NC--The Perfect Christmas Guest (standard:drama, 1989 words)
Author: Maureen Stirsman	Added: Jun 24 2004	Views/Reads: 3535/2357	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Cora expected her family to be on the three-fifteen flight on Christmas Eve, but unfortunately their plans were canceled. Instead an unexpected guest arrived and his name was Robert B.

NC—THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GUEST 

Morris carefully positioned the lacey angel. “Is that straight?” “Yes,
dear. It's perfect. It's a perfect Christmas tree, don't you think so?” 


Morris came down from the stepstool and looked at the tree for a moment.
“It's nice,” he said. Nice—I don't want just nice. That's Morris; he 
never gets excited. As for me—well you know me. JoAnne, Ed and the 
twins are coming in from California on the three-fifteen plane 
tomorrow, Christmas Eve. Morris says I have enough food for the 
Marines. I'm ready! He pulls out an old record we bought the first 
Christmas we had JoAnne when she was six-months-old. We settle down to 
relax with Bing Crosby's rendition of ‘White Christmas'. 

... 

“Come down, Cora. Breakfast's ready.” Breakfast is Morris' specialty.
The mailman delivers a Christmas card from Kevin and Maryann. “Dearest 
Cora and Morris, We will never forget the kindness you showed us last 
year when we wound up on your doorstep. Hope your Christmas is 
wonderful. Maybe we will get to call on the way home from mom's. With 
much love, the Five Uliases.” I hand the card to Morris as the 
telephone rings “Hello?” 

“Mom, it's me. I don't know how to tell you this.” 

“Who is it, honey?” Morris asks. 

I put the phone on speaker. “Daddy, you there? My neighbor, Neil, died
this morning. Millie came over when he went unconscious. I went to the 
hospital with her. She has no family and they are—were—both in their 
eighties. Anyway, I was there until ten o'clock. When we came home my 
other neighbor, Gloria, went over. I was getting us ready for the 
airport when she came back. She said Millie is inconsolable. I went 
back then, and I have to tell you Gloria is right. I just didn't know 
what to do. I was going to put the kids on the plane, but Ed doesn't 
think I should separate us. I hate to do this to you but I just don't 
feel as though I can leave Millie. She's so old and frail. Mom?” My 
heart hits the floor. Not another Christmas. Last year they couldn't 
come because Ed's mother was taken critically ill. Morris says, “Honey, 
of course, you can't leave Millie alone. You have to stay.” 

I try to put a smile in my voice. “Joanie, your father's right, you
can't leave her. We'll miss you. But let's try for January.” 

“Oh, Mom, thanks for understanding. If there was any other way...” 

“I know, honey. We love you.” 

We hang up the phone and Morris says, “Try not to be too disappointed,
Cora. She's doing the right thing.” 

“I know, but I can't help crying.” Bing Crosby sings ‘White Christmas'
again, but this time without joy. 

The rest of the day I move around the house straightening a cushion,
making tea and finally filling the bathtub with bubbles. 

... 

I must have slept in the bath. Morris calls, “Cora, are you ready to get
out? I'll fix us something to eat.” There's plenty of food. I reach for 
my nightgown when I hear the phone. Morris says, “My word! You don't 
mean it. A boy? Okay. That's good. Cora will love to see you. I'll put 
the coffee pot on.” Morris is laughing. “Come on down, honey, and you 
better get dressed.” 

The Uliases are on the highway and they have picked up a hitchhiker or
something. I don't have the whole story. I dress quickly in my white 
pants and Christmas sweater. I brush my teeth and dab my lips red. 
Morris fills me in as I set the dining room table. They were on their 
way to Maryann's mother when they stopped for lunch. When Kevin was 
filling up the gas tank he saw a boy hiding behind the building. He 
looked cold and hungry. Kevin persuaded him to come out. He finally 


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