. Thank you.” As Charlotte recalled, every year’s blessing was the best they’d ever had.

Her father lifted his good carving knife dramatically, before slicing off the end of the roast. “Who wants an end piece?”

The dinner was a raucous time, talking about the gifts, and Christmases past. They argued over which was the best all time Christmas TV show. Oliver still argued for A Christmas Story, while his sister wouldn’t back off Miracle on 34th street. The male cousins split, with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and another Christmas Story vote.

When Mia insisted Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer was the best, Liam changed his vote from White Christmas to Rudolph. Her father leaned over toward Charlotte. “You haven’t added your two cents, Pumpkin.”

“Does anyone really care, Dad?” she mumbled, pushing her food around her plate.

He set his utensils down, and faced her. “Do you honestly think I don’t care, Stella?” he was the only one that had ever called her that, at least that she allowed to. “What’s wrong, baby girl?”

She sighed. “Never mind. Forget I said anything. I guess I’m just tired.”

Her father leaned forward, to get his granddaughter’s attention. “Mia, sweetie, what’s your momma’s favorite Christmas Movie?” Oliver asked.

“Elf!” Mia said firmly. “Right Daddy?”

“Elf,” Liam confirmed, “then Christmas Vacation.”

Charlotte blushed with all the attention on her, the last thing she wanted. Was she as predictable as everyone else? She turned back those thoughts, best not to go down that path. Not then. “The roast is perfect, Dad, as always.”

He shrugged. “More than 30 years of practice, it should be halfway decent.”

The conversation turned away from Charlotte, and to safer subjects.

As the platters emptied, and appetites were sated, Charlotte stood to clear the table before dessert and start on the unenviable cleanup. Nora stood quickly facing across the table. “No you don’t, young lady. Your job is done. We’ve got the dishes and cleanup. You and the grill master have earned a break.”

“Who wants coffee?” Liam asked, standing, empty plate in hand.

Nobody declined, not even Mia. He shuttled in the coffees, including Mia’s which notably had a distinct aroma of chocolate, and mini-marshmallows floating on top.

After dinner, they’d always wait until after the first movie before dessert. Nobody ever saved room for dessert. Charlotte and her father were chivied out of the dining room while the others cleaned up. They sat on the couch sipping their coffee, while Mia played with her huge three story Barbie Dreamhouse, which was nearly as tall as her.

“How are we supposed to get that home, Dad? It’s too much. You always go overboard.” Charlotte said.

Her father laughed. “I don’t recall you ever complaining about that growing up. Don’t worry, Liam and I will figure out some way to fit it in the van. If we need to, we’ll strap it to the front.”

She nodded absentmindedly, her mind on other issues.

Her father scooted nearer, rubbing her shoulder. “Why don’t you tell me what the problem is, Stella.”

She shook her head. “It’s just the holidays I guess. I’ve got a lot of stress right now. I’ll get over it soon enough.”

“I thought you and I could talk about anything. Something’s eating you up. You know you can tell me,” he insisted.

“It’s no big deal, Dad. Let’s just drop it Ok?”

He nodded. “She’s growing up fast,” he said, watching Mia arranging the furniture in the dollhouse. “You two have done a great job with her.”

Charlotte smiled. “Best thing in my life,” she said.

Oliver grinned. “I know that feeling.”

That little conversation was the only break in routine, the last thing of interest that Christmas. They watched a movie, ate dessert, and watched their second movie. They professed how much they missed each other, then did some preliminary packing. Mia fell asleep and they tucked her in with her favorite toys. As part of their tradition, Charlotte let Liam make love to her. He cuddled up to her afterward, telling her it was the best Christmas ever, because he had her and Mia. The same as always.

* * *

Ten in the morning the following day, everything was packed, and somehow crammed into the vehicle. After kisses all around they prepared to leave. “Thanksgiving next year,” Liam said. “I love your roast, Dad, but nobody cooks a turkey like you. Don’t tell my mom I said that.”

Mia got more than her share of the kisses, before getting tucked into the back seat among a carefully selected subset of her Christmas gifts.

At the last moment Oliver pulled his daughter aside. “I’m always a phone call away. I know your mother always did the calling, but I know how to use a phone too.”

Charlotte gave him a hug, wondering what their next holiday would be like. If they’d even have one. “I’ll call.”

She started to pull away, but he hugged her even tighter. “You’ve got a great life, and a wonderful family. Family is everything. Don’t forget that.”

“I know Dad.”

“Do you?” he asked, releasing her, holding her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes.

The look discomfited her. She hated to disappoint him. Times were different. He’d understand, eventually. She sighed. “We’ve gotta go.”

His sad look haunted her for most of the six-hour journey home.

* * *

She hugged her husband at the curb, then squatted down for a hug from her daughter. “Don’t go Momma,” the little girl wailed.

“It’s only for a couple of days, baby. Daddy and Miss Sofia will take care of you. I wish I didn’t have to leave, but it’s important, alright?”

Liam had his wallet out. “I know you never have enough cash on you. I hate for you to travel without a few bucks in your wallet. Here.” He put some twenties in her hand.

“I have credit cards and debit cards. I’ll be fine.” She took the money anyway, she knew that he’d argue until she did. Wasn’t that the whole issue? She knew exactly what he’d do, before he did it.

“Call me,” he said. “Call me when you get there, so I’ll know you made it safe.”

“I will. I’ll try to call every night, but we’re going to be very busy.” Very, very busy, she thought.

He pulled an envelope out of his back pocket and handed it to her. “Your father asked me to give this to you. I guess you told him about your trip. You knew about it before Christmas?”

She took the envelope in her hand, her name blazoned across the front, his distinctive writing guaranteeing who it was from. “I had just found out, I didn’t want to ruin Christmas.”

He nodded. “I wish you’d talk to me, Jess. I… I don’t like these surprises. Sometimes I feel like I don’t even know half of what’s going on in your life.”

She sighed. “Don’t make a big deal out of it, Liam. It’s just three days. I’ll be back for New Years.” She tucked the envelope into her purse, and grabbed her bags. “Be good for your father, Mia.”

Dad’s strange love making – 01 will continue in the next page.