Summary:  Memories and traditions bring comfort and joy during Hanukkah and Christmas.
Rating:  G  Words 2,414
Written for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar

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Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 22 *

 

A Toast to Tradition – Part 2

 

December 22…

The work was finished. They had cleaned the house from stem to stern. Polished floors. Waxed tables. Filled the tinder box and stacked wood. The larder overflowed, as did the smokehouse. Cookies filled dozens of tins, and crocks full of pickles, sauerkraut, and red cabbage lined the steps down to the cellar.

When it was time to decorate the tree, Ben produced a purple velvet reticule that belonged to Marie to hold the Epiphany candy. He safely hid it in the branches near the crown under the angel. Fresh pine boughs with holly draped the mantel and wound around the banisters.

Joe hid his condition, of course, because he was fine, just fine, thank you very much, but three days after he arrived home soaking wet and stuck to the wagon seat telltale fever spots bloomed on his cheeks and in a gravelly voice he announced he was going to bed and sleeping until spring.

“Hop Sing stay home. Take care of number 3 son.”

“Nonsense,” said Ben. “Joe will be fine. Our guests will be here shortly and you know how the women like to fuss. You go on to Dayton and enjoy your time with your cousins.”

“How long they stay?”

“Until Hanukkah is over. This year that’s December 26.”

“I come Christmas Day.”

“Good. We’ll see you then.”

“Bye. Take it easy on the roads,” Hoss said.

Jamie chimed in. “Bye.”

No sooner had Hop Sing’s horse rounded the barn than a wagon rolled in. Ben and Hoss exchanged glances when the only occupants were Ethan Levy and Rachel Cohen.

While Hoss unloaded the wagon and Jamie took care of the horses, Ben ushered Ethan and Rachel into the house and offered them something to drink.

“Coffee would be welcome, Mr. Cartwright,” said Ethan. “It’s a lot colder up here than in Carson.”

“Of course, I’ll get it.”

“Let me, Mr. Cartwright,” said Rachel. “I’d welcome putting my hands over a hot stove right about now.”

“I’ll show you—”

“—Tut, tut. I know where everything is. I’m well acquainted with Hop Sing’s orderly kitchen.”

Ben watched the young woman walk away. “My, my, what a lovely young woman Rachel has become.”

“Yes, she has,” said Ethan. “She’s my wife now. We married this summer.”

“Married! Why that’s wonderful, Ethan. But where are your parents, Elan and Sadie? And Rachel’s? We were looking forward to seeing them this Hanukkah.”

“My parents send their regards but they’ve returned to San Francisco to live. They missed their synagogue and felt more comfortable in the Russian community there than here.”

“Learning a new language and customs can be difficult at any age, but young people often assimilate faster than their parents. What about Eleazar and Shoshone?”

“Rachel’s mother died in October. Typhus. Her father, well … stubborn man that he is…wouldn’t stay with us. He’s living now with a sister in New York.”

“Coffee at last,” Rachel said. “Where should I put the tray?”

“Right here on the table is fine,” said Ben.

Rachel said, “I noticed a chicken simmering on the stove. Is that for dinner?”

“Actually, Hop Sing was making broth for Joe. He must have forgotten about it.”

“I was wondering where Joe was. Is he sick then?”

“Nothing too serious. Bad cold. He’s sleeping right now. I doubt he’ll be down for supper.”

“He’ll be up and around as soon as he tastes Rachel’s matzo ball soup,” said Ethan. “Best medicine in the world!”

Just then the front door closed and Hoss and Jamie walked in. “Would chicken and dumplings be all right with you all for supper?” she asked.

“Hot diggity! That’d be mighty fine, Miss Rachel,” said Hoss.

“Yum!” said Jamie. “Though you’ll have to go some to beat Hop Sing’s dumplings.”

Rachel laughed. “It sounds like a challenge!  I guess I have my marching orders then. Matzo ball soup for Joe and chicken and dumplings for everyone else,” she said and headed back to the kitchen.

Ethan lowered his voice and spoke. “I want to thank you, Mr. Cartwright. This is the happiest I’ve seen Rachel since Shoshone, may her soul rest in peace, passed.”

“Mrs. Cohen died?” Hoss was genuinely taken aback.

“On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year for Jews. It’s actually a blessing. To die before Yom Kippur… before a Jew has atoned for his or her sins would be terrible, but to die on Yom Kippur after you’ve atoned is to be sealed in the book of life forever.”

*****

A few days later…

“Rachel, where are you?”

“In the kitchen, Ethan. Checking on the brisket.”

“The sun has set. It is time to light the menorah.”

“We are pleased to share this Hanukkah with you once again,” Ethan said. “I’ll remind you this holiday is not a religious one. It celebrates a military victory over a despot who defiled our Temple and attempted to force us to worship pagan gods. Ultimately, we won. We cleansed and rededicated the Temple and the consecrated lamp oil which was only enough for one day, burned for eight days and that’s why some call it the miracle of the lights.  On the first night of Hanukkah, we say three prayers. I will say the prayer in Hebrew first and Rachel will translate.”

Rachel lit the shamash, the helper candle, first and then lit the first candle to the far right of the menorah.

“Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah,” said Ethan.

Rachel translated. “Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights.”

Ethan then recited the second prayer.“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, she-asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem bazman hazeh.”

“Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in those ancient days at this season,” said Rachel.

“Baruch atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’zman hazeh.”

“Praised are You, Our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has given us life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.”

*****

Christmas Day…

On Christmas Day, Hop Sing returned to the Ponderosa, happy to be back with the Cartwrights, pleased that Mrs. Levy had kept his kitchen as pristine as ever, and especially satisfied to see Joe was healthy.

“I’m telling you Hop Sing, that matzo ball soup is a miracle drug! You must get the recipe from Rachel.”

On the last night of Hanukkah, after dinner was over Rachel showed Hop Sing how to make matzo and the miracle soup.

Ethan, Hoss, Joe, and Jamie were in the barn ostensibly packing the Levy’s wagon for their return to Carson City in the morning, but in actuality drinking mulled wine and watching for shooting stars.

“Rachel?” called Ben from the great room where he was reading. “Are you ready to head outside for the Ursid meteor shower?” When she didn’t answer, Ben put down the paper and went into the kitchen. “Rachel?”

Rachel wiped her eyes with the edge of her apron and kept stirring the soup. “Almost ready, Mr. Cartwright,” she said, stifling a sob.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s been a good Hanukkah. You’ve all been wonderful, but I miss Ima…my mama… so much.”

Ben gently took the ladle from her hand and laid it on the spoon rest. “Come with me,” he spoke softly and, placing his hands on her shoulders, guided her into the great room. “Joseph’s mother, Marie, died when he was not quite five. For many years after she passed, Christmases were never quite as joyous for me as they had been. I tried, of course, for my sons’ sake and I thought I was successful in hiding my sorrow, but one year Joe took me to task for disregarding the efforts everyone put in to decorating the house to make it look festive, especially the tree with its candles.”

“What did he say?”

“He shared a memory of our last Christmas together. I was holding him up to the window pointing out all the stars in the sky and Marie said, ‘Ben when you look at the stars like that, I can close my eyes and still see the stars shining as though I was seeing them through your eyes.’ Joe remembered that I grabbed her and kissed her so hard that her hair fell down her back and he started crying.”

Rachel smiled. “For being too rough? I remember my Abba..papa…doing the same.”

“Yes,” Ben chuckled softly. “Then Joe said, ‘Look real good at the tree, Pa, and she’ll see it.’” Ben pointed his chin towards the plank table in front of the fire where the nine candles of the menorah blazed brightly, a symbol of rededication and celebration of faith in the face of adversity. “So look real good at the menorah, Rachel, and your mother will see it.”

Rachel leaned back against Ben’s chest. As he wrapped his arms around her, she whispered, “I’m with child.”

“Does Ethan know?”

“Not yet. I want to savor the feeling for a bit,” she sighed. “I’m going to be a mother. Oh, how I wish my Ima was here.”

“She is, Rachel. She is.”

*****

Epiphany Eve…

“That bag of candy’s looking mighty thin, Joseph.”

“What?” Joe put his glass of milk down on table and walked over to the tree. Standing on tip toe, he parted the branches and reached in to pull out the purple velvet bag. Hoss was right; it was as limp as an empty bota bag after a Basque festival.

“You know, this is the tenth time I’ve filled this bag in as many days. Is it you, Hoss?”

“Me? Why do you think it’s me?”

“Oh, gee, I don’t know,” Joe said, slapping Hoss’s stomach with the back of his hand. “Could it be your sweet tooth?”

“There’s other people in this house, you know.”

“I don’t see anyone else whose clothes don’t fit!” Joe pointed to Hoss’s shirt which was stretched tight across his belly. Just then two buttons popped off and Joe started to cackle.

Indignant, Hoss stomped off to the kitchen yelling for Hop Sing.

Ben appeared at the top of the stairs and asked, “What’s so funny?”

“Hey Pa. Have you been into the Epiphany candy?”

“No. Why?”

“Well ever since the Levys went home, someone’s been stealing candy. There’s only a few pieces left in the bag and I don’t think it’s enough for tomorrow.”

“Let’s raid the pantry and see what else we can find that might do.”

“We can’t! Hoss just went in the kitchen looking for Hop Sing.”

“He found him. Hop Sing chased Hoss up the back stairs cursing a blue streak. Something about no respect for his elders.”

“Oh boy,” said Joe. “I guess it’s burnt toast and runny eggs tomorrow for breakfast if Hoss can’t calm him down.”

“Come on. Let’s be quick and stay out of Hop Sing’s way.”

Together, Ben and Joe rummaged and finally found a box of fudge from the Candy Shoppe in Virginia City hidden behind the castor oil.

“Tell you what, why don’t you put the bag back in the tree where you found it and I’ll hide this box on the back side of the tree.”

“You’re devious, Pa.”

“I’ve had lots of practice, son.”

*****

Joe was right. Hop Sing was in a foul mood the following morning, constantly mumbling under his breath, rattling pots and pans, and tossing dishes of food on the table. The eggs weren’t runny but they were cold, the bacon burnt, and the toast hard as a rock.

The four Cartwrights kept their heads bowed and shoveled the food in their mouths as quickly as they could.

“Let’s get going, boys,” Ben said. “We’ve got to get these decorations put away before tomorrow. Jamie, did you get the boxes down from the attic?”

“Sure did, Pa. They’re behind the stairs and the newspaper to wrap the ornaments in is by your desk.”

“Good. Remember we do the tree last.”

All morning they worked quietly and efficiently, ignoring the grumblings from the kitchen.

“I could really use some coffee,” Joe said. “Hoss, how about you fetch the pot.”

“Not on your life, shortshanks. Let Jamie do it.”

“I don’t even drink coffee.”

“This is ridiculous,” Ben said. Hop Sing! Could we have some coffee in here please?”

When there was no answer, Ben marched into the kitchen. Silence.

Joe, Hoss, and Jamie looked at each other and shrugged.

And waited.

And waited.

Ben eventually emerged carrying a tray with the coffee pot, cups and a glass of milk and set it on the table in front of the fire. He poured himself a cup, sat down in his chair, and sipped.

“Well?” asked the boys in unison.

“I believe I discovered our candy thief.”

“Hop Sing?” Joe squeaked. “What gave you a clue?”

“If the truth be told,” smiled Ben, “he has a toothache.”

“You mean if the tooth be told, don’t you, Pa?” Hoss laughed.

“Saddle up. We’re all going into town. While Hop Sing is getting his tooth pulled, we’ll go to the Cattlemen’s Club for lunch.”

“Hot diggity!”

“But first,” Ben said, “I see there is one item left on the tree.”

“And,” Hoss said, “according to Cartwright family tradition going back hundreds of years, it’s the youngest Cartwright who removes it.”

Joe stood up and turned. “Jamie.”

“Me?”

“You’re the youngest Cartwright, son,” said Ben.

It took a minute for his pa’s words to sink in before Jamie was grinning from ear to ear and through the rest of the day and night. The following day the Cartwright family–and Hop Sing–shared the fudge and wished each other a sweet year.

The End

Author’s Note:

This story was written in memory of MicheleBE1115, may her soul rest in peace, and mentions her original characters from her 2017 Advent Story The Chanukah Story.

The memory of his wife that Ben shares is dialog from the Christmas on the Ponderosa album.

The Ursid Meteor shower peaked December 21 and 22 (2022) in the northern hemisphere.

Primary Character:  Ben
Secondary Character:  None
Object:  Box of Candy

 

Link to the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 23 – The Icicle of Doom by faust