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A Christmas Story.
For most of her life, Lauren had watched those famous holiday movies, and dozens of others, and thought: Yeah, right. Perfectly shaped Christmas trees dressed in thousands of lights, wrapped in garland and covered in hand-chosen, heirloom ornaments. Evergreen boughs that draped fireplace mantels and coiled up banisters.
It wasnt real, she would have said. It wasnt Christmas the way ordinary children saw it.
Then she walked through the wreath-decorated De-Saria front door and found herself in wonderland. There were decorations everywhere, on every table and windowsill and picture frame. Tiny glass reindeer and porcelain snowmen and brass sleighs full of brightly colored balls. The tree in the corner of the room was huge and so clustered with ornaments you could barely see the green of branches. A beautiful white star glittered at the top, its tip just touching the ceiling.
And the presents.
Lauren had never seen so many gifts in one room. She turned to Conlan. "Wow" was all she could say. She couldnt wait to call David tonight and describe it to him. She wouldnt leave out a single detail.
"That was my thought the first time I came for Christmas," Conlan said, smiling. "My dad used to give my mom a toaster for Christmas and not bother to wrap it. "
Lauren could relate to that kind of holiday.
Angie came up beside them. "Its grotesque, I know. Wait till you see us eat. Were like piranha. " She looped an arm around Lauren. "Come into the kitchen. Thats where the real action is. " She grinned at Conlan. "This should be good. "
It took them almost half an hour to move through the living room. Every person, young or old, who saw Conlan screamed, jumped up from their seat, and tackled him. It was like being with a rock star. Lauren clung to Angies hand and let herself be guided through the crowd. By the time she reached the kitchen, she was light-headed. At the doorway, they paused.
Maria was at the breakfast table, cutting out cookies from a sheet of green dough. Mira was arranging olives and sliced carrots onto an ornate crystal tray. Livvy was pouring a creamy white mixture into a pie shell.
"Youre late," Maria said, barely looking up. "Three miles away and still youre late. "
Conlan stepped into the room. "Its my fault, Maria. I kept your girl up late last night. "
The women all shrieked at once and threw their hands into the air, running toward Conlan for hugs and kisses.
"They all love Con," Angie said to Lauren, stepping aside to let her sisters swarm him.
When they were finally done kissing and hugging and interrogating Conlan and Angie, the women went back to cooking. Lauren learned to cut radishes into roses and make gravy and arrange antipasti on a tray.
Then the kids started running into the room, pulling on Marias sleeve, begging to open presents.
"All right," Maria finally said, wiping the flour from her hands. "It is time. "
Angie took Laurens arm and led her into the living room, where people were sitting on every available surface--chairs, sofa, footstools, hearth, floor.
The kids gathered around the tree, picking through the gifts, handing them out to the people scattered throughout the room.
Lauren excused herself and left the house, quietly closing the door behind her. She hurried out to the car and retrieved the one present shed brought. Holding it close to her chest, she returned into the warm, cinnamonyscented house, and sat down beside Angie on the hearth.
Little Dani came up to her, offered her a gift.
"Oh, thats not for me," Lauren said. "Here, let me help you read--"
Angie touched her thigh. "Its for you. "
Lauren didnt know what to say. She mumbled, "Thank you," and placed the gift gingerly on her lap. She couldnt help touching it, gliding her fingers across the sleek, foiled paper.
Then came another gift for her, and another. From Maria. From Livvy, from Mira.
Lauren had never had so many presents. She turned to Angie, whispered, "I didnt know. I didnt get gifts for--"
"Its not a competitive sport, honey. My family remembered you when they were shopping. Thats all. "
Conlan picked his way across the melee of children in the middle of the room and sat down on Laurens other side. She scooted toward Angie to make room. "Kinda overwhelming, isnt it?" he said.
Lauren laughed shakily. "Totally. "
