We began serving ourselves.
“After breakfast, the tailor will be here to check the fitting of your suits and we’ll have a late lunch in the dining room where I’ll go over the basics of table etiquette for Shannon,” mom announced.
“So, put on something easy to take off after we shower,” Shannon reasoned, pouring himself some of the coffee after I passed it to him, having already poured myself a cup.
“Yes, and you can put it back on after your fitting. Tonight you’ll need to put on something smart casual, being certain to pair it with the holiday sweaters I got you both. They should be in River’s closet, dear,” she replied to him.
“Make sure to shave, don’t want scruffy elves, do we son?” he addressed me.
“No, Dad. So tonight is the singing and gift-giving at the hospital?” I replied.
“Yes,” he said simply, looking down at his plate studiously upon hearing the word dad slip from my lips. He looked back up, quiet approval showing. “The press will be there, so we need to look our best. I know you’ll do us proud.”
“I’ll be glad when all this stuff is over with so we can relax and enjoy our family Christmas together,” Mom said.
“Well, tomorrow’s the gala dinner, and after that, there’s just the one New Year’s Eve, so we’ll have all the time between,” Dad placated her. “You did your stint for the company toy drive, organized the food donation for the meals at the homeless veteran’s shelter, so you’re done unless you signed up for something else I don’t know about.”
“No, not this year. After what happened, I didn’t want to spend a second away from our son than I had to. We have this chance to rebuild our family, and I’m taking full advantage.”
Shannon shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean to intrude; I didn’t think about-”
Dad cut him off. “Nonsense. You’re River’s, so that makes you family. We are the ones privileged to be able to add you to our celebrations.”
“Thank you,” Shannon whispered, sounding overcome. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. Mr. Montgomery, no, Dad, I reminded myself, was right. We were very privileged, indeed. Shannon’s presence let us all have a taste of normal, human, living.
We finished the rest of the meal talking about inconsequential things, such as going to see the lights and window displays downtown the day after tomorrow. A feeling of contentment washed over me, and I wasn’t startled to realize that it wasn’t all mine.
Bbbbbeeeelovveddd.A long pause then,Ffffffaaaammmmillllllyyy.
Yes, I thought back. Ours.
The warm glow inside me blazed.
18
We had a surprise waiting for us at the hospital. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Henry and Rusty both standing there, wearing light-up Christmas sweaters, their parents beside them. I hurried up to them, clapping them on the shoulders.
“I heard the dress was smart casual yet festive, not expensive but tacky,” I joked.
“Shut up,” Rusty said good-naturedly. “I had us run out to get these this morning before flying out.” He tilted his head towards Henry. “He needed cheering up, and I thought a bit of silly fun might help with that.”
I turned my full attention to Henry. Now that I looked closer, I could see something was amiss. I gave a subtle sniff. Through the overlying, pervasive smell of hospital disinfectant and all of our aftershaves, I caught it.
“When?” I asked him.
“As soon as I got home,” he said, looking down at his shoes. “It was supposed to be something great, you know? A huge honor. I suppose it is, but I’d not wish that experience on anybody.”
“What? Why what happened?” Shannon demanded.
The three of us exchanged glances. How to explain?
“Our dads belong to one of those secret society type things. Henry was inducted as a member.”
“Oh, like the Masons?”
No, not like the Masons. Not like Fred Flintstone’s Order of the Buffalo or whatever, either. But, his notion was close enough to get the gist across without spilling any secrets.
“Yeah, kinda, but not the Masons,” Rusty agreed.
