LITMIR.BIZ

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I was too despondent to make reparations. But Toby needs me now. And he needs you.”

      “I know, Mom. And I’ll try to remember that I’m as close to a daddy as he’s going to get now.”

      “I want to find things to do with Toby. Could you drive us around to see the Christmas lights one night?”

      “Of course. Or if it’s not too cold, we could take one of the horse and buggy rides around Highland Park.”

      “That’s a wonderful idea, Richard.”

      “Do you think Toby would enjoy seeing A Christmas Carol? Or do you think he’d be afraid of Scrooge?” He could just imagine Molly’s reaction to his suggestion.

      “I think he’d love it. Are they doing that at the Theater Center?”

      “Yes, I think so.”

      “Wait! I need to get a pen and paper so I can make a list. Then tomorrow I’ll discover times and dates and can buy the tickets.”

      She rushed away from the table. Richard was surprised to find some enthusiasm growing in him for the holiday traditions. It helped that his mother was excited about them.

      When she got back to the table, she wrote down his suggestions. He added a few more and decided Toby would be bored once Christmas passed.

      “These are wonderful suggestions, Richard, and Toby will love them. He’s such a wonderful little boy…and he reminds me so much of Susan.”

      “Yes, he does, doesn’t he? She always demanded the biggest Christmas tree, too.” Richard couldn’t hold back a smile, thinking of his little sister.

      “Yes,” Elizabeth said with a sigh.

      “But, Mom, you’re not used to all this running around. You have to be sure you don’t overdo it.”

      “I will, dear. Molly is very good about that. Right now, Toby needs a nap every day because of the accident and his recovery. She’s sending me to bed for a nap, too.”

      “Good. I like that.”

      “She’s such a nice young woman. I know the doctor told us she didn’t have any family in Florida, but does she have any family anywhere?”

      “I don’t know. I haven’t asked her.”

      “I’ll ask her. She shouldn’t be completely alone in the world.”

      “A lot of people are, Mom. They survive.”

      “I know, but Molly deserves better.”

      Richard couldn’t argue with that.

      “Do you like our tree, Molly?” Toby asked her the next morning at breakfast.

      “Very much, Toby. It’s huge.”

      “Did you have big ones when you were little?” he asked.

      “Not that big.”

      Elizabeth looked up. “Do you have brothers and sisters, Molly?”

      “No, I was an only child, like Toby.”

      “Are your parents alive?”

      “No,” Molly said and smiled at Elizabeth. She appreciated that lady’s interest, but she didn’t want to tell her life story. There was no need for that.

      “Molly’s parents died when she was seven,” Toby informed his grandmother.

      “Oh, no! I’m so sorry!”

      “It was a long time ago, Elizabeth. I’m fine.”

      “Did you go to live with family?”

      “No, she lived in a—a what, Molly?”

      “A foster home, Toby,” Molly said with a sigh. Now she regretted telling Toby about her past.

      “But I’ve heard being in a foster home is awful. Was it bad, Molly?”

      “Not bad, Elizabeth. It—it was just not as nice as being with family.”

      “Well, this Christmas, we’re going to be your family!” Elizabeth said with a big smile.

      Molly silently groaned. She knew Richard would think she’d put his mother up to that idea. “Really, Elizabeth, that’s not necessary. And please don’t buy me gifts. I wouldn’t be able to reciprocate in kind. I have a small budget.”

      “Money doesn’t matter, Molly. But we’ve thought of all kinds of ways to celebrate Christmas. I’m supposed to check the times and dates of things Richard thought of last night. He was wonderful.”

      “How nice. What did he suggest?”

      Elizabeth filled her in on all the plans. “And last but not least, we’re taking you both to see Scrooge. Would you like that, Toby?”

      “I don’t know what that is, Grandma,” Toby said.

      “Oh, of course not, dear. But you’ll like it. It’s the story of a man who gets a second chance to be good at Christmas, like me.”

      “You’re very good, Grandma,” Toby said earnestly.

      “Thank you, my angel,” Elizabeth said with a big smile. “Oh, do you have a suit?”

      “No. My daddy had suits, but Mommy said I shouldn’t have one because I would outgrow it so soon.”

      “Well, I think we should get you a suit for Christmas. We can buy you another one when you outgrow it. Would you like that?”

      “I guess so,” Toby said doubtfully.

      “That won’t be your only present, Toby, I promise.”

      “You mean I might still get a puppy?” The boy couldn’t hide his excitement.

      “No, Toby, I don’t think that’s what your grandmother meant,” Molly said hurriedly, trying to erase that image from his mind at once.

      “Oh.”

      “Toby, your grandmother is being very nice to you,” Molly said softly.

      The boy responded by straightening his shoulders and smiling at his grandmother.

      “Oh, Toby, you are such a dear boy,” Elizabeth said.

      “You’re a good grandma, too.”

      Molly encouraged him to finish his breakfast. After he had done so, she sent him upstairs to wash his face and hands.

      As soon as he left the room, Elizabeth said, “I know just what to get Toby for Christmas. A puppy!”

      Chapter Five

      “ELIZABETH, don’t—I mean, don’t you think you should discuss such a gift with your son before you say anything to Toby?”

      “Why?”

      “I appreciate your wanting to make Christmas special for Toby but Richard lives here, too. I don’t think you should please Toby at the expense of your son. He loves you and tries to protect you.”

      “I guess you’re right.”

      Molly was relieved Elizabeth seemed to change her mind. “I’m glad you realize how important your son is in your life.”

      “Yes, of course. I’ll discuss the dog with Richard tonight.”

      “Elizabeth, have you thought how much a dog could disrupt your household?”

      “Louisa?” Elizabeth called. The young woman imme diately appeared from the kitchen.

      “Yes, ma’am? Do you need something more?”

      “Oh, not for breakfast. It was delightful as usual. No, I need to speak to Albert.”

      Louisa returned

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