The sound of crunching snow and the loud, angry slam of a door knocked a happy group of people out of their reverie. In walked John House, red in the face and fuming.
"Gregory!" He yelled. "Where the hell are you?"
Greg emerged from the kitchen and stood at attention.
"Yes sir." He said.
The tall man approached his son and nearly breathed down at him like an angry bull.
Why isn't that driveway shoveled? You wanted me to break my neck out there?"
Greg was shaking slightly.
"No sir." He said quietly.
John wasted no time in grabbing his shirt collar.
"You lying, lazy, good for nothing!" He said aloud shoving his son toward the door. "Get to work!"
"Oh John!" A voice interrupted. "So good to see you."
John House froze when he heard the older voice with sweetness mixed with a bit of malice.
"Louisa." John said quietly.
"Why Gregory here was helping me in the kitchen." She said. "Your shelves are so high I can barely reach them. Thank goodness he is tall like his grandfather, don't you think?"
"Yeah."
"Why you must be hungry!" She said gently prying Greg from his father's steel iron grip. "Get warm and I'll fix you a nice plate. Gregory your mother could use some assistance in the kitchen."
Greg wasted no time in running back to the kitchen where a nervous Blythe was trying hard to calm down a now frightened David on one arm while stroking an anxious James's hair with her other. The five year old was clinging to her pant leg.
"What's all that racket!" John asked annoyingly as he removed his snow covered clothes.
"We have some extra guests!" Louisa said. "Your neighbor's wife needed someone to watch her little boys while she went to work at the hospital. They are so sweet, it would be terrible if we made a bad impression, now don't you think?"
John nearly grumbled.
"How long are you here for?"
"Just for the holidays." Louisa said taking his jacket. "You are back in America so I couldn't pass up a chance to see my daughter and grandson. My, how Gregory has grown, he's such a young man right now. The spitting image of his grandfather!"
John was about to stomp to the kitchen when Louisa grabbed his arm.
"If you think I have forgotten my promise to you, then you are very much mistaken." She whispered. "If I see you lay a hand on Greg or catch the slightest bruise on him, then I would suggest you sleep with one eye open. I did bring the rifle with me and have been using it quite a bit. You may be a military man, but I am still an excellent shot."
John shuddered internally.
He would never forget after his father in law's funeral when he awoke in the middle of the night to Louisa sitting in the rocking chair by the bed, the rifle in her lap. There was a storm brewing outside with thunder and lightening crackling loudly.
"Don't even bother calling for Blythe." She said. "She is in the guest room with Gregory downstairs. No one can hear you if you tried."
John said nothing as Louisa approached him putting the rifle inches from the middle of his forehead.
"God help me how tempted I am to pull this trigger." Louisa said. "Ben and I knew from day one what a mistake you were for coming into Blythe's life, but for the sake of her happiness we let it be. Then came this wonderful little grandson. Do you have any idea what it does to a grandparent to see their grandchild with bruises and cuts? The fear in the eyes that used to hold such joy and not be able to do a thing about it?
John couldn't speak.
"WELL DO YOU!"
John said nothing, but beads of sweat were beginning to run down his forehead.
"Of course you don't." Louisa said. "That would mean you have a heart."
John was doing his best to keep his breath in check. Louisa didn't look like a hysterical mourning widow or a frightened enemy soldier that he could easily subdue. No, her eyes and body language were cold and alert with such rage that instinct told him to stay put and be quiet.
"If I had my wish, I would take Blythe and Greg away from you." She said. "Somewhere you could never find them and they both could be happy. But I know I can't convince my daughter to do that. So I will leave you with this warning."
She put the gun to John's forehead and held it there.
"I can't protect my daughter and grandson all the time." She said. "But don't think I am afraid to go to jail for murder. I am an old woman and my life has been fruitful. I had to bury the man I loved for forty years today and I am willing to spend the rest of my days in a cell until the day I am reunited with him again. I can easily pull this trigger John House and not regret seeing your brains splattered on my headboard or sheets if that means Gregory can be happy. And don't think you can escape me. Even if you bar Blythe from ever seeing me I will just hunt you down like the cowardly dog of a man you are and kill you on the spot. My father and Ben taught me quite well."
She pressed the barrel of the rifle further into his head that John could feel it start to mark his skin.
"So you have a choice." Louisa whispered. "Whenever I am around, you keep your stinking hands off my grandson or I kill you, right here, right now. What will it be John?"
John could hardly control himself as fear began creeping bit by bit into him. He felt his underwear become wet and realized he had just wet himself. Louisa's finger was squeezing the trigger and inching closer and closer to expelling the bullets.
"Fine Louisa." He said. "I'll…I'll do...do as you say."
Louisa chuckled maliciously.
"Sweet words." She said. "But don't think you can be sly with me. You can't hide from me John. You never have and never will."
She slowly removed the gun from his forehead and went to the door.
"Good night." She said quietly and left leaving John House in a state of fear, sweat, and urine soaked pants and sheets.
Now he stood 7 years later looking at the woman who made that threat, though feeble as she seemed, was unwavering in her threat and anger, John knew he had no choice and walked into the kitchen much more calmly.
Throughout dinner Louisa kept everything light and happy. John was none too pleased about his mother in law and now the two Jew boys at his dinner table, but made sure to keep his mouth shut by eating.
"How wonderful it is to have a baby in the house!" Louisa said watching her daughter clean Daniel's now food covered face. "Do you like being a big brother James?"
James nodded happily.
"I help mommy all the time!" He said. "Even with messy diapers! Danny likes it when I hold him on my lap!"
"My goodness such a big boy thing to do!" She exclaimed. "I remember Gregory would help his grandfather clean up after the horses and milk the cows when he was just your height! He loved helping on the farm."
"Did you have a lot ducks?" James asked. "I like feeding ducks!"
"We had a few that would drop by in the Spring!" Oma said as she served James some more potatoes. "Greg liked to feed them, though one got a bit feisty and nipped his finger!"
Blythe started giggling.
"Oh I remember that." She said. "Poor Gregory he started crying, but then chased after the duck because he was so angry. He ran so fast I didn't even get a chance to look at his finger. Then he slipped and fell into the shallow end of the pond!"
"Oh man." Greg said aloud.
"He was a mess!" Louisa said laughing uproariously. "All tears and covered in grass and mud. When we brought you back to the house, Opa came out, scooped you up and hosed you off before we put you in the bathtub."
"Afterwards Opa cheered me up by making ice cream." Greg said with a smile. "With that churn."
"I still have it." Oma said.
"YOU MADE ICE CREAM!" James said happily. "Did you make chocolate?"
"Oh chocolate, strawberry, any flavor we could think of!" Blythe said. "And he'd make loads of it when Greg visited. Those two could polish off the whole barrel if left to it."
"Spoiled the brat rotten is what he did." John uttered, but loud enough for Greg and Louisa to hear causing Greg to frown while Louisa glared through a tight smile.
"Grandfathers love their grandchildren and grandchildren love their grandfathers." She said. "And Greg loved working with Opa. That boy would be up at dawn just as Ben was waking up to see what he could do! He'd be on the tractor with Greg in his lap steering or they'd be in the barn sweeping up hay. If the weather was right they'd go fishing! Greg once caught a fish that was nearly as big as he was. Opa was so proud! We didn't know whether to cook it or keep it!"
"Thank heaven for snapshots!" Blythe said. "We took a picture of Greg with the fish and then fried it up. And it was quite big, it took me forever to get the smell out of Greg's clothes! I think I ended up giving you extra strong baths, but the it still lingered!"
"Explains why Sadie was overly affectionate that summer." Greg said taking a bite of meatloaf.
"I want to see the picture!" Jimmy said excitedly.
"Well after dinner we'll go look for it!" Blythe exclaimed. "It's in one of the albums somewhere!"
"And Greg will play his piano for us, won't you Greg?" Louisa asked.
"I would like some peace and quiet." John growled. "It's been a long day."
"That's why houses have doors." Louisa said with a smile taking his now empty plate. "I am sure your bedroom has one or doesn't your den have an old television set if you are missing some program?"
John sneered and left the kitchen while Blythe began clearing the table. Louisa looked over at Greg and James and gave them a wink. James looked over at Greg who was smiling.
Just as the rest of the group made themselves comfortable in the living room did the phone ring. Blythe went to get it. Oma meanwhile hunted for the album containing the picture of Greg with the giant fish. Blythe reappeared moments later.
"Well it appears that this visit has become a sleepover!" She said. "James and Daniel are going to be spending the night!"
"Everything alright with their mother and father I hope?" Louisa asked. Blythe nodded.
"The hospital is just overrun by patients and the snow is not letting up!" Blythe said. "They don't see getting out of the hospital until sometime tomorrow morning!"
"YAY I GET TO SLEEPOVER!" James said excitedly.
"Where are they going to sleep?" Greg asked. "Oma's got the guest room."
Blythe thought for a moment.
"Well, James can stay in your room Greg and David.."
"Can bunk with me!" Louisa interjected.
"Really mom?" Blythe asked. "I mean I can stay in the den or on the couch with the baby here."
"Nonsense." Louisa asked. "I watch my neighbor's little ones all the time and you are not spending the night in some chilly den or a lumpy couch. I'll take the baby and no more arguments."
Greg meanwhile had a bit of a concern.
"You mean Jimmy's gonna sleep in my bed?" Greg asked.
"Well I am not having a five year old sleep on the floor!" Blythe said indignantly. "He could easily catch a cold."
"Where am I going to sleep?"
"Well, you can share the bed with him, your sleeping bag, or the couch."
Greg glared at Jimmy who was bouncing up and down happily.
"You better not wet my bed." Greg said annoyingly.
"GREGORY!" Both women scolded.
The evening passed with Greg playing on the piano with Jimmy sitting next to him on the bench while Blythe and Louisa watched with Danny dozing off in the old playpen. Afterwards Greg and Blythe went hunting in the garage for the old crib baby Greg slept with. After it was thoroughly cleaned and made up, Danny was bathed and readied for bed. Greg played a lullaby on the piano that lulled the baby to sleep. Soon, Jimmy was beginning to yawn.
"Well, looks somebody else has a case of the sleepies." Louisa said. Blythe scooped the little boy up.
"'M not sleepy." James said rubbing his eyes. "I want to stay up with Greg."
"Gregory take James to your room and get him ready for bed." Blythe said. "There's an old t-shirt of yours on your bed he can change into and there is a toothbrush for him in the bathroom."
"Why me?" Greg said. "I'm not going to sleep yet."
"I want Greg." Jimmy mumbled.
Blythe smiled and she handed Greg the boy.
"Go on up Gregory." Oma said. "Then when James is settled you can come see me in my room."
Greg just rolled his eyes and carried the dozing Jimmy up the stairs.
After making sure Jimmy brushed his teeth Greg took Jimmy to his room to get ready for bed. The boy perked up a little while and looked around Greg's room with curious eyes.
"You have a lot of books like me!" He said.
"Yup." Greg said as he helped James change.
"And you got cars too!" James exclaimed staring at the models on the desk and nightstands. "Can we play with them?"
"They are not for playing." Greg said. "You build them."
"But why can't you play with them after you build them?"
"Because they'll break, now put the shirt on!"
James held his arms up to the sky indicating that Greg was supposed to help him. Greg just sighed and pulled the shirt onto the boy.
"There." He said. "Go to sleep Wilson."
"But I am not tired!"
"You were just falling asleep in the living room, you are tired." Greg said.
"No I'm not!" James said sitting up on the bed. "Oma is a lot of fun, just like bubbie!"
Greg smiled lightly.
"Yeah she is." Greg said deciding to get comfortable himself.
"I don't get to see bubbie a lot." James said. "But when she and zayde come to visit we play all the time! We made a tent in the living room and pretended to camp! Did you ever do that with Oma?"
Greg pulled on his pajama pants.
"Actually Opa took me camping for real." Greg said. "We pitched a tent outside and built a fire. We cooked over the fire and the next morning we went fishing."
"Did you see the sun come up?"
Greg smiled remembering the beautiful sunrise his grandfather made he wouldn't miss.
"He took me to the edge of the lake nearby just before it rose." Greg said. "The sky was really dark blue and then when the sun rose, it changed colors from blue to red to pink. It was really nice."
"Maybe we can go camping over the summer and watch the sunrise!" James said as Greg helped him under the covers. "And Oma and bubbie and zayde can come too!"
Greg just snorted.
"Whatever you say Jimmy." He said.
When it seemed like James had finally fallen asleep Gregory snuck out to go see Oma. He gently knocked on her door.
"Come in!" She said. Greg crept in to find his Oma sitting up in bed with curlers in her hair and reading a book. She put a finger to her lips then pointed to the baby asleep in the crib beside her bed. She moved over and patted the open space for Gregory to come and sit.
"Did you have a nice day?" She asked.
"Yeah." Greg whispered.
"I am so glad to see you." Oma said smiling and wrapping her arms around him. "And Jimmy is such a darling little boy. He is lucky to have you to look up to."
"That's what everyone keeps saying." Greg said.
"It is true no matter how much you think otherwise."
Greg smiled.
"So tell Oma, you have any girlfriends?"
Greg blushed.
"I had one." He said. "But she is kind of mad at me right now."
"Why is that?"
"I passed up a date with her to go to a lecture at the college." Greg said. "To be honest I liked the lecture more than going to the movies. I really like college work! It's different and the professors let me talk you know? They actually let me participate in a way that high school teachers give you detention for."
Louisa laughed.
"Not everyone is opened minded dear and we are forced to remain silent when we want to shout."
Greg scowled.
"I hate that."
"Me too." Louisa agreed. "Have you made any friends at the high school or the college?"
"Just the lacrosse guys, but those are only after meets and stuff." He said.
"After all the moves you have made with your parents, I can understand why you are so distant."
"Make friends, then leave them." Greg said. "I just don't want to keep doing that."
Oma kissed his forhead.
"You will find some good true friends." She said. "I can see that in Jimmy already!"
Greg made a face.
"Oma, he's a little kid!"
"But he will grow up and you may just have a friend for life." She said. "Don't lose touch with him Gregory, at least for now. Life is unpredictable, so when you can hold onto a bit of happiness and innocence, cherish it. Be there for Jimmy and be his friend."
Greg just shook his head while Oma just chuckled and hugged him.
"Greg?" A small voice whispered.
"And there he is again." Greg said flopping backwards on the bed.
"Oh Jimmy, come on in sweetheart!" Louisa said. James opened the door and walked inside.
"Greg wasn't in his room." Jimmy said as Oma leaned over to lift him onto the bed.
"He was just in here with me." She said as James crawled onto the edge. "Greg and I like to talk a lot, don't we? But let's be quiet so we don't wake your baby brother."
Greg said nothing.
"Can I talk too?"
Oma eyed him.
"Isn't it past your bedtime young man?"
Jimmy frowned.
"Yes, but is it past Greg's bedtime too?"
Oma chuckled.
"He really does remind me of you Gregory." She said. "So many questions."
"Too many questions!" Greg said as Jimmy crawled into the middle of the queen sized bed between he and Oma.
"Greg told me that he and Opa went camping!"
Oma smiled.
"Yes he did!" She said.
"I want to go camping too, daddy says we will over the summer."
"And I am sure you'll have a lot of fun!"
They two continued to chatter quietly while Greg moved onto his side towards Jimmy and Oma. Slowly he found himself drifting off to sleep to the sounds of their sweet voices, his mind creating a dream of wonderful times with his grandparents.
When Blythe would wake early that morning, she would find Greg's bed empty. While at first she panicked, she felt her heart calm when she knew where they might be. Opening the door to the guest room she found a beautiful sight. Greg, Jimmy, and Oma asleep in the queen bed. Oma lay on her side with her arms draped over both boys while Jimmy was snuggled deeply into Greg where Greg's arm lay relaxed over the slumbering boy.
Blythe smiled and closed the door. Breakfast could wait a bit longer.
