by Jodi Woody
Daffyd sat down next to Seanna and snitched a crumb off of her plate.
“Patience is a virtue,” she said not even turning her head.
“Well then I must be real virtuous,” he stated.
“Why…”asked Seanna looking at him with lowered brows.
“Your mother is making me wait for my Christmas present,” he replied.
Samantha almost choked on her coffee.
“Daffyd!” she exclaimed.
“Ok, that’s all I need to know,” said Seanna shaking her head.
Daffyd just laughed as he took his plate from Trisha. “Where are the boys?”
“Oh, they had to run to town, I forgot something I needed for our Christmas feast and figured everything would be closed after noon today,” said Trisha.
“Speaking of feast, what’s on the menu?” asked Seanna, changing the subject.
“Daffyd likes turkey and Bryce likes ham, so I am making both. Then I have a great recipe for stuffing that has fruits and nuts. Homemade sourdough rolls, sweat potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy. For dessert I am making pumpkin pie and Leal’s grandma’s recipe for pecan pie.”
“That does sound like a feast and maybe a few extra pounds,” laughed Samantha.
“I don’t want to ruin my fine figure,” teased Daffyd.
“You’re hilarious,” said Seanna seriously.
“I happen to think so. What about tonight? I want to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34 Street” and we’ll need some good Christmas treats for that,” asked Daffyd.
Before Trisha could answer, Seanna huffed and rolled her eyes.
“What?” asked Daffyd.
“Mom has issues with “It’s a Wonderful Life”,” stated Seanna.
“No I don’t!” said her mom. “I like both of those movies.”
“Every time we watch it she goes through the whole speal of how angels aren’t dead people and how God made angels and man, one doesn’t turn into another. But whenever we watch her favorite Christmas movie, “A Christmas Carol” does she ever point out that there is no such thing as Ghosts, noooo….”
“I never thought of that! Thanks, now I’m gonna have an issue with that one as well,” Samantha said truly surprised.
The other’s laughed at her disappointment.
“But I will continue to like both of them, and just overlook the parts that aren’t Scriptural,” Samantha conceded.
“Ok, so change of plans, we will watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol” instead of “Miracle on 34 Street”. But the most important thing is…what will we be eating when we are watching them?” asked Daffyd, trying to get back to his original question.
“How about if we do an early dinner and have it in the media room while we are watching movies? I can do snacks and hors d'oeuvres. Your stomach has been doing pretty good Daffyd, so how about I make a Mexican Wedding Cake with cream cheese frosting? That would be great with some of my salted caramel hot cocoa.”
“I do love the Mexican wedding cake…but I kind of had my heart set on making popcorn balls today. My mom used to always make it with Gareth and I. She’d color the marshmallow stuff green and red,” said Daffyd hopefully.
Samantha and Trisha looked up at each other, both thinking how great it would be to make those with his mom in person today.
“Sure, why not,” replied Trisha.
“I am sure Leal and Bryce would want to get in on that too,” said Seanna catching on.
“Why don’t we wait until the guys get back from town. Daffyd, didn’t you have a phone call to make? Why don’t we go up to your room and do that while we are waiting?” offered Samantha.
“Yes,” said Daffyd with a heavy sigh, “I guess there is no point putting it off any longer. You two pray for me while we are up there. I decided to call my parents and tell them the truth…about everything.”
“Sure, Daffyd, we’ll pray,” said Seanna.
As Daffyd and Samantha got up and headed towards the stairs, Trisha called after him, “Daffyd, I am proud of you!”
He turned and said, “Thanks, Trish, that means a lot to me.”
When they got upstairs, Daffyd stood there stalling. Samantha led him over to sit at his desk and handed him the phone.
“Wait,” he said, “shouldn’t we pray first?”
“You’re right, Daffyd. We most certainly should pray first. Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing restoration to our lives. We thank you that, today; you are bringing restoration to Daffyd and his parents. I ask you to bring a peace to Daffyd’s heart and forgiveness and understanding to his parents. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Samantha sat down on the bed and waited for Daffyd to dial. He took a deep breath and punched in the number. After several seconds, Daffyd spoke into the phone.
“Hi…It’s me, Daffyd. Just wanted to wish you both a Merry Christmas and tell you how much I love you. I have something I want to talk to you about, so when you get back after the holidays can you give me a call?…well…love you, bye.” He managed to look relieved and discouraged at the same time.
“They weren’t home, and they said they would be gone for the holidays. They never leave for Christmas, and they never even called to tell me Merry Christmas…”
“Well, it’s not Christmas yet. Don’t worry about it you’ll get a chance,” she said trying to comfort him.
“You prayed today, that we’d get reconciliation today. I was all pumped up. Now it’s just going to be harder the longer I wait.”
“Daffyd, sometimes things don’t happen the way we want for a reason. God knows better than we do. His way is always better. So let’s just trust that it’s all gonna work out. Ok?”
“Ok,” he said as he got up and walked over to her. “I know what would make me feel better.”
“Popcorn balls?” she asked.
“No,” he said as he took both of her hands in his.
“A Christmas movie and some hot chocolate?” she said smiling up at him.
“Wrong again.”
“Ok, I give up.”
“My Christmas kiss,” he said as he gently pulled her to a standing position.
“It isn’t Christmas yet…” she whispered as she put her head down, afraid to look him in the eyes.
“Samantha, look at me,” he said. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
“Are you sad?” he asked.
“No…I just feel so happy right now Daffyd. I never thought I would ever feel this way about anyone. I thought that my life was pretty much set. I have even decided that I was comfortable with the way my life had turned out.”
“Then you met me, and all hell broke loose,” he smiled.
“As true as that may be, meeting you has also brought heaven closer.”
“I love you, Samantha, more than I ever thought was humanly possible.”
“I love you too, Daffyd, more than I had ever hoped for…”
She lifted her face to his. Daffyd kissed her, soft and sweet, letting go of her hands, holding the back of her head with one hand and placing the other under her chin. Samantha opened her eyes and gazed into his with love and longing. They kissed again with her arms entwined around his neck, a longer, slower kiss. When they broke apart, they both felt week at the knees.
“I think that we better head back downstairs,” said Samantha weakly.
“As much as I would love to stay right here…I think you are right.”
They came down the stairs hand in hand. Samantha even blushing, when her daughter looked up at them with her eyebrows raised and a big smile on her face. Trisha was still in the kitchen and Seanna was on Bryce’s laptop. As Daffyd and Samantha got close, Seanna quickly closed the page that she was on.
“The guys should be here soon maybe we should start popping some pop corn,” she offered.
“We have to do it on the stove, no microwave popcorn for Mom’s traditional popcorn balls,” stated Daffyd. “We always used this big p
ot with a lid.”
“Well then come right over. I’ll get the pan and the popcorn, and you, sir, can pop the first pan full,” said Trisha as she rummaged around for just the right pan with a lid. “I hope I have enough butter…”
“I think I saw some more in the freezer in the garage, Trisha,” said Samantha. “I’ll go get it.”
Before Samantha could get back with a couple of pounds of butter, Daffyd had the first pot popped. He insisted that it was put in a brown paper bag until they had enough popped to make a pile of popcorn balls. Trisha was getting a kick out of Daffyd bossing her around in the kitchen like she was a novice. Seanna took over on the fifth pot of popcorn so Daffyd could sit for a bit.
“Are you sure we need this much?” asked Samantha looking into the paper grocery bag that was over half full.
“Mom always used a full bag,” said Daffyd.
“How many brothers did you say you had?” teased Seanna.
“It was just the two of us. But I do vaguely remember us giving a few away…”
“Like maybe to your whole Sunday school class?” ventured Seanna.
“Now that you mention it…”
Just then they could hear the door from the garage open.
“We are in the kitchen,” yelled Daffyd.
“Do I smell popcorn?” came a female voice behind them.
Daffyd looked confused and turned around on the bar stool right as they all came into the kitchen. He jumped up out of the chair like it had burned him and stood there staring.
“Well, son, aren’t you going to come and give your Mother and I a hug?”
“What are you two doing here?” he asked as they all hugged.
“We were invited,” said Daffyd’s mom.
“Surprise?” said Bryce, unsure of his uncles reaction.
“That it is!” laughed Daffyd. “I just tried to call you this morning. When your answering machine said you would be out of town for a while, I never dreamed you were on your way here.”
“Why don’t I take your coats,” offered Trisha.
“Hi, honey, nice to see you and Leal again,” said Daffyd’s mom as they both handed over their jackets.
“Why don’t we all have a seat,” said Bryce as he motioned to the table.
“And who are the two pretty girls in your kitchen, Daffyd?” asked his Dad.
“Oh man, where are our manners? Grandma and Grandpa, this is Seanna and Samantha. Remember the ones I told you about who broke down this summer? Seanna and Samantha this is my Grandma Lucille and Grandpa Bryson,” introduced Bryce.
Lucille Sayvage was a woman who looked like a grandma. She was plump and had white hair and a ready smile. A little shorter than her husband she was still taller than Seanna and Samantha. Bryson too had a full head of white hair. He looked like an older healthier Daffyd.
“Nice to meet you,” said Samantha.
“We are so glad you are here to share Christmas with us,” beamed Seanna. “In fact, Daffyd insisted we make your popcorn balls today and he has been popping corn like a fiend.”
“Would anybody like some tea or coffee?” asked Trisha.
“I would love a cup of coffee,” said Lucille.
“I could drink a cup,” said Bryson.
“Tea for me, Trish,” said Daffyd.
“We have some muffins left over from breakfast this morning, since the two biggest eaters weren’t here. Trisha made them fresh this morning…” offered Seanna.
“I never pass up homemade anything,” laughed Daffyd’s dad.
Daffyd’s parents tried not to stare at their son, and Lucille was fighting back tears. Samantha stood in the kitchen praying silently for the whole situation. Daffyd was playing with the tablecloth and trying to avoid his mother’s eyes.
“So how was the flight?” he asked.
“It was just fine. We were a little worried about flying in with all the snow, but the runway was clear and dry as well as the roads out here,” answered Bryson.
They made small talk back and forth while Trisha got the coffee made. Just as she put the muffins on the table and Samantha left the cups of coffee for their guests, Daffyd’s mom gave up all pretence of normalcy.
“Daffyd, I can’t pretend like everything is fine…you look awful…your hair is gone, you look like those pictures from Auschwitz…” stammered Lucille.
“Why don’t we all take the bags upstairs and give them some space,” suggested Leal.
“Samantha, could you stay please?”pleaded Daffyd.
“Sure, Daffyd,” she answered quietly as she took the chair next to his.
Daffyd proceeded to break the news of his physical condition as gently as possible. Once he got started, the dam broke and he shared all the mixed up feelings and circumstances from when he first started his professional career and ended up almost dying alone. He apologized for his behavior, his lying and for letting so much come between them. By the time he was finished, they were all crying.
“Can you forgive me?” asked Daffyd through his tears.
“Oh, Daffyd, of course we forgive you and our love for you has never wavered,” answered his Father.
“What kind of treatments are you taking?” asked his mother.
“We discussed this when everyone got back here and rescued me from that awful girl, and we decided that I am not going to take anymore treatment.”
“We have agreed to stand in prayer and believe that Daffyd will be cancer free,” offered Samantha.
“So…you’re a Christian?” asked Lucille.
“Yes, Mrs. Sayvage, I am.”
“Please, just Lucille and Bryson. I started praying for my boys, when they were just babies that they would find good Christian wives. Gareth found Rebecca and they were perfect for each other. And I never gave up hope for Daffyd. You must really love him to put up with all of this.”
“I do,” said Samantha squeezing Daffyd’s hand. “But I am afraid when you hear the whole story; you may change your mind.”
“Samantha, you don’t have to qualify yourself, and nothing you would say will un-qualify yourself,” said Daffyd’s dad.
“Thank you, but I still want to be honest… I am a thirty-five year old widow of less than one year, I am almost flat broke and though I am a Christian, I still make a lot of mistakes. Like leaving Daffyd to fight his battle alone…”
“Thanks for sharing, honey, but truly, I am usually a good judge of character, it’s a Gift, and I have nothing but peace in my heart when it comes to you. Bryce spoke highly of you and your daughter, and just the fact that you were willing to share says a lot. The fact that you are older than my son makes no difference at all. In fact your added wisdom has obviously done him some good. And who are we to judge when someone is ready to begin their life over after a death?” answered Lucille.
“Thank you for being so understanding,” said Samantha.
“No, thank you for taking care of our prodigal,” said Bryson.
“I am afraid that all of this excitement has made me a little tired…I hate to lose out on even a minute of your time here, but if I don’t rest now, I may pay for it later,” said Daffyd disappointed.
“Go and rest son. We can stay as long as you want, there isn’t anything we can’t reschedule or find someone else to take care of back home,” said Bryson.
“Actually I wouldn’t mind having a short nap myself,” said Lucille. “And then we can tackle those popcorn balls.”
“I’ll show you where you’ll be staying and give the others the ‘all clear’,” laughed Samantha.
“I’ll walk you to your room, Son, then I am coming back to eat these muffins!” Daffyd’s dad said, eyeing the plate that sat untouched on the table.
“Just don’t ruin your appetite, I am sure that Trisha has something tasty planned,” warned Samantha.
Later they all had butter up to their elbow and several piles of popcorn balls cooling on waxed paper. Bryce was eating as much as he was forming. His lips were staining red as
he was not eating any of the green treat. Lucille and Bryson were sharing stories of when Daffyd and Gareth were growing up and some funny ones from Bryce’s younger years. Seanna laughed the hardest having to even run to the bathroom at one point afraid she’d pee her pants. Samantha was enjoying learning more about Daffyd. He went from laughing to blushing and back again depending on how embarrassing the stories were. Bryce never once got embarrassed but laughed at his earlier antics as if he was hearing stories of someone else’s life.
“Do you remember the time Gareth and I hid Dad’s paddle in the basement?” asked Daffyd.
“Yes, somehow you boys figured that you wouldn’t get a paddling if I couldn’t find the paddle,” laughed his Dad.
“Do you remember what happened right after that when I caught you two taking money out of my purse?” asked Lucille.
“Yep, we got it with your wooden spoon since Dad couldn’t find the paddle. It hurt so much worse that I ran down and retrieved the paddle and handed it right to Dad,” said Daffyd.
“Your Dad thought it was so cute that he didn’t have the heart to punish either one of you,” his mom laughed.
“So who gave you the most problems, be honest?” asked Daffyd.
“Well if you are talking about while you were all still little, then it would have been Gareth. He was daring and headstrong and not afraid of anything. Needless to say he probably had a few more paddlings than you,” answered Bryson.
“But you get the prize for the hardest adult,” said his Mom.
“Do you think I’m more like mom or dad?” asked Bryce.
“Well…if we are being honest…your personality is a lot like your Uncle Daffyd’s,” laughed Lucille.
“How can that be, we hardly spent very much time together, and it’s not like it could be genetic,” said Bryce as Daffyd covered a chuckle.
“You’re both very strong willed. Where Daffyd’s comes out as stubbornness,” they all looked at Daffyd and he managed to look contrite, “You just stand firm on what you believe. You’re not easily swayed or moved. Also, when you love, you love with your whole heart. Daffyd was always tender hearted growing up.”
