Christmas Songs

"It's almost time to go," Mark announced as he hung up the dish towel.

Hardcastle shook his head and hid a smile. McCormick really did act like a kid at Christmas… assuming no frame-ups for murder or other nastiness was going on of course.

This year, he had let the kid convince him to attend a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long at the small church he and Nancy used to attend. He'd gotten their annual Christmas Newsletter in the mail and McCormick had read about the Carol Sing and decided they just had to go.

The way Mark had approached him about attending, as though he was fragile, had been kind of amusing, you could even call it sweet. The kid hadn't wanted him to feel sad, being in the church his wife had loved so much. Hardcastle had often wondered why it was that his closest friends and relations thought so much of McCormick. After 4 years, there was no doubt that they considered him family. It was at times like this that he realized what they had seen all along.

"Judge, come on!" McCormick interrupted.

"Okay, I'm ready, but we're using your gas!" It wouldn't be good to let McCormick know he could get away with just about anything now. Best to keep up a little gruffness, that was the Hardcastle philosophy.

ooOoo

The church was decorated beautifully and they were handed booklets and bells as they entered. A few of their neighbors sat close by and the judge caught up on their family news as they waited to begin. Mark spotted the manger scene, given a prominent place in front of the pulpit and felt a kind of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. His life was on a good path, he had a great friend and even though law school was difficult, he felt blessed and was truly happy. So he sang along, enjoying the experience of singing traditional Carols mixed with other Christmas songs.

But suddenly, in the middle of "Silent Night", Mark found he was unable to sing. Thoughts of his mother filled his mind and as the crowd around him kept singing, his own voice didn't seem to work. He could hear Hardcastle singing beside him, and began mouthing the words in case he noticed and looked over at him. He didn't want the judge to know he was upset. But then, he felt a hand on his shoulder and one firm squeeze told him that Hardcastle understood.

By the time they got to the next song, Mark was singing again, and shortly thereafter, they ended with a rousing rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

ooOoo

"So are you glad we came?" Mark asked the judge as they walked to the Coyote.

Hardcastle smiled, "Yeah, it was fun. A lotta memories here too, good ones."

There was silence as they climbed into the Coyote, then Hardcastle continued.

"What about you? You glad we came?"

Mark smiled, "yeah, I am," he answered as they pulled out onto the road to head home.

Music please….. you all know the song... We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!