Chapter 9
Sighing as I tossed my hockey bag onto the porch, kicking off my snow boots as I stepped into the house closing the door to not let too much heat out. “I’m home..” “In here hun.” Mom said from the living room. Removing my jacket as I rubbed my arms to get some warmth back inside my body. “Can it get any colder?” I asked as I walked into the living room. There sat my mom going through boxes of Christmas decorations, some already up. Walking over as she slid the box of lights to me, “Start testing.” Sighing as I plopped onto a chair as I opened the box and started untangling them first. “Why is it I have to do this every year? Why can’t Johnny?” “Cause he isn’t home yet. He got tied up a bit longer at work. He isn’t happy about it.” Nodding my head some, “When’s John and Dave suppose to be coming in?” Looking to the clock, “Anytime. John called. They’re on their way actually.” Nodding my head as I got one strain of lights untangled, placing it to the side. “Nice I can’t wait to see Dave. Been a long week..” Evelyn patted her daughter’s shoulder, “I know hun, but it’s not going to be long now. He’s out of the hospital and on his way. John is taking care of him, don’t worry.” Nodding my head once again, “He better be.” Evelyn chuckles, “You know John is reliable.”
Finally getting the box of lights untangled, I started plugging them in see which was dead and alive. “Did you get new sets of lights in case?” I asked as I tossed another dead line to the side. “Yes I did. Just to be on the safe side.” “Good cause we don’t have many alive this year.“ Finishing up as my mom started on decorating the house, inside wise. The guys would have to do the outside when they got here. “Gonna make John and Johnny freeze outside?” Evelyn giggled as she finished up. “Yes I am. You know John helps do the outside every year, when he’s home.” Nodding my head, “Good you can stick CJ out there too. Maybe they’ll bury him in a snow bank.” “Hun.. Remember what we talked about?” Sighing as I nodded my head, “Yes mom. Just getting it out of my system now.” Getting to my feet as I walked over to a fire burning in the fire place, warming up a bit. “How did the game go?” She asked as she put the last empty box in the basement. “Same as always. I got slammed a lot, scored and we creamed the other team.” Giggling as she walked back into the living room, seating herself upon the couch. “The tree is getting delivered this afternoon. So we can get it in the stand let it warm up over night.” Nodding my head some, “That’s the best part. The smell of a fresh pine in the house for a couple of weeks.”
“Johnny said to wait for him to do the tree. Hopefully he makes it home tomorrow afternoon. It’s suppose to snow again.” Walking over as I sat down next to her, “He’ll get here mom. Nothing hasn’t stopped him from a promise yet.” Nodding her head gently, “I know I just worry that’s all.” Placing my hand upon her knee, “Don’t worry. They predict snow and sometimes it doesn’t come. We’ll see what happens.” Mom nodded her head as she yawned gently. “Relax mom, mostly everything is done, bought, wrapped and ready. Relax until you need to worry and run around with a chicken with your head cut off.” Giggling as she relaxed into the corner of the couch. “Thank god for catering this year.”
“I told you to do it last year. We ended up almost running out last year. I swear the family is getting bigger every year.” “It does. Between girlfriends, boyfriends and such. Can’t keep up.” Chuckling as I hear an SUV pull up in the driveway, mom and I both got up and ran to the door. Layfield stepped out of the driver side, heading to the back for the gear. “Better go help Jessie.” Nodding as I slipped on a jacket and my snow boots as I headed out the door. “Look what the cats dragged in..” Layfield poked his head around the end of the SUV, “Hey Jessie.” Heading towards the back, avoiding the passenger back door, that swung open. “Hey hun. Hold on and I’ll help you.” Dave grumbled as he slid out to his feet, “No I’m good. Just help Layfield.” Keeping his weight off his right, which was in a brace for his knee. Grabbing his crutches as I walked back to the house with gear in my arms, Layfield following.
Putting the bags down as my mom took the stuff from Layfield’s arm. “We told you don’t bring anything John.” She took a huge box full of gifts into the living room. “When do I ever listen?” Layfield said as I held open the door for Dave who hobbled inside. “Take it easy big man. Don’t need you slipping again.” Layfield said as he removed his jacket, kicking off his boots. Looking to Layfield as he walked into the house, “You didn’t?” Dave sighs, “Pushy people this time of year. I got toppled, but I’m fine.” Looking to Dave as I nodded, “Just as long as you didn’t get hurt. So that saves me from hurting Layfield.” Dave chuckles as Evelyn helps him into the house. “Come on in Dave, you need to relax.” Dave follows as I kick off my boots to the side, following everybody inside, after closing the door.
The four of us piled into the living room, once I helped Layfield get the bags upstairs. Seating myself upon the floor, next to Dave relaxing in the recliner. Mom and John had taken the couch. “How was the flight?” Evelyn asked. “Don’t ask..” John commented. “We got delayed cause of snow in Detroit.” “Does that mean everybody else might too?” She asked. “Not really. They might of taken different course of flights than we did.” He explained. Sighing a bit as I looked to mom, “Like I said mom. John will get here. Don’t worry.” Layfield wrapped an arm around Evelyn’s shoulders as she leaned into his side. “She’s right. Everybody will get here.” “I hope so. Gonna be the first Christmas in three years that Johnny and Jessie are home together.” Nodding my head some, “That’s right. Two Christmases I was stuck back in Tennessee cause of work. John was stuck cause of flights last year and the year before cause of Vince.”
“I remember that. I was stuck with him, I wasn’t very happy with that.” Dave commented as I looked up to him. “Who wouldn’t be? It’s Vince.” Dave chuckled as he laid a hand upon my shoulder. I winced a bit as he moved his hand, “Something wrong?” “I’m good.. Just bruised from..” “She played hockey all week. She’s a little beaten up. I told her to give it up.” Evelyn explained. Layfield lifted a brow, “You play hockey?” I nodded my head, “For a local team, just for this time of year. Charity.” Layfield nods his head, “Good for you. Team any good?” Chuckling a bit, “I have a game tomorrow morning, if you wanna go and check it out. But no killing.” Dave snaps his fingers, “Damn.. I was looking forward to throwing someone too.”
Patting his good knee, “Sorry hun. You’re a spectator for once.” Nodding his head gently, “I’ll go.” Nodding my head some, “Cool. You can ride with me if you want.” “No he’ll go with us. He can catch a ride back with you later on.” Evelyn said. “You’re going? Mom you’ve never been. You hate seeing me get hit.” Shrugs her shoulders some, “I’ve got someone to reassure me. Well two.” Layfield nods his head, “Yep you sure do.” “Good at least someone can keep her calm while I play.” We continued with conversation until we all split up for the night for some sleep.
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