12
This is a little shorter than usual, but I am trying to get iit done before the season ends
Mrs. Gibbons' home was full of more Christmas than Skye remembered. Everywhere there were small figures of elves, reindeer, pine trees and angels. There was even a Santa relaxing in a rocker with a mug in one hand. The woman showed Skye how putting a small cone of pine scented incense under the hollow figure, a small curl of smoke would leak through the mouth of the tiny mug. It brought the first real smile to the little girl that Mrs. Gibbons had seen all day.
The sofa was bedecked with a throw that showed a snowy Christmas scene and each corner was full of pillows with scrolling writing of holiday greetings. The coffee and end tables sported red and green doilies replacing the white lace that usually held that place and each small table held a large bowl full of sparkling bulbs that reflected the lights from the giant tree in the center of the room. The long table in front of the couch, that Mrs. Gibbons called a coffee table but Skye never saw any coffee there, had three fancy glass plates. Two of them held pine cones and springs of holly with little red bows. The third was full of different sized and shaped chocolates in little brown cupcake papers.
Skye walked the perimeter of the room holding both hands behind her back. She was not about to take the chance of touching and breaking any of Mrs. Gibbons' beautiful stuff. She'd never seen so much Christmas in her whole life. Even the draperies and table cloth on the huge dining room table held pictures of Christmas trees and them big red Christmas pintsettamer flowers. The little girl stopped at the credenza staring at the collection of photos in various sized frames.
"Adorable, aren't they?" Mrs. Gibbons smiled from behind Skye.
Skye looked from one frame to the other then back at the older woman. "These all yer kids?" She asked, wide eyed.
Mrs. Gibbons laughed, "yes and no, dear, yes and no."
Skye nodded her understanding as she looked back at the photos. "They's fosters."
The woman picked up on of the photos. "No, darling, they are all my son. All his pictures with Santa through the years. Some of our happiest memories."
Skye scrunched up her face and pointed at the largest frame in the center of the display. "He don't look so happy in this un." The baby, seated on a smiling Santa, was bundled in a blue one piece snowsuit had a face pinched in a scream, both little arms reaching toward whoever was taking the picture.
Mrs. Gibbons lifted the picture and ran her fingers gently over the glass. "Kevin was eighteen months then and not too impressed with the jolly old elf." She set the picture down and turned to the little girl. "But we get plenty of joy out of it now."
Skye rested her hands on the edge of the table and set her chin atop them. She gazed from picture to picture seeing the baby turn to a toddler then a small child up until he sat as a young man on the arm of the chair with a young girl on the opposite side, each smiling broadly. The little girl studied each picture carefully.
"How'd ya get Santa to take a picture with 'im erry time?" She tapped her finger in front of the closest frame, and then turned quickly toward the older woman. "Did ya go alla way ta the North Pole?" Her eyes grew wide again.
Mrs. Gibbons smiled a sad smile, amused at the little girl's wonder and saddened at the fact she had no concept of a visit with St. Nick. She shook her head and brushed a strand of hair from Skye's eye. "Oh sweetheart, you've missed so much." She pulled the little girl into a bear hug and kissed her several times. "I took my Kevin to see Santa at the local department store. He sat on his lap and gave him his wish list, just to make sure Santa left all the right gifts under our tree."
"Oh," Skye wondered as she turned, still wrapped in Mrs. Gibbon's hug and looked at the pictures again. "I ain't never sat on Santa's lap in a 'partment. He dint leave stuff unner the tree at St. Agnes. We just got stuff from the church ladies, sometimes. Sister said it weren't 'bout gettin' presents. It was 'bout Jesus gettin' borned." She tucked her chin to her chest as she uttered the name. "I dint have no wish list," she shrugged her shoulders as she followed Mrs. Gibbons toward the kitchen. "Fosters don't get wishes anyways."
Mrs. Gibbons wiped a quick tear from her eye and squeezed her fist against her chest before attempting to speak. She put on a wide smile and turned to Skye and the little girl climbed onto a kitchen chair. "Well, then I think your Yéyé and I have a very important job to do this week." Skye's brows rose in curiosity. "We, the three of us will visit the Gallery as soon as you feel up to it. You can sit on Santa's lap and tell him your wish."
Skye blinked a few time and rubbed a finger under her nose. "I ain't had no wishes in a long time." She shook her head. "The big kids said it'd just make ya feel all sad, so we dint wish fer nuttin." The little girl thought for a second. "But then I wished May would let me stay widder and I prayered real hard even when it was a diffurnt kinda church." She lowered her head and whispered. "I prayer alla time she don't say I don't fit no more."
Again, the older woman wrapped the little girl in a hug. "Oh, honey you have nothing to worry about. You and May fit like those fuzzy little mittens you wear. She will never…" Mrs. Gibbons stopped to prevent the catch in her throat from becoming a sob. She drew a deep breath and hugged her little neighbor again. "So you start thinking about what you'd like under your beautiful tree and I am sure Santa will make sure it is waiting for you on Christmas morning." She kissed the top of Skye's head and moved toward the counter, quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Now, how about we get started on that cake? I think the butter is just soft enough…"
xx
"Yéyé!" Skye exclaimed as she pulled open Mrs. Gibbons front door, letting her grandfather into the apartment. She grabbed his hand and tugged.
William smiled at the little girl's exuberance as he quickly balanced the teapot in his arms. "Such excitement, sunnu, what have you and our friend been doing all afternoon?" He winked at Celia who stood wiping her hands on the brightly colored Christmas apron she sported.
"You gotta see, Yéyé!" Skye squealed, pulling her grandfather inside. "Miss Gibbons gots Christmas errywhere! Even inna bathroom! Come on Yéyé! She gots Santa onner toilet top and even a little Christmas tree with lights! Anna soap sings when ya pump it on yer hands!" She tugged him toward the bath giving just a second to set the China tea pot on the dining room table.
"I was not sure you had one of your own." William explained as he hurried to catch up to his granddaughter.
Skye had been speechless at the decorated bathroom when Mrs. Gibbons insisted she clean up after their baking. "Yer Christmas got spilled right inna bathroom?" She whispered as they entered. When the soap dispenser tinkled Jingle Bells, the little girl laughed out loud. She was almost afraid to use the green and red hand towels embroidered with Christmas motifs.
A few seconds later Skye pulled William back into the dining room. "Look, they's even Christmas plates and natkins and cups fer yer tea!" The little girl held out a hand toward the table.
Mrs. Gibbons set the roast in the center of the table. "My husband and I did a lot of entertaining in our time." She explained. "They would only collect dust in storage. I might as well use them as long as I have them." She smiled. "That is what they are for." She motioned for her guests to sit.
William pulled out a chair and helped Skye to be seated then unfold a napkin on to her lap. He turned and pulled out another chair for Celia. Once she was seated, he took his place at the table.
"This is a fine meal you have created." William commented as he put a small amount of carrots on Skye's plate.
"I mashed the tayta's all by myself." The little girl smiled. "Miss Gibbons says they ain't no lumps in 'em either."
"I am sure they will be delicious." William smiled as he reached for the bowl.
"She was a great help today." Celia grinned. "I am so glad she was here with me."
"I am glad you needed her help." William winked. Both knew that keeping Skye busy all day had kept her from becoming teary over Melinda's absence. "I am also very pleased that she is feeling much better. I suspect her fever has gone completely."
Mrs. Gibbons smiled. "We did a quick check right before you arrived and our little girl is completely fever free."
"An I'n eatin' too, Yéyé, so I don't need no more hot wind tea." Skye smiled around a mouthful of potatoes.
"I see." William smiled. "Yet you should chew before speaking, sunnu. We mustn't forget our manners."
Skye nodded and took another bite just to be sure her grandfather noticed and would not insist on that yucky tea. William smiled at her antics and enjoyed his meal.
The trio enjoyed the rather lopsided cake that Skye carried from the kitchen and set on the table. She waited for Mrs. Gibbons to cut the slices then carefully served her grandfather. "Look," she pointed to the icing that separated the layers. "It gots real bananas in the middle." Her voice squeaked with her excitement. "I sliced 'em." She stopped and frowned at the man. "They ain't alla same size so the cake is kinda crooked."
William took a large bite and chewed slowly while the little girl watched. He swallowed and took a sip of his tea. "Ah, yes and every slice is just as good as the other. You have done a very good job, qīn'ài de háizi."
Skye looked at Mrs. Gibbons and pushed the bit of cake into her mouth that threatened to fall. "Chee I da hy za means a good thing." She smiled when she chewed and wiped her mouth. "Yéyé calls me that lotsa times when he ain't callin' me a monkey." She covered her giggle as her grandfather lifted an eyebrow at her. "I don't know what it means but he says it good so I like it."
"It means you are dear to me, sunnu. You are a dear child." William smiled.
"Yes, she is." Mrs. Gibbons agreed. "And because she is she has agreed to help with all of this clean up."
William set down his napkin, finished his tea and sat back. "Ah, then as the Yéyé of this dear one, I too will lend my aid to this chore." He stood and began gathering plates. "Skye is very good at collecting utensils and adding them to the xǐ wǎn jī."
"See won zee, that means dishwasher. I know that one cuz he told me yesserday." Skye smiled as she carried a handful of silverware to the kitchen.
William stepped back to allow his hostess to precede him into the room. "Thank you," he mouthed as she passed.
"It was my pleasure." Celia smiled. "It's been a very long time since I've had a little one underfoot. I didn't realize how much I missed it."
Once the clean up was finished, William took time to admire Celia's decorations and the large tree. She described many of the ornaments on the tree and the places where she had collected them. Skye pointed out the pictures on the long table and explained the story behind them. Celia then informed William of her plan to visit the Galleries so Skye could have her very first visit with Santa. For a moment William wondered if it was something his daughter would like to do herself then realized she may not return with enough time to do so. He agreed it was a fine idea and the picture would make a fine surprise for Mellie.
Skye dug a fist into her eye. "Can we make a noodle frame fer it like the one May did?" She asked around a yawn.
For a moment William was confused and Celia had no idea what a noodle frame might be. He quickly recalled the picture his daughter had framed with elbow macaroni and dosed with gold glitter when she was no more than six. "Yes, yes, Skye that is a fine idea." He smiled. "But, now I think it is time we got you into your bed. You have been a busy worker today. I think it has caught up with you."
"I ain't tired, Yéyé." Skye protested, followed by another yawn.
The man lifted the skinny child to his should where she rested her head. "Ah, yes, but I think sleep is ready to take you. We must say good night and thank you to Mrs. Gibbons for having us as her guests." He turned to the woman leading them to the door. "Thank you very much for your help and for the wonderful meal and for the care you have given my granddaughter."
"I assure you, William, it was my pleasure." She smiled as she opened the door.
Skye lifted her fingers and gave a small wave. "G'night Miss Gibbons, thank you fer lettin' me help."
She quickly kissed the little girl's temple and wished both her neighbors a good night.
xx
"I really ain't sleepy, Yéyé." Skye almost whined as William slipped her into pajamas. "I don't wanna sleep." She was close to tears.
William placed a hand on the child's forehead then leaned forward and did the same with his lips. "Still cool, sunnu. There is no fever and your eyes say you need to sleep."
Skye pulled her panda into her arms and hugged it tightly. A lone tear rolled over her cheek. "It ain't the same without May." She tried to keep her lip from quivering. "I don't wanna sleep when she ain't here. My head keeps thinkin' about her and my heart hurts too much. I think it might be some kinda sick."
"Hmm," William sighed. "This may be true." He shook his head.
"If I try a sleep my head will keep thinkin' and I won't stay to sleep no more." Now the little girl was weeping and trying desperately to brush away the tears. "Do ya think I needa go ta a hospall?"
William shook his head as he lifted her into his arms. "I do not think that is necessary, sunnu. I think I know how to help your head stop thinking and let you sleep until morning." He picked up the panda the little girl had dropped on the bed and put it in her arms as he walked from the room. She laid her head against his chest and sobbed quietly.
A few minute later he laid the little girl in her mother's bed and pulled the blankets to her chin. "But this is May's bed." Skye whispered.
"And what better place for you to be close to her," he smiled. "Here you will be surrounded by everything that is Mellie. All of the blankets that hug her each night will now hug you through til morning. Her pillows will keep your head from thinking and let you rest."
Skye turned her head into the pillow and inhaled the smells that were May. She curled into a tight ball and hugged her panda. William sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her back. "Do you feel her close to your heart?" Skye nodded slowly and sniffled away the last of her tears. The man opened the book he had taken from the child's room and began reading.
She was asleep before he finished the first page.
A few hours later he joined her in the large bed where they slept until morning.