Songs of Christmas (31 page)

But as she hung her dress on the bedroom door to shake out the wrinkles and laid out her jewelry, she was actually looking forward to the change of scene. It would be good to get out of her own house tonight, which had been taken over in the past few days by Estrella and her family.

Jessica had politely invited the Salazars to the party, but Estrella had declined. Lillian didn’t blame her. She would have felt odd with the family, who were all strangers to her, except for Jessica and Emily. It was just as well.

The Salazars were having their own little holiday party right here. Estrella had gone shopping to special stores yesterday, and Bonita had already started cooking. Lillian had considered allowing them to eat in the dining room but did worry about the furniture and her china cabinet. What if the children got rowdy and ran into it? She had already caught them running in the house once or twice, chasing each other down the long hallways. Granted, the house was large, but it wasn’t a gymnasium.

No, the kitchen would be fine for their dinner. There would only be four at the table. They would be more comfortable there, she reasoned.

She found her way downstairs and headed for Ezra’s room. It was going to take a long time to get him ready. Estrella had given him a close shave this morning, as well as a haircut. He had needed that. He looked much better now, even in his bathrobe.

She found him in the living room watching the television. That was a good sign. Jorge was there playing with a truck on the floor, rolling it on the carpet. Ezra looked up at her.

“Oh, Lily. I was just going to call you down. They’re predicting some bad weather for tonight. Did you see? Snow and ice. I’m starting to worry about going out.”

Lillian was stunned. “But Ezra . . . it’s Christmas Eve. You love that party at Jessica’s.”

“I do love it, Lily. But they’ve posted all kinds of warnings about the roads. There’s going to be ice everywhere. What if I slip and fall? I can’t chance it . . . and I’m feeling tired. I can’t bear the idea of dressing up—and cutting up a perfectly good shirt and pair of suit pants.”

“We don’t have to cut the pants, Ezra. We’ll just split open the seam. Estrella said she could sew it right back up for you when the cast comes off.”

Of course, by then, Estrella would probably be gone. Ezra was only partway through his recovery and due to keep the cast on his leg for another four weeks. By then Mrs. Fallon would be back, Lillian felt sure of it.

“Lily, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Estrella came in, carrying the phone. “Dr. Ezra, it’s Dr. Newton. He wants to check in with you.” Estrella handed Ezra the phone and waited, in case Dr. Newton had any questions for her.

It was not unusual for Dr. Newton to call. Estrella spoke to him frequently, reporting Ezra’s progress. Lillian was glad he had checked in with them tonight. Perhaps he would back her up.

“Ask him if you can go out tonight, Ezra. I bet he says it will be good for you,” Lillian encouraged him.

Ezra nodded, and when he got the chance to speak he said, “I noticed a forecast for bad weather tonight. Do you think I should go out to a family party, Doctor?”

He listened a moment and nodded. “Yes, just what I thought. My wife is eager to go, though. I feel badly for her.”

Lillian’s heart fell. That silly Newton. What was he thinking?

Ezra ended the call and gave Estrella the phone. “I’m sorry, Lily. He said not to take the chance. You can go without me, I don’t mind. I won’t be alone. I’ll eat here. Maybe I’ll go to bed early,” he added.

Lillian stared at him in disbelief, then sat down in an armchair, wondering what to do. Try again to persuade him? Use some other tactic? He did have a cast on one arm, and on a leg, too. And he was recovering from a heart attack. Maybe he did need to remain housebound a little longer. Lillian wasn’t sure she should push him.

But she couldn’t face the party without Ezra. Then she would really feel shunted off to a corner.

“Mrs. Elliot, why don’t you both have Christmas Eve dinner with us? My mother is cooking a wonderful meal. There’s plenty,” Estrella said. “It will be a small way for us to say thank you.”

Lillian was surprised by the invitation. She hadn’t even thought of it. Ezra looked surprised, too . . . and pleased. He sat up, suddenly finding a burst of energy.

“There’s an idea. What a lovely invitation.” He looked over at Lillian. “What do you say, Lily? Why don’t we stay here and celebrate with the Salazars?”

Because that’s the last thing in the world I wanted to do when I got up this morning,
she nearly snapped at him. But she counted to five and held her tongue.

“I don’t want to go to Jessica’s house without you,” she said at last. “So I suppose that’s what we’ll have to do.”

She knew she sounded ungracious, but there was no sense in putting a false face on it.

“We’d be delighted to join you, Estrella. Thank you so much for including us,” Ezra said, quickly smoothing over her rudeness.

Estrella seemed pleased. “Very good, Dr. Ezra. I’ll go tell my mother. She’ll be so happy to cook for you.”

Estrella headed for the kitchen, and Lillian released a sigh.

“I wonder what she’s making. It sure smells good,” Ezra said happily.

Lillian had to admit it did smell flavorful. But foreign foods did not agree with her digestion. She was sure she wouldn’t be able to eat a bite. Maybe a little rice. If that wasn’t spiced to high heaven, too.

My, my. What a Christmas this is shaping up to be.

* * *

LILLIAN WAS AWAKENED BY A SHRIEK. IT SOUNDED AS IF A BIRD HAD
gotten into the house, but she knew it was probably just the little girl, Marta. The shrill note was soon followed by the sound of footsteps galloping down two flights of stairs from the third floor.

She rolled over and checked the clock. Barely seven a.m., which was much earlier than she wanted to get up this morning. Last night’s Salvadorean Christmas festival had knocked her out. The food had been quite heavy and, as she could have predicted, she had indigestion. Turkey tamales turned out to be meat pies, steamed in a doughy corn pastry, wrapped in banana leaves, of all things, then smothered by some sort of tomato sauce. She had picked through the dough to find some turkey meat, olives, chickpeas, and other ingredients, none to her liking. There had also been a passable shrimp dish and even roast pork, plus vegetables and salad and lots of rice, cooked in a big casserole.

Ezra had been in his glory. She hoped he wasn’t sick today, he’d eaten so well—sampling a portion of every dish and both desserts. She would have preferred it if the desserts had been served promptly, but first they had to play their music. The children danced quite wildly. Estrella and Bonita danced, too. Ezra wanted to dance, but with his casts on, he could only stand on his crutches and tap a rhythm on the table. Luckily all that wildness took place in the kitchen, where they couldn’t break anything.

Finally the sweets were served, and she was able to get some nourishment. A decent rice pudding appeared, and something Bonita called
ayote en miel
: pumpkin cooked with honey and brown sugar.

After that Lillian headed for bed. The rest were staying up until midnight to put the infant Jesus figure in his cradle in the crèche scene. She told them where she had saved it but didn’t feel the need to do the honors herself.

The children were going to open one present each, knowing there would be more in the morning.

Well, morning had come, and they were obviously stampeding downstairs to see what Santa had delivered. Lillian rolled over and closed her eyes. She was just drifting off again when she heard Estrella and Bonita heading downstairs as well, speaking in Spanish. Quietly, she had to grant, but she could still hear them.

She pulled the quilt up over her shoulder. Let them have their Christmas morning mayhem. She didn’t need to be drowned in wrapping paper. She hadn’t thought to buy them anything either, she realized, feeling a little pang of guilt.

She closed her eyes and allowed sleep to overtake her once more. She had nearly drifted off, too, when Ezra’s voice over the infernal intercom roused her. “Lily? Aren’t you coming down? Everyone is waiting for you.”

She sat up and grabbed the monitor, practically shouting back into it. “Waiting for me? Why in heaven’s name are you doing that? You don’t need me to open the presents.”

“Yes, we do,” Ezra insisted. “The children are being very patient. I hate to see them wait so long, Lily. Please come down. Right away.”

Lily wanted to refuse, then felt her stomach rumbling with heartburn. She needed some antacids anyway. She may as well go down, she reasoned.

It took her a few minutes to get her robe and slippers on and make her way down with her cane. She didn’t rush herself. If they wanted her so badly, they could wait. When she finally entered the living room, the children cheered. Well, that was a surprise.

“I’m here,” she snapped. “What’s all the fuss?”

“It’s Christmas, Lily. We all want to see what Santa brought. I’m sure there’re a few things for you under there,” Ezra teased her.

She gave him a look. “I need something for my stomach. You can all go at it if you like.”

“Is your stomach bothering you, Mrs. Elliot? I will get you some antacid pills and some water,” Estrella offered.

“All right, if you wish,” Lillian grumbled, and sat in an armchair near Ezra.

“Mama, can we open our gifts now?” Jorge asked her.

Estrella glanced at him as she left the room. “Yes, one each until I come back,” she said.

The children dashed to the tree and looked over the boxes.

Marta picked up a big box and shook it. The contents made a muffled sound. Lillian guessed there was clothing inside. The little girl must have guessed the same and put down the box. Next, she picked up an oddly shaped package and when she shook it, there was a rattling sound. Probably a toy inside there, Lillian thought.

Once again, Marta’s gift radar was working and she quickly tore at the wrapping paper just as her mother returned to the room.

She had barely gotten half the paper off when she emitted her trademark shriek of glee. “Mama! Look . . . look what Santa brought me! Serena Rock Star!”

She ran to Estrella with the half-wrapped package. It seemed to be a large doll that came with a plastic electric guitar and all sorts of accessories.

Lillian chewed her heartburn pills, hoping that the plastic guitar didn’t actually play music.

“Oh my goodness . . . just what you wanted. How did Santa know?” Estrella helped her daughter take off the rest of the paper. The doll had a shock of bright pink hair and an outfit to match. Marta hugged it tightly. “I love her.”

Ezra laughed. “Oh, she’s quite something,” he agreed.

Jorge had opened his gift. A soccer ball and a sports jersey, which he unfolded and held up for all to see. “Wow, this is so cool! Brazil, my favorite team.”

“I’m glad you like it, son. That one is from Mrs. Elliot and myself,” Ezra said.

Lillian glanced at him. She suspected that many other boxes under there were from Ezra as well. She knew how he loved to play Santa Claus.

The rock star doll and soccer ball were just the beginning. There were several other toys, books, and board games. Sweaters, hats, and warm jackets. Many of these gifts had been purchased by Estrella, of course. But there were gifts for Estrella and Bonita, too. The tags were signed from Lillian and Ezra, though Lillian knew she’d had nothing to do with it. There were also bottles of a very good perfume and gift certificates to a nearby department store. Lillian thought that was a good solution. All Ezra’s doing, obviously.

“Thank you so much, Mrs. Elliot! And Dr. Ezra,” Estrella added, glancing at each of them. “So generous of you.”

Bonita looked very pleased after opening her gift, too.
“¡Muchas gracias!”
she said.

“You’re very welcome. Enjoy,” Ezra said happily. “It was nothing, really.”

“You’re quite welcome,” Lillian replied. She could just imagine the size of the gift certificates Ezra had chosen. Enough for them to each buy a new wardrobe, probably. He loved to give presents. Well, they did need new things due to the flood, the adults as much as the children.

The Salazars had put gifts for herself and Ezra under the tree, as well. Lillian found a beautiful pair of leather gloves in her package. Very good quality, too, she noticed.

“These are very nice. How thoughtful of you,” she told Estrella. “I was only saying the other day that I must have lost one of my gloves at the doctor’s office. The receptionist said she didn’t find it.”

“Yes, I know, Mrs. Elliot. I heard you telling Dr. Ezra. That’s how I knew you needed them.”

Lillian met her glance. “Well, it was very thoughtful. Thank you.”

Ezra received a book he wanted—Estrella had noticed a review he’d cut out from the
Globe
—and the children gave him a new pair of slippers.

All the while that gifts were being unwrapped and admired, Bonita had been in and out of the living room. As the children picked up the bits of wrapping paper and stuffed them in a plastic trash bag, Estrella announced that breakfast was ready in the kitchen. Bonita had been cooking it.

Ezra glanced at Lillian. “Ready for some breakfast, Lily? I could do with a bit more of that rice pudding we had last night.” He patted his stomach, making the children laugh.
“¡Mucho bueno!”

“For breakfast, Ezra? You must be kidding.”

“But it’s Christmas, Lily. Didn’t you notice?”

“Believe me, I noticed. It’s been impossible to avoid it around here this year.”

Ezra laughed at her. “Yes, I must agree; and just as it should be, too.”

Lillian did not agree with that assertion. She still maintained that she should be able to observe the holidays the way she preferred, in a quiet, decorous, dignified manner. Not with all this fuss and noise and rich food.

Well, that wasn’t to be this year. All she could do now was wait it out. It had to be over soon, didn’t it?

* * *

THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY AT AUNT JESSICA AND UNCLE
Sam’s house went on until after midnight, as usual. Amanda was sure she would be too tired to get up for church the next day, but knew that she had no choice. Luckily, Betty—known around the house as the human alarm clock—was up even earlier than usual, with enough Christmas spirit for the entire family.