One Christmas Eve

Forever Warrior & Forever Dreamer

It’s Christmas Eve and the folks of Odyssey gather together at Whit’s End to celebrate the season. Familiar faces return, bonds are strengthened, and wonderful memories are made reminding everyone of the beauty of Christmastime.

It was Christmas Eve and a winter chill filled the air. Flakes of snow flitted through the sky. Whit’s End was festively decorated in honor of the holiday. Christmas lights adorned the exterior of the establishment casting a white glow along the old Victorian building. A Nativity set was displayed on the snow-covered lawn, reminding everyone who saw it of the true meaning of Christmas. Garlands outlined each window and a beautiful Christmas wreath with a bright red bow, pinecones, and twinkling lights was hanging from the front door. 

Inside the building, the sound of a record of Christmas songs and carols playing in the background was accompanied by hearty laughter and joyful conversion. Everyone was having an amazing time spending the holiday with cherished family and friends as well as enjoying good food, activities, and music. At that moment the bell above the door tinkled announcing the arrival of more guests. 

“Eugene, Katrina, Buck welcome. Merry Christmas to you all,” Whit offered a cheerful greeting to the Meltsner family. 

“Greetings and felicitations of the season to you as well Mr. Whittaker,” Eugene responded.

“Merry Christmas Whit,” Katrina added.

“Merry Christmas Meltsner family!” Wooton and Penny exclaimed together in unison from across the room.

“We would come over to say hello but we are currently…” Wooton wrapped his arm across his back and planted it on the game mat. “engaged in an intense battle of Twister.”

“We can see that,” Katrina remarked, as she, along with the rest of her family and Whit, looked at the couple playing on the multicolored polka dot mat — their bodies contorted in every which way.

“How was the drive?” Whit asked.

“Somewhat long” Katrina answered Whit. “Traffic was heavy and it was snowing most of the way. But we passed the time happily.”

“Yeah, we told stories and sang Christmas songs,” Buck elaborated.

“Sounds like a new fond memory.”

“Yes, it was,” Katrina remarked.

“Indeed. We’ve made many wonderful memories during our time living in Baltimore. In fact, the period we’ve spent there has been instrumental in bringing us closer as a family so to speak” Eugene said as he placed a hand on Buck’s shoulder.

“That’s wonderful to hear” Whit had a gentle smile on his face as he said these words, so happy and touched to hear this news.

“We are beyond blessed,” Katrina said.

“Yes, it is apparent moving to Baltimore was the right decision but we are also thankful to be here tonight.” Eugene’s eyes scanned the cheery room and all the familiar faces. “Your absence and that of our friends here in Odyssey has been deeply felt.”

“And we’ve sorely missed you all as well and are so grateful you were able to join us.”

“I love how you decorated Whit’s End. This place is always nice year round but come Christmas time it’s…I don’t know… it’s like Christmas wrapped up in an old house” Buck commented, looking around the room as he did so. The inside of the building was just as festive as the outside as a large Balsam Fir stood in the corner of the front room, gorgeously decorated. Lights were hung throughout the room and a garland was hung across the front of the shop counter as well as along the staircase banister. Poinsettias, candles, and mistletoe were also present throughout the room.

“Why thank you, Buck. We try our best around here to capture the wonder and spirit of the holidays. It was actually Connie who came up with the design.” Whit picked up a tray full of hot chocolate from the counter and held it out toward the family. “Would you like some hot chocolate? I just made it. Or perhaps some hot cider?”

“No, thank you, Mr. Whittaker” Eugene declined.

“Sure, I’ll take one. Thanks.” Buck grabbed a red mug from the tray which was overflowing with hot cocoa and an abundance of marshmallows. 

“I’ll take some hot chocolate Whit, just as soon as I put down this fruit cake.”  

Whit eyed the cake. Raisins, figs, and cherries were dotted throughout the dessert. Whit smelled the sharp and spicy aroma of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. “I must say this looks delicious.”

Katrina placed the baked good on the counter next to the assortment of desserts. “Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit. It’s my Mom’s recipe” she said as she picked up a mug of hot chocolate from the tray.

“And a closely guarded family secret if I might add” Eugene was all too eager to point out.

“Oh, really?” Whit chuckled.

“What’s this about a closely guarded family secret?” Monty interjected as he approached the group.

“Why Monty,” Whit feigned shock, “you weren’t eavesdropping were you?”

Monty put his hand to his chest. “Eavesdrop? Me? Why, I wouldn’t think of it.”

“What’s this about secrets?” Jason joined the merry group. 

“Like uncle, like nephew apparently,” Whit laughed.

“Monty, don’t think you can skip out of our game just because you’re losing.” Jason and Monty’s annual Christmas Eve game of chess was more like a contest than a game. Each of them was never satisfied with merely a draw. 

“Who’s skipping out?” Monty shrugged. “I was just taking a short game break.” 

“Mmm hmm. Whatever you say.” Jason smirked. 

Monty attempted to change the subject. “Eugene, Katrina, Buck it’s so nice to see you all.”

“Yes, welcome back. You all were missed” Jason placed his hand on Eugene’s shoulder. Their brotherhood was something Jason greatly cherished. Unforgettable escapes in Israel, a crashed wedding, and brooding over their respective love lives had forged their bond through the years. A bond that would never be broken.

“It’s wonderful to see you both too,” Katrina responded before drinking some of her hot cocoa.

“Yes, as I expressed to your Dad earlier we have missed you greatly as well,” Eugene said.

At that moment a voice filtered through that the Meltsners instantly recognized. “Well, ain’t this a sight for sore eyes.” 

“Bernard,” Katrina’s eyes lit up. “How great to see you. You look wonderful.”

“Yes, indeed,” Eugene added.

“Good to know I’m at least keeping up my appearance. Maude’s got me on this low-carb, low-fat diet. It’s just awful. All the food tastes like boiled or cooked cardboard.” 

“That bad huh?” Buck took a sip of his hot chocolate.

“Yup.” Vivid images of the past two months flickered in Bernard’s mind, almost causing him to shudder. “But then again her food usually tastes like that anyway…” he muttered under his breath.

Katrina stifled a laugh. “Was Maude able to make it tonight?” 

“She’s in the kitchen working on her green bean casserole. Her first attempt didn’t go so well. She was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping this morning and forgot she left the casserole in the oven. When I came home smoke was billowing through the house. Shattered glass and burnt green beans were everywhere in the oven. Boy was it a mess.”

“In that case perhaps I should go and see if she needs a hand.” Katrina headed off to the kitchen.

“That would be most appreciated,” Bernard called out after her. “If only to save us all from indigestion…”

Eugene thought back to the times he’d tried, or rather been tormented, by Connie’s cooking. Between mashed potatoes hard enough to break a tooth, biscuits more fit to be used as baseballs, and gravy that tasted like someone’s bathwater he had more than his fair share of run-ins with bad cooking in the past. “Given my experience with Ms. Kendall’s cooking, I would say with certainty that I am prepared for whatever fare your wife has chosen to serve tonight.”

The sound of clanking and clattering pots and pans resounded from the kitchen. “For all her shortcomings in the kitchen though I couldn’t imagine having anyone else to share my life with. Her psychoanalysis is just the thing I need to get me out of bed in the morning. And let me tell you no one wraps Christmas presents like her. I’ll spend all day trying to wrap one gift and then she comes in and does it like no one’s business.” 

“Speaking of presents, Dad, we forgot ours in the car for Secret Santa.”

Eugene pulled his car keys out of his pocket. “I’ll retrieve them post haste.”

“I’ll help.” Buck set his mug down on the counter and dashed outside after Eugene. 

“Whit!” Wooton called out. “I’ll take another hot chocolate please.” 

“Are you sure? Your hands seem to be tied up at the moment” Whit chuckled.

“Quite sure. I’m an expert at drinking with my feet” Wooton snorted.

“Alright, another hot chocolate coming up” Whit made his way across the room.

Jason cleared his throat. “Well Monty, are you ready to resume playing or should I say losing.”

“I’ll be right there Uncle Jason. Right after I grab some sugar cookies.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” Jason started making his way back to the game board.

Once Jason was out of earshot Monty leaned over to Bernard’s ear. “Bernard, I need your help. No, scratch that. I really need your help.”

“What do you need my help with Monty?”

“Beating Jason at Chess. Every year we play against each other and every time I always lose.” Monty wrapped his arm across Bernard’s shoulders. “Word has it you’re an excellent chess player.”

Bernard couldn’t help but flash a slight grin. For Bernard, compliments about his pickup truck, window-washing abilities, and chess playing were always welcome. “Go on?”

“So would you be willing to share some of your knowledge, chess player to chess player?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Bernard took a glance over his shoulder at Jason who restlessly sat at a table, arms crossed and foot tapping the floor. “But before I do that why don’t we go for a nice stroll to the…ah kitchen. Maude probably needs all the help she can get and I’d prefer not to get on Jason’s bad side. So best we do this how do you say it… ah covertly.”

…..

A beeping alarm sounded through the Kendall residence. Dashing through the house Connie nearly tripped over the kitchen island as she ran to the oven. 

“Please don’t be burnt, please don’t be burnt” Connie repeated to herself as she made her way there. How she wished Jillian wasn’t away visiting her family for the holiday as her expertise from her time spent working as a sous-chef would have helped her tremendously. But that didn’t matter now. 

She opened the oven door and to her great surprise and relief she was greeted with a pleasant aroma. “Well, that’s a good sign.”

Connie placed the roast on a hot plate and turned off the oven. “Jules hurry up!”

“I’m coming Connie.” Jules finished slipping on her shoes. During one of her and Connie’s latest shopping excursions, these red stiletto pumps caught her eye. Much insistence on her part finally convinced Connie to buy them. Red was one of Buck’s favorite colors and she had a feeling he would like these shoes. How she missed him when the two of them were apart. 

Jules entered the kitchen. “Why are you in such a rush anyway.” She pointed to the time displayed on the microwave. “We’re already late and I have to make sure I look my best.”

Connie placed the roast in a thermal bag. “Let me guess you need to look your best for a certain someone with brown curls, big blue eyes, and a certain southern charm.”

“Connie,” Jules dryly responded.

“Yes?”

“Perhaps you should focus on your own love life.”

“Uh-huh. Very funny.” 

“I must say the duck smells delicious.” Jules quickly changed the subject. “I think all that time you spent on it paid off.” 

“Thanks, but it’s not exactly duck.” Connie awkwardly chuckled. 

“Ahhh then what is it?” Jules carefully clasped her necklace.

“It’s a goose.” Connie held out her hand in front of her. “Now before you say anything I did try to get a duck ’cause I know I said I would bring it for the party but I couldn’t find any. Everybody’s duck crazy.”

“Well, it is often served at Christmastime.”

“Exactly. So I went with the next best thing. You don’t think anyone will notice? I mean a goose is practically the same thing as a duck, right?”

“Duck, duck, goose” Jules quipped. 

“Jules, now’s not the time for games. I need some actual feedback.”

“I’m not exactly an expert on birds Connie. You should ask Eugene. He would probably know since he seems to know everything about everything.”

“Oh no!” Connie adamantly shook her head. “He’s the last person I’m asking about this. He still brings up my mashed potatoes to anybody who will listen.”

Jules’ brow furrowed. “I don’t believe I’ve had your mashed potatoes.”

“Believe me there’s a reason for that.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Jules, can you grab my purse from my nightstand and get my keys out for me please? Meet me in the garage.” Connie grabbed the thermal bag from the kitchen counter and began heading for the garage door. 

“Sure thing.”

Soon Connie’s hatchback was making its way to Whit’s end. All along the route, the houses were decorated with Christmas lights, inflatables, and other various decorations of the season. The crisp winter air greeted them as they exited the car and snow drifts were blowing around them. The two sisters hurried from the car and entered the building. 

Buck heard an excited squeal from across the room and looked up to see Jules. “Buck, hi!”

“Jules!” Buck ran toward her and wrapped her in a giant hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too, Buck.” Jules took a step back and gazed at her boyfriend. It seemed like forever since they’d last been together. 

“Merry Christmas Connie, Jules.” Whit gave each of them a hug.

“And Merry Christmas to you as well.” 

“Merry Christmas,” Jules said.

Connie scanned the room, trying to see who on the guest list had already arrived. “I guess we’re the last people to arrive. I’m sorry we’re so late.”

“No worries Connie. It’s alright. Jana and Jenny haven’t arrived yet as well. They should be here in about half an hour or so.”

Connie held up the roast goose. “I brought the duck or rather goose but it’s a roast at least.”

“That’s perfectly alright. I’ll place it with the other dishes.” Connie handed the dish to Whit who placed it along with the other prepared food items.

Connie and Jules were welcomed by the other attendees. Warm wishes, hugs, and kisses were exchanged. About a half hour later the festive group was joined by Jana and Jenny who had driven in from the airport after traveling from California.

Dinner was soon served. Silent Night was now playing on a vinyl record. The turntable spinning as everyone gathered around the table and ate Christmas Eve dinner. To everyone’s astonishment, the goose was scrumptious, much to Connie’s relief. Far removed were the days when Mitch had to intercede for God’s protection from her cooking. Well at least for tonight those times were in the past. 

Even Maude’s green bean casserole was palatable. Bernard offered a proud look and compliment to his wife who tenderly caressed his face in return. 

Monty regaled everyone with tales of his successful chess match against Jason while his uncle protested the loss just as fervently and Bernard’s suspected involvement. In the end, a rematch was the only thing agreed upon.

After dinner, everyone headed to the library room where another, even grander, Balsam Fir Christmas tree stood. Red, green, and gold ornaments adorned the tree complete with white twinkling lights. Wrapped gifts in red and green wrapping paper laid below the tree. Name tags let each person know which gift was their present and glittery bows as well as ribbons which were attached, glistened and sparkled under the light of the tree. 

Everybody gathered around the tree for Secret Santa which was accompanied by lots of laughter and smiles. Wrapping paper, ribbon, and bows were scattered throughout the room. The result of children and adults alike excitedly and somewhat frantically opening their gifts. 

“Wow! Thanks!” Buck excitedly ripped the remaining wrapping paper off before holding up a shiny new fishing pole for all to see. It was a fly rod to be precise. An item that had been on his wishlist for some time. Buck immediately began to envision the fishing trips he could go on with his parents and friends. Fishing was still absent from Eugene’s list of favorite activities but the more time he spent with his son catching, or in his case more accurately attempting to catch fish, he grew accustomed to the pastime and even began to like it. 

Buck ran his hands along the rod and looked up from the present at everyone in attendance.“I’ve been wanting a new fishing pole. So thanks, thanks so much to whoever got me this. I really appreciate it.” 

Penny reached over and grabbed another gift from beneath the tree. It was rectangular in shape and rather heavy. “Alright, let’s see,” Penny glanced at the name tag. “The next gift is for Katrina.”

Katrina walked over to Penny who handed her the package. Katrina returned to her spot next to Eugene and started opening her gift. Upon unwrapping the present she uncovered a first edition of Great Expectations. “Oh…” she gasped. “It’s the first edition of Great Expectations. Dickens is one of my absolute favorite authors and I’ve wanted this edition for a while. Thank you, thank you. It’s so wonderful.” Katrina clutched the book to her chest.

“You are greatly welcome.” Eugene rubbed her shoulder.

“Eugene,” Connie interrupted, “you’re not supposed to reveal who you got a present for.”

“I am aware of that fact Ms Kendall,” Eugene’s gaze stayed fixed on Katrina, “but I can not but convey my appreciation for my adoring wife and how this gift is an expression of my love and devotion for her.”

“Thank you so much, Eugene.” Katrina threw her arms around her husband. “I’ll cherish this book each and every day.”

“I know you will.”

“I love you so much.”

“And I love you too,” Eugene said before he and Katrina shared a sweet kiss.

Days like today were days they each lived for and would treasure in the future. They were the times that showed how Odyssey was truly special and highlighted the community, love, and bonds that were forged and endured in the small quiet town. Looking around at all the family and friends gathered there that night, each person present in that room felt truly blessed and grateful above all measure. The Meltsner family’s move to Baltimore and the absence of loved ones, both from relocation and loss, had taught them to never take these moments for granted as they were far from assured. Memories that were made that day would be kept forever in their hearts and showed even more clearly the magic and spirit of Christmas.