As the story came to an end Jamie and Sophie were suddenly scooped up. Jack immediately leapt to his feet, staff raised, but when he saw the two kids laughing in the arms of their father he relaxed. Tall and muscular Mr. Bennett shared his daughter's blonde hair. He was a truck driver, and his work caused him to be away from home a lot. But he always came home for the holidays.
Jack could relate to the two happily squealing kids. His teeth had revealed that his father, a farmer and shepherd, traveled a lot when it was time to sell their produce and the yearling sheep. He traveled, by foot, to the larger livestock market and would be gone from anywhere between 3 to 5 months. But he was always home in time for Thanksgiving and never missed a Christmas.
"Dad! That tinkles!" Jamie gassed out between giggles.
"Oh, does it?" The laughter intensified as their father wiggled his fingers in his son's and daughter's ticklish spots. The scene caused the rest of the Bennett clan to join in the laughter and Jack chuckled right along with them. Finally, gasping for breath, Jamie and Sophie stood up released from their father's greetings. Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett hugged and shared a kiss.
"You're just in time, we just started the stories." Mrs. Bennett told her husband.
"Which ones did I miss?" Mr. Bennett asked as he sat with a plate of leftovers in his hands.
"Great grandpa told us about his father and uncle, and their fight in Veitom." A young cousin said in excitement.
"That's Vietnam." An older teen corrected.
"And then he told of how he left home and meet great grandma. Then they moved back here."
"Aww, I really like that one." Mr. Bennett looked truly saddened to having missed so much of Thanksgiving."
"It's all right Albert, you're here now and that's all that matters." Mrs. Bennett assured her husband.
"You're right Mary. And I have a special announcement." He paused for a moment soaking up the suspense. "I will be staying home… Till after New Year's!" Jamie and Sophie tackled him in a hug.
"Albert… Are you sure."
"Yes!" Mr. Bennett confirmed placing his children on his lap. I've been saving up vacation days for a long time; it's all paid time off. I'm yours for the rest of this year."
The family broke into a tear filled happy group hug; there wasn't a dry eye in the living room. The scene reminded Jack of his own family so much he felt a deep pang of homesickness.
"I think it's time to have some fun." He declared releasing his blue magic snowflakes. Not everyone received one but there were enough to bring the teary scene to a close with smiles all around.
When the group hug broke, Mr. Bennett turned and took in the rest of the Bennett's. "It's good to see you all." There were handshakes, hugs, and calls of welcome as he walked towards the far wall of the living room where the keyboard stood. As he walked through the kids he bumped into Jack, causing both to jerk in surprise. "Sorry about that," he apologized placing a hand on Jack shoulder. "I tend to be a bull in a china shop sometimes."
Jack couldn't think of anything, at all, to say. He just stared at the man, noticing of the lingering sparks of blue magic in Mr. Bennett's eyes.
"What's your name I don't think I've seen you before?"
"J... Jack."
"Oh, then you're the friend Jamie's told me about over the phone. Well it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
With that Mr. Bennett moved on and sat at the keyboard, if their exchange had been noticed no one showed it. "I think I'd like to go next." Mr. Bennett said. "Two stories come to mind. One for each of my kids."
Everyone returned to their seats. Jack wanted to talk to Jamie but from the look on his friend's face it would have to wait.
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