Holiday Secret

 

“Gram, why are you cooking all this food again? I thought we already had Thanksgiving the other day.”

“We did. One of them. Now we're going to have another, with more family and friends this time.”

The child’s eyes widened and he cocked his head to the side. “Oh boy! Can I help?”

 

Gram looked at the eager little nine year old boy. His willing heart was ready to jump in and help her prepare the food for later in the day. He smiled up at her with anticipation and her heart melted. “You can. I count on your help.”

“Will I be at the party too?”

“Of course you'll be there.” This time, she thought. So many special days had passed without his family with them. They lived so far away it was hard to get together very often. This was a special year, she had him with her for the whole holiday and was thankful for the time with him.

Gram filled a pot with water and heaved it over to the stove, then released a huge breath. Donny moved back so he wouldn't be in her way. He worried about his Gram getting hurt. He'd grown tall enough to put the pasta in the pan and give it a good stir. He banged the wooden spoon against the side, just like Gram always did. He didn't know why she did that, but he imitated her actions anyway. It had to be right.

 

“Now what can I do?”

Go play until it's time to do the coleslaw. Then you can put the cabbage in the food processor for me. You're better at that than I am.”

“Okay. I love you, Gram.” His arms went around her waist and held on tight for a moment. Then he was gone, off to play with Lego's.

His favorite pastime was building new trucks and flying machines out of the many colored blocks that somehow stayed stuck together. His stubby little fingers could push the tiny pieces together as fast as lightening. When another machine was completed, he'd bring it to Gram for inspection. She always made a big deal about them, allowing him to feel proud of his hard work.

When it was time to bake the cake, Donny took over the mixer. Now that he was taller, he could manage to hold it upright so the batter didn't splatter the walls-- the way it did the year before.

Pure delight sprang from his bright blue eyes when the cake came out of the oven. When the two pans were resting on the cooling racks, he took one finger and touched each of them—the way that Gram taught him to. His little heart was bursting with pride at how pretty they looked and smelled-- because he'd been a part of it. The whole house smelled of cinnamon and sugar. He couldn't wait to ice them, that was his favorite part.

Later, people started to show up. Brisk fall air followed them in the door, as coats were thrown on the extra chair and smiles lit up the room. Everyone talked at once, peals of laughter sang throughout the house. Donny stood by a chair and looked at everyone, smiling with his hands folded in front of him, his tongue wetting his lips.

“Donny! My goodness you've grown since I last saw you. Do you remember me? We played on the beach flying kites a couple of years ago.” His great-uncle Rob reached out and hugged him to his side.

“Uh huh. You gave me sparklers too.”

“That's right, we did have some fireworks, didn't we? I'm glad you reminded me of that.”
 

Donny nodded and smiled, twisting his feet around several times. He couldn't believe that this great tall man remembered him. His cheeks were so flushed he looked like he'd been out in the cold. He sat on the step and watched as everyone gathered in the tiny kitchen, talking and laughing.

Uncle Rob and Uncle Matt took the oysters he'd brought with him outside to fry. Donny followed with the hope of helping.

“Look out, Buddy. This oil is hot and I don't want it to spatter on you,” Uncle Matt said.

Donny stood to the side and watched. The two men didn't pay any attention to him, they were busy with the prized oysters. He didn't even know what an oyster was, much less why it seemed such a prize to them. He went in search of Gram.

“Is it time to do the machine, Gram?” His hands laid on the counter.

“Sure is. Let's wash those hands once more.”

“Oops! Almost forgot.”

After he'd chopped all the cabbage, he let Gram do the rest and went back to his place on the floor. He kept the Lego's in one spot, so nobody would step on them. His fingers made quick work of another truck, with a rider on top.

“I can't believe you can make such interesting things with those little pieces,” said his uncle's wife Lisa, sitting next to him. “They are just wonderful.”

Donny smiled a mile wide, showing a few spaces where new teeth weren't fully in yet. A little embarrassed-- but full of pride as he began to show her his other works of art. Lost were feelings of shyness. His animated explanation of how they worked delighted Lisa.

Gram watched from the corner of her eye while she put the rolls in the oven. Pride filled her heart as she listened to him explain the inner workings of Lego's and saw the excitement in his little face. A stranger was interested in the magic the tiny toys held for him, willing to listen to him too.

“Oysters are done. Time to eat.” The uncles came in the door and placed the platter of delectable morsels on the table. “Better than turkey any day,” said Uncle Rob. “Come on, Donny boy. Let's eat before they get cold.”

Donny stood close to his uncle, waiting for him to choose a chair. When he did, Donny took the one beside him and tucked his head down. He was hoping no one would notice and he'd get to stay there. Sometimes the adults made the kids go to another table. When everyone was seated, he was still there beside his uncle. Gram grinned at him and winked. Usually he liked to sit beside her, but today was special. He might not get another chance to see his Uncle for a long time. After grace was said, the food started passing around the tables. He wondered where all the extra chairs came from. Two extra tables had been set up for today and there was even more food than on Thanksgiving Day. Uncle Rob asked if he wanted an oyster on his plate. His heart sank. Should he tell the truth or take one of those ugly things? Maybe he could shove it under his potatoes...

“Here you go, a nice crispy one.” Uncle Rob joyfully plucked one off the platter and slid it onto Donny's plate.

A slight flip-flop in his stomach made Donny twist in his chair as he gulped air and spit. He smiled a thank you at his uncle and swallowed the lump in his throat along with the building saliva. He looked up to find his grandmother grinning at him. Her special smile that let him know she understood.

He slid the oyster under the potatoes with a finger and scooped up a bite of yams with his fork. Then he was set. The marshmallows he'd so carefully placed on top of the sweet potatoes had melted into gooey sweetness—and he was hungry.

After a while, Uncle Rob asked, “How did you like it, little man?”

Donny nodded while his fork hovered over the small pile of potatoes that were still safely covering that oyster. If he didn't actually speak, maybe it wasn't lying. Blinking from nervousness, he hoped he could take his plate to the kitchen while everyone else was still at the table.

“May I be excused?”

Gram nodded, knowing that he needed to get rid of the evidence lurking beneath the potatoes.

As he picked up his plate, his uncle said, “You sure you got enough? There's one more oyster...”

“I'm full.” Donny almost dropped the plate in his hurry to pick it up and be out of sight. His eyes grew big and he looked straight at Gram for help. His plate felt heavier and he was sure that oyster was growing bigger as he waited.

“Go ahead, honey.”

A sigh of relief escaped his lips and he sent his Gram a sweet thank you with his eyes. Straight to the trash can he went with his plate, dumping that monster morsel in quickly, before setting the plate in the sink. Quietly, he went to Gram's side and snuggled under her arm, never interrupting the conversation around the table. He stayed there for a few minutes, then found his Lego's again.

Later that night when the dishes were done and everyone was gone, the house was quiet, the television the only sound left of the day. Donny climbed on the sofa beside Gram. She hugged him tight and said, “How was your day?”

“It was great! I really liked all the family here together and being part of it. It was loud.”

After a few minutes he sat up, his brow knitted into a frown. “Do you have two parties at Christmas too?”

"I sure do, every year.”

“Can I be at your next party too, Gram? The one for Christmas.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way, sweetie.”

“What if my Dad's busy and can't bring me? Will you come and get me?”

Gram hugged him tight. “I'll make sure you're included. Grandpa and I'll come get you the day before. How does that sound?”

“Good.” He yawned and snuggled deeper into the pillow, a smile played around his lips. Donny was happy and sleepy, he knew that he'd be here for the next party if--Gram said so.