It was a Wednesday afternoon at the Tracy Farm in Kansas. Ruth Tracy lived there with her youngest grandson Alan. Ruth had promised her daughter in law Lucy before she died that she would always watch over Lucy's children. Sadly, Ruth had been unable to uphold her end of the promise for the most part.
Lucy Tracy died in an avalanche four years ago when the entire family had gone skiing in Colorado for New Year's Eve. The young mother had died protecting her youngest son and baby Alan Tracy. When the accident had occurred, the entire family had been in shock. The cabin where Lucy and Alan were at had been reduced to nothing but splintered wood by the large wall of snow. Rescue crews searched for hours before locating an air pocket in the snow.
It was there that Lucy had been found. She was clutching a small bundle in her arms and begged that rescue crews take the bundle and return for her later. Lucy had been alive when rescue crews had found her. The bundle she was holding was her two and a half year old son Alan. He was soon to be three years old, and the family had wanted to let him experience the snow as a late Christmas present, so they took a family vacation to the Colorado slopes.
When rescue crews returned for Lucy, they found that she had gone quietly. She had stayed conscious long enough to pass off her baby to rescuers before allowing herself to slip into a coma where sadly she passed away due to internal bleeding. Jeff and the entire family were devastated.
After Lucy's funeral and Alan had been released from the hospital, Ruth stepped in as primary caretaker to her son's family. Jeff was inconsolable and the boys acted like entirely different people. Jeff couldn't look at Alan without having to leave the room in tears. The tiny baby looked like a male version of his mother and it broke Jeff's heart to see Lucy in his son's face.
Ruth tried to be a mother to all her grandsons, but chose to take leave when Alan's older brothers had blamed the baby for being the cause of their mother's death. Ruth tried talking to her older grandsons, but all of them blamed their baby brother. When Ruth tried talking to her son Jeff about it he had insinuated that he too had blamed his youngest for his wife's passing.
Ruth not finding the hostile household healthy for a two and a half year old growing boy decided to return to Kansas one week before Alan's third birthday with him in tow. That was how Ruth had come to be mother, father and grandmother to the small boy in her care. It wasn't until Alan had turned four the next year that Jeff and his sons realized how much they missed the youngest member of their family.
That was the first year since Lucy's passing that Jeff had expressed a want to see his youngest son again. Ruth had granted the desire and traveled out to Manhattan where Alan had a so-so homecoming. The small boy had no memory of who the people they were visiting were.
Alan had been just shy of three years old when he last saw any of his family and had refused any hugs or cuddles from people he deemed as strangers. Jeff was shocked when Alan kicked him in the shin for trying to hug the small boy, while Scott and his brothers felt hurt when Alan hid behind their grandma's legs and refused to look at any of his family.
Ruth just picked up the small towheaded boy and cradled him in her arms, much like how a mother would comfort a small child during a storm. Jeff and his sons watched as Ruth interacted with the small boy as any mother would. She cut up his food and fed him, gave him baths, and read him stories before tucking him in at night.
That was the routine over the years. Ruth enlisted the help of a couple local boys to help teach Alan how to ride a bike, since she couldn't run with him. She taught Alan how to read, and how to write his name before he was even of age to attend kindergarten. She was there for every fever and every boo-boo she kissed.
As Alan grew up, he gradually became accustomed to his family again. That is where it brings us now, to Tracy Farms in Kansas; where Ruth sat on her youngest grandson's bed cradling him in her arms.
"Grandma, I'm itchy. Can't I scratch it? Please?" Six year old Alan sat on his Grandma's lap swaddled in a blanket.
"No sweetheart, you can't. It will only make you itch more if you scratch." Ruth Tracy ran her fingers through Alan's hair and kissed his temple gently.
"Please? I promise not to scratch anymore after that!" Alan scratched the back of his head with his mitten hands. Ruth had no choice but to make the boy wear mittens to cover his fingernails when he refused to quit scratching.
Ruth gently pushed Alan's hand away from his head and the small boy pouted. He was super itchy, and his grandma wouldn't let him scratch his itchy limbs. "Sweetheart, stop. You'll only make the itch worse."
Alan stuck out his bottom lip and began to cry. He was hot and he was itchy. He was not a happy camper in the least little bit. Ruth picked up the small boy, and carried him to the living room. She had a call to make, and she was not looking forward to it.
Taking a seat on the couch, Ruth made sure to check if Alan's mittens were still on. They were, and Ruth readjusted the blanket that she had Alan swaddled in, before placing a call on the vid-phone to her son's recently constructed home on Tracy Island. Ruth smiled slightly at the sight of her son's face. He looked just like her late husband, and she knew without a doubt that all of his boys save for Alan would carry the strong Tracy looks.
"Hi, mom." Jeff smiled at his mom, before turning away from his computer to focus on his mother's face on the vid-phone.
"Hi Jeff, I hope I am not disrupting something important." Ruth ran her fingers gently through her grandson's shaggy blonde hair. The six year old had cried himself to sleep. It wasn't a surprise that he had either. The boy had been unable to sleep properly for the past two days due to the constant itch.
"Oh, no Mom; I'm done for the day. I was actually going to go finalize your flight in for the holiday." Jeff didn't seem to notice the little blonde head sleeping on Ruth's shoulder and she glanced over to see if the boy was still asleep. Satisfied that he was sleeping soundly, she cast a sorrowful gaze at her son on the vid-phone.
"I'm sorry Jeff, but Alan and I won't be able to make it up for Thanksgiving this year." Ruth Tracy sat in her living room talking to her only son and child Jefferson Tracy.
"Why? We were really looking forward to your visit mom. The boys are going to be crushed when I tell them you two aren't coming to visit." Jeff looked crestfallen at the news of Alan and Ruth's inability to visit.
"I wish things could be different Jeff. But Alan caught the chickenpox from the other kids in his first grade class and they are all out sick. Alan is more upset than I am sure the others will be. He was really looking forward to seeing you and the boys again." Ruth brushed the bangs away from her precious grandson's face and kissed his temple. The boy's cheeks were rosy with a fever and he was covered in spots.
"Aw, poor little guy. I remember when Scott had them at his age; they were not fun for him either." Jeff finally noticed his youngest son in his mother's arms before lowering his voice. "Is he sleeping?"
"Mm-hmm. He has so far had a rough two days. I had to pick him up from school the other day when the nurse called to say Alan had developed the chickenpox. I gave the boy an oatmeal bath immediately upon returning home and it didn't even seem to touch the itch." Ruth rocked the sleeping child in her arms, before looking back up at her son.
"Chickenpox is very tiring surprisingly. It's amazing how much energy it takes for someone to not scratch at the pock marks." Jeff shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "You know you two could still come to visit regardless of Alan being sick. John, Virgil and Gordon have all been inoculated and Scott has already had the chickenpox."
"I know, but I don't want to risk the other three catching it. Alan is running a fever and he is still quite contagious." Ruth pressed her palm against Alan's forehead as she spoke, before nodding in approval. His fever wasn't too high; perhaps it was getting ready to break.
"Yeah, but you know it would be good for them to at least be exposed to the virus. It will only strengthen their immune system." Jeff tried to coax his mother into coming regardless of Alan's illness.
Ruth appeared to be considering making the trip. She wanted to see her family again and she also wanted to talk to Jeff about the possibility of her and Alan moving back in with them at the end of the school year. Alan needed to get reacquainted with his dad and brothers and talking to them on the phone or visiting for a weeks holiday could only do so much to instill the family values into one so young.
"We'll see. I'll call you tomorrow to let you know whether or not Alan is feeling any better. If his fever is still high, I am going to need to turn down making the trip. Traveling with a high fever could only serve to make him sicker. However, if his fever is down or has broken then I will consider making the trip." Ruth shifted Alan; he had slowly begun to slide off his grandmother's lap.
"How is Alan doing otherwise? Is he enjoying the first grade?" Jeff was genuinely curious about his youngest son's life living in Kansas with his grandmother. The Tracy father missed his youngest son and continued to kick himself to this day for being one of the causes for Ruth taking the boy away to live in Kansas with her.
"He seems to be. He looks forward to learning. His progress reports are outstanding, and I have gotten several notes from his teacher explaining that Alan is very smart. I think he will go far in life one day Jeff." Ruth nuzzled her cheek into Alan's sweat dampened hair.
"No doubts there, mom. He is a Tracy after all." Jeff smiled at his mother and looked at Alan with eyes full of love. "Say Mom? What do you say that I and the boys come down to visit instead? Then Alan doesn't have to travel and he can just stay there and rest."
"If you want to Jeff. I know no matter how much I turn you down, that stubborn Tracy streak will only bring you and the boys to check on Alan and spend Thanksgiving Day with us here on the farm." Ruth shook her head in amusement at her son. He really did care about his youngest son; it only took him a while to awaken from the grief of losing his wife.
"Okay, we'll shoot for that then mom. There was actually something I have been meaning to talk to you about." Jeff hoped his mom would be privy to the idea of her and Alan returning to live in close proximity to the family. Jeff missed seeing his mom and baby boy so much, and his sons still beat themselves up over blaming Alan for their mother's passing. Alan hadn't been the cause of the avalanche or Lucy deciding to stay in the cabin with Alan.
Lucy at the time decided that she would rather curl up by the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and a good book rather than go out skiing. Alan staying with her had just been an added bonus for Lucy. The mother had been able to spend all morning and afternoon with her youngest and bond with him. Being the mother of four older rambunctious boys hadn't been easy and Lucy relished in the private bonding time she got to have with her baby.
"Oh? Please, do tell Jefferson Tracy." Ruth winked at Jeff. Whenever she used his full name, it was usually a sign that he would get in trouble, but the added wink just showed her being playful.
"You caught me mom. Okay, I was wondering if you and Alan would like to move back in with us. I miss the both of you and I know the boys would be ecstatic over your return." Jeff smiled at his mom. He hoped she would agree.
"Oh Jeff, of course we would love to return. I know Alan misses you all and I think it would be good for him to be closer to you guys. He is growing, and there are some things I can't be of help with. There are just some things a boy needs his father and older brothers to explain, not his grandmother." Ruth smiled in relief. Jeff had the same idea she had, and she was glad for that.
"I know mom. I still feel bad that you were put in a position where you felt this environment wasn't an ideal living situation for Alan and for that I want to apologize." Jeff offered up a sad smile as he watched his youngest son snuggle into his grandmother's arms. The boy's cheeks were a noticeable shade of pink and Jeff wanted nothing more than to be there for his son.
"You don't have to apologize Jeff. I know you and the other boys were still in shock over losing Lucy. It's in the past and time to move on." Ruth shifted Alan again to a more comfortable position, the boy had moved earlier and almost slid out of Ruth's arms to the floor.
"I know mom. But I can't help but to still feel bad. It couldn't have been easy on Allie. He didn't know what was going on. All he knew was one minute mommy was there and the next she wasn't." Jeff paused briefly before changing the subject. "So tell me, is Alan making friends yet?"
"No, he is much too shy for that. He has tried to approach kids on the playground, but they all call him cry-baby Tracy and chase him away. It hasn't been easy for him to make friends." Ruth paused when she saw Jeff's sympathetic gaze settle on Alan after hearing Alan's cruel childhood nickname before continuing in what she was saying. "I know he has one friend, but she is only here visiting on the weekend."
"He has a girl for a friend?" Jeff seemed astonished by Alan's choice in friends. All of his sons had a bunch a guy friends growing up; none of them liked befriending girls…all of them were convinced that girls carried cooties.
"Yes Jeff. She attends Sunday school with Alan. Sadly she doesn't attend elementary school with him; she only comes to stay with her father for the weekend before returning to Topeka with her mom." Ruth was sad that Alan couldn't make friends very easily, but being shy was another trait he got from his mother. She was painfully shy growing up; Lucy had openly admitted it to Ruth when discussing all of her boy's outgoing personalities. She had been pregnant with Alan at the time and claimed to know that Alan would be shy much like she had been.
Ruth smiled at the memory. When Ruth had asked how Lucy would know that Alan would be shy, the mother to be had said it was because Alan refused to reveal his gender when they had the ultrasounds. He was very demure, and would always turn in such a way that they couldn't identify whether he was a she or vice versa. Lucy was sure it was a boy, thus deciding on the name of Alan, while Jeff was convinced that the modest nature of the fetus meant it was a girl.
"Well, hopefully with you two coming back to live with us…he can befriend my newest employee's child. There is another little boy here who is two years younger than Alan and he is just as shy if not more so than Alan. Jeff hoped that maybe with Alan having a child his age on the island, that maybe he would settle in. "The boy's name is Fermat."
"Perhaps, but we won't find out whether any friendships will be formed until Allie and I get there now will we?" Ruth again had to shift Alan in her arms, and decided that maybe she could stop talking to Jeff for five minutes to go put Alan to bed. Alan was out like a light and didn't appear to be awakening anytime soon. "Jeff, if I may. I am going to go put Alan to bed and be right back. Perhaps you would like to freshen up your coffee and meet me back here in say five minutes?"
"I can do that mom. Go on ahead, and we can get back together here in five. Give Alan a hug from us and tell him we love him." Jeff waved at his mom, before watching her pick up his youngest son and slip out of the room.
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Jeff stepped out of his office and made his way down to the kitchen. Upon arriving, Jeff was greeted with Scott, John and Virgil sitting at the table chatting. From the looks of things out the kitchen window, Gordon was swimming. Jeff walked up to the coffee pot and poured another cup, before waving absentmindedly at his three sons. Scott seemed to notice Jeff's lack of awareness and spoke up.
"Hey, dad what's up?" The sixteen year old boy was legitimately curious and Jeff couldn't hide the sad smile that appeared on his face.
"Nothing's wrong Scotty. I'm just talking to grandma and she stepped out to put Alan to bed." Jeff replied absentmindedly. He wanted to be there for his youngest and still felt bad about making his mom feel that taking Alan away had been for the best.
"But it's late afternoon there. Why is Alan going to bed right now? Shouldn't he be getting home from school at this time?" Scott sensed his dad wasn't telling him something and hoped it wasn't bad.
"Your brother came down with the chickenpox and has been home from school for the last two days. According to grandma, the entire first grade is out with the virus." Jeff leaned against the counter before taking a sip of coffee.
"Poor Sprout, I feel for him. When I had them, it drove me up the walls." Scott gazed at the floor sadly. He felt bad for his baby brother.
"Al's sick? But grandma and Allie were going to come visit us for Thanksgiving!" Virgil cried out. The disappointment on the boys' faces was blatant.
"Yes Allie is sick. That is why grandma called; she was calling to inform me that they wouldn't be able to make it because of his still being contagious." Jeff smiled sadly at his three older boys; they were all really looking forward to seeing their baby brother again.
"Can't I fly out there to visit then? I've already had the chickenpox, so I can't possibly catch it again." Scott pleaded with his dad to let him go, Jeff's reply surprised all the boys.
"That's why I offered to come down with you boys. We will go to grandma's house instead of them coming here and spend the week there with grandma and Allie. Johnny, Virgil and Gordy have all been inoculated against the virus, so the chances of them catching it are low." Jeff smiled serenely at his sons when their faces lit up at the thought of seeing their baby brother again.
"When do we leave?" John spoke up and he appeared to be excited over the prospect that Alan would be surprised by their arrival.
"We'll leave tomorrow evening and get there early Friday morning. Then we'll stay until the following Saturday. How does everybody like that plan?" Jeff began walking out of the kitchen to return to his office. It had been almost five minutes since he last spoke to his mom, and she should be returning from putting Alan to bed.
"Where you going dad?" Virgil seemed almost sad, Jeff had planned a day out on the beach with his boys and it appeared that he was returning to work in his office.
"I am still talking to grandma. She took a few minutes to go put Alan to bed so I came down to get another cup of coffee." Jeff looked over his shoulder at his sons. "We'll have a family meeting tonight so we can discuss the plans for our upcoming trip. Be sure to inform Gordy of the change in plans."
"Okay dad, we're still going to the beach later right?" Scott was excited about spending the day on the beach with his dad and brothers…they didn't get to do it as often because of their dad's work schedule.
"Yes Scotty. After I'm done talking to grandma we'll go." With that Jeff stepped out of the kitchen to return to his office. It had been a little over five minutes and he didn't want to upset his mom by leaving her to wait.
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Arriving back in his office, Jeff was greeted with his mother's serene looking face. He couldn't help, but to smile at her beautiful smile she gave him. He loved his mother dearly, and often times didn't know what he would do without her.
"Hi mom. Sorry I'm late, Scotty and the boys wrangled me into a conversation." Jeff set his coffee cup on the coaster on his desk.
"Not to worry Jeff. I was late also. I just got off the phone with Alan's teacher." Ruth had a look of contemplation on her face. It made Jeff wonder why Alan's teacher would call.
"Is everything okay? Why did she call?" Jeff grew concerned that maybe Alan had gotten in trouble before he got sick…that might be something his mother wouldn't tell him about.
"Ms. Peyton was calling to inform me that the PTA decided to go on with the Thanksgiving Day pageant. Apparently the chickenpox was a school wide epidemic, and several teachers have had to send kids home because there simply aren't enough children to consider holding class." Ruth picked up her notebook she had written notes in, from the phone call earlier. She didn't miss Jeff's curious gaze.
"Mom, why would Ms. Peyton have contacted you about the Thanksgiving Day pageant? You aren't part of the PTA." Jeff's confusion was obvious enough to make Ruth literally laugh out loud.
"Actually I am a part of the PTA. Ms. Peyton knew Alan was out sick and that I was home caring for him, so she took notes on what was discussed. The pageant will be a whole variety of plays the afternoon before Thanksgiving." Ruth smiled…she and Alan were going to fly out the evening after his pageant to spend the week with Jeff and the boys on the island, but then Alan came down sick and it just wasn't feasible. Alan was disappointed to miss doing the pageant, but plans changed.
"So was Ms. Peyton just calling to give you the minutes from the PTA meeting?" Jeff felt so confused about the point of Ms. Peyton calling just to transfer the meeting minutes…his mother could have obtained them at the next PTA meeting.
"Well, yes and no. You see Ms. Peyton is Alan's teacher and because her entire class is out sick with the chickenpox, as well as a majority of the school the PTA decided to go on ahead and hold the pageant." Ruth gazed at Jeff to see his eyebrows rise up.
"So is that all? She was calling to inform you of the decision to go on with the show?" Jeff clearly didn't understand the point of this conversation. Ruth rolled her eyes at Jeff.
"Dear, Alan is to be part of the pageant. Because of the change of plans, you all will be here to see his pageant. Alan has a big role, and when I tell him he still gets to do it…he will undoubtedly bounce off the walls." Ruth smiled, Alan would be very happy, despite having chickenpox.
"Really? So what is the name of this play? Who does Alan perform as?" Jeff remembered all the times when he was growing up. He had been forced to take part in holiday pageants and they had been fun until he turned twelve…then it became a bore.
"The PTA and Ms. Peyton decided to change the name of the play. It had originally been called the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock, but due to all the children having chickenpox they decided to call it "The Polka Dotted Pilgrims". I think it is cute, and the parents all thought it was appropriate. As for what role Alan plays, he will be the founder of Plymouth Rock." Jeff chuckled at the new name of the play. It sounded like it would be fun for the children.
"Well, I am sure with Alan performing such a big role, the play will undoubtedly be very good. I am looking forward to it." Jeff would have continued speaking, but somebody rang Ruth's doorbell.
"Oh Jeff, I am sorry…that must be Page and her dad. You remember Carl from high school don't you? Well, he is the father to Alan's little girl friend from Sunday school. Carl and his ex-wife Jasmine agreed it would be for the best that Page be exposed to the chickenpox…so Page will be staying the weekend here with Alan and me. It'll be a regular old chickenpox party here when you arrive. See you soon, I love you and be sure to give my boys a big hug from Grandma and Alan." Ruth stood, and walked to the door before hollering "coming" to the person behind the door. "Bye, Jeff."
"Bye mom, I love you too. See you Friday morning." With that Jeff signed off. He shook his head at his mom's mentioning of Alan's Sunday school 'girlfriend'. How could he forget Carl? They had been good friends in high school, they turned their small Kansas town upside down and probably got into a lot of trouble doing it too.
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Jeff left his office and strolled down the hall to go meet with his sons. They were going to go down to the beach and spend the rest of the afternoon down there. The boys were looking forward to it. He couldn't wait to see Alan and his mom again. No doubt the boys already had their bags packed and were ready to go. Within the next 24 hours, all of them would be watching the clock…waiting for it to strike 8:00 in the evening. Rounding the corner he was met with Virgil sitting on John's small suitcase. John had packed enough clothes to last a week, and had packed some small parcels to give to Alan. They had missed his sixth birthday party, and John wanted to give them to his ailing brother sooner than later. John was trying to zip up the suitcase; Jeff went over to lend a hand.
"So, packed and all ready to go?" Jeff smiled when John nodded excitedly. It was obvious he was looking forward to seeing his little blonde mini-me brother and grandmother again.
"Absolutely dad! I wish we were leaving tonight though." John with Virgil and his dad's help finally got the suitcase zipped up.
"Well, go put your suitcase in the hallway closet near the front door. It will be less likely to be tripped on or forgotten there." Jeff tousled John's platinum blonde hair. The fifteen year old chuckled, before smoothing back his hair.
"Roger that dad. Come on Virge; let's go get your bag packed too. I'll help you." John stood up, before grabbing the handle of the bag and hauling his bag with him.
"All right Johnny. Thanks for the help!" Virgil jogged ahead of John. The older blonde chuckled at his little brother's enthusiasm. It was obvious the thirteen year old Virgil was just as excited to see his little brother and grandma.
Jeff merely shook his head and continued down the path. Eventually he found Gordon throwing various clothing items into a small suitcase. To Jeff it looked as if an atom bomb had gone off in his second youngest son's bedroom. Clothes were everywhere, and from the looks of things…Gordon didn't care if his clothes got wrinkled…Jeff however knew that his mother would have a fit if he or any of his sons wore wrinkled clothing. He decided to fold Gordon's clothes and help the eleven year old pack his suitcase correctly.
"Oh hey dad!" Gordon was practically bouncing around the room. The redheaded whirlwind looked like he had been given a glass of sugar water, after being given a triple shot coffee... the kid was HYPER!
"Hello Gordy. Need some help?" Jeff's eyes had gone wide at the utter destruction in the bedroom.
"Sure!" Gordon laughed. The eleven year old seemed very excited.
"Well, let's get to it son." Jeff quickly helped Gordon sort out his luggage. Before leaving though, he helped Gordon tidy up his room.
"Thanks for the help dad!" Gordon threw the last of his dirty clothes into a laundry basket which Jeff quickly picked up. They might as well get the laundry done before they took a weeks' vacation.
"Gordon please go put your suitcase in the hallway closet by the front door. I would hate for you to not have any clothes for a week." Jeff walked ahead of Gordon, carrying his second youngest son's laundry basket.
"Okay dad." Gordon ran ahead of his dad. He was very excited to go see his little brother. Even at eleven years old, he couldn't help but feel guilt at blaming his baby brother for the death of their mother. It was nobody at fault…Mother Nature just decided to be cruel.
After Jeff placed Gordon's clothes into a wash cycle, he was quick to go gather his sons for their outing at the beach. It would do all of his sons good to burn off their excitement over their change in plans swimming in the ocean and playing on the beach. He couldn't wait until his youngest son and mother returned to the island themselves.
"Come on boys, let's go!" Jeff hollered at the bottom of the stairs, he couldn't stop the laugh when they all raced down the stairs…eager to begin their outing on the beach.
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After disconnecting the call with Jeff, Ruth hurried to the front door. She didn't want to keep whoever was waiting at the door too long. Upon opening the door, Ruth was greeted with a very wiggly child, her black hair flowing down her back in ringlets. Ruth greeted Carl and his daughter Page.
"Hello Carl, Page. How are you two this afternoon?" Ruth smiled at the nearly identical pair. Page inherited her father's tan complexion and black hair. She however inherited her mother's brown eyes.
Page was given the week off from school for Thanksgiving and she opted to spend her vacation with her dad. However when she asked to play with Alan, Ruth had been forced to say no. When she explained to Carl and Jasmine that Alan was sick with the chickenpox, the two parents both agreed that Page needed to be exposed to the virus; thus the impromptu slumber party out on the farm. Carl would be picking up Page Saturday afternoon. Her parents hoped she contracted the virus so she wouldn't need to deal with it later.
"We're good Mrs. Tracy! How are you?" Page was practically bouncing where she stood. She wanted to see her best friend from church.
"I am fine dear. Alan is laying down for a nap right now, but you are more than welcome to go to the kitchen to fix yourself a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. Alan should wake up in a little bit." Ruth raised her arm when Page flew past her. The little five year old girl was apparently very excited to spend several days with her friend. "Are you sure you and Jasmine are okay with arrangement Carl? I would hate for Page to contract the chickenpox and be just as miserable as Alan."
"It's just fine ma'am. It will be good for Page if she catches it now before she enters the first grade next year. Might as well get it out of the way now, right?" Carl smiled at the elder woman.
At one time he referred to Ruth as mom…but that was when he was close with her son Jeff. After they graduated from high school, Jeff and Carl fell out of touch. It wasn't long before Carl heard that Jeff ran Tracy enterprises and had five sons with the woman of his dreams. Sadly he heard that Jeff's wife and youngest son were victims in an avalanche, one that claimed his wife's life and almost took the life of the Tracy baby.
"Okay, well if you're sure. By the way when you come to pick up Page on Saturday, perhaps you and Jeff can reconnect. He is bringing the eldest four to come visit for Thanksgiving." Carl nodded grimly at what Ruth said. He was aware of the slight falling out the family had. Jeff had been so broken up over his wife's passing that he refused to look at his youngest son. Ruth had told him and Jasmine that the situation had been precarious immediately following the aftermath of the avalanche.
"Yes, I am positive. Here is Page's backpack, she has enough clothes to last until Saturday and her toothbrush and toothpaste are in the front zipper pocket." Page must have been listening from the kitchen because she came running out from the kitchen and gave her dad a hug. "You, be good for Ms. Ruth now you hear? Have fun, and if Alan doesn't feel like playing at all, don't force him. Remember he isn't feeling well. I will see you on Saturday. Love you baby." Carl kissed Page on the forehead and she gave him butterfly kisses.
"Love you daddy! Give mommy a hug for me 'kay?" Page didn't understand the concept of divorce, but Carl promised to send his ex-wife Page's love.
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The entire day passed by very quickly for both families. Alan and Page played and eventually fell asleep holding hands while watching a movie. Ruth gathered pillows and blankets before getting the kids comfortable. Page had already changed into her pajamas, now both tykes were fast asleep.
Jeff on the other hand, several thousand miles away was fixing dinner for his four boys after their beach outing. He needed to get everybody fed, and off to bed. They would be cleaning the house up the next day in preparation of the absence and Jeff knew that in the event of John, Gordon and Virgil contracting the chickenpox nobody would feel up to cleaning. After dinner was fixed and consumed, Jeff retired to his office. He placed a call to his mother's house. It was getting late, and he wanted to find out how Alan was doing.
Upon answering, he was greeted with Ruth…she seemed to be muttering softly to someone. It confused Jeff until he recognized the voice.
"But grandma! I'm hot and itchy!" The voice sounded miserable and Jeff identified it as his baby Alan.
"I know sweetheart, but if you would hold still I can finish with the calamine lotion." Ruth glanced up at the screen briefly before speaking to Jeff. "Hello Jeff. Sorry, I am a little busy at the moment. Alan woke up and his fever spiked a little." Jeff caught sight of a little tuft of blonde hair and smiled sadly.
"The itch getting worse?" Jeff felt bad for his baby. Jeff had the chickenpox himself once…so he too could sympathize. The unending itch was maddening.
"Yes." Ruth picked up the child and placed him on her lap before removing his pajama top. Jeff winced when he saw how many pock marks the little one had on his torso alone. "Hold still sweetheart, the calamine lotion should make you feel better soon." Ruth dabbed the pink medicine over the pock marks, and Jeff watched sympathetically as Alan attempted to scratch at his neck.
"Hey buddy, don't scratch those." Jeff tried speaking to his son. The little blonde looked at his dad, before he began to cry. "What's the matter buddy?"
"I wanted to see you! Now I won't get to." Alan rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand. Jeff watched as the little blonde poked out his bottom lip. "I miss you daddy!"
Jeff looked at his mom, before smiling in sadness. She had waited to tell Alan the good news. Jeff almost couldn't contain his excitement. The little blonde kept crying, and Jeff wanted to just cuddle him. Jeff looked up when he heard his office door creak open. All four of his older sons must have heard Alan's pitiful crying and came to investigate.
"Allie, what's the matter?" Scott immediately noticed his baby brother's tears and jumped in to diagnose the problem. He could see the pock marks all over Alan and he frowned. Scott hadn't had them nearly as bad as Alan had.
"I-I don't feel good and I won't get to see you guys until next year!" Scott tilted his head before looking at his dad. His dad was making the universal sign of quiet by placing his forefinger in front of his mouth.
"It's okay sprout. Maybe I'll fly out to come visit you for Christmas. Would you like that?" Scott was trying to abate his baby brother's tears without giving away the apparent secret. Scott covered his mouth to hide his smile when Alan looked up at the screen, his bottom lip poked out and tiny tear tracks coursing down his face. Despite the red pock marks, Scott thought his baby brother was absolutely adorable.
"No! I wanted to see you guys after the play! Now I won't get to." Alan balled up his fists and began scrubbing at his eyes. The tears started streaming faster and the boys and Jeff watched as Ruth began rocking the fussy boy. Being sick was never fun, especially when there was little anyone could do to help.
"Alan? What's the matter?" Scott and his brothers heard a small tinny voice before their blonde baby brother was blocked by a small black haired child. Scott noticed the black hair was pulled back and braided in twin pigtails. The child with black hair was a little girl.
"He's okay dear; he's just uncomfortable right now." Ruth started to pet the little girl on the head after setting Alan back down on the floor. Scott watched as the girl child hugged Alan.
"Hugs make it all better! Least that's what mommy says!" The girl didn't seem bothered that she was currently hugging a very sick little boy. "Come on, let's go finish the movie." Alan nodded and didn't wait around to get his pajama top put back on before the little girl led him away by the hand.
"Who was that grandma?" Scott was utterly confused now.
"That is Alan's little friend Page from Sunday school. She is spending a couple days here with Allie and me." Ruth smiled when Page began singing along to the movie playing in the background. Ruth turned around to see the energetic child was copying the dance and singing 'Do-Re-Mi' from The Sound of Music.
"What's going on mom?" Jeff was trying not to smile when he heard Alan join in the song quietly. Ruth turned the screen so Jeff and the boys could see Page trying to cheer Alan up. She had effectively managed to get him to dance with her. The little girl was twirling her nightgown around and began skipping around Alan. "What is she doing?"
"What does it look like Jeff?" Ruth chuckled when the previously miserable boy began chasing the little girl around the living room…both children continuing to sing along to the movie.
"They are so cute together." Jeff commented as he watched Alan begin dancing with the little girl.
"They have watched this movie four times today. I am pretty sure they know the words by heart now." Ruth laughed earnestly when Page grabbed Alan's hand. The little girl tried to curtsy and Alan bowed to her before skipping around the room.
The family continued watching the mini performance. Both children seemed to forget that Alan wasn't feeling well and after a while both kids fell asleep again. Ruth stood up briefly to place pillows under the heads of both children before draping a blanket over them. She shut off the movie again, and returned to talk to the family.
"I can't believe Alan has already slept with a girl…he isn't even old enough yet." Jeff spoke without thinking. The look he received from his mom was enough to make his skin crawl.
"That is enough out of you Jefferson. It is completely harmless. Besides, Page's parents are hoping Page catches the chickenpox, remember? The more contact she has with Alan, the better her chances are of contracting the virus so she can get it out of the way." Ruth gave a pointed look at her son.
"You're right. I'm sorry mom." Jeff quickly apologized to his mom, and noticed his older sons looked sad. "What is it boys?" Jeff asked them and Ruth watched them carefully.
"Allie doesn't know we are coming to visit?" Scott seemed hurt. All four of the boys watched as in the background Alan rolled over, placing his head right next to Page's head. If the two children were any closer, they would be kissing.
"Oh, no I'm sorry honey. I never got the chance to tell him. Page's dad dropped her off while Alan was napping. When he woke up, they immediately began playing and at dinner…Alan ate some soup in the living room with Page. I rewound The Sound of Music for them and they fell asleep before I was able to serve dessert." Ruth peered at her grandsons and smiled. She had planned on telling Alan before Page showed up, but her dad got there early and dropped her off ahead of schedule.
"Are you going to tell him tomorrow?" John looked at the screen, but talked at his grandma without looking at her. He felt bad for his little brother. The poor kid shouldn't need a friend to comfort him when he felt bad, he needed his family. "Is Page only staying one night?"
"I do plan on telling Alan tomorrow…provided that he and Page are not just going, going, going tomorrow. And in answer to your question Johnny…no Page is staying until Saturday afternoon. You boys should get to meet her Friday when you get here." Ruth grinned wryly at her grandsons. None of them had a girl for a friend when they were growing up.
"Okay, well…I had better let you go mom. You get some rest and we'll see you early Friday morning." Jeff knew his mom must be tired having to deal with two small children…one sick and the other quite energetic.
"All right Jeff. I will come to pick you boys up Friday morning. I am sure if I don't get to tell Alan tomorrow, it will be a nice surprise for him. He was so looking forward to seeing you all again." Ruth noted that Jeff and the boy's moods seemed to lift when they heard how sad Alan had been, they weren't the only ones facing disappointment. "I love you all, and you get some sleep yourselves. See you Friday."
"See you on Friday mom. Don't worry about picking us up. I can arrange to pick up a rental. There is no need to haul Alan and Page out of bed to come get us. You never know, by tomorrow you may be dealing with two sick kids." Jeff watched his mom as she gazed over her shoulder at the two slumbering children.
"Well, we'll see. But okay, I will let you get a rental. Good night boys, Jeff. Love you all." Ruth blew a kiss to her boys, and they returned the regards before signing off. It was so far a very eventful day. Within the next 24 hours Jeff and his boys would be airborne and Ruth would have her hands full taking Alan to his little practice to go over his lines with his class. It was only about a thirty minute play and Alan didn't have very many lines to memorize. Then she would need to get the kids ready for bed.
A/N: As promised, my latest story which I've worked on for the past year...this is chapter 1 of 5. Hope you've all enjoyed this wee Tracy story chapter...I'll try to post chapter 2 after I finish my shift at work later this evening. Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels if you are traveling.
~Angel~