Susan moved to the railing. “Merry Christmas.” Her voice rang clear and true.
“Merry Christmas.” The shouts rose on the clear cold air.
“Thank you for coming to our tree party.” The breeze ruffled the lustrous fur of her coat. She took a quick breath. “Every year a child is invited to put the Star of Bethlehem atop the tree when the other decorations are in place.” Susan gripped the railing with both hands, steadied herself. “This year, the child is special to me and this Christmas will be one of the most joyous of my life. My grandson Keith has come to live with me. Keith will crown our tree.”
Murmurs rose and the crowd pressed forward.
Peg picked up Keith, held him high. “Wave, honey,” she whispered.
Keith’s face was solemn, but he lifted a hand and waved.
“We’ll be right down.” Peg swung Keith to the balcony floor.
Tucker pushed away from the railing. “Hey, buckaroo. How about a Tarzan swing?” He held out his arms for Keith, shouted to Leon, who stood by the steps to the scaffolding. “Want to catch him, Leon? Here he comes.” Tucker picked up Keith and swung him out over the balcony.
Gasps and cries rose.
Susan lifted a hand in protest. “Tucker, no.”
Leon hurried forward, his weathered face drawn in a frown. “Wait up, Tucker. I can’t reach him.”
“Uh-one. Uh-two.” Tucker swung Keith from side to side. In mid-swing, he let go. “Here he comes.”
Leon shifted a foot or so to one side as he held up his arms.
Keith’s laughter was a gurgle of delight.
Leon staggered a bit as he caught Keith.
“Tucker, that was dangerous.” Susan’s voice was sharp.
He looked around, grinned. “Keith’s having a blast.”
Leon looked up. “I’ve got him all right.”
Susan took a deep breath, but her eyes were still angry.
Tucker spread his hands in a charming plea for approval. “Hey, Susan, guys have to be guys. Now you wait and see if Keith doesn’t remember next Christmas and insist we do it again.”
“Next Christmas…” There was an odd note in Susan’s voice.
Keith looked up from below. He wriggled in Leon’s grasp. “Swing me again.”
Tucker laughed out loud. “Keith’s got the right idea. How about it, Susan?”
“Once is enough.” She came to the railing. “Hold tight to Leon, Keith. He’s taking you up to the top of the tree.”
Leon wrapped an arm around Keith. At a card table at the base of the scaffolding, Leon picked up a huge white star. “Here we go.” He mounted two steps at a time, carrying Keith to the top platform. Leon steadied Keith on the metal railing and, bending forward, reaching out to the tip-top of the pine, Leon’s big hand over Keith’s small one, they put the star in place.
Another cheer rose.
Susan watched Keith, her face shining with delight.
I looked at those around Susan.
Jake’s lips compressed into a tight hard line. Peg took a step toward her mother, stopped. A frown marred Dave Lewis’s handsome features. Gina hunched her shoulders and jammed her hands into the pockets of her coat. Harrison looked worried. His wife put a hand on his sleeve. Tucker gave a dismissive shrug and turned toward the hall door.
Susan lifted her hands in a gesture of hospitality. “It’s time for cookies and cocoa.”
In an instant, Susan would turn. Though she was caught up in the moment, thrilled with Keith and with the tree, she would surely see the closed faces of those who surrounded her, closed against Keith, closed against her.
My voice rose clear and distinct. Soon voices joined me, one after another, until everyone sang the light and lilting “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Susan moved back to the railing, eyes shining. She turned toward those behind her and gestured like a conductor. One by one they joined in.
I nodded in satisfaction. It is difficult to frown and sing at the same time.
As the song ended, Susan beamed. “We’re coming down and we’ll sing more songs.” She turned and walked to the balcony door and those around her followed.
By the time they came out onto the porch, Susan had to stop and grip a pillar. Peg took her arm and after a moment they came down the front steps.
I launched into “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.”
Voices rose enthusiastically around me.
Despite the upbeat music, I felt a chill as I recalled the stony faces on the balcony before I started to sing.
