The Greatest Gift
by Pho
Paul Blaisdell turned the corner into his street and immediately
slowed the car to a crawl. A group of neighborhood children, freed
from school, had an impromptu game of baseball going in the vacant
lot near the corner. Paul was keeping a wary eye out for a runaway
ball, knowing full well it would be followed by a child.
He broke into a grin as he saw the lights already on at the
Henderson's house. For some reason, the Hendersons had begun what
appeared to Paul to be a Christmas light war with the Taylors. The
Murpheys down the road had joined the 'friendly' competition not
long after and soon most of the houses on the block were covered
in Christmas lights in elaborate designs. Paul had been perfectly
content with his Christmas tree in the window, but Caroline and
Kelly had pleaded for more. Succumbing to their tears, Paul had
braved the weather and nailed lights across the top of their split
level. The small fir in their front yard did not escape the attention
of his daughters. He'd tried arguing that they were out of lights
but...
"Daddy, this is Peter's first Christmas with us. We want it
to be RIGHT." Kelly's little voice had pleaded.
Not quite sure what 'right' actually meant, Paul conceded that
this first Christmas with the Blaisdells should be something special
for the teenager. Peter had been granted weekend visits to their
home for several months. The long Thanksgiving holiday had been
especially delightful. Peter had been awestruck by the family
gathering. Annie's parents had arrived, accompanied by her brother
and his family of five. Returning the boy to the orphanage on that
Sunday evening had been the hardest thing Paul had ever done. His
depression upon his return home had been so great, that he and Annie
had talked until dawn. The application to become Peter's foster
parents had been turned in the next day. Some well placed prodding
on the part of Paul Blaisdell, had resulted in the paperwork being
expedited and by Christmas break, Peter was living with them.
As he pulled into his driveway, he noticed that the ball game
was breaking up. It was Christmas Eve and even the teenagers in
the neighborhood wanted to be at home. Carolyn came flying up the
driveway, still spotless, despite the game. Peter followed more
slowly with little Kelly firmly attached to his arm. The teen often
feigned indifference but both Paul and Annie could tell that being
needed by the child meant the world to the lonely boy.
True to form, Annie opened the screen door as her crew returned
home, and said, "I'm glad you're all here. Supper's on the table.
Peter, Carolyn, Kelly, please go wash up quickly and Kelly, use
soap this time." As the children disappeared up the stairs, she
hugged Paul tightly and said, "Bad day, hon?"
Paul marveled once more at his wife. Blind since the age of
three months, she 'saw' more clearly than anyone he knew. "Not
anymore, I'm home. Let's eat." Paul knew that Annie would accept
his statement for what it really meant, some things should not be shared, especially at dinnertime, and would ask no more questions
until he was ready to talk.
The air at dinner was one of suppressed tension. Christmas Eve
was an important event in the Blaisdell home and this one was even
more special with the addition of Peter Caine to the family group.
For once dinner ended without the mandatory 'clearing of the table'. The girls giggled uncontrollably as the dragged a semi-reluctant Peter to the den. Forcing him to sit between them by the fireplace, they looked expectantly at their parents. Peter, however, only looked confused and more than a little nervous.
The Blaisdell home had a few absolute traditions surrounding the
Christmas holiday. The most important one, to the children, was that
each child was allowed to open one present, pre-selected of course by their parents. Peter looked apprehensive as the presents were
passed out. As the youngest, Kelly was allowed to open her present
first. Squeals of delight escaped from her lips as she found the
tiny charm bracelet she'd craved for so long. Carolyn was next and
was as delighted as Kelly with her gift - a floral desk set that
included a diary (and key). Peter stared at his present for so long
that Kelly began to tease him. Paul stifled her teasing by well-timed
tickling of his youngest child's feet, after all Christmas Eve should
not be spoiled by a scolding, however mild.
"It's all right, son," Paul spoke softly, "Go ahead and open the
gift."
Peter slowly tore into the wrapping paper, as if afraid the present
would bite him. He fumbled for a moment with the box top before it
finally came loose. He gasped as he looked at the contents. He stared
wide-eyed at Paul and Annie.
The movement of cardboard and the boy's sharp intake of breath,
told Annie he'd opened the package. "Paul and I just wanted you to
know, Peter, that you do not have to lose your past to be part of
our present, and future. I realize that the Sisters at Pineridge
would not approve but..."
"They're not here. We love you, son." Paul finished the sentence
for his wife.
Peter's eyes brimmed with tears and he was momentarily speechless
as he hugged his foster parents. "Thank you. It's.. I never .."
"We understand, Peter. Now, for the annual Christmas tradition,
hot chocolate and your father's reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". As Carolyn helped her mother pass out mugs of steaming
cocoa, complete with marshmallows, Paul began to read the timeless
story. Peter, meantime, slipped away in his thoughts, "I love you,
Father, I miss you", as he carefully removed his present from its
box and gently began to rub the belly of his Buddha.
The End
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