Burrell, Miriam

English

Digital Commons @ Butler University

Grandpa's House for ChristmasMiriam BurrellITwas snowing a little when they arrived at Grandpa's house. Marygla~1ced.at the parked cars. Apparently most of her brothers a.ndtheir wrves were already there. And that green car looked likecousin Emma's. She tried to quiet the apprehension that had beenhaunting her since they'd decided to spend Christmas here. None ofthese people cared for children, but surely since they were all rela-tives and it was Christmas, they would try to give Jimmie a nice time.Mary and her husband arranged smiles on their faces and fol-lowed their plump three year old son up the steps. Jimmie stretchedhis bulky little form on tiptoe to ring the bell.Grandpa answered the door, a broad smile on his face, letting themsee clearly that they were as welcome with him as anyone else wouldbe."Heilo, Dad," said Mary.Jimmie ran forward and reached up for his Grandpa, yelling,"Paw-Paw! Paw-Paw! Santy Claus comin'."The old man picked the child up and squeezed him. "Oh, he is?Well, have you been a good boy?" Sliding the little boy down quickly,he extended a hand to his son-in-law. "Hello, Paul. How are you?Old Santa been to your house yet?"Paul nodded and smiled and allowed his hand to be pumped.Mary maintained her smile as the old man leaned down to kissher on the lips and drew them inside. \Nann swirls of air and theodor of baking yeast bread enveloped them as they were led past thedining room door and into the living r00111.The mantel over the fireplace was smothered with holly andcandles, and in front of the bay window a tall thickly branched treeglowed and sparkled, filling the room with the fragrance of cedar.Under the tree was an impressive display of gifts tied with heavyribbons and decorated with bells. pine-cones, and holly.Jimmie clambered at Grandpa's legs, trying to climb back up intohis arms, but was deftly warded off. The old man cleared his throatand said, "That's all now, Jimmie, that's all now." His lips pressedtightly with a smile, as he pulled back a little from the child. Jimmiestood still and stared seriously for a moment at his "Paw-Paw," thenturned and looked quietly toward the rest of the group gathered inthe room. Grandpa's face relaxed, and his broad gt'in returned.The people in the 1'00111 stopped talking to look at the Smiths.Mary smiled and called "hello" to her brothers and their wives, andher cousin Emma and her step-sister Alice.Hands were waved in return, and ties straightened. and dressessmoothed down, and company smiles brought forth. And then the10 MANUSCRIl'TSgroup returned to their conversations. The Smiths repaired to thebedroom and hung up their worn coats. Mary, noticing Jimmie'squietness, kneeled down by him and spoke softly."Darling, did you see the tree? Wasn't it pretty? Oh, babydarling, I'll bet Santa left you some nice toys, here at Paw-Paw'shouse." Oh, let there be some nice things for him! she thought.Surely there would be; these people were his aunts and uncles anc!his grandma and grandpa.Jimmie's face broke into a gleeful grin. "Santy left me nice toys.Santy left me nice toys." He began to j urnp up and down, his littleheels thumping soundly on the hardwoocl floor. "Did he bring mea teddy bear, Marna r" Thump, thump, thump. "And a chao-choutrain? Tooo-ooo-oooot." Thump, thump, thump.Mary squeezed him tightly. "Darling, I hope so. But whateverit is, you know Santa loves you, and it will be nice." She put herface on the child's shoulder.Paul broke in. "Hey, you two. Are we going to spend all dayup here? Come on, boy, climb up here, and I'll take you downstairspiggy-back." He hoisted Jimmie high at arm's reach above his head,then settled the child on his shoulders.Marching and laughing they returned to the living room.Uncle Frank, who was talking to the group at the fireplace,stopped a moment, glanced impersonally at the Smiths, and thenresumed talking. Mary became aware of the sag of her husband'ssuit, the worn toes of Jimmie's shoes, and the shiny areas on herown crepe dress. She pushed her hair back in a nervous gesture andwalked over to the couch, opposite the tree, and sat down. Pattingthe seat beside her, she smiled at her husband and son to join her.The three sat close together, the child between his parents, andwatched the group at the fireplace .. Uncle Frank was standing, leaning one elbow on the mantel, andWIth the other hand fingering the lapel of his suit. He suppresseda gratified smile and ran his hand over his hair."You know, this suit cost me a hundred and twenty for the tailor-ing and all, but it's worth it. You have to look good, if you're goingto get any place in business." Cousin Emma and Grandpa murmuredand nodded in assent.From a corner of the room , Alice and her husband, Ron, turnedto look. Ron said, "I understand you're doing pretty well now,Frank. Regional Director and all that. Never saw a guy who couldmove lip as fast as you did."Frank turned to face them, his back to the fire, balancing tip anddown on his toes. "It's all in knowing how to handle people, Ron.You gotta make them think they're smarter than you. Make themthink they're regular brain-trusts, and they feel swell when they'rewith you and don't know why. They think you've got something Oilthe ball to see how smart they are." He raised his hand, palm up."I can keep those guys T work for right in the palm of my hand.They can't move me up fast enough to reward me for finding outbow smart they are." He squeezed his fingers over the nothingnessin his hand.Grandpa nodded a grudging approval. He had to admit thatFrank was a smart guy, a chip off the old block. "Well, you're suredoing fine, Frank. I'll have to give you credit for that. But I'dhate to have to travel around like you. Wouldn't want a job like thatmysel f. T like my home, a fireside to come home to at night." Hepatted the ann of his chair with his thick fingers, and looked smuglyaround the ro0111. "Like to have Illy own bed to crawl into everynight. No sir, wouldn't trade my job for yours."Frank shrugged and stared absently out the front window.On the couch, Jimmie became restless. There were no otherchildren present, and his eyes were scanning the plushly wrapped /gifts under the tree. "Mama, when we open the gifts? When,Mama?" A moist little hand clutched at his mother's arm. "Marna,let's open them now, can we, Mama?"Mary bent her face close to his, her eyes tender. "Baby, we'reat Paw-Paw's house. We must wait tiII he tells us to open them.Maybe soon, honey." The child's eyes were questioning but he didnot protest. I-Ie returned his gaze to the gi fts, and to the coloredlights, and the star. His face broke into an expectant, gleeful smile."Maybe soon, Mama."Alice glanced out the window, and noticed that it was snowingharder. "Oh, joy 1" she said. "A snow like this makes you forgethow old you are, doesn't it? Come on, gang, let's have a few carolsbefore dinner." Skipping a little, she went to the piano and ran afew chords. "Come on, come on. Gather round, you lazy people."Everyone moved close to the piano, grinning self-consciously andburlesquing a little as they located the pitch by humming.They sang loud and long, drinking their fill of the Christmasspirit until Grandma announced dinner.\lVith shouted declarations of hunger, they marched boisterouslyinto the dining roOI11. There was a great deal of noise and con fusionas everyone tried to find the seat he wanted.With a solemn face Grandpa called for a moment of Grace."Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thouhast seen fit to bless our table and our home with Thy richness. Weare everlastingly grateful that Thou hast seen fit in Thy all-knowingwisdom to place us above our more unfortunate fellowmen. Wepray that, through the goodness of Thy mercy, they may be broughtto their knees to repent their sins. and receive the everlasting for-giveness that is Thine. Amen.""Amen." "Amen." "Amen," said the others.MANUSCRIPTS 1112 MANUSCRIPTSGrandpa smiled beatifically at the group, and then the spell wasbroken and food was passed. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans,and corn; peas, salad, hot rolls, and butter. They all made their wayaround the circle of eager hands. Alice shrieked as she dropped ahot roll on the floor, and there was a burst of teasing laughter fromthe others.Jimmie grew excited at the noisy laughter and began to bouncein his chair, and banged his spoon on the edge of his plate, his facegleeful. The laughter ceased abruptly as annoyed eyes were turnedon the child. Grandpa looked coldly at Mary and Paul and then atJimmie. "Let's tone that down a little, Jimmie. Those are Grandma'sgood plates. We'll have to behave at the table." His face took on anabused look. "You know, if you want to come to Paw-Paw's house,you'll have to behave like a little man." Still looking abused, heturned his eyes on his plate and began to eat in silence.Mary pressed a restraining hand on Paul's knee, and turned toJimmie, whose face was blankly hurt. "Take a bite of turkey, honey.It's awfully good."Frank turned to Grandma. "This is a mighty fine meal, Mom.I don't get better than this at the Palmer House in Chicago." I-Ienodded approvingly, unconsciously straightening his tie as he saidthe words "Palmer House," and took a large bite to prove his point.Alice said, "Mom has always been a fine cook, Frankie. I suredidn't take after her. My poor little husband just has to put up withcanned stuff at home, poor little thing." She smiled kittenishly ather husband.Ron winked and grinned. "She just wants me to brag on hercooking. She's almost as good as her mother, but not quite. Oh.well, if you can't get the mother, you might as well take the daughter,I always say." There was a burst of appreciative laughter at this.It was soon time for coffee. Everyone was too full to eat fruit-cake, and they decided to save it till after the opening of the gifts.Lighting cigarettes and leaning back with satisfied sighs, they shi ftedthe talk to Santa Claus.Grandpa said, "V.,rell, who's going to be Santa's helper this year?Somebody has to pass the gifts around for the old boy, you know."He looked around the table, waiting for volunteers or nominations.Mary pressed her hands together and thought, Oh, I hope someoneasks Jimmie to do it. I-Ie would have so much fun picking up thoselovely gifts and passing them around. Her eyes besought the facesaround the table.Frank, pointing a cigarette at Alice, said, "How about you, kid?You been a good girl this year?"Alice giggled. "No gooder than I had to be, Frankie. I'm living.you know." She arched her brows anel giggled again.Frank grinned. "Well, how about it, gang, does Alice fit the bill ?"MANUSCRIPTS 13There was vigorous assent, and butting out their cigarettes theyreturned to the living room. Waiting until all eyes were upon her,Alice minced her way to the tree anel picked up the first gift. It wasfor Frank. A hand-painted tie. And then a shirt for Grandpa. Anda blouse for Alice. And a pair of hose for cousin Emma, whostretched a leg for everyone to see, and twisted her foot from sideto side.Mary looked at Jimmie, his face eager as each gift was picked up,and then sober and anxious as it was carried each time to one of theadults. Her heart constricted and seemed to beat with difficulty.And then Alice was moving toward Jimmie. He jumped off thecouch and tan forward, his arms reaching up. Grabbing the gift hesqueezed it tightly to his chest and jumped up and down in front ofhis mother. Her heart started beating hard and fast, and there wasa hurting in her throat. "Open it, darling. Open it, and see whatSanta brought you."The child placed the gift on the couch and awkwardly beganpulling the wrappings off. It was a music-box from Grandpa andGrandma.Mary put the cord over Jimmie's head and whispered, "Do youwant to thank Grandpa and Grandma for keeping it for you?"Jimmie beamed at his grandparents. "Thank you for keeping it forn1e."Grandpa smiled. "That's all right, Jimmie," he said generously.The child sat back on the couch, and turned the handle on the box.It played "Jingle Bells" in clear tinkling tones. He squeezed closeto his mother and smiled delightedly. She slipped her arm aroundhim and kissed the top of his head."It's beautiful, baby. You play awfully good.""It's beaufitool," said the little boy, turning the handle round andround.And then Mary noticed that Alice was no longer calling out thenames. Glancing around, she saw piles of gifts and paper and rib-bons around the others. She began to count. Six for Frank. Twelvefor Grandpa, thirteen for Grandma. Fi.ve for Alice. Her eyesskimmed over the rest. Gifts, gifts, gifts. Three for her and threefor her husband. And a music box for Jimmie. She looked at herson, her heart breaking, and then over the shrieking protestations ofthe others about who was Santa's favorite this year, she heard thetinkle of the music-box; and over the glitter of the tree and the satis-fied faces around her, she saw the happy shine in her son's eyes, ashe bent his head and brought the music box close to his ear. Shekept her arm around him, and looked to her husband to save herfrom tears.

Grandpa\u27s House for Christmas

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Grandpa\u27s House for Christmas

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