***
Cassie was happy, but sad at the same time, when her grandmother’s left. She was so happy to see her grandmothers, and the idea of being able to visit them whenever she wanted, was the best gift of all. This would have been the perfect Christmas, if only her parents were there. She put all her presents away and tried to be strong. She loved the teal cashmere sweater from Marion, and the personal gifts from her grandmothers. All the presents were wonderful. She tried to be happy, as she hung up her new clothes, and put her perfumes and makeup in her bathroom.
Sandra told Cassie the two envelops for Marion and Justin were from her, but she didn’t want Cassie to tell them, at least until they’ve used and enjoyed their gifts.
Cassie put on her new PJ’s and slipped under the covers. She picked up her new radio and put on the earphones. She wanted to listen to music, while she wrote out thank you cards for the presents she received from her friends.
It was getting late, but there wasn’t school for another week, so she wanted to stay up. O Holy Night, her favorite Christmas song, came on and she rolled over on her pillow and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, she heard a voice.
“Cassie . . . are you there. Can you hear me, sweetie?”
Cassie sat up straight in bed. What was that? Am I’m dreaming again?”
“Cassie, talk to me,” the voice in the radio pleaded.
She pulled out the earplugs and started crying. What’s going on? This can’t be happening. Why would someone do this to me? She put the ear plugs back on and listened. She could hear someone crying.
“Honey, please, can you hear me?” The voice continued, but there was a lot of static.
“Mom, is that you?” Cassie cried.
“Yes, it’s me!” she shouted through the radio. “Please listen. Your dad and I are alive.”
Cassie was in shock.
“Yes, Cassie,” her dad shouted, “we’re alive.”
Then the Christmas hymn broke back in.
The Day After Christmas
Cassie was seated on the couch, gazing at the beautiful Christmas tree and wondering if what she heard on her radio was real. She kept the earphones in her ears all morning, hoping to hear them again.
Come on, daddy, talk to me. Your mother and Sadie came to visit last night. Everything is great right now. Please talk to me!
Geri was playing with the train, circling the tree, and Chris was gluing and painting one of the classic car models he received from his dad.
Marion walked in and placed a plate of homemade cinnamon rolls on the coffee table.
“So, did everyone get what they wanted from Santa? I think he did a pretty good job, if you ask me,” Marion laughed and sat down next to Cassie.
“Mom, he did a great job. Geri got up and sat down next to her mom. “It seems strange to have Christmas on a Saturday.”
“I think it worked out perfectly, since Sunday is today. We can thank God for all our gifts and feel so blessed for all we have.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if we could go to church in one of the sleighs?”
“I’ve had enough truculent horses to last for at least another year.” Marion said. “But you and Amy and the other kids can have fun sledding down the hill after church.”
“Oh, thank goodness, cause I had a dream the snow was gone and we had to go back to school tomorrow. Whew, what a relief!”
“Geri, how stupid can you be. We always got a week off for Christmas,” Chris teased. “And I don’t have to go back to MCU until January. How cool is that?”
“Chris, please don’t start anything,” Marion broke in. “It’s time we get ready for church. Geri, wear that pretty red dress. I can’t wait to see it on you, and I have a nice ribbon for your hair.”
Holidays and Dreamy Nights - Book 3 Page 6
