“Where are my dogs, John!”
John rolled his eyes while unpacking a box of plastic corgis with reindeer antlers. The infernal critters took their place in the flower bed, coming to life with barking sounds when he plugged them in. “I think we’ve done enough, babe.”
“Then you haven’t looked across the street,” Marie scolded over her shoulder. Her glittery red heels tapped on the sidewalk as her pampered nose turned up at the grandiloquence of the Kampoons’ front yard. The sun had barely begun to set, yet the street seemed ablaze with red and gold lights dancing along the white-washed columns and walls of their estate.
Sweater jingling with her quick movements, Marie clipped her way to the front door. “Get the reindeer out. And where are my snowmen?” She grumbled to herself about other decorations while climbing the brick steps and slamming the door.
John dropped onto the grass and rubbed his sore knee. Christmas shouldn’t be complicated.
A car horn blared in a three-peat. A smile wiped the wrinkles off his face.
Before the minivan could stop, the door slid open. Julia climbed over her teenage brother and tripped through the grass. “Grandpa!”
“Hey, kiddo.” John caught the overzealous girl in his arms, blond locks getting caught in his stubble.
Timothy took his time, putting his phone in his back pocket before joining the group hug. “Have you done the lights yet?”
“I would’ve, but I knew you’d wanna help.”
Their parents left the car, Irene’s brow crinkling. “Dad, you all right?”
“Perfectly fine.” With the help of the kids, John got to his feet and gave his daughter a hug. “Though you may have been right about that turkey trot.”
Her freckled nose scrunched as she brushed her cropped hair behind her ear. “I told you.”
John laughed while slapping his son-in-law’s shoulder. “Everything will be fine now that I got these youngsters.”
“You bet.” Kyle led the charge, pulling boxes from the garage and tasking everyone with decorations. Julia lugged the snowmen blowups along the lawn while Timothy climbed a ladder to hang lights. John and his daughter worked the reindeer and organized the set up.
“What do you think, grandpa?” Julia said while taking his hand.
John witnessed the array of mix-matched decorations and colorful lights. “Perfect.”
The front door slammed, Marie clopping down the steps two at a time. “Goodness, we’ll be late for service. About time you’re done.” Without a greeting, she took her place in the passenger seat of the minivan.
John eyed his daughter. Irene mirrored his concern.
Everyone piled into the car, Kyle driving too slow and too reckless for Marie’s taste. The ironic duo of complaints became more confusing when Marie’s scowl switched to a glowing smile in the church parking lot.
John ignored his wife’s flip-flopping, being led down the pews by his spunky granddaughter. Worship filled the decorated hall, though a storm brewed on the end of the aisle. The tempest remained silent as the service ended and people across the aisles expressed joy at being invited to the home of Marie and John.
A Christmas party she’d cornered herself into three weeks prior.
Kyle caught onto the impending chaos as Marie rounded everyone up. She critiqued his driving incessantly until they parked in the driveway, and continued grumbling as she stomped passed all the decorations.
Before John could swap his dirty shirt for a Christmas sweater, their street was packed with glittering guests. Santa hats and fluttering skirts milled about their open concept home, made more open by pushing couches and chairs to the edges of the room. The smell of eggnog and Christmas pine wafted through the air while Mariah Carey belted from speakers. Colorful petit fours, frosted cookies, and berry scones sprinkled crumbs on the wood flooring.
Timothy peeled himself away from the eager church ladies, finding his grandfather tucked in the corner. “Why’d gram throw a party? She hates hosting.”
John sighed, his vocal chords tired from talking to so many people. “Our neighbors host a big party every year, but they had to cancel. Gram offered to take over.”
Timothy scratched his scalp, long dark locks falling haphazardly around his big ears and wide eyes. The spitting image of Kyle who joined their huddle with a small glass of eggnog. “There’s a certain grandiloquence about your home this evening.” His looked pointedly at John, head cocked. “I don’t like it.”
With a scoff, John replied, “Why do you think I called? Marie had me shoving furniture left and right. And the cashier at the grocery store probably thinks I’m crazy.”
Julia pushed her way through the crowd, popping a petit fours into her mouth. She tried to talk, but the words were garbled.
Irene broke through the crowd, taking her dad’s arm. “We gotta stop the party. Someone told Mom the eggnog was ‘okay.’”
A sharp pinch gripped John’s neck. That wouldn’t go over well. Whispering to his family, he gave them the plan. Everyone dispersed to their tasks while he shuffled his way through the crowd.
Red lips plastered in a smile, Marie replenished the many desserts lined on the counter. Skin paling and eyes buggy, her patience was wearing thinner by the moment.
John grabbed a tray from her, garnering a swift scowl. “Julia’s not feeling well. I’ve got her in the recreation room.”
For once, a bit of emotion tinged her face. “Is she okay? Nauseas? I can get some medicine.”
“A little hot cocoa should be fine.”
A light sparkled in her eye. “Great idea. I’ve got marshmallows.” Marie worked quickly, completely oblivious to the party behind her.
John waited, listening as Kyle talked up a few of the guests. A few gasps filled the group, some weaving toward the front door.
“You said the recreation room?”
John took Marie’s arm, blocking her view of the dwindling party. “Yep.”
They passed through a few doorways before reaching the black-walled room. The projector displayed The Grinch on the white back wall, fluffy blankets and throw pillows tossed onto the large sectional. Timothy finished popping popcorn in the vintage popper, running the bowl to his sister on the couch.
“What the…” Marie gripped the mugs of hot cocoa while her jaw hung loosely.
Julia popped her head over the couch, arms outstretched. “Come sit by me, gram!”
“Oh but the-”
John waved his hand to deter her efforts. “All taken care of. Go enjoy.”
Lips pressed, she couldn’t decide whether to scowl or smile. She gave up, planting a kiss on John’s cheek before joining the grandkids.
Irene slipped in and shut the door. “Kyle’s setting up the music outside. They’ll jam out until the mosquitoes get bad and go home when they find the doors locked.”
John chuckled and wrapped an arm around his daughter. “Just like my ma used to do.” It wasn’t long before Kyle joined them on the couch and the movie rolled.
Marie snuggled against John, sighing deeply as she ate some cake. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
John smiled. “Very merry indeed.”