residents of the Outside Inn were in a state of feverish excitement. A local tree vendor had donated a Christmas tree to the house. It was set up in the foyer to enable all the residents to enjoy it. It was a magical time for them all, and Alessa savored the spirit of the holiday season. She wished people could be as kind all year long. The people on the streets seemed happier, laughed a little louder, and made friendly eye contact with those who passed them. Alessa wondered what made people so different during the holidays. Maybe it was renewed hope, the promise of new beginnings?
During dinner with Remo and Lucy, she shared this observation about people changing for the better during the holidays.
“I think at Christmastime, people reminisce about their childhood and recall that feeling about anything being possible,” Remo remarked. “Families are together a lot during the holidays, and there is good food to enjoy. I guess it’s all about feeling connected again.”
Lucy added her two cents’ worth. “I think it’s because there are parties and everyone gets presents. But mostly because we get to be with other people. Remember the first year, Alessa, when we didn’t have anywhere to go and stayed with each other? It was nice, but it made me feel sad, too.”
Alessa frowned, remembering how dejected she had felt back then. “You know, I think you’re both right,” she agreed. “It’s all about being with other people and feeling like you belong.”
The three of them would be spending Christmas Eve with Ebby and heading to Remo’s parents’ place on Christmas day. Alessa and Remo had bought modest gifts for each other and spent most of their Christmas savings on Lucy. Remo’s father had given him two hundred dollars to buy Lucy some extra things she wanted. Not that the child wanted much. Still, the couple had a great time spending the money to buy her things they thought she’d like.
Christmas Eve at Ebby’s was wonderful. The fire was roaring in the fireplace, and Ebby had invited some of the staff from the Eliza Shirley Shelter where she worked. Alessa hadn’t seen them in a long time, and it was nice to catch up. They all knew of Alessa’s progress.
“You’re all Ebby ever talks about,” one woman told her.
On Christmas afternoon, the three drove out to see Remo’s parents. Patrick and Hannah were hosting a much more formal party. Alessa grew nervous as dusk descended and they approached the house. Remo could feel her tension and started singing “Jingle Bells” in an attempt to lift her spirits and lighten her mood.
Alessa looked over at him. “I don’t know what it is, but every time I’m going to see your mom, especially when I know her friends will be there, it makes my ass pucker.”
Remo burst out laughing at her choice of words. “Now that’s a ladylike thing to say,” he teased.
Having heard every word, Lucy was giggling in the back seat. Before they knew it, all three of them were laughing, as they pulled into the long driveway.
The exterior of the house had been beautifully decorated with small white lights strung up perfectly around the trees and the bushes. An enormous wreath twinkled with lights in their front window. A smaller one, identical to the other, had been fixed on the front door. The doorway and windows had been trimmed with holly and fern. The place looked like a winter wonderland. The classic style in which the house had been decorated told Alessa it was all Hannah’s work. The interior was more magnificent still. A large Christmas tree was all lit up in the study. The ornaments had been tastefully arranged on it, and Alessa wondered how Remo’s mother could be so creative for her parties and yet so closed-minded with her daughter-in-law.
