“I’m going to drive on a house or two and park so it doesn’t look like we’ve come specifically to them.” Mimi slowly drove along. She parked the car. She asked, “Ready? Do you all have your presents?”

“I’m terrified,” Christina said.

“Deep breaths,” Jacob told them. “Let’s all do a scale together to loosen our throats.”

Mimi raised her hand to start them off. They raced up and down the scale. “Maybe more gently, my dears. We’ll start singing ‘White Christmas’ when we reach the end of their drive, and we’ll keep it up until they open the door. Once Oscar’s there, Harriet and Jacob can sing their duet.”

Christina’s heart thudded away as they walked, singing, up the drive and onto the Bittlesmans’ porch. She was glad she had the others with her, but that was why she was so nervous. It was one thing for Oscar to be mean to her, but she didn’t want him to insult her friends.

They continued singing as they stood on the porch. And continued. Maybe, Christina thought, maybe they were all watching television and couldn’t hear the carolers.

Finally, the door opened.

“Oh, my! Carolers!” Janice was there in a blue dress with an apron over it. She smiled at the quartet. “Let me get the others!”

They sang the last verse of “White Christmas” for the fourteenth time, and then Janice returned with Oscar and Wink in tow. Delia stood behind Wink, rolling her eyes. Andy showed up, grinning with delight.

Wink clapped her hands and jumped up and down at the sight of the carolers.

Oscar stared at them grimly, as if they were another task to finish.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Harriet began to sing.

“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.”

Janice gasped and placed both hands over her heart. Wink clasped her hands to her face in wonder. Andy’s eyes lit up in surprise. Oscar didn’t change expression, but at least he didn’t walk away.

Harriet sang easily, purely, her voice rich even in the highest notes. Jacob’s quiet baritone gave solemnity to the song.

Christina’s eyes filled with tears and the tears spilled over. What a gift Harriet had, and what a gift she was giving.

After Harriet sang the final line—“I give him—Give my heart”—Wink asked, her voice trembling, “Are you an angel?”

“Yes,” Jacob said. “Yes, she is.”

Oh boy, Christina’s IC whispered, has Jacob got it bad.

“Here’s a song for you, Wink,” Mimi announced.

The group launched into “Frosty the Snowman,” which delighted Wink so much she laughed and clapped. They segued right into “Winter Wonderland.”

Janice, Andy, and Wink applauded. Oscar stood unmoved.

Mimi said, “And, Oscar, since the older of us often miss out on Santa Claus, we’ve each brought you a gift.”