“Shhh. Remember, this is a surprise.” Tim led sixteen young people quietly to the Wolveton’s door. When Brian answered the door, they trooped in. “Surprise!” They had called ahead and got Brian’s and Sharlene’s permission to visit.
Marshall was lying on the couch ready for bed. “Hey. What are you guys doing here?”
Doris knelt beside Marshall. “It’s the magic of Christmas. The first gift to the world was the greatest gift of all and filled with love. We’re bringing you lots of love -- and gifts.”
“Merry Christmas,” they chorused.
“But tomorrow’s Christmas,” Marshall was delighted.
“We know, but we wanted to beat Santa here,” Jacob as he gave Marshall a present. Chuckles bounced around delighted to have them. There were squeals of happiness with each gift Marshall opened. A hug came with each gift and chew toys for Chuckles.
“This is the bestest Christmas I’ve ever had. Chuckles thinks so, too.”
“Chuckles, is that true. I didn’t hear you say a word,” Tim laughed.
Sharlene walked over. “Son, these friends brought you wonderful gifts. What are you going to give them?”
“Gee,” he said quietly, “I don’t know.”
“How about giving them a song?” Brian suggested.
“Okay, Daddie, will you play for me?” Brian placed a violin on his shoulder while Sharlene ran her fingers on the piano keys. “Let’s sing, silent Night,” Marshall sang out.
“Yea!” the group cheered.
“I know,” Marshall said happily. “I’ll sing the first verse and everybody jump in for the other verses.”
“Oh. Glory,” Tara Ellis whooped. “Stand back. You’ve never heard Charlotte jump into a song.”
There was a lot of good-natured teasing. The sweet tones of the violin rang with a few notes then Sharlene started playing the piano.
Several of the teens wiped tears from their cheeks as the clear, sweet voice of Marshall’s drifted through the room. His smile lit the room as he waved his hands for them to join him. They sang several carols in addition to some silly Christmas songs such as Rudolph and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. Jingle Bells finished the warbling.
At six thirty Tim motioned to the others and they gave hugs and good wishes as they left.
“What a great evening. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything more. Did y’all see how pale and tired Marshall was?” Ellen laid her head on Mark’s shoulder and he placed an arm around her.
“Yes. He was very tired, but happy.” Mark said and started singing, “What Child Is This.”
Tom ran to answer the phone as he and Tim came home. “Sure. We’d love to.” he said and hung up. Tears stood in his eyes as he faced his family. “That was Marshall. He asked if we would take Chuckles if he has to go to the hospital again. He said he knows we love Chuckles like he does and if he has to be gone for a long time Chuckles will need exercise and care.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Tim blurted. “Do you think he suspects he might be dying?”
“Probably not,” Tom answered. “He was weak and tired when we left. He has accepted that he will need to go back to the hospital and he knows his parents stay with him. He wanted to be sure Chuckles was okay.”
Herb hugged Irene, “We’ll gladly take the dog if it’s okay with his parents.”
Christmas morning came bright and cold with a thin layer of snow. Irene fixed blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage links. They ate, cleaned the kitchen and went to the living room to open the presents under the tree.
“You know, it’s funny,” Tim mused. “When I was little I couldn’t wait to see what Santa brought.”
“I went for the stockings first,” Tom laughed.
“Now we eat a leisure breakfast, clean up and then come in to open gifts. This is the one part of growing up that I don’t like. I miss that thrill and excitement that I had as a little boy,” Tim finished.
“Son, you are growing up. The years will pass faster than you think and some morning you’re going to be drug out of bed before daylight so that you can enjoy the excitement of your own little boy. Here, open this one.”
As they were in the middle of unwrapping gifts, the front door burst open and a blast of cold air swept in. “Hey family,” a cheery voice called.
“Anna! I thought you were going home with your roommate,” Irene ran to hug her followed by the three men.
“You’ll think I’m a baby, but I’ve always been with family for Christmas. Buffy and her dad took me to the bus station and I came home. I took a taxi from the depot. Merry Christmas everyone. Come on. Group hug.”
“This is probably the best Christmas I’ll remember because I realize that no matter how old you get, or how far from home you are, family is still the best. I have a special gift for Marshall. I hope we can go over this afternoon to visit with him.”They all talked as Anna ate. Herb got up to answer the phone. “Dear God, we’re on our way,” they heard him say.
“No! Don’t tell me it’s Marshall. It’s Christmas.” Tom choked
Herb nodded. “He’s in the hospital and Brian and Sharlene are very upset. They need us there.” They quickly dressed and left.
Running into the hospital, they were met by a white-faced Brian who staggered. He looked old and sad. “He’s gone,” he sobbed. “He’s with the angels, no longer in a wheelchair, but dancing and singing as he’s always loved to do.” He sat down crying uncontrollably.
“Where’s Sharlene?” Irene asked rubbing Brian’s back.
“She collapsed. Dr. Martin gave her a sedative and put her to bed.”
“What can we do? What do you need done?” Herb put an arm around Brian.
“Nothing now. No, you can call our minister, friends and relatives. I’m not up to being on the phone. The list is on the kitchen table. We were too upset to go to bed, so we stayed up and made the list because we felt it would be soon.” He handed Herb a set of keys. “Here. I’m going to stay until Sharlene is ready to go home.”
“Brian, why don’t you go home with Herb and the boys? Anna and I will stay with Sharlene. Go home. We’ll be with you both as long as you need us.” Irene urged him.
“I’m too late,” Anna sobbed. “I should have come home instead of going to the Hoover’s last night. I didn’t get to see him and I had a gift for him.”
“Honey, you wrote to Marshall and called him. He was so proud to have a big sister in college. He loved you and knew you loved him.”
“You’re right, Mom. I’m being selfish. I’m only thinking of my own grief. Sharlene and Brian need us now. How sad Christmas will always be for them after this.”
At the Wolverton’s Tom called a few of his friends and asked each one to call others. Everyone was grieving. Next he called Mr. Grissom. Six hours later Irene brought Sharlene home.
Three days later the church was packed with students, church members, relatives, people from Canine Wonders and loads of friends. The minister choked when he started speaking.
“The body that Marshall’s soul used is in front of you, but the Marshall we knew is no longer there. He is a spirit in heaven.” The minister explained so that the small children, Marshall’s friends, could understand. “Marshall left something that we all need. He left the ability to accept what life offers and make the best of what we have. He was so full of love that he glowed. Even in pain he was always smiling and he sincerely cared about other people. He loved animals and made provisions for his dog companion to be cared for in a new home. We would all be a better person if we would emulate him.” A huge crowd followed to the grave site.
Brian and Sharlene were surprised and touched when they were contacted by the staff of Canine Wonders. They had requested no flowers, but instead that donations could be made to either Canine Wonder or the Children’s Hospital. Donations were pouring in at the school in Marshall’s memory.
Chuckles now lived with the Jacksons to the delight of Hope. Chuckles would whine and search all over the place. “He misses Marshall,” Tim observed. Hope was at chuckle’s side wherever he went. She seemed to know he needed comforting. When he would give up and lie down, Hope was beside him as close as she could get.
“Look at that,” Irene smiled. “Hope is being a little mother to him. Mother! No! Boys, I absolute forbid Hope being allowed to mate. I refuse to be as accepting as I was with Greatheart. And I ---- why are you laughing?”
“Mom, don’t get bent out of shape. Chuckles can’t be a mate to Hope. He’s fixed. Poor guy,” Tom laughed. “Although he’s content to be with Hope, he still misses Marshall and he will for a long time. He’ll get bored with no work to do. He’s used to being needed. We need to exercise him often.”
Irene reminded them that Sharlene and Brian would be in Indiana with her parents for two weeks. “That’s what I meant to ask,” Tom snapped his fingers. “How come her parents didn’t attend the funeral? Brian’s parents were there, but they live closer.”
“Sharlene’s parents are both elderly and have medical problems even though her father putters around the house and yard. When Brian and Sharlene return, we’ll invite them over for dinner. Boys, it’s time for you and your dad to take Anna to college. She had permission to miss a few classes, but she can’t be gone longer. I’ll stay here with the dogs and have supper ready for you when you get home. Anna, do you have money and your new clothes?”
“I have it all, Mom. Calm down. I’m not going to Outer Mongolia. I’m only a couple of hours away. If I need something I can call.” Anna hugged her mother and kissed her cheek, then ran out in tears to the car.
January winds were bitter cold, but everyone had their work and activities. Fairfax High students were changing and maturing. The loss of Marshall and the wreck that Alex, Meg and Trina had, caused loads of them to take stock of their own lives with more seriousness than they had. They were also more appreciative and respectful of adults.
In addition to school, volunteering at Canine Wonders, part-time jobs, church and sports activities, the twins were going to the Children’s Hospital one day a week to entertain the children. Hope and Chuckles happily went with them to greet the children and to make everyone feel good.
“Some of these sweet, little characters have been abused, some have no families and some are from privileged homes. Still they all, without exception, need love and attention” A nurse told the twins one day as they were observing activities through a plate glass window.