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“Hold on, Dare, let me put you on speakerphone and get to my folks.”
She wandered into the living room and turned the TV on mute. She indicated it was Dare on the phone.
“OK, Dare, what is it?” Jo asked.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard. I was just telling Jo that there’s going to be a new Christmas event this year on the island. It’s going to be a festival of lights with all the charter boats at the docks. They’re planning music and food and it just sounds like a great time. It would be awesome if you could come and maybe spend Christmas on the island this year. Bring Miss Susan too, of course. Would you think about it?”
Mike said, “I think it’s a great idea. It would definitely be something new and I think Susan would be absolutely thrilled. Time for a change in our routine.”
SeaAnna was nodding slowly. “I never thought I would want to, but we were just talking about Christmas plans and it all seems to be coming together. Sure, Dare. We’ll come. I assume Captain Terry’s boat will be all decked out?”
“Oh, for sure. Everyone’s talking about it. After the storm and all, it just seems like a good thing to do. That’s great news. Let’s just hope we have better weather. It will be great to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard. And Jo, we’ll have that celebratory dinner at Marcie’s, for sure.”
Jo talked to Dare a while longer, and then ended the conversation.
“Wow, Mom, I’m glad you went with the idea,” said Jo. “And Dad, you really seem to be into it. A family Christmas on the island. Well, almost the whole family.”
SeaAnna smiled. “Yes, almost the whole family but let’s take what we have and make the most of it.”
As SeaAnna and Jo walked back into the kitchen together for a little more pumpkin pie, Mike leaned back on his recliner and smiled to himself.
Christmas, he thought.A time for surprises.
ChapterFifteen
Jo and SeaAnna seemed almost giddy on the drive from Raleigh to Hatteras. Mike concentrated on driving and let the two of them talk seemingly incessantly for the majority of the four-hour trip. One thing mother and daughter had always had in common, despite their differences, was a love of the Christmas season. With so many positive things happening in their family, it seemed like this Christmas would really be one to remember.
Jo had driven from Wilmington as soon as her final exam ended. Mike and SeaAnna already had their car packed so when she arrived, they loaded up her suitcase and gifts, and they headed off. Susan was expecting them for dinner and Jo honestly couldn’t wait. She hadn’t seen her grandmother since she’d left in September. Video chatting was a wonderful part of technology but it just couldn’t replace the real thing. Everyone had certainly learned that from the pandemic.
“I guess I am a bit sad we won’t see Chris at Christmas,” Jo said. “But at least he said he’d try to come to Raleigh before I have to go back to school.”
“I know,” said SeaAnna. “I had hoped we’d all be together but I think he didn’t feel right being on the island knowing he couldn’t see Mom. In Raleigh that pressure won’t be there and we can just enjoy ourselves. Plus, he’ll be with his extended family for Christmas so I think it works out OK for now.”
“He’s thoughtful, and more patient than I am, for sure,” said Jo. “It’s pretty cool how close we’ve become this fall. And you too, Mom. Boy, when we thought about our ‘bingo cards’ for this year at the end of last year, we sure didn’t figure on ‘meeting long lost father and grandfather’.”
“I’d agree with that,” said Mike. “I don’t know if you two chatterboxes realize it but we are just about thirty minutes away. How about some Christmas music that I can actually hear for this last bit of the drive?”
SeaAnna reached over and turned up the volume on the satellite holiday channel and they all got lost in their own pleasant thoughts until they turned into Susan’s drive. She was waiting for them on the porch, wearing a light coat as the weather was seasonably cool but not terribly cold. It would be perfect for the Holiday Festival of Lights the next evening.
Jo bounded out of the car and took the steps two at a time.
“Merry Christmas, Gran! I’m so happy to be here. You look great. Lots of color in your cheeks so you must be walking every day.”
Susan hugged Jo tightly. “Yes, I have been. I never had another problem with my ankle and it’s so beautiful on the beach right now.”
“We’ll definitely be taking some walks together, all of us,” said Jo.
By then SeaAnna had made it to the top of the stairs and greeted her mother warmly.
“It’s good to be here, Mom. Having a Hatteras Christmas will be special. Have you bought a tree? Mike brought some decorations from home so we can add to yours and make it a real family tree so to speak.”
Mike was lugging up the suitcases and Jo offered to run back down and help him with the mountain of gifts they all had brought - not just for Susan but also for each other. They planned to stay through Christmas Day and head back the day after Christmas. That gave them a full week. Jo hoped time would just slow down now so she could savor each moment.
“Gran, are you excited about the Festival of Lights? Dare’s been telling me about all the preparations and I think Captain Jeff is going to allow him to co-pilot theCarefreewith him in the boat parade. It should be amazing and the weather is going to cooperate. At least no rain.”
“Ah, I’m not sure I’m going,” said Susan. She had moved into the kitchen and had her back to them at the sink where she was opening a bottle of wine.
“What?” said SeaAnna. “You know that was a big part of our coming here. At least coming this early. Why don’t you want to go?”
