Chapter 92

After ensuring Rod's well being regarding his assimilation into the Santa Claus role, Tabby descended to the stairs to continue with her task of restocking the snack table. The red headed woman had obtained a large tray of cookies from the kitchen, and was in the process of turning away from the counter to begin her trek back to the dining room.

At the same time, Lee had excitedly made her way up the stairs to the living area. Due to the layout of the house, the basement stairs exited into the kitchen, requiring Lee to navigate the area to gain access to the living room. As Tabby turned with the tray of cookies, she was met with quite the surprise; a near miss with the rapidly moving Lee.

As Tabby emitted a proverbial, "oh shit", while pulling the cookies away at the last minute, Lee turned quickly to announce an apology with a smile.

"Sorry, mom!" said Lee, "Those look really good by the way, I'll have some when I get back."

Tabby simply shook her head as she watched her daughter practically jog to the front door. As she continued on the way to the dining room, carrying the tray of cookies in her hands, she uttered a few words to herself.

"I'll be damned," said Tabby, "Real smiles and excitement, I haven't seen that in ten years."

Lee continued on her way, weaving through the crowds as she did so, and eventually reached the front door. With a wide-eyed smile, the slim red-head proceeded to open the door.

As expected, Lindsay and her father Chuck came into view as the panel reached the fully open position. Lindsay had not altered her attire in any way, and appeared dressed as she usually did; however, Chuck had opted to don a red button downed shirt with a green Christmas themed tie. In his hands, the diminutive mustached man cradled a large crock pot, containing a healthy helping of Lindsay's Duck Blood soup as his offering to the party.

"Liz!" said Lee in an excited manner as she reached out to deliver her friend a hug.

"LeeLee!" replied Lindsay as she returned the hug.

"Glad to see youse guys made it!" said Lee as she pulled away, "Come on in, it's cold out there!"

Lindsay made her way into the warm interior of the Kankers house, her eyes widening with excitement at the sight of all of their friends an family, merrily telling jokes as the table mounted model trains made their way around the tracks to Christmas music. While Lindsay provided the general appearance of a boisterous and confident individual, she was quite shy around new individuals and appeared alarmed at her surrounding. Likewise, the nerdy and socially awkward Chuck appeared bewildered as well, displaying a nervous expression as he closed the door behind him.

Tabby, taking notice that Chuck and Lindsay had arrived made her way towards the door with a smile.

"Diggin' the tie Chuck," said Tabby, "But loosen that thing up, it's a Christmas party not a day at the office."

"I tried to tell him," said Lindsay as she flicked her hair over her shoulder, "But if he hasn't learned to listen to my fashion advice by now, he's just gonna have to go through life looking like a dork."

Lindsay giggled slightly.

"It's my testament to the holiday spirit!" yelled Chuck playfully, as he pointed to Lee's sweater "Look at Annalee, she get's it!"

"Yeah Liz!" said Lee, "Get with the program!"

Tabby, Chuck, and Lee shared a laugh for a few seconds, at which point Lindsay placed both her hands on the center of her mother's coat.

"Surprise!" said Lindsay in a long, drawn-out feminine manner, as she parted the coat to reveal a beautiful wine-red sweater. The sweater was decorated with gold letters, reading MERRY CHRISTMAS in the cursive style. Of course, the article was equipped with long sleeves, to facilitate cover of Lindsay's injured arms; injures that had begun the process of healing for the final time.

"I made it myself last Christmas," said Lindsay as she removed her mother's coat, cradling it in her left arm, "Jokes on you guys, when it comes to fashion, I am the program!"

The four individuals shared another brief laugh at which point Tabby decided to continue.

"Alright," said Tabby as she signaled Chuck to follow her, "Let's get you acquainted with my husbands family and our friends from the block."

Tabby leaned into Chuck's ear, attempting to be discrete.

"My husbands upstairs getting changed into the Santa suit to entertain the kids," whispered Tabby, "He'll be at the door in around five minutes, you'll meet him when he rejoins the party."

Tabby turned and began walking towards the area where Ed, Eddy and Double Dee's father stood, immersed in conversations of their own. Chuck remained standing near the door donning a nervous expression; upon realization the he was not following her, Tabby suddenly whipped around, rolled her eyes, and briskly reproached her friend.

"Jeez Chuck!" said Tabby as she grabbed his wrist, "We don't bite, c'mon don't be a wallflower!"

Tabby wasted no time, and began pulling Chuck in the direction of her friends. As she did so Chuck issued a few final words to his daughter.

"I suppose I have no choice," said Chuck in a playful manner, "Have fun with your friends Little T!"

Lee and Lindsay watched as Tabby brought Chuck to the three Ed boys fathers, and began the process of introducing the two parties. The four men proceeded to shake hands, and began their initial conversation. A few minutes was all it took for Chuck to warm up to his new friends; as Tabby walked away from the group with a smile, Chuck managed to find common ground with all three of his new acquaintances: He and Mr. McGee's shared love of hunting and fishing, He and Double Dee's Father's passion for science, and he and Ed's fathers love of semi-trucks.

After a few moments of observing the adult interactions, Lee carefully placed her hands on Lindsay's coat, and proceeded to take it out of Lindsay's hands.

"I'll put your moms coat up in my closet where it will be safe," said Lee, "Then we'll head downstairs. All of our friends are waiting for us."

Lindsay adopted a nervous expression.

"Are you sure?" asked Lindsay, "I mean, I haven't exactly been the nicest person to any of them over the last few months...everyone probably hates me."

"Hey," said Lee, "Don't worry about a thing, just be you and you'll be fine. I ain't gonna lie, it's gonna be hard to get my two knuckle headed sisters to get with the times, but the rest of em' should be easy. I don't say this a lot, but there are a lot of good people on this cul-de-sac, and I guarantee ya once they see the real you, they'll be fine."

Lee adopted a sly grin.

"Besides," said Lee playfully, "It's nothing a little persuasion can't fix if it comes to that."

Lee held her fist into the air, shaking it slightly, and drawing a slight smile from the nervous Lindsay.

"It will be fine," said Lee as she held her pinky into the air, "I promise."

Lindsay smiled as she locked her pinky with Lee's.

"Well you've been right the first two times," said Lindsay, "I guess I'd be an idiot not to listen to you this time."

"That a girl," said Lee, "Be right back!"

Lee turned and proceeded to make her way up the stairs to her room, intent on placing Lindsay's coat into her closet for safe keeping.