“Yes, I think we could do that,” Elizabeth said at the same time.
“Mother, I don’t think you can take on that task. It will be too much for you.”
“It wouldn’t be, Richard, if you’d help.”
The other two were sitting quietly, watching the conversation between him and his mother. Richard almost groaned aloud. He had too much to do as it was. But he could tell his mother wanted to make the effort for her grandson.
“All right, Mother. In what room would you like to put the green tree?”
“I think my sitting room would do. Then we could enjoy it all day long.”
“Of course you could, if you want an eight-year-old running in and out.”
Molly spoke up. “Toby and I came across a garden room with a tiled floor and some pretty durable furniture in it. Wouldn’t that be a good room for a real tree, so the pine needles won’t stick in the carpet?” She looked at Richard.
“We don’t use that room often in the winter. Do you think that would be a good idea, Richard?” Elizabeth asked her son.
“I’m sure it would be fine, Mom. Albert can take Molly and Toby out to find a tree tomorrow, if they want.”
Toby frowned. “But the daddy always comes to carry the tree and tie it on the roof of the car.”
Richard smiled. “We don’t have a daddy here, Toby. I promise Albert can carry the tree for you. He’s very strong.”
“No, I think Toby is right,” Elizabeth spoke with more authority than Richard had heard from her since he was a small boy himself.
“Right about what, Mom?” he asked.
“I think we should go as a family. That’s what we did when you were a little boy. When you get home tomorrow evening, we’ll go find a tree.” She nodded, as if to punctuate her statement.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get home, Mom. I missed two days of work.”
“Richard, I don’t think you should miss buying the tree. This will be Toby’s first Christmas with us. It’s important.”
Richard sighed, thinking of all the work he had piled up for him when he got to the office in the morning. And now he’d have to get home at a decent hour tomorrow night to go buy a blasted Christmas tree!
“And when will the presents get here?” Toby asked.
“Why, I suppose Santa will bring them Christmas Day,” Elizabeth assured him with a smile.
“No, I mean the presents that were under our tree at home.” Toby turned to Molly. “They will come, won’t they?”
“I don’t know, honey. I’m sure they’ll get here sometime, but it might not be before Christmas.”
“But they have to! I think Mommy wrapped up my puppy!”
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