A Family Affair: Christmas by Mary Campisi

Author:Mary Campisi [Campisi, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Harry Blacksworth didn’t do anything small-scale, especially on Christmas Eve. Charlie used to say that if Harry could throw a party on the moon, he would. Oh, but she wished Charlie could see Harry now: married, a father and stepfather. Content with life, happy. The town loved his loud laughs, wide smiles, and silly jokes. Word had it he often paid for random customers at Lina’s Café and escaped before anyone knew the mystery benefactor. Word got out, though, and with it, a greater respect and appreciation for the Chicago playboy-turned-husband and small-town resident. Nothing created a bigger “splash” than the darn pool he built. People hoped for an invitation and if they didn’t receive one, figured out how to get one, usually by way of Greta. Harry Blacksworth would do anything for his wife, and it did a heart good to see that kind of love.

Miriam sucked in a deep breath, placed a hand on her chest to ease the ache. I miss you, Charlie. Every day and every night. This pain is never going to go away, not until I close my eyes for the last time. But it’s worth it, all of it. I love you, Charlie Blacksworth; I’ll always love you. She sniffed, cleared her throat. If you could see your little brother right now, you’d be so proud of him. He’s grown up, he really has. Merry Christmas, my love. Until we meet again, you hold my heart.

“Mom, look at this place! It’s all sparkly.” Lily dropped the shopping bags filled with presents and made a slow circle, eyeing the snow-covered garland, the life-sized toy soldiers, the silver and gold wreaths. “Beautiful,” she whispered. When she caught sight of a three-foot twinkling angel suspended from the ceiling, she ran to it. “Wow! An angel!” She scrunched her nose and glanced at the glittery lettering on the angel’s wings. “L-I-L-Y,” she read. “Lily. Lily! That’s me!” Her blue eyes sparkled brighter than the suspended angel. “That’s me, Mom!”

Miriam nodded and pointed to another angel in the corner of the room. “How about that one?”

Lily ran to the second angel, read the glittery name on it. “Lizzie.” She laughed. “Lizzie’s an angel, too.” She looked at Miriam, excitement and wonder splashing across her face. “Is there one for Jackson and AJ, too? And Anna?”

“I don’t know, but I think you should check, don’t you?”

Lily nodded and said, “Uh-huh.” And then, “I’m an angel.” She twirled around once, twice, almost lost her balance. “I’m an angel, Mom.”

Miriam blinked hard, smiled at her daughter, and said, “Yes, dear, you’re an angel.”

“After I find the angels, I’m going to find Uncle Harry.” She paused, glanced at the large Christmas tree in the living room. “He said I could help put presents under the tree. They have five trees. Do you think we’re going to put presents under all of them?”

“With your uncle in charge, I have no idea.”

Lily giggled. “Uncle Harry always has a good plan. He’s probably wrapping presents right now.

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