and Gustavo were having breakfast while Dina and Julio slept in on the Saturday before Christmas.
“Abuela” Kazu said. “Do people really keep celebrating Christmas in January?”
Gabriela smiled. “Yes, in many parts of the world. Epiphany, on January 6th, is when the three kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus. You know it took them a while to get to the stable,” she said with a wink.
Yusuf and Lily urged Muriel out the door of the coffee house, assuring her that they had everything under control.
“I love you guys!” she sang as she headed off to spend Christmas with her family.
Just as Muriel left, Delores Sloat came in, smiling, sort of.
“Lily,” Delores said as soon as she reached the counter. “I want to say thank you again. I called the number you gave me and it was my friend, Astella. We talked for hours!”
“That’s wonderful!” Lily exclaimed.
“You know, my mother made me cut off ties with Astella once we reached high school. She said her family wasn’t… well, good enough, basically. All these years, I’ve felt bad about doing that to her. But when I talked to Astella, she said that she never held it against me.” Tears came to Delores’ eyes. “Anyway, you gave me back my friend.”
“Thank you for letting me do that for you.” Lily grinned. “How about a latte? It’s on me!”
Delores smiled a real smile. “That would be lovely! But I’ll take it to go. Astella and I are going to talk again later this morning.”
Lily made the latte with confidence. “Happy Holiday!” she said, handing it to Delores.
“The same to you, my dear,” Delores said, putting a bill in the tip jar.
Eli came in a moment later. “No, not yet,” he answered in response to the eager expressions that greeted him. “Is there a special baby brew?”
Then Yusuf noticed the $100 bill in the tip jar.
Dina had just finished Gustavo’s lamb costume when it was time to go to church for the Christmas pageant. Despite some missed lines, a few shepherds tripping over their costumes, and one angel crying from stage fright, the pageant was a huge hit.
Afterward, Seraphina came up to Gustavo and shyly handed him a tissue paper angel.
“You made this?”
“Yes, at the center where we’re staying now,” Seraphina said. “For your mother.”
“Thank you,” Gustavo told her. “It’s beautiful!” He thought he saw a light sparkle on the angel.
Serphina beamed. “You’re welcome! Merry Christmas!”
Back at home, it was time for tamales and opening family presents. Dina was in awe over the angels from the boys.
“But, mine is from Seraphina,” Gustavo told her. “She was Mary in the pageant, but I think she’s really an angel.”
Dina nodded. “I’m realizing we have many angels around us.”
When the boys were finally tucked in bed, Julio turned to his mother. “I’ve got one more surprise, Mom. I’m taking you to Midnight Mass.
To be continued December 25...
|
