As she got older, Louise learned to appreciate family Christmases more and more. From the moment she was no longer confined to the kid's table, she found that it was actually an enjoyable holiday. Since the passing of her sisters, the celebrations had gotten progressively simpler with each passing year. She was grateful for this, especially since the two Christmases she spent without her family had by far been the least complicated holidays she had ever celebrated.
Christmas day had almost seemed like an ordinary day. If it weren't for the copious amount of food, the decorations and the presents, it probably would have been a normal day. Most of the morning had been spent sitting in the parlor with Clara, Libby and Edie relaxing and chatting. Compared to the Christmases during her childhood, it almost seemed as though Louise was with an entirely different family (though she couldn't complain about that at all). As the afternoon approached, Addie and Sarah joined the family in simply mulling about the house. Originally, Maudie was supposed to make her annual trip to Montgomery (which she wasn't too fond of), but was conveniently able to get out of her trip this year by claiming that everything that had happened with her house was too exhausting for her.
Ever since Jean married Atticus, it was tradition for them to spend Christmas day with his family, and spend a few days in Montgomery afterwards. At first, Edie had been wary about the fact that Jean didn't spend Christmas with her family but had eventually come to accept it. During the first few years of Jean's marriage, especially when Jem was a baby, Edie would spend more time fussing about the week after Christmas than the actual holiday itself. Louise and Harriet didn't mind, it gave them peace during the holiday and time to prepare for the copious amount of chores Edie would assign them. Now that Jean had passed, Edie spent even more time preparing for the arrival of Atticus and the children. Especially with their mother gone, Edie wanted Jem and Scout to associate Jean's family with good memories.
Since Jean's passing, it was usually only Atticus and the children who would visit Montgomery, which Louise was thankful for, because she wasn't sure if she would be able to handle spending a few days with Alexandra. Louise was incredibly delighted to hear that Jack would be accompanying his brother to Montgomery that year. Edie figured it was because Louise was home for she hadn't seen the man since before Jean passed.
"Are you excited your cousins are comin'?" Louise asked her nieces on Christmas afternoon while the three of them sprawled out on the floor, drowsy from the meal Edie had served them. Both girls nodded.
"It's always fun when they come," Clara yawned, rolling onto her stomach. "I can act like a kid with them and nanny doesn't seem to mind." She added, chuckling.
"I like when they come," Libby said, resting her chin on her hands. It always seemed so remarkable to Louise that Clara and Libby turned out to be two completely different people. Clara seemed to be the typical twenty-year-old. After finishing primary school, Clara decided she wanted to study to be a nurse. While she could have gone anywhere, she decided to stay in Alabama and moved to Birmingham. Despite the fact that she was merely two hours away, Edie constantly worried about Clara. As far as Louise could tell, Clara was doing just fine. On the other hand, she couldn't help but to worry about Libby. She had barely been a few months old when her brother died and had been raised by everyone except her actual mother. Louise didn't know much about Libby's relationship with Charlotte before her death, but she assumed it was probably nonexistent. Even though Edie attempted to form her granddaughters into strong women, Libby was meek, quiet and easily intimidated. As she got older, she was starting to come into her own a little bit more, but the amount of time she spent hiding in her room was still worrisome.
"Maybe while they're here I can take the four of y'all to do something in town." Louise thought aloud. Clara smiled.
"That'd be nice, I remember when Jeannie used'ta take me and Libby around with Jem when she'd visit." Clara said, and Louise thought that Jean would love that she still used the nickname she gave her when she was a child.
"I remember that, too." Libby said, sitting up so she could better look at her sister. "Remember that one time before Scout was born and Jem got lost in the town market and the three of us had to go runnin' everywhere for him?"
Clara laughed. "Oh hell I do, I remember we thought that she was goin' to have the baby in the middle of the market, that's how worked up she got!"
The three of them chuckled as Louise rolled over onto her back. She had expected her first Christmas home in two years to be more stressful, but was genuinely happy about the fact that those expectations were not met.
-o-o-o-
A few days after Christmas, the Finches arrived. Jack was the first one to boisterously enter the house and was already causing havoc by attempting to swing both Louise and Harriet over his shoulders (nearly knocking over one of Edie's bookshelves). While Clara and Libby thought he was highly amusing, Edie watched sternly (and looked as if she was going to have a heart attack at how her daughters interacted with him). Atticus soon followed his brother, laughed and told him he should have at least waited a few hours before disturbing the peace at the Graham residence. Surprisingly, Jem and Scout immediately flocked to their grandmother, whose demeanor changed once she came across her youngest grandchildren.
Examining Scout, who was wearing a thick green dress (Louise wondered if Atticus picked it out because it was definitely not fitting for an eight-year-old), Edie shook her head. "Honey, do you like that thing?" she asked Scout, ruffling the dress.
"I reckon so, nanny." She responded meekly.
"Tell me the truth, ma'am."
"No, nanny."
Edie smiled. "I found a rather sharp lookin' pair of overalls the other day, and they're settled in the spare room if you wanna put 'em on quickly."
Scout's eyes light up. "Thank you, nanny!" She said excitedly before running up the stairs. Louise couldn't help but to look at her mother in disbelief—she never ever thought that Edie would buy any of her granddaughters a pair of overalls.
"What?" Edie asked, noticing Louise looking at her.
"Oh nothin'." Louise chuckled.
Due to Edie's insistence, it was tradition for the Finch's to arrive early in the day. Once Jean had children and denied them of their grandmother on Christmas Day, Edie wanted to do her best to recreate the holiday once the children arrived. Once Scout had changed into the pair of overalls that Edie kindly bought for her, they all sat in the parlor like they did on Christmas morning. Edie had a gift for Atticus, Jem and Scout (at the last minute she scavenged something up for Jack) and had also put something aside for her other granddaughters so that all of the grandchildren would be included. Cleverly, Louise wrapped up the copy of The Importance of Being Earnest she stole from Jack ages ago and gave it to him. Once he opened it, he scowled at her and said: "spiteful woman."
Smirking, Louise shrugged her shoulders. "I've figured it's somethin' you been missin'."
"You sure are a real trip."
Edie glanced at both of them. Once, early in Jean and Atticus' marriage, the Finch's and the Graham's attempted to have a holiday with all of them together. Though it started out fairly well, it progressively became the worst Christmas both Edie and Alexandra had ever experienced. Purposefully, Jack and Louise bickered and carried on as loudly as possible (at twenty-two years old she had almost been banished to the kid's table again). In addition to that, Clara had vomited all over herself during dinner (much to the horror of Edie) and after ignoring each other for the entire evening, Atticus' sister Caroline and her husband angrily announced that they were getting a divorce. Needless to say, Alexandra didn't even finish her dinner before she turned stark white and secluded herself in her room for the rest of the evening. There was never again an attempt for both families to come together for a holiday. Both Jean and Louise had thought it was a shame, the entire evening was like a huge drama production for them.
Edie had bought Jem and Scout each a bow and arrow set, which set Jack into a fit of hysterical laughter. Apparently, Atticus had also purchased them air rifles that year. While Jem and Scout were clearly excited about their new possessions, Louise couldn't help but see that Atticus was looking a little wary. "The next time you come to Maycomb, you may find me shot down by them." He chuckled at Louise, who grinned in response.
"It looks like you'll have to sleep with one eye open." She winked, making Jack laugh again.
"That won't help him any, the man's nearly blind. He's done for." Jack grinned, making Louise and Hattie laugh.
Thankfully for Edie's sake, there was no major mishaps at dinner (though Louise had been almost glad to hear that Alexandra had to deal with some chaos at her house). Shortly after their arrival, Addie and Sarah had come by to join them all for a second "Christmas" dinner. Jem and Scout eagerly talked to everyone at the table, while Jack and Atticus were forced to answer the numerous questions that Sarah, Addie and Edie asked them. Occasionally, Louise and Hattie would flash both men sympathetic smiles (naturally, Jack responded with a scowl).
After dinner, Edie sat on the sofa with Jem and Scout on either side of her as she continued to ask them questions about school, friends and everything else in their lives. Atticus settled himself in the armchair across from them, watching their interactions. Before their arrival, Atticus had informed Edie (who naturally told Louise and Hattie) that Scout had gotten into an altercation with Alexandra's grandson. He didn't say much else about the matter, except for the fact that Francis' ego was severely bruised and Scout's hand was cut up from punching him in the face. Surprisingly, Edie didn't ask her granddaughter about the incident. If it had been one of her daughters, Louise knew that Edie would not hesitate to criticize the situation and profusely express her opinions on it.
Feeling stuffy, Louise settled herself on Edie's porch swing. Noticing her leaving, Jack quickly followed. "Hey." He said, sitting next to her.
"Hey yourself."
"Did ya hear about Alexandra's?" He asked.
Louise smirked. "Of course I did, Atticus called Edie to tell her what happened."
"I whaled on her," he said, a hint of regret on his voice.
"What?"
"When Francis said she punched him I just jumped to conclusions and smacked her in front of everybody. It was embarrassin'." He explained further.
"For you or her?"
"I think both." He said slowly. "Would you have done the same?"
"Smacked her?"
"Yes."
"No," she replied truthfully, and she thought she probably made him feel worse. "I'm no good at those types of things. I'm the aunt that gives unsolicited advice and tells them about their mama, obviously you're the one who does the disciplining."
"This ain't funny."
She sighed. "If I were there I don't think I would've stopped you."
"She told me I didn't take the time to listen to her side of the story, which I reckon is true." He said. "I felt foolish."
"Kids are good at teachin' things, I reckon."
"Well, I guess I won't be learnin' much 'cause I'm never having children." He scowled, making her laugh.
"Well, children usually come after marriage and considerin' you have no plans for that, I don't think you need to worry. Unless someone drops a baby on your doorstep." She said seriously.
"Ha," He said, rolling his eyes.
"Did she forgive ya?"
"I reckon so."
"Then why are you so glum?" She asked, slapping his arm.
"Just felt stupid, I suppose."
"Well, here's something new: you are stupid." She smirked. He shoved her to the side and chuckled.
"Hateful woman." He said, shaking his head at her.
"I'm just an honest person, darling." She said dramatically, laughing at him.
A serious expression returned to his face. "Have you heard about Atticus' trial?" He asked her, lowering his voice though they were both quite certain that nobody inside could hear them.
"He told me 'bout it last time I was there." She replied.
"It seems bad."
"It'll probably be rough for them." Louise observed as Jack shrugged.
"Probably."
"I guess we'll just need to see what happens." She said as he went quiet for a few moments.
"Did you get your heart checked out?" He asked, making her roll her eyes.
"I have no intentions on doing that." She said bitterly. He merely shrugged his shoulders in response.
"I heard you tried to teach Jem how to ride a bike," He said, his eyes lighting up as he changed the subject.
"It was terrible. The handlebars just ripped off of the thing!" She recalled, a grin growing on her face.
"Apparently just like their mama." Jack winked. "They told me all of the stories you told 'em."
She smiled. "I figured I might as well make myself useful when I'm there."
"Well, they like it."
"If you're trying to compliment me, thank you."
"Stop being so sentimental, you little hussy." She rolled her eyes and elbowed his side.
-o-o-o-
She decided to pull Jem aside first. "Hey," she whispered to him as he laid on his back on the living room floor. "C'mere." Quickly, he obeyed.
"Yes, Aunty?" He asked as she directed him up stairs. She led him into Jean's old room and told him to sit on the bed. Looking confused, he listened to his aunt.
"I got something for you!" She smiled before quickly going to the dresser, where she had hidden her gifts for Jem and Scout. "Sorry I didn't wrap it," she said as she took a book out and handed it to Jem. Smiling he observed the cover and flipped through the pages.
"What is it?" He asked.
"It's a collection of poems by a few different authors," Louise explained as Jem opened the book again. "Your liked poetry and when she was finished school, one of her teachers gave her this as a gift. She would spend hours reading it and she wrote some notes on her favorite poems, even. Some of the pages are fallin' out but I thought you'd like it."
Silently, Jem examined the book again. He opened it up, gingerly fingering the pages. His eyes widened when he got to a poem that Jean had annotated. "Her handwritin' looks like a teachers." He said softly, running his finger across something Jean had written. Louise chuckled to herself. Jem spent some time studying the book before he looked up and gave Louise a small smile. "Thank you, Aunty." He said softly, mindlessly running his finger along the spine of the book.
"I hope you like it, sweet." She smiled, hugging him.
"I do." He said. "Was this mama's room?"
"It was."
"Are we sittin' on her bed?"
"Yep." At this, Jem then began to examine the neatly made bed they were sitting on. Shortly after, his eyes scanned around the entire room.
"Did you and mama share a room?" He asked.
"Nope, she and your Aunt Charlotte did. I slept with Hattie." Louise explained. "I would sneak in here in the morning though to get your mama."
Jem smiled at her. "There was this one poem mama used to say to Atticus all the time," he thought aloud "I wonder if it's in here."
"It might be," Louise replied, smiling.
For a few more moments they sat on Jean's bed until Edie began calling for Jem. Sitting up, he tucked the book under his arm and found his grandmother. Shortly after he left the room, Louise went back downstairs. Hattie and Atticus were discussing something that was in the newspaper while Jack was trying to explain to Addie why he preferred the company of his cat rather than a wife. Scout was sprawled out by Clara's feet, while she and Libby were telling her a story. Louise sat down next to Clara, trying to figure out what they were talking about.
"He-ey, Aunty." Scout said smiling. "Clara was tellin' me about how you and mama used to watch her when she was little."
"We did, we used'ta live down the street from them so we spent an awful lot of time with them." Louise said.
"I wish I lived closer," Scout said, rolling on Clara's feet. Clara laughed and poked at her younger cousin.
"Hey," Louise said as she stood up, offering her arm out to Scout. "I wanna show you somethin' quick."
She directed Scout to Jeans old room just as she had done with Jem. Scout happily walked alongside her aunt and threw herself on her mother's old bed as Louise looked for the gift she picked out for her niece. Opening the small chest that was now sitting on the dresser, she pulled out the small velvet sack and crossed the room to sit with Scout. As she dug through the sack, her fingers grazed Bea's rings (that Louise hadn't looked at since she'd taken them), and she smiled. Finally, she found the delicate necklace she was looking for and handed it to her niece. It was a simple one that Edie had found at a department store and bought for all of her daughters once they were old enough to wear jewelry. It was simply two circles interlocked in each other—in a rare sentimental moment, Edie told her daughters that necklace was supposed to represent how sisterhood lasted forever (or something like that). Straightening out the chain, Scout examined it and then looked at her aunt.
"This is the same one you're wearin'!" She said happily.
"Mm hmm," Louise smiled as she watched Scout struggle to put the necklace on herself. Putting her hands out, Scout dropped the necklace into her aunt's hands and accepted her help. "When we were younger Edie bought all of us these necklaces, she said it was supposed to represent sisterhood or somethin'. When your Aunt Charlotte passed, Edie kept her necklace for Clara and was thankfully able to find a similar one for Libby. Your Aunt Hattie and I have one, and when your mama passed Edie gave me this one to hold on to for you for when you were old enough to wear it. It's a simple thing, but all of us liked it an awful lot."
Scout smiled and looked down at the necklace. "So this was my mamas?" She asked eagerly.
Louise smiled. "Mm hmm, she wore it every day." Scout's eyes brightened as Louise said this.
"Did mama like wearin' jewelry?" She asked.
"She had a few things she liked, but she was a pretty simple lady so she didn't have too much." Louise responded.
"One time Atticus told me that he had a pearl necklace that belonged to her that he was gonna give me one day." Scout said proudly as Louise smoothed her hair.
"I reckon he does, he bought her one for Christmas when he first started courtin' her," Louise informed her. "Your mama told me that people in town used to think she was silly because she would always wear her two necklaces at the same time, but she liked 'em both so much she wanted to wear 'em at the same time."
Scout snickered. "Mama seemed like she didn't care what people said."
"She didn't at all." Louise said.
"What do you think she would do?" Scout asked. "About people talkin' 'bout Atticus like they do in town?"
When Scout said this, Louise couldn't help but to feel bad for her and then slightly angry at the fact that people could be so relentless. She could only imagine the things that were being said to Atticus and the kids. "Honestly," Louise said, sitting up. "She would politely tell them to go to hell."
"How do you do that?" Scout asked, laughing.
"You tell 'em to do it without bein' upfront," Louise informed her. "She would say something sarcastic so that people would think she was bein' nice, but she's actually bein' snarky."
"That's pretty smart," Scout said as Louise nodded in agreement. "Do you think mama would be mad at Atticus for takin' his case?"
"The only time your mama ever got mad at your daddy was when he told her she looked like an old lady when she was angry," Louise smirked, making Scout laugh again. "Your mama always supported what your daddy did."
"Even when people in town think he's wrong?" Scout asked.
"Especially then."
"Would they still be sayin' things about him if mama was alive?"
Louise sighed. "Honey, that wouldn't change other people bein' dumb."
"At least mama seemed real nice." Scout smiled.
"She was, baby."