LITMIR.BIZ

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could move out if you want me to, Mom. I only moved back home so you wouldn’t be alone after Dad died.”

      Elizabeth shook her head. “I love having you here, and with Toby living with us, I need you to be here. He needs a male presence in his life.”

      “Okay. So did you agree to talk to me about a dog?”

      “Not at first. After all, it is my house.”

      “It is.”

      “But she said you loved me and tried to take care of me. She didn’t think I should lose you just to please Toby.”

      “How kind of her.”

      “She was right, Richard. I was getting carried away,” his mother said. “But I still want Toby to have his dog. So I wanted to talk it over with you.”

      “Okay. What do you want to say?”

      “Albert loves dogs and he says he could help us train the dog so it wouldn’t make a mess in the house.”

      “Good for Albert.”

      “He said your father wouldn’t let him have a dog.”

      “I can believe that. He was a very controlling man as we both know.”

      “So if he can help us, why can’t Toby have a dog?”

      “I never said he couldn’t, Mom.”

      “Oh, Richard, you are such a good son!”

      “You might change your mind if the dog relieves himself on one of your pricey oriental rugs.”

      Elizabeth laughed. “A rug is replaceable. And it will make Toby so happy.”

      “What kind of dog do you want to get him?”

      “I don’t know. Do you have an idea?”

      “One of the attorneys at the office has a dog that just had a litter of puppies about three weeks ago. I think they’re chocolate Labs. They’re good with children.”

      “Perfect. Can you call him and get him to sell us one?”

      “Sell? I’m his boss!”

      “I know, but—”

      Richard laughed. “I’m just teasing you, Mom. I’ll give him a call right away. Do you want him to keep the puppy until Christmas Eve?”

      “Absolutely. I want it to be a surprise for Toby. Can you go get it after he goes to bed?”

      “Of course, Mom. Did you ever consider getting me a puppy?” Richard thought of how much he’d wanted one when he was little.

      “Yes. I pleaded with your father, but…he didn’t like animals in the house. He didn’t even want one in the yard. I’m sorry, son.” She looked genuinely contrite.

      “It’s okay, Mom. I grew up just fine without a dog.” He reached out for her hand. “I’m just glad we can give Toby one.”

      “I can’t wait to tell Molly that you agree.”

      “I’m sure it will surprise her.”

      “Son, you’re too hard on her.”

      “Not all that hard. By the way, I know the doctor told us she had no family in Florida, but did you know she has a mother in Seattle?”

      “Oh, no, dear, you’re wrong about that. Her parents died in a car crash when she was seven. She told Toby that. And she was raised in a foster home.”

      Richard frowned. “Maybe she told him that so he’d feel better.”

      “No, he told me this morning and I sympathized with her. She didn’t say anything.”

      “She couldn’t in front of Toby. That would’ve ruined her bonding with him.”

      “I’m sure you’re wrong. Molly wouldn’t lie about something like that.”

      Richard just shook his head. His mother had never believed bad things about him, either. Unfortunately sometimes he’d lied to her. And he’d always felt so guilt-ridden that he had to admit it afterwards. Maybe Molly would do the same.

      “Molly, can I go outside for a little while?” Toby asked after he woke up.

      “No, it’s too cold outside. You don’t want to be sick for Christmas, do you?”

      “I guess not.”

      “Besides, I need you to do something.” When Toby looked at her, a question in his eyes, she explained, “Think of something you can give to Richard and your grandmother for Christmas.”

      “But I don’t have any money,” Toby reminded her.

      “I have some allocated for presents.”

      “What’s allocated?”

      “It means I have some money for you for presents.”

      He seemed to perk up then. “Really? That would be fun.”

      “Yes, we can go buy them and wrap them up. Then you can put them under the Christmas tree.”

      “I’d like that. But what can I buy them?”

      “Nothing expensive, but maybe some monogrammed handkerchiefs for Richard and scented soap for your grandmother.”

      “Those aren’t very exciting.” After a few seconds of silence, during which he gave the subject some thought, his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. “I bought Daddy a big flashlight. Mommy said he needed it and—” Reality hit him and suddenly those same eyes filled with tears. “I—I forgot he and Mommy aren’t ever coming back. Are they?”

      “No, honey, they’re not,” Molly said, reaching out and holding him in her arms. Comfort like this was all she could give Toby, though she ached to take away his pain. Still, she knew it helped to talk about the deceased; that was what everyone had told her. And they were right. Talking about them somehow kept them alive, at least in one’s memory. “What did you get your mommy?” she asked him.

      “Some perfume,” Toby whispered. “I couldn’t really afford it,” he said, pausing to swallow the tears, “but Daddy said he’d help me ’cause Mommy really, really wanted it.”

      “I’m sure she would’ve loved it, baby.”

      “I—I know.” He lay quietly in her arms, the excitement of Christmas lost in his memories of his life in Florida. “Molly, did they die because I wasn’t a good enough boy?” he asked anxiously.

      Molly hugged him more tightly against her. “Absolutely not. You’re a very good boy. It was because someone in another car didn’t drive safely. And God gave you your uncle and grandma to make up for losing your parents.”

      Toby sniffled but said nothing. Molly, her head resting on his soft hair, said, “Did you hear me, Toby? It’s important that you know that. It wasn’t your fault.”

      “Okay,” he said with a sigh, turning his face into her sweater.

      “You’re not putting tears on my sweater, are you, Toby?” she asked, trying to put a teasing note in her voice.

      “I’m sorry,” he said, swiftly moving away from her.

      “Oh, sweetheart, I was just teasing. I have other sweaters. I was hoping to make you laugh a little.” She stroked his head and wiped away some tears with her fingers.

      “I’ve been trying to be happy for Grandma. She likes it when I smile for her.”

      “I know she does, and that’s very brave of you. But when it’s just the two of us, you can cry if you want to. I’ll understand.”

      “Thank you,” he said softly and resumed his place against her. “I like the new ornaments we bought, but I wish I had the

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