Christmas Tempest (Holiday Heartwarmers #12)

Chapter Twenty-one

Jasmin thought about his words and understanding came quickly.

Christmas meant presents, and she had nothing for either Dillon or Dex. In fact, she’d all but ruined every surprise she’d organized for her parents too. With that in mind, they spent the next day, Christmas Eve, frantically running from store to store, feverishly buying up last minute gifts.

In the morning, she’d shopped with her mother while Lester had stayed with Dillon, and Dex had gone off on his own.

Happy that the new mall had many more choices than the year before, Jasmin and Barbara made mad dashes from place to place, often with the thought of Dillon uppermost on their minds.

Asking Dex what he’d already arranged for the boy’s gifts made the selection easier. Being a guy, he’d gotten all electronic toys and hadn’t even thought about clothing or things for his new room.

When she’d asked about other presents, Dex said, “Sara sent hers early from Amazon and had them arrive at the house. I suspect she would have gotten him those types of mom things, right? She’d know what he needed.”

“What about Margot?”

“She didn’t give me anything for him. Maybe she put it in with his belongings, although I wouldn’t bank on it.”

“Right. Well, Mom and I will get him some pajamas, new shirts, and a few puzzles and books that we can help him read.”

“Good idea. I know Sara read with him every night. Your dad and I went over to the house early this morning before the rest of you were up and turned everything on. He was right about the place being cold and dark. We cleaned out a lot of the fresh food from the fridge. It didn’t look very appetizing.”

“I’m sorry, Dex. I could have come to help you with that.”

“No problem. I’ve hired someone to clean up the mess already. But we may have to go on Christmas Day to see if it’s all been taken care of. How about after we open the gifts with your parents?”

“Good idea. They’ll be busy with the turkey and won’t mind us getting out of their way.”

Worried that she might have missed something that Dillon really wished for, she made up her mind that he was old enough to be able to tell her what he actually wanted.

Getting him aside after lunch, she sat on the couch next to him. Putting her arm around his shoulders, she went to speak – but before she could, he opened the discussion. “Are we going to talk about my mom and dad?” He sounded matter of fact, but she heard the higher pitch in his voice.

Caught off guard, she hesitated and then said, “Do you want to?”

“Not really. It’s just… well people act like this when they bring up the subject.”

Jasmin moved her head to the side to see him better while still trying to seem nonchalant. “I hadn’t thought about it. But buddy, it’s up to you. When you want to talk about Max and Doreen, I’m happy to listen. I never met them, so you’d have to describe them to me.”

“They were happy, always kissing and stuff. They liked me too.”

“What’s not to like,” she teased and saw him smile.

To break the silence, she asked, “Did they take you to places in Seattle… you know, like the Pike Place market by the bay?”

“Yeah. One day Dad took me to the car museum and another time, Mom and Sara took me to a glass museum. Sara and I went to lots of different museums and parks too while Mom and Dad were away.” As if he knew he could, he laid his head on her lap, and she smoothed the long hair away from his cheeks. “I miss them.” She heard tears close and yet held back.

“Of course you do. Especially at this time of the year. Did you guys do anything special over Christmas?”

“Sara always made gingerbread cookies for me. They’re my favorite.” Jasmin knew it was probably the only kind of cookie her mother didn’t make because her father wouldn’t eat ginger. Deciding it might be something her and Dillon could do together, she put the thought away to bring out later in the week.

As if the air deflated from a rising cake, Dillon whispered, “They won’t be back, will they Jasmin?”

“I’m sorry, Dillon.”

He seemed mesmerized by the fire. “They would like it here, you know. Especially Mom. She always asked my dad to fix the pilot light for the fireplace. Only it never smelled like this one.”

Jasmin sifted her fingers through his hair gently. “Probably because this fire is burning real logs whereas the ones in the city are electric.”

“Mom liked ham too.”

Jasmin’s smile held the world of sadness for her young friend. “It’s my favorite meal. Do you like it?”

“Mm hmm. I do. But we didn’t eat it often. Only when Sara bought it for a special dinner when Mom and Dad were coming home from a trip. Sometimes she’d cook them a big meal, and I’d get to help. We’d make fancy potatoes too.”

“You mean scallop potatoes?”

“Yes. That’s what they’re called.”

“How about one day you, me, and Dex check out a recipe for them and make them ourselves. Would you like that?”

“Guess so. But it wouldn’t be the same as Sara’s. Her’s were the best. That’s what my daddy always said.” Before Jasmin could answer, he pulled away, wiping tears from his cheeks.

“I’m sorry you’re sad, Dillon. But it’s okay to miss them.”

“No. It’s wrong. Granny says they ain’t coming home cause they’re dead, and I need to face it like a man.” His tone sounded like that of a mean old lady, and it broke Jasmin’s heart. How could that silly old fool take away the boy’s right to grieve over his mommy and daddy?

“Honey, I’m afraid your granny’s full of – of bad advice, and she’s – well, she’s very wrong.” Jasmin’s fury sounded in her voice.

The boy saw her face, and his brightened. He nodded slowly, and then his eyes cleared when a new thought took hold. “But Sara’s not dead, so I can still miss her.”

“Oh, Dillon, of course you can. Look, we’ll visit with your Sara a lot, okay? You’ll get to spend time with her, I promise.”

“Can we? She loves me. She’s lonely. I saw it. I want to buy her a present, only I haven’t got any money.”

“Well, I do. Let’s go shopping for her later. But first, I need to ask… what do you want for Christmas?”

He thought and spoke shyly. “Just Sara.”

Jasmin nodded and a thought came to her. “Will a phone call tomorrow after you open her gifts help? I promise, you can talk with her for as long as you want.”

Dillon’s face lit up and smiles made the tears disappear magically. “Yeah. Yeah, it would.”