“This is a video camera,” he said as if there were some mistake.

“That’s right. You can film the whole day. Hurry up! You’re missing some cute shots of the kids and the kittens.”

“Okay, okay. Just let me figure it out.”

“It’s ready to go. All you have to do is push that red button.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. They’re great. Fantastic gadgets.” The older man bounced around them, barely able to restrain himself from grabbing the camera.

Lucy protested, “You really shouldn’t have done this. They’re so expensive.”

“Nonsense. You only go around once, right? Can’t take it with you,” said Bill senior. “Besides, Edna wants videos of the kids so she can show off to her friends.”

Lucy laughed, then threw up her hands in horror as Bill turned the camera on her. “Don’t, Bill! I haven’t even combed my hair yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. It looks like Christmas. It looks just like Christmas should.”

Indeed, the day was just the way Christmas should be. Eventually the two grandmothers appeared in their robes, with their faces washed and hair combed. Forewarned about the video camera, both had dabbed on some lipstick.

Lucy served coffee and juice while the grandparents opened their stockings, and then everyone moved into the family room to open presents.

After waiting such a long time for Christmas, the children hurried through their piles of gifts, ripping off the paper as fast as they could. Toby was fascinated with the giant insects Lucy had found and was also quite taken with the football his grandfather gave him, but he swore he would never wear the argyle sweater Aunt Madeline had sent him. The girls shook their heads over the red sweaters Aunt Madeline had sent them, but they adored the Barbie house, and the dolls, and the ice skates, and all the other wonderful presents they found under the tree.

The grown-ups opened their packages at a more leisurely pace, stopping to admire each new treasure. Lucy was relieved that Bill approved of the red dress she’d bought at The Carriage Trade, especially after she tried it on for him. Bill senior declared he couldn’t wait to try out the fly-tying kit, and both grandmothers immediately draped their scarves over their robes. Lucy was extremely touched by a lovely pair of gold earrings from her mother.

“I wanted to give you something special. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” her mother said, her eyes glistening with tears.

Lucy worried that the day might be too much for Helen, reminding her of all the Christmases she had shared with her husband. She disappeared for quite a while to get dressed, and when she finally reappeared, she seemed withdrawn and quiet.

“Helen, how about a game of Ping-Pong?” invited Edna. “Elizabeth needs a partner.”