The sister blamed it all on the boy. Wouldn’t listen. Thought the boy killed the puppy in the dark cellar. Christmas became ever after as dark as that cellar, reminding them.

After a time, it was necessary to bring back the light. The boy, older now, brought light into Christmas. He made flames as bright as summer as the Christmas tree burned, and the Mother burned.

Soon learned blood is better than fire. Blood flows quietly, secretly and glows red.

I was afraid of her. Now I am strong. I will make a beautiful red Christmas. She will know the real me, and she will forgive me.

Rose

Twenty-six

Christmas was like walking on eggs. Daniel sent her a gold chain and a note: “I’m here if you need me.” The telephone was mercifully silent, except for Muriel phoning to set up a rehearsal the following Wednesday. Muriel’s voice conveyed the same bubbly excitement it had the last time she and Rose spoke. “This Christmas might just be a miracle,” she said.

“Someone very special is going to spend it with ___ ^ »

me.

“I’m glad,” Rose said and meant it. Muriel deserved something special. Rose had a feeling Muriel had put in her time in Bethboro, working out some old problem.

“I’m gladder,” Muriel said. “I’ve misjudged someone very dear to me. I’ve been very wrong.” “I hope I don’t get the recital wrong,” Rose said. “After all the trouble you’ve gone through.” “One good thing leads to another,” Muriel said. “See you Wednesday. Come early. There are no classes, we’ll have lunch together.”

“Okay. Merry Christmas.”

“You, too. It will be the first merry one for me in a long time.”

On Tuesday, the day after Christmas, Grace decided she was coming over. Her mother was willing to concede, in the spirit of Christmas, that it wasn’t right to listen to malicious gossip.

“I’ll be bringing your present,” Grace said, and Rose realized she’d forgotten to buy Grace a gift. The trip to the mall seemed eons ago.

“Rose,” Grace said, “don’t you want me to come?”

“Of course. Mom’s been asking about you. Come on up and bring us some holiday cheer.”

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

It was just about an hour after Grace’s call that the telephone rang. Rose answered, half wanting it to be Daniel, half expecting it to be Grace with an excuse. It was a voice from the bottom of a well.

“Too bad you never come out to play.”

“Who is this?”

“I have someone else to play with now. I have your little friend.”

“What?”

“The little bumblebee.”

Rose went cold. Don’t worry, he’s only bluffing. Be casual, don’t give anything away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”