Making Spirits Bright

by Fern Michaels

  “Me!” said Noah, hopping down from his chair.

  Asa quickly whipped up a small container of cream while Maddie and Sarah cut the pies and put them on plates. “Is everyone having a slice of each?” Sarah asked. She needn’t have asked because a resounding “Yes!” echoed through the kitchen.

  They left the Glug to simmer and retreated to the living room to have dessert. Asa pulled a small stool up to the coffee table and Noah, carefully balancing his plate, sat down; he looked up at the tree and smiled. “I think that’s the best tree we’ve ever had!” Then he took a bite of pie and, with his mouth full, said, “And this is the best pumpkin pie, too!” Everyone nodded in agreement, and the only sounds came from forks clinking on plates ... and logs as they settled, snapped, and sizzled.

  Finally, Asa scraped his plate clean. “Noah, do you think we should get Maddie to play the piano?” he asked.

  Noah’s eyes lit up and he nodded his head enthusiastically.

  “Well, how ’bout we finish making the Glug first?” Maddie suggested.

  “Okay!” Noah agreed.

  “I think I might wait here,” Samuel said sleepily, leaning back in the rocker and closing his eyes.

  Asa stood, picked up the plates, and said, “If you do that, you’re going to miss Maddie setting the house on fire.”

  Maddie grinned. “I hope not!”

  Asa pulled on Samuel’s hand. “C’mon, Grampa. You have to watch, too.”

  They gathered in the kitchen around the stove and Maddie brought the Glug to a gentle boil. She measured out a quarter cup of sugar, located the lid to the pot, and looked at Noah. “Would you like to turn off the light?” Noah hopped down, flipped the switch, and then climbed back onto the chair. Maddie paused thoughtfully, concerned about his close proximity to the pot. “Maybe you should back up a little bit.”

  Asa said, “I agree!” and hitched Noah onto his hip.

  Maddie looked around again. “Everybody ready?”

  Samuel teased, “Are you nervous?”

  She laughed. “Well, to tell the truth, I’ve never done this part before.”

  “You can do it, Maddie!” Noah said encouragingly.

  She grinned. “Okay! Here goes!” She spread the sugar across the top of the bubbling mixture, struck a match, and touched it to the air above the pot. A bright blue flame covered the surface of the liquid and Noah’s eyes grew wide. “Cool!” he exclaimed. They watched the blue glow and Maddie couldn’t help but wonder if her family was doing the same thing at home. She smiled and let it burn for a few seconds before covering it with the lid.

  “Wow!” Noah said. “That was so cool!”

  “Pretty impressive!” Asa agreed. “But ... how does it taste?”

  Maddie turned the stove light on and Samuel set out some mugs. “Are these okay?” he asked.

  Maddie nodded and Sarah pulled a ladle from the drawer.

  Maddie ladled some Glug into each of the mugs and Noah asked, “What about me?”

  “I don’t know if you’re going to like it, hon,” Sarah said. “Here, smell mine.” Noah put his nose into the steam rising from his grandmother’s mug and made a funny face. “How ’bout some eggnog, instead?”

  “Okay!” Noah agreed.

  Samuel watched Maddie cup her hands around her mug and breathe deeply. “Reminds you of home, doesn’t it?” he asked. She nodded with a half smile. “Well, we are very glad you’re here with us!” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder.

  Asa smiled warmly. “Yes, we are ...”

  Samuel held up his mug and said, “Skoal!”

  And then Maddie couldn’t help but smile. “Skoal!” she replied. They clinked their glasses together and sipped their steaming drinks.

  “Whew,” Asa said, shaking his head. “That’ll knock you for a loop!”

  “Mmmm,” Sarah said. “It’s wonderful!”

  Samuel just smiled and nodded. “Yup, we’re going to need the recipe for this.”

  Samuel ushered Maddie and Asa out of the kitchen. “You’ve done enough. Go take the cover off that old piano and see if it still works,” he commanded. “We’ll finish up in here.”

  Noah eyed the fireplace as he settled on the couch. “Are you sure the fire won’t bother Santa Claus?” he asked in a worried voice.

  Asa laughed. “I’m positive!” He put his drink on the mantel. “Want to help me uncover the piano?”

  “Sure!” Noah said, perking up. They pulled off the cover and Noah pushed down on some of the keys.

  “Hmmm ...” Maddie said thoughtfully. “You’re right, it is out of tune.” She sat down on the bench and began to play the “Für Elise” while Asa and Noah listened.

  “Hey!” Noah exclaimed. “That’s from A Charlie Brown Christmas!”

  Maddie smiled and continued to play. “You’re right ... but it’s really Beethoven.”

  Noah continued watching, mesmerized by Maddie’s slender fingers dancing along the keys. “I wish I knew how to play,” he said wistfully.

  Maddie stopped playing and patted the bench. “C’mon over!” Noah grinned and slid in next to her. She took his right hand and shook it around a little bit. “You have to relax your hand,” she said. Then she stretched his little fingers across five keys and rested her hand on top of them. “Okay, this is an easy one. Ready?” Noah nodded expectantly and Maddie pressed his middle finger down seven times.

  “Hey, that sounds like ‘Jingle Bells’!” he exclaimed as she continued to press down his fingers. When they got to the end, Noah said, “Let’s play it again.”

  Maddie happily complied and, this time, said the notes out loud as they played ... eee eee egcde ffff eee dded g eee eee egcde ffff eee gfedc.”

  “Okay ... let me try alone.” Maddie took her hand away and Noah started to play. He got as far as Oh what fun ...

  Sarah and Samuel came in the room and quietly watched Noah as he concentrated on the keys. When he finished, they clapped and Samuel exclaimed, “Bravo! Bravo! Encore!”

  Maddie whispered in Noah’s ear, “Encore means they want you to play it again!” Noah grinned and placed his fingers back on the keys. Maddie looked up at Asa and said, “I think you might have a prodigy on your hands.”

  Asa laughed. “Well, he doesn’t get it from me!”

  Finally, after about the tenth playing of “Jingle Bells,” Maddie suggested they try something different. She looked at Asa. “I know a few songs, but sheet music would really help. Do you know where there might be some?” They looked in the cabinets, but didn’t find anything, so Maddie began to play “Deck the Halls” from memory. She stopped suddenly and said, “Noah, hop up.” They both got up and Maddie lifted the seat of the bench. Right on top of a pile of papers was a book titled Favorite Christmas Carols. “Here we go!” she said. The room was quiet as she leafed through the book, so when a muffled sound came from upstairs, everyone heard it.

  Noah’s eyes grew wide. “What was that?”

  Samuel glanced quickly at Sarah and put his mug down. “Probably nothing ... but I’ll go check.” He disappeared up the stairs and Sarah encouraged Maddie to keep playing.

  “Any requests?” Maddie asked.

  Asa, who had wandered over to add a couple more logs to the fire, thought of the favorite carol Annie used to play when he was little. “How about “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”? he asked.

  “Yeah!” Noah agreed.

  Maddie played “Rudolph” through twice ... and then several more favorites before Samuel finally came back downstairs. He picked up his mug, shrugged, and shook his head. “Nothing ... but, it is getting late,” he said, glancing at the clock. “I think there’s a certain somebody who needs to get to bed so Santa can come ...”

  Noah reached for Sarah’s hand. “C’mon, Grandma, we have to put out cookies and carrots and eggnog.”

  Sarah followed Noah ... and Samuel called after them, “Maybe Santa would prefer Glug on this snowy night!” Maddie and Asa both smiled ... but Sarah
and Noah had already disappeared into the kitchen.

  Moments later, Noah returned with his treats for Santa carefully arranged on a plate. He looked around the room and placed the plate strategically on the coffee table. While Sarah waited, Noah gave hugs and kisses and whispered good night and love you ...

  “I’ll take him up,” Asa said.

  “I don’t mind,” Sarah insisted. “I miss tucking little people in ...”

  Asa smiled and watched them go.

  Samuel rocked slowly back and forth in the rocking chair, sipping his drink. “I think I need to warm this up a bit,” he said. “Would anyone else like some more?”

  Maddie looked in her empty mug. “Hmmm, I might ...”

  She looked questioningly at Asa and he declined. “I think I’ll wait.”

  Samuel disappeared into the kitchen and, when he returned with two fresh mugs, Sarah was just coming down the stairs. “Asa, don’t you think those pajamas are a little big?” she asked.

  Asa smiled. “Yeah, they are ... but when they come in a package, it’s hard to tell how big they are. Besides, he’ll grow into ’em.”

  “Well, big or not, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow,” she said.

  “I’m not surprised,” Asa said, yawning. “He was up at the crack of dawn.” He looked over at Maddie. “This morning seems like forever ago, doesn’t it?”

  She nodded and leaned back on the couch, and Samuel handed her the warm mug. “Mmmm ... thank you,” she murmured.

  As they sat gazing sleepily at the fire, an odd sound came from the room above them and Sarah looked over at Samuel. “I think you’re going to have to tell them ...”

  Chapter 8

  “Close your eyes ...” Sarah said as Samuel came down the stairs.

  “I thought this was—” Asa started to say, but before he could finish his sentence, he felt four small feet pressing on his lap. He opened his eyes and, standing there, looking up at him with gentle brown eyes, was a black Lab puppy. Asa reached out and lightly stroked the pup’s silky ears and it plopped its bottom down on his lap and continued to gaze at him. Maddie watched the reaction they had to each other and smiled. Asa looked at his parents, his eyes shining. “I don’t know what to say ... I never expected this.”

  “Well, every boy needs a dog,” Samuel said softly. “Especially Noah ... and you ...”

  Asa picked the pup up and brought it to his face. It leaned forward and licked his salty tears and Asa smiled and pressed his cheek into the soft black fur. “Noah is going to love him,” he said with certainty. Maddie reached over to pet him and, when she cupped his head in her hands, he climbed over onto her lap and curled up in contentment. “Hey!” Asa teased softly, leaning down to look in the pup’s eyes. “Don’t get any ideas there, mister!” But the pup just sighed and closed his eyes.

  “I can’t believe you did this ...” Asa said with a smile. “Where’d you get him?”

  Samuel looked at Sarah. “Well, we saw an ad in the paper when we were here last month and, when I called, we found out that the owner lived right in Eastham. She has the mother—a beautiful black Lab named Chloe—and she said she didn’t even realize she was pregnant until she was nearly five weeks along. The woman isn’t sure who the stranger in the night was ... but she suspects a big yellow Lab named Tucker that lives up the road.”

  Sarah added, “And she’s probably right—there were eight pups and they were all yellow—except for this little guy.”

  Asa looked at the pup and grinned. “Well, he must be the pick of the litter.” Samuel and Sarah nodded, obviously pleased ... and relieved ... by Asa’s positive reaction.

  “We have a leash, bowls, and food. In fact, he’s probably thirsty.” Sarah looked at her husband. “Do you know where those bowls are?”

  Samuel nodded. “They’re up in that box ... which happens to be wet. I’ll get them.” When he came back down, he dropped a new red leash and collar in Asa’s lap. “He’s not housebroken yet ... and he’s probably due to go out ... so, let the fun begin!”

  Asa smiled. “I knew there had to be a catch ...”

  He slipped the collar around the pup’s neck, clipped the new leash to it, and looked at Maddie. “Want to come?”

  “Oh ... I don’t know. I’m kind of comfortable right here,” she said, leaning back on a cushion and stroking the sleepy black head on her lap. “And ... it’s kind of cold out there ...”

  “Oh, don’t be a wimp,” he teased. “Besides ... I’ll keep you warm.” He stood up and put on his coat.

  Maddie handed the pup to him and bundled into her coat and scarf. When they stepped outside, Asa put the pup down on the snow-covered ground and they watched as he gingerly picked up his oversized paws. Finally, curiosity got the best of him and he plowed his nose into the fluffy white stuff and then resurfaced with snow covering his head; then he shook it off, sneezed, and started racing in circles, sending snow flying everywhere. Maddie and Asa laughed at his antics and he looked up at them and sneezed again. They walked along the edge of the yard and listened to the surf thundering in the darkness. “I didn’t realize the house was so close to the ocean,” Maddie said.

  Asa nodded. “There’s a great view from upstairs and there’s a path, or I should say, there used to be a path that wandered through the brush out to the beach. It’s probably overgrown now ... but we can look for it tomorrow.”

  Maddie gazed at the vastness of the sky, glittering with stars ... and shivered. Asa put his arm around her and pointed to the brightest light. “Do you know what that is?”

  Maddie laughed and guessed, “The Star of Bethlehem?”

  “No, silly,” Asa said with a smile. “It’s Jupiter ... and the smaller light up to the right is Venus.”

  Maddie nodded slowly. “I had no idea that planets looked like bright stars.”

  “Yup,” Asa replied. “At this time of year, Jupiter and Venus are very bright.” Asa felt Maddie lean against him and he pulled her closer. “I am really glad you’re here,” he said softly. Maddie felt her heart skip a beat ... and didn’t know what to say. He felt her shiver again and asked, “Are you ready to go in?” but she shook her head. They stood in silence, looking at the sky ... until the pup at their feet had had enough and let out a little bark. Asa picked him up and said, “What’s the matter, too much planet gazing for you?”

  Sarah was putting presents under the tree, but looked up when she heard them come in. “Did he go?”

  Asa looked puzzled as he unclipped the leash. “Did he go ... ?” Then he realized what she meant. “Oh!” He looked questioningly at Maddie. “I don’t know ...”

  She laughed. “I’m not sure either ...”

  Sarah looked at the puppy, who had just discovered an interesting bow to tug on, and said, “Well, I hope so!”

  Samuel called from the hall. “Asa, shall I bring out these boxes?”

  “I’ll get them, Dad.” Asa found his father with his head in the hall closet.

  “I’m looking for the gift I have for your mother,” he whispered. “I could’ve sworn I put it in here.” Asa pulled the boxes out of the way and brought them into the living room. A moment later, Samuel came in, smiling and hiding something behind his back. When Sarah wasn’t looking, he slipped it under the tree.

  “What are we doing with this little guy tonight?” Asa asked, looking at the puppy who had now completely untied the bow.

  “Well, we have a wrapped box with a top that lifts off to put him in in the morning, but tonight ... I think he should stay down here,” Samuel said.

  “Well, I guess I’ll stay with him.” Asa looked at the time. “Is it really one o’clock?!”

  “Yes, dear ...” Sarah said wearily as she took down Noah’s stocking and dropped an orange into the toe. “Do you have anything to put in this?”

  Asa nodded. “I have a few things ...” He opened one of the cardboard boxes and pulled out some small, brightly wrapped gifts. “I have a couple of Matchboxes, some chocola
te kisses, a chapstick, a set of jacks, and a limited edition Duncan yo-yo.”

  Sarah smiled at her son’s thoughtful choices. “You’re pretty good ... for a beginner!”

  “I also have an etch-a-sketch, but that won’t fit in his stocking.”

  “It sounds like you’re going to have more fun in the morning than he is!”

  Asa laughed. “Maybe ...”

  Sarah handed the stocking to him and said, “I have a few more things, too.” She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a package of red string licorice, new mittens, and a small conch shell. “This is so he can hear the ocean when he’s up in the mountains with you,” she said with a smile.

  Asa started to fill the stocking. “I don’t know if this is all going to fit.”

  Sarah sighed, “Well, do the best you can. I’m going up to bed. There are clean towels and washcloths in the bathroom. Asa, you know where to find things ... ?” It was more of a statement than a question. Asa nodded and then she looked at Samuel, dozing in the rocker. “Are you coming, dear?”

  Samuel opened one eye. “Are you finally ready?” he asked, standing and stretching. “Good night, you two. Don’t stay up too late.”

  Asa hung Noah’s stocking back on the hook and wondered if the fabric would hold. “I hope the kisses don’t melt.” He started unpacking the rest of the gifts while Maddie found some ribbon and a gift bag for the syrup and the little tree. She had several wrapped gifts, too, and while she was arranging everything, Asa scratched his head and tried to remember where he had put the bag from the Birdwatcher’s General Store. They did their tasks quietly, working around the little black mound that was asleep on a bed of shredded red ribbon.

  When Asa finished, he considered putting another log on the fire ... but decided against it. He turned to Maddie. “Would you like a little more Glug?”

  “Okay,” she said with a smile. “You also need to eat these cookies,” she added, nodding toward the plate on the coffee table.

  “Yup, I’m going to take care of that. Do you want the eggnog?” She shook her head and Asa drank it down. “Mmmm ... nothing like warm eggnog.” He left a small piece of carrot on the plate and scooped up the rest to put back in the fridge.