Castle Juliet

by Brandon Berntson

  Gerald finally wound the clock, and this, too, turned into a miraculous event. Everyone stood by as the gold pendulum swung and tolled the hour, now six.

  Soon, the table was set, and everyone sat together, taking their seats. Alice, of course, sat next to Fred. Phillip and Jack sat together on the other side of the table, and Gerald and his wife sat at opposite ends. Jack looked at the golden bird with wide, hungry eyes. Meals, to him, were the best part of the holidays. He’d never eaten so well as he did at Alice’s house.

  The food had been laid out in all its Christmas glory. Aromas of all kinds—all of them succulent—lingered in the air. Boxer, like a good dog, took his spot in his wicker bed, cushioned with his doggy pillows, his head on his paws. He seemed tired of barking. Gerald stood and proposed a toast, holding his glass out: sparkling cider, the same thing in all their glasses. It bubbled, caught the light of the candles and the fire, and sent silvery, golden rays across the table.

  “Well, my friends,” Gerald said, looking more ridiculous in his outfit. “I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to have you all here on Christmas Day.”

  Jane sniffled.

  “Not yet, dear,” Gerald said.

  Jack reached out and patted her hand. Jane laughed through her joyful tears and held back for her husband’s sake.

  “I think Jane has seen enough tears for one evening,” Phillip said.

  “They are happy tears,” Jane said.

  “Of course,” Gerald said. “But, I feel, it’s necessary to bestow our thanks, and this is the only way I know how to do it. So bear with me, ladies and gentles, whilst I proceed. Good? Yes? Thank you.

  “Anyway. I feel very lucky to have you all here. Our house is warmer and more joyful with you in it. It has never housed so many faces, and this Christmas is more special because of it.”

  Jane sniffled again.

  “Be strong, Mother,” Alice said. “Pat her hand for me, Jack.”

  Jack patted her hand, and Jane smiled.

  “These are happy tears,” Jane said again. “I cry at everything.”

  Fred and Phillip smiled at each from across the table, nodded, and Gerald continued:

  “We have—Jane and I, and little Alice—acquired a great many friends this year. It has been wonderful having Jack here, seeing him improve in his studies. I think Jane and I have learned a great deal as well. I hear Jack is doing better in school now, and I have no doubt, everyone is very proud of the young rascal. What a marvelous boy! And of course, we are blessed with his wild imagination, which helps us all act a little like children ourselves, I think.”

  “Here here!” everyone chorused, and raised their glasses.

  “Good for you, Jack!” Fred said, holding his glass. Jack blushed, looked down, embarrassed, a rarity for him.

  “And to Alice,” Gerald went on. “To her devotion to Jack, in helping him with his studies. What a truly charitable and selfless act on her part. Without her help, I’m sure Jack would not be excelling as well as he is, and no doubt he is extremely thankful.”

  “You can say that again, sir,” Jack said.

  “Alice is a fine example to us all. Three cheers for Alice!”

  “Hip-hip-hooray!” everyone chimed in. “Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray!”

  Boxer barked, wanting to join in.

  “Hey, I only got one hooray,” Jack said, with some chagrin.

  “Actually it was two ‘Here-here’s,’” Alice said, and this time Jack delivered a deadly glare, though he was only joking.

  “To my dearest, Jane,” Gerald said, and now Jane bowed her head, not wanting anyone to see her eyes, preparing herself for more tears. “Her constant, devoted efforts have kept me well fed, and my pot-belly more pot-bellied than may be normal for a man my age. She keeps our home warm and cozy all year round and always smelling delicious. Every man should be so lucky. To you, my life!”

  “Here-here!” everybody chorused again, and Boxer barked as well.

  Jane cried, her rubicund face wet with tears, reflecting the lamplight.

  “To our two splendid, jovial, amiable, and always welcome guests,” Gerald said, “Fred and Phillip. Or Phillip and Fred, depending on how you look at it. They really sound good either way—”

  “To you, my good fellow,” Phillip said, holding his glass out over the table to Fred.

  “And to you, my good man,” Fred said, doing the same.

  “—to their kindness and generosity, the absolute joy they bring,” Gerald went on.

  “Here here!” everyone put in, along with Boxer, too. Alice and Jack’s praise were the loudest among them. Jane continued to sob.

  “To you all,” Gerald said, “A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m enthralled!”

  “Amen,” everyone said. They clinked glasses over the table, and were all about to drink before Jane interrupted them:

  “And what about you?” she asked.

  “What about me?” Gerald said, frowning in confusion.

  “You forgot about you,” Jane said.

  “But, dear,’ Gerald said. “I can’t very well toast myself.”

  “Perhaps,” Jane said. “But I can do it for you.”

  Gerald sat down and smiled with amusement, while Jane stood up and held her glass out over the table.

  “Get ready to blubber,” Alice said to Jack.

  “Already blubbering, miss,” Jack said, though he wasn’t, merely smiling wide.

  “To the best of men,” Jane said. “Though, the other two are close seconds. I only say it because he’s my husband.”

  “Forgiven,” Phillip said.

  “We understand completely,” Fred added.

  Jane smiled at the two men, more like boys, and went on:

  “He is a constant source of strength and support. Who, if it hadn’t been for him, none of us would be here today, enjoying this feast, let alone everyone’s company. He is the best husband and father—uh…except for you Phillip—”

  “No need to go there, dear Jane,” Phillip said, smiling.

  “Amen,” Alice said.

  “—a girl could ask for,” Jane continued. “And I…” Here, Jane choked, unable to endure her own speech, tears flowing freely down her face. “And I…I love you, sir!”

  “Here here!” everyone said.

  Boxer barked. Gerald had tears in his eyes. This shout was the loudest yet, and it echoed merrily throughout the house. Jack and Alice shared a smile across the table. They clinked rims now, drank, and Gerald began to carve the turkey.

  “And to Boxer, too!” Alice cried.

  “And to Boxer, too!” everyone chimed in.

  Boxer let out several gleeful yelps on his own accord. Not feeling left out, he stood up, ran around his bed, lay down, but kept his head up, content.

  *

  They sat and ate, complimenting Jane and her exquisite attention to detail, the burst of juices and flavors, and the overall heartiness of the meal itself. Again, Gerald told her, she’d outdone herself. The Christmas feast had surpassed the ham dinner at Halloween, and slightly rose above the Thanksgiving meal. Jane blamed this repast on her guests, the reason everything had turned out so well.

  During the meal, they chatted, laughed, talked about the day, each other, and everything and anything possible. All the while, sampling and helping themselves to seconds, mainly Jack, who hardly said anything, cheeks bulging out as he gorged and gorged and gorged himself. He was making his own Christmas present.

  Everyone helped clean up when the meal was over. The house wasn’t as spacious for this chore alone, considering the many elbows that collided into other elbows, apologies uttered, and the overall tedious and cumbersome task it turned into when everybody tried to help at once. Several plates had dropped in the process, though nothing had broken. Boxer was there to clean up whatever fell from the table. He was mindful but sly. Instead of getting in each other’s way, Phillip suggested they make a train, which they did. The six of them stretched from one end
of the table all the way into the kitchen. Jane washed the dishes while Gerald wiped and put them away. Jane announced she could not enjoy the after holiday celebration unless the house was spotless. This, too, had become a ritual in the Skylar home. Jack and Fred gathered the dishes from the end of the table. They passed them to Alice, who passed them to Phillip, who set them next to the sink for Jane to wash. With this task complete, the leftovers were placed in Tupperware dishes, several heaping amounts distributed to Jack, Phillip, and Fred to take home. Finally, all the dishes were washed, put away, though there was still pie for dessert. For now, however, they’d decided to gather round the tree and open Christmas presents, much to the excitement of Jack and Alice.

  “Finally,” Alice said, and heaved a sigh.

  Another log was placed on the fire. Boxer was given a plate of scraps, and he stood by his bed, head bent, and slurped down his Christmas meal with relish. Everyone sat in the living room on the couch, in chairs, or on the floor, and passed around presents.

  Each took their turns. Wrappers were discarded and flew through the air. “I don’t care who gave it to me, I just want to open it!” Gerald said. The outfit he wore added to his boyish charm, emphasizing his immature behavior.

  Phillip, as Jane already mentioned, received a comfortable scarf knitted by Jane, a hat to match, gloves, and socks. Fred and Jack received the same. Winter clothes made for great Christmas presents, and this year was no exception. As they opened their gifts, Fred, Phillip, and Jack all wore their scarves, hats, and gloves despite the warmth coming from the fire. Jack kept putting his scarf to his cheeks, amazed by its softness. They couldn’t wait to step out into the cold and wear them, they’d said. This pleased Jane to no end, and she took a picture of the three boys in their new attire. Gerald got Phillip some brand new overalls for his job, a work belt, and a very expensive hammer. Phillip was overjoyed. They were perfect, he’d said. Jane received a butterfly broach from her husband; she gasped over it, cried over it, and warned everybody that another fainting spell was coming on. Fred received an elegant pocket-watch from Phillip, sterling silver (one he’d made himself), and new boots from Gerald and Jane. Jack got new pants, a new coat, and a train set, which he’d always wanted. He liked the smell of the hot tracks when the train heated up. Gerald got brand new spectacles from Jane. The lenses in the ones he had were scratched. He also received an elegant gold pen with his initials engraved in the side, a new white shirt to work in, because the one he always wore was covered in ink. Alice received various gifts: a China doll from her parents, new shoes, and a dress for the spring. Jack handed her the present he’d brought.

  “It’s a silly present, Alice,” he said.

  “I’m sure it’s not silly, Jack,” Alice said. “Oh! It’s heavy!”

  It was heavy, roughly the size of a breadbox. Alice wondered if there was lead in it.

  “Open it,” Jack said.

  Everyone had finished opening their presents now except for Alice. She looked at Jack, tore off the wrapper, and paused when she revealed a simple cardboard box. Everyone looked at her.

  “Well, what’s inside?” Jane asked.

  Alice lifted the flaps and lifted out a miniature castle. It was handmade with small rocks and pieces of wood. The entire thing sat on a wooden platform covered in fake grass. A small mote circled the castle. It had a drawbridge, battlements, turrets, and towers. A wall of rocks, like a defense, surrounded the entire thing. Jack had glued together every rock, fitted together every piece of wood. He’d made iron doors, or something to resemble iron doors for the drawbridge. Looking closely, Alice saw tiny ropes and levers on top of the wall by the drawbridge. When she turned it, the drawbridge slowly lowered over the mote.

  “Jack, did you make this?”

  “That is very cool,” Fred said, impressed.

  “Well, Dad helped me with some of it,” Jack said.

  “But it was all Jack’s idea,” Phillip said.

  Its primitive quality gave it charm. It was, to Alice, enchanting in every way. It was elegant and childlike, and it made her like it even more.

  “Jack has his father’s hands,” Gerald said.

  “Castle Juliet,” Jack said.

  “Juliet?” Gerald asked, furrowing his brows.

  “Sometimes Jack calls me Juliet,” Alice explained, enamored by the castle. She looked in the windows of every tower, looked at the courtyard with small plastic trees inside.

  “Does she call you Romeo?” Fred asked.

  “No, Mr. Fred,” Jack said. “I think she calls you Romeo.”

  “Jack, I love it,” Alice said. “I think it’s beautiful.”

  Jack smiled wide, and Alice set the castle beside her on the couch. She got up and hugged Jack. Jane had the camera ready and took a picture.

  “That will be a good one,” Gerald said.

  “Make copies,” Phillip added.

  “I love it, Jack. I really do,” Alice said again.

  “I’m glad Alice. I was hoping you would.”

  An awkward, quiet moment passed before Gerald broke it.

  “Well, I guess that only leaves one present left,” Gerald said.

  “I believe you’re right,” Fred said.

  Alice was confused for a moment, surprised to find—in all the excitement—that she’d completely forgotten about Fred’s present. Castle Juliet had certainly distracted her. A lot of attention was focused on her lately, and she didn’t know why. It seemed more her birthday than Christmas.

  Fred suggested everybody put their coats on and step outside.

  “What is it?” Alice asked, slipping on her coat.

  Jack winked at her and put his hand on her shoulder. Once again, he lit an imaginary pipe, blowing smoke above his head.

  “What’s going on?” Alice said, though she’d calmed considerably. She was starting to feel guilty for getting so excited about Fred earlier, and Jack’s present had somehow calmed her.

  “Come on, sugar,” Gerald said, zipping up his coat.

  Boxer looked up, cocked his head, and let out a whine.

  “Can Boxer come, too?” Alice asked.

  “I don’t see why not,” Gerald said. “Come on, boy.” Gerald motioned to Boxer, who barked excitedly, and bounded from his bed in one leap, joining everyone at the door.

  Once they were ready, Fred opened the door and led the way down the snowy path to his truck. The snow was still falling. It was dark, but because of the lights from the house and the Christmas tree in the window, there was plenty to see by.

  “Are you ready, Alice?” Fred said.

  She’d thought nothing of it at first—the horse trailer attached to the back of Fred’s truck. Fred owned horses and driving around town with a horse trailer—for Fred—was a common thing. The reality dawned when Fred went to the back of the trailer and lifted the latch. Gerald and Jane motioned Alice to stand where Fred was opening the door. Almost instantly, she put her hands to her face.

  Fred opened the door, grabbed the reigns, and led Sue out of the trailer onto the ground. This couldn’t be what she thought it was, but, of course, it was. What else could it be? The moment, for Alice, became surreal. She went numb in an instant. Her voice cracked, a hitch in her throat, and she began to sob. Alice closed her eyes. She shook her head, tried to smile, and cried some more, then opened her eyes. She couldn’t speak.

  “I do believe you took a fancy to Sue, Alice,” Fred said, handing her the reigns. “And if I’m not mistaken, I think Sue took a fancy to you. Merry Christmas, little lady. She’s all yours.”

  “I…” Alice said, shaking her head. “I…” Again, tears spilled down her face. She was blubbering openly now.

  “That is a beautiful sight,” Gerald said. Beside him, Jane, too, was crying.

  Phillip put a hand on Jack’s shoulder, and Jack looked up at his father. They winked at each other, nodded, and looked back at Alice. Fred pulled his hands out from behind his back. He put a cowboy hat on her head, soft and black. It w
as a little big, but she would grow into it.

  “Jack said you lost yours along the way,” Fred said. “Can’t have a horse without a hat, I always say. Looks like you were made for each other. You and Sue, that is. The hat, too, I guess.”

  It was almost bitter, the way Alice wept, helpless, virtually inconsolable. Surprise and joy poured from her, leaving her breathless.

  Not knowing what to do, she wrapped her arms around Fred, and cried into his stomach.

  “That’s the reaction I was hoping for,” Fred said, patting her on the back. “Alice, you just gave me the best present a guy could ask for.”

  “I think we did rather well this year, wouldn’t you say, dear?” Gerald said to his wife.

  Jane nodded, smiled, and wiped tears from her eyes.

  “Like Mother, like daughter,” Jack said. “Merry Christmas, Everyone!” Jack threw his arms high into the air, as if this warranted a victory.

  “Merry Christmas!” everybody shouted, and this finally made Alice chuckle. Though she didn’t—for the life of her—let go of Fred.

  *

  Dessert still had yet to be served, though Alice seemed content standing in the snow with Sue beside her. Gerald said they’d build a proper stable and coral for Sue when the weather turned and spring arrived, and Fred mentioned he, too, would drop by to make sure Sue was well fed and taken care of. If Alice was worried, he’d said, she could always bring Sue by to visit Christmas, Shockwave, and the others. Alice, through all this, was still numb. Her head buzzed and tingled with the generosity of family and friends.

  A lonely tendril of smoke drifted lazily into the sky from the chimney. Everything around for miles was buried in white powder, a night sky blanketed by clouds and more falling snow.