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Inside, I hear singing Daniel has come back down to sit next to Patience, with only the Christhts on The closeness between them makes me feel lonely Will my life always be this way? I didn’t used to le, and ether makes me wonder

When I’m fifty will I be alone on Christmas? I picture myself in an apartton DC or maybe BostonI attend a Christmas Eve service at the National Cathedral, then coo to bedNo ru, no tree Why would I bother? The bleakness makes me shiver

Back in my room, I take off my clothes, fold theown "Silent night Holy night," Patience and Daniel sing "All is calht"

Upstairs I think I hear another voice Could that be Dr Blu

Deceht Holy night All is calht" Danny was asleep in his crib Becky was downstairs in her bedroo in the dark parlor next to the lighted Christ carol after carol in their sweet alto and baritone I added my contribution in my rusty, unused voice, not that anyone heardjust a little bit happy I like it when she brushes my teeth I could do itShe holds my head under my chin and orders me in that brisk nurse voice to open entle So to lock myself in a cell of silence, the hu

"O cos as he bangs around in the kitchen I lie in bed, waiting for the house to war, and then putting the dogs out Beyond ain, this ti storm we’ve had and the Hesters say the lack of snow is bad for the soil We need more moisture

Oh, well, I’ray slacks and a red cardigan sweater, little Danny bounces down the wooden stairs in his footie pajamas "Did Santa come? Did he?"

"In here, honey" That’s Patience She still reclines on the sofa, where she spent the night Behind Danny co in his sock feet

"Did Santa cohs, pointing to the child’s stocking with soot at the Bitt of on under the tree In the wagon is a delightfully carved rabbit ooden wheels and a pull string There are also a couple of other wrapped presents, and I putwith the rest Daniel reaches around behind the sofa and plugs in the lights again

"Danny Boy, slon," he hollers as the child runs through the kitchen pulling his new toy "Bring the rabbit to your aunt Becky and show her what Uncle Isaac made for you"

"The doctorlittle anie or so fine

"Great, isn’t it? He’s been working on it for a couple of weeks," Daniel praises his friend’s work

I stare at the toy and runThe bunny even has whiskers made with small wires His eyes are carved in detail with black buttons for pupils I turn to Blu, but he only stares at his hands