the boys up from school that afternoon, they were dragging a bit from their early morning adventure. Still they couldn’t stop talking about the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Once home, Dina got them settled with a snack and then started on their homework before she began doing some research of her own.
“What’re you doing, Mama?” Gustavo asked, noticing the construction paper, scissors and glue on the kitchen table.
“I’m making something for Muriel,” she told him. “It’s a surprise!”
“Another one?” Gustavo looked a little worried.
The next morning, Dina arrived at work early, carrying a tote bag. She found Muriel and Yusuf readying the shop for the day. But, as soon as she came in, Muriel greeted her with a plate of fragrant little saffron buns dotted with raisins.
“Your family’s outing yesterday morning got me so inspired, that I baked Lucia buns for Saint Lucy’s Day today!” Muriel exclaimed.
“Yum!” Dina said, eyeing the buns. “But first, we need a Saint Lucia!” And she pulled out of her bag the crown she’d made the day before. It was only construction paper, but the evergreen wreath adorned with red berries and “lit” candles, made Muriel gasp with joy.
Muriel grabbed the crown and placed it on her head. “I’m no saint, but today called me Lucy!”
“What is the story of Saint Lucia?” Yusuf asked.
“There’s more than one story,” Muriel recalled excitedly. “She was a Sicilian Christian martyr, but all throughout Scandinavia, they honor her. One legend is really kind of brutal and as a kid it scared me to death, but the festivities were beautiful. It used to be very much a girl’s holiday, though now that we’re politically correct they include boys. Still, when I was growing up, one girl was chosen as Saint Lucia and wore a long white dress with a red sash and a crown with real candles! The other girls got to dress up too and followed Saint Lucia into church. The church was completely dark, except for the candles on all the girls’ heads. Then we’d sing and afterward have buns and ginger cookies and coffee! It was the prelude to Christmas!”
“So much celebrating in December,” Yusuf mused. “But the treats are wonderful!” He smiled and finished eating his bun.
Dina glanced at the clock and the crowd gathered outside. “Oh! It’s after 7:00!” She announced.
“Ok, let ‘em in. But, the buns are only for staff…and Dan and Eli.”
Lucy, that is Muriel, wore her crown all day, even while working in the back office. Across town, Ralph presented Julio with a Saint Lucia bun from a nearby bakery.
“Wow!” Julio mumbled after his first bite.
“So, have you thought about what you’re getting Dina for Christmas?” Ralph asked.
Julio sighed. “Thought about it a lot, but I still don’t know.”
“Why don’t you go to the flea market on Saturday with Chris and I?”
“Get Dina a used present?” Julio asked, incredulous.
“Vintage,” Ralph corrected him.
To be continued December 14...
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