Summary: An unexpected obstacle on Christmas night invokes a fond and bittersweet memory.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (1,137 words)<\/p>\n
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Bonanza <\/p>\n Realization and Memory<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Angry Chinese muttering drifted up the staircase to meet Joe as he padded down, feeling carefully for each step in the darkness and making certain not to trod on the small form curled beneath a thick quilt on the landing. He hesitated, wondering if he should take Eric up to bed as planned before inquiring after whatever had upset the little cook, but Hop Sing was going to wake the boy if he wasn\u2019t careful to keep his voice down. The thought of trying to explain to a six-year-old why Papa and Hop Sing were sneaking around downstairs in the dark on the night before Christmas, though\u2014instead of in their beds where Mama had insisted everyone needed to stay until morning\u2014was enough to send him on down to the main level.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing?\u201d He tried to keep his voice low enough that his son wouldn\u2019t hear \u2026 but then, if the steady stream of Cantonese hadn\u2019t disturbed the little guy, a whispered conference was probably safe enough. Joe drifted toward the candle on the hearth and the flailing shadow in front of it, catching at one arm when it nearly smacked him in the face. \u201cHop Sing! What\u2019s wrong?\u201d He glanced around, trying to make out the mound of presents the cook had been hiding in his bedroom for the past month. \u201cDid we lose somethi\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFire out!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0pretty cold down here.\u00a0Really<\/em>\u00a0cold. And now that Joe paid attention, the warm glow of banked embers was absent from the massive fireplace. He frowned, trying to remember what he\u2019d done differently. \u201cI don\u2019t know why it woulda\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWood wet!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wet?\u00a0<\/em>Joe stepped up onto the hearth and laid a hand on the nearest log.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just wet. It was downright soggy. Almost like \u2026 Oh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh \u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Realization and memory hit him in a quick one-two punch, leaving behind an odd double vision of his son Eric\u2014standing now on the landing, very much awake, staring down at him and Hop Sing and what\u00a0wasn’t\u00a0<\/em>left of the fire\u2014and his brother Hoss, in the same place doing the same thing. Hoss had been a bit older, of course. A big bigger. And Joe had been much, much younger. Still young enough to be watchin’ the whole thing from his mama\u2019s arms, there on Christmas morning beside the big tree and the dark hearth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Actually, Joe was never sure if his memory of the event was a real recollection or if he\u2019d just been told the story so many times \u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry!\u201d Eric slapped a hand over his mouth, looked toward the upper level where his mother and sisters and the rest of their family still slept, then scurried down the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat boy do?\u201d Hop Sing scowled, though a lot of the fire had gone outta his tone. Joe could just bet the little cook was remembering, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eric gulped, shot a hunted glance toward the front door where Joe would lay money an empty bucket was tucked behind the credenza, then squared his shoulders. \u201cHad to. It\u2019s not safe for Santa otherwise\u2014how\u2019s he supposed to get down the chimney if it\u2019s on fire? He\u2019ll burn up his suit, and be hurt and \u2026 and I just had to!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s garbled explanation had included something about the reindeer burning themselves on the chimney too, if Pa remembered right\u2014which, of course it did, it was\u00a0Hoss<\/em>\u2014but otherwise the reasoning was pretty similar. It wasn\u2019t the first time Joe had reflected that he and Lina had named the boy well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They woulda been thick as thieves, Eric and his Uncle Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes prickled and his throat grew thick, but Hop Sing musta known. Hop Sing knew pretty much everything. He jostled Joe on his way past. \u201cSanta Claus come last year, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eric\u2019s eyes were large and dark in the light of the candle flame. \u201cYeaaaahhh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBoy wet down fire last year?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2026 no.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d Joe squatted down and motioned to his son. Eric scampered over, ducking into his papa\u2019s arms. \u201cIt don\u2019t matter to Santa Claus if the fireplace is burnin\u2019. Santa\u2019s magic keeps him safe\u2014and the reindeer, too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing\u2019s bony hand squeezed Joe\u2019s shoulder, then the cook started toward the back door. \u201cI bring in wood now\u2014take too long to get going in morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stood. \u201cI\u2019ll help you light it.\u201d He looked down at Eric. \u201cYou get to bed now. Mama said to stay there, didn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eric nodded slowly, peering around his papa at the Christmas tree and the empty floor beneath its branches. \u201cHe ain\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe snorted and snatched the boy up, squeezing tight. Then he pointed toward the window. \u201cWhat color is it out there?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBlack.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d Joe set Eric back on his feet, pointing him toward the stairs. \u201cSanta\u2019s got lots of time left before mornin\u2019. Don\u2019t you worry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cKay.\u201d The boy flashed a quick grin and then was gone, pausing long enough on the landing to drag the heavy quilt with him. Joe watched him disappear, then shook his head and turned back toward the fireplace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wet wood. And\u2014he held the candle over the hearth\u2014wet everything else. Great. How long would it take them to get the old wood carted out of the house and the dry wood set and lighted? Then he and Hop Sing still needed to play Santa, and by\u00a0then<\/em>\u00a0morning really would be pretty much upon them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot gettin\u2019 much sleep tonight,\u201d he sighed, reaching in to grab a couple of wet logs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It took less time than he would have expected to get the wood switched out and the surroundings at least marginally dry. Joe expected to have trouble even then, as the grate was still damp no matter his efforts, but the fire, as if in recognition of the day, permitted itself to be lighted without the display of obstinacy which generally tried his temper the most. He sat back, and watched the small flame crackle merrily, and sent up a prayer of gratitude for a little Christmas miracle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNumber Two Son laughing at us now,\u201d Hop Sing whispered, standing at his side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe grinned, rising to his feet. \u201cI just bet he is.\u201d He clapped Hop Sing on the shoulder, able to chuckle about it now that the first shock was over. The dry wood snapped, and the garland and star and ornaments glittered in the slowly growing light, and the shimmering magic of the night was full upon them despite the minor detour. \u201cActually, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d They stood together for a moment longer, thinking of a small boy and a huge man\u2014both with hearts of gold\u2014then Joe shook his head and turned away. \u201cCome on, Santa. We got presents to put out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Merry Christmas!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf84<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n Prompt:\u00a0The fire, as if in recognition of the day, permits itself to be lighted without the display of obstinacy which generally tries our tempers the most.<\/p>\n Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar \u2013 Day 21 – The English Visitors #2 – sklamb<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
\n* Day 20 *<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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