This Christmas Morning, Installment 23

Epilogue

A radio alarm began to blare “Jingle Bell Rock” from the top of the stairs. Dewey came barreling down shrieking, “Where’s my presents?” Leo and Ariel were on his heals, followed by

Roy

, Fern and, at last, Monty. Jana tried to convince everyone that they should pause and read the Christmas story like Grandma always used to do, but to no avail. Paper and bows were flying everywhere and everyone was wrapped up in unwrapping their gifts. Leo and Ariel began to fight over a large box with no tag attached. Monty opened a new cell phone and stepped into the closet to try it out. Fern removed the cover from a tiny jewel box, screamed and leaped into

Roy

’s arms, peppering him with kisses. Dewey managed to destroy another lamp as he tripped over the tree lights in a mad scavenge for additional presents. Grandpa watched it all for a moment, then disappeared to the bathroom and returned with an arm load of shopping bags.

Ariel opened hers first. She blinked and smiled as she tore the paper off a box of old Spartan yearbooks and a pile of antique love letters from WWII. “I thought you might find these interesting,” said Grandpa with a knowing wink. “Might learn a little something about real romance.”

Leo grinned and gave his old ally a high five at the “Mega Death” CD and two tickets to the “Wrestle-Mania Americana Extravaganza” coming to the Fargodome over spring break. “Grandpa, you’re way cool!”

“I know,” said Grandpa.

Fern thanked her future father-in-law for the cobalt blue antique bridal basket that had belonged to Melissa.

Roy

smiled at the box of ear plugs. Dewey thanked his new Grandpa for the twenty dollar bill. Monty was still in the closet so his present would have to wait.

Last of all, Grandpa presented Jana with a large, soft object wrapped roughly in newspaper comics and tied with bailing twine.

“Dad?”

“I thought you might like to finish this.”

Jana peeled the paper back and exhaled. “Mom’s quilt?” The beautiful work of love was stitched in a snowflake pattern of reds and greens with an unfinished cross inside a heart. The tears returned. Grandpa nodded and bit his lip. She squeezed him again.

Ariel’s scream broke the magic of the moment and Jana’s ears picked up the all-too-familiar sounds of a tinsel choking feline. Leo, Roy and Dewey dove for the cat. Monty stepped out of the closet and into the fray. “Get her out! Outside!” Jana joined the chase.

Leo caught the unfortunate animal by the tail and dashed her to the doorway, but found himself a fraction too late.

“Oooooh!” He dropped her on the stoop.

“Gross,” said Ariel.

“Neat,” said Dewey.

Leo looked down in disgust at the mess on his slippers, then smiled. “Uh, grandpa. I think I found your other cuff link.”

Monty and Leo looked up from the doorway, then motioned the others to join them. Across the yard near the barn, a large red-tailed hawk sat perched on a fence post. The bird watched them for a moment, then stretched out her strong wings.

“Thanks mom,” whispered Monty.

“Or God or whoever you are,” Jana added.

“What are they talking about?” asked Leo.

“They think your dead grandmother is a bird,” said Grandpa, trying his best to spoil the moment.

“Weird.” Leo shrugged his shoulders, handed the cuff link to his grandfather and returned to torment his sister.

And bowing her head as if to salute the holy morning, the hawk lifted off into the crisp country air. She made one lazy loop above the farm house, screeched out her “good-bye” and disappeared into the clouds.

Forever.

Note: This is a stage play. If you'd like to explore doing it as a dinner theater/fund raiser in your church next Advent, let me know.