North Meets South, Worlds Collide - 84. Prepping For Christmas

oChristmas: Part Two

The afternoon came and it was dinner time we took my Bronco. My Bronco had the roof for the tree. Don’t worry about scratching the paint. We had a cloth to put down on the roof under the tree. The tree won’t scratch the paint.

Before we left, I saw David putting Alik’s jacket on. “Where we go last, it will be cold. You have your gloves in your pockets?”

Alik nodded and pulled each a little to show him.

“Good!” David kissed him on the forehead and rose. “The forecast is to be minus two degrees.” He glanced at me. “That’s in Celsius…”

“I know that’s 28 in Fahrenheit.” I nodded smiling. “Most if not all Europe and other countries use it. Now, kilometers and kind difficult at first, calculating to miles to miles to figure out how long travel would be…that was hard at first. Now, I just…” I shrugged, “know!”

Sasha came down looking for the missing person. “Where’s Tony?”

“Tony’s making a statement when he goes out anywhere. It’s important to him. First, it was the jeans, which he thought was too casual where we were dining and for where we are going after that.” I grinned. “You know he wants perfection for himself, and me when he feels like he can.”

“Sorry,” Tony said as he trotted over, “I was just…”

“Creating the perfect look for you.” I chuckled. “And blue, that's not surprising.” I waved at his light blue sweater, dark blue pants with a matching jacket the same color as the pants. “I will say you did it, but you were always perfect to me. Now, you look it!”

Tony blushed a little. “You are, too.” He kissed me. “Thank you. Now let’s find out if they can make real Italian food.”

Alik got in the backseat between Sasha and David, looking around the Bronco. “Wow, this is a nice truck!”

“This is new Bubba and yes, it is.” I nodded looking at Alik who was still looking at the interior. “Buckle up.”

I watched Sasha lean to him to help, but waved off his help.

“Я понял, Пап.” I’ve got it, Dad. Alik said.

“Я знаю, что ты делаешь. Теперь ты мой большой мальчик. Просто... не растут слишком быстро. Позволь мне быть папой изредка.” I know you do. You’re my big boy now. Just...don't grow up too quickly. Let me be Dad occasionally. Sasha said.

Alik smiled nodding. ”Конечно, вы всегда будете моим отцом.” Sure, you will always be my Dad. Alik hugged Sasha while they were buckled in, but they were side by side. No problem. Then he hugged David. “You, too, Daddy David!”

I drove to the restaurant. I smiled seeing three jacketed men standing near a tall desk and another man dressed as they were walked over to the other three. “See!?” I said to Tony. “Valets!”

Tony chuckled. “Which you’ll have use.”

I drove up to the men. Getting out I handed my keys to the man who handed me a ticket. I held onto the keys making the man look at me. “I don’t need to tell, but Bubba means a lot to me. Park carefully, please?”

The young man, in his mid-twenties, smiled. “If I had the sweet ride, I tell the valets that, too. What year is she?”

“He’s 1992.” I laughed. “You see anything feminine on him? It’s a man truck!” I said that last sentences gruffly and pounded my chest once.

He chuckled. “No, nothing feminine.” He took the keys. “It’s a classic! He looks brand new! Believe me, I will be careful with this beaut!”

“You guys know it will below be freezing tonight?” David asked the valets.

They laughed. Then one spoke up. “We’re prepared. Long johns, insulated pants, shirt, sweaters, the insulated jackets, and gloves.”

The man parking Bubba put the window down. “And all this moving about, we’ll be warm.”

Tony looked at his watch. “We need to go in.”

We walked into the restaurant and it was no pizza joint. The place did have pictures of the Colosseum in Rome and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice but they were large paintings in frames. The place was elegantly decorated, red carpet, upholstered red chairs, and red tablecloths! The murmur of quiet conversation the clicks of silverware touching china was heard. Almost no one was in jeans, most of the diners wore dress-casual up to suits and nice dresses, it was a place you took someone special on a date! There were families, too, but no kids were running around making noise. The parents wouldn’t allow that here. We saw people waiting for a table to open.

Tony walked through some to get to the dark-suited host. “Delveccio, a table for five.”

The host nodded. “Of course, sir. Right this way.” He made a mark on something on the desk and took five menus.

I could smell wonderful aromas. I even spotted a few from our complex. We sat at a table next to a couple that lived two floors below us. Manuel and his wife Stacy. He was handsome Latino in his mid-forties and Stacy an American blonde in her late thirties. Beautiful. They both smiled at us. “Hello, neighbors!”

“Hi, Manual, Stacy!” Tony greeted shaking his hand. He thumbed back at us. “I know you know who these guys are.”

Stacy laughed. “We do! Sasha has helped a few times getting the groceries out of my car. And the time I thought I carry three bags up and dropped two all over the elevator. He entered from home he rode down and helped me get in our condo!” She looked at Alik. “Alik is one happy boy, always smiling and cheerful…”

I saw the host remove a card that said: “Reserved for the party of Mister Delveccio.”

“Enjoy your meal. This is delicious.” Manuel said smiling. “You’re a real Italian, tell me what you think.”

“I will,” Tony assured him as we sat down.

“You made reservations!?” I asked Tony. “It just opened up!”

“You know I hardly ever go anywhere with no reservation.” Tony chuckled. “It’s only now getting dark an earlier reservation before seven. After that, it is date night.” He leaned to me kissing me. “I looked it over online to see it.”

“You might have to help me with this menu.” Sasha smiled at David, Tony and me. “I will try it in English, but I still won’t understand what it is.”

David smiled. “They speak fluent Italian, ask them! They speak all three languages used in the house!”

“He does it better.” Tony nudged me.

A young man came up. “Your server is behind me. I’m Josh. I refill glasses and pass bread.”

I waggled my eyebrows at Sasha. “That reminds me of somewhere.” Sasha looked up and smirked at me. The waiters all wore dark pants and red vests and red tie. Josh stepped away. A man in his mid-thirties stepped up. “My name’s Clark and I’ll be your waiter tonight. Can start you with a drink or appetizer and what you want to eat?”

Tony grinned. “Se ordino in italiano, vuoi capire?” If I order in Italian, would you understand?

Clark looked surprised. “I got only the Italian word when you said italiano.”

I hit Tony in the head lightly with the menu. “Tony lascialo in pace. Non tutti quelli che lavorano qui parlano italiano, probabilmente. Non essere antipatico.” Tony leave him alone. Not everyone working here speaks Italian, probably. Don't be obnoxious. I growled slightly. “It’s rude to speak a language in front of them when they don’t understand.”

Tony smiled putting his arm around me. “My husband was just reminding me of that.” He hugged me with that one arm.

I glanced over and saw David’s eyes widen as he read the menu. “Stop it, David.”

David looked up. “What?”

“You’re looking with those McKenzie's eyes.” I shook my head. “Hell, you could afford to buy every meal for everyone here and yet to come tonight and still that won’t make a dent in your account!”

David smiled as he nodded. “You’re right.”

I was going to get the Chef’s Choice sirloin with melted horseradish cream, broken bacon pieces, Golabki for Tony made from the Chef’s Choice also. Stuffed cabbage rolls with sirloin steak chopped up, rice, tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Sasha was getting Sealed Dill Salmon and David the Pollo del Diavolo Pasta. Devil’s Chicken. Alik wanted pizza, David showed him the pizza and calzones were. They weren’t round pies, but oblong with different sizes for big families.

We ordered our drinks, appetizers, soups, salad. I insisted we get the calamari I loved and Tony was asked to order something we would love. He ordered these cheese puffs, not your bag of puffed Cheetos. They were hot and very cheesy.

“Have you got something to drink for this big son?” Sasha asked.

Clark smiled. “We do! If he doesn’t like it, which no one hasn’t, even adults like it.” He chuckled. “Let me get this in and get those drinks.”

We talked quietly until Manuel and Stacy rose from their table. “You can tell me your verdict about this place back where we live.” He said to Tony. “Have a good night, gentlemen. My not having any Italian from my ancestors that I know of, I say what we ate was absolutely fabulous!” He shook hands with Tony.

Tony nodded. “I will!”

Clark came back with a tray of drinks. Beer for Sasha… not in a beer stein, they were in a tall glass that looked like crystal., sweet tea for David and me, Tony’s predinner wine was in a shorter glass. Then he put the glass in front of Alik. I recognized it. The deep red color and the red cherry resting on the top of the drink. Alik looked at the drink.

“What is it?” Alik asked.

David smiled. “It’s a drink named after a star that became a big movie star in the 1930s and in the 1940s who rose to stardom at five years old! She’s still she’s popular. Shirley Temple. She could sing and dance at five and made many movies for a decade or more and she’s still alive. She elderly, but still alive.”

Alik sipped some and smiled delighted. “This is good!”

Now Clark came with our appetizers, each of us got individual ramekins of sauce so we didn’t double dip in one and a small fork was given to use with the appetizers.

“This is elegant,” I said to Tony as he nodded smiling as he got some the cheese puffs and calamari, which wasn’t tough, rubbery and overcooked like some places can do it sometimes. These were tender and crisp and absolutely delicious. Steam rose from both appetizers. Alik bit into a cheese puff and fanned his mouth to cool it off.

Nothing given to was just put on a plate. They had a good presentation. Placed attractively arranged, any sauce in ramekins. The whole restaurant said elegance. We were asked about desert. Not even Alik looked like he was interested. Clark handed Tony the bill. “You are a great restaurant here. We’ll be back. Now, one thing might be needed.”

“What’s that, sir?” Clark asked puzzled.

“We might need help going to the car. I am stuffed.” He looked at the rest. “Are you guys stuffed?” We all nodded.

Clark chuckled. “It’s what we do. We will help you if needed.” He took Tony’s card and license which he read and handed back and went to pay the bill.

I knew Tony. I didn’t even look. He handed back the receipt and Clark’s eyes widened.

“I come to Italian restaurants often. I come with forty percent in mind. It can go up or down depending on how the service is.” He got up. “You, my friend, earned much more. We will be back. I promise.”

“Thank you, Mr. Delveccio!” Clark said happily. “We have an excellent lunch menu, too. Do come back!”

“You can count on it…and the name’s Tony.” He pointed at each of us. “Mitch, Sasha, Alik and David.”

We went to the coat room where he gave the ticket to the girl manning it. They didn't want coats to hang on the back of chairs. The girl nodded and went told us just a sec. We put our coats on and went to the four valets we’d seen when we got there. I was pulling my ticket to the young man who parked my Bronco.

He shook his head. “I know where that sweet ride of yours is.” He ran to get it taking my keys off the hook in that tall thing they put customers keys in.

We were on our way to our next stop.

David leaned forward and asked Tony. “If you will tell me, what did you tip Clark?”

“I paid for the meal twice.” Tony simply shrugged.

“I saw the prices. How much was it?” David asked.

“Just over three hundred. I added with the total making it six hundred and fifty.” Tony chuckled.

“What!?” Davis balked. “He was good, I admit it, but why?”

Tony turned more in the passenger seat. He smiled at David. “Do you think he’ll forget us? Not be so pleased to see us? It’s also an incentive to keep it going and do the best job. It’s a win, win!”

“How does your money increase when you spend as you do?” David asked.

“I work.” Tony chuckled. “I still earn a commission with those I do investing for. My own investments like those stocks split for you, split for Mitch and me.”

“What about insider trading?” David asked.

“I never do that,” Tony said seriously. “Insider trading is would be if I invest, based insider information by given before made it goes public to make more profit. When it’s public knowledge anyone can invest, even me. I don’t do that for any client.” Tony grinned again. “I buy the stocks early when I feel it will go up and get better profits. One I got at 6. That split, split and split again!”

“Oh, okay.” David slid back in his seat.

We got to the Omni. All of downtown was decorated for Christmas. Lights lining the streets. Ribbons of red tied to lampposts with green garland giving all downtown a Christmas feeling.

“Why are we here?” Alik asked as we were getting out.

I handed my keys to the man that was one of the valets tonight. “You’ll see.” I looked at Tony. “See? More valets!”

Tony chuckled pulling me to him and squeezing me and left his arm around me.

Walking into the hotel lobby, Alik’s mouth dropped open at what he saw and gasped. The giant Christmas tree in the center of the circular mosaic tile rose through the upstairs halfway through the second floor, but clearly seen up to the large star on top, the tree was decorated and sparkled. Lights I was sure, ornaments hung everywhere. Silver garland wrapped from bottom to top. There was green garland sparkling with tiny lights you couldn’t see that looked to held by the red ribbons. It looked like a magical tree. There was the green garland that also spackled, the red ribbon seemed to hold it up. I, too, was feeling that swell feeling the holiday magic now.

“Вау.” Alik said almost reverently.

“You’re right, it’s wow.” Sasha agreed also a little stunned.

“They even have a special station that has hot chocolate, hot apple cider and a special spiced hot tea they make once a year for Christmas.” Tony pointed out to them.

We went and Alik’s eyes widened again over to the left. He rushed over to the display set up. It was a little town all set up to celebrate Christmas with a miniature train and I mean tiny train, I forget what classification it was, everything matched to scale, making the town look bigger. Snow had fallen, the lake frozen and skaters were really moving in fancy moves of figure eights, spins and just skating with that special one. Some holding hands or even alone. The snow coverage reflected in what was worn. The people were dressed in jackets, scarfs. The train stopped at the town’s station. Then went around the town and went into a tunnel to go to the even tinier houses in the distance and came out another tunnel. The houses we could see were all decorated with lights and even a tiny Christmas tree and the large window in front. The people on the street were of course not moving, there were cars on the streets that didn’t move one had a Christmas tree on the roof. This was a Courier and Ives town moment somewhat frozen in time. It really added magic. Then a choral started singing “Christmas Bells” adding more magic. It was a fast song, diction was needed and they were good! Then Jingle Bells began.

“I’ll say it. Wow.” David said.

“There’s more,” I said grinning.

“More?” Sasha asked.

“They’ve done it for many years before I was born and they improve it every year!” I said grinning. “It’s a cultural event by everyone.”

“The who, who are Jewish?” Sasha asked.

“And more!” Tony chuckled.

We got our hot drinks in cups that were sealed to prevent spilling. Even those paper cup covers to keep from burning our hands. We walked down the first floor where there a lot more trees arranged down the hall as people looked at admired what was there. We came upon one and both Alik and Sasha looked puzzled at the tree. There were a lot of seven candle thingies, each were the red on the left and green on the right and the single candle in the middle African masks, ornaments in different shades of brown that went from light brown to solid black.

“What’s that?” Alik asked.

“It’s a Kwanzaa tree,” I said shrugging.

“But Kwanzaa isn’t a holiday.” David objected. “It’s not even a religion!”

I turned to David. “But happens during the holidays.” I smiled. “There is no Kwanzaa tree really.” I pointed to the sign that told who put it up. The Charleston Kwanzaa Group. “You can’t combine Kwanzaa and any religion. They’d have to have two separate trees.”

“Huh,” David grunted.

We moved on until we reached on elegantly decorated but had this old lady by the tree.

“Who’s that?” Alik asked frowning.

Tony chuckled. “That…is the Italian Santa.”

“But she’s a lady!” Alik said the obvious reason she couldn’t be Santa.

“No, she isn’t Santa. She’s Bafana.” Tony nodded seeing Alik’s confusion. “She comes to the home bringing gifts of the baby Jesus presents because she was too busy cleaning the house to go with the Wise Men when they first came to her. We have a version of Santa now, but she, St, Nicholas, and Santa all come, but she is Christmas. Delivering candy and gifts to the good children and coal, onions and garlic to naughty children. It sounds like what Santa does. She was Santa before Santa arrived in Italy.”

We saw a silver tree with a Star of David at the top that was silver and blue in a line going through the star. There were little Stars all over the tree, blue dradles, there were blue ornaments and little blue lights. It was a beautiful tree. Then Alik ran over to one smiling large.

Alik pointed at the big figure like Bafana had been, life-sized. “That’s Ded Moroz!”

“Sure, Father Frost,” Tony said. Father Frost, is the English words for Ded Moroz. Unlike our view of Santa, this man was much thinner and worn blue, he did wear red sometimes, but even his long coat looked very different than Santa’s red suit. “I think you know these people,” I said to Sasha pointed at the sign that told who did the tree. Written in large letters in English, below that it was written in Russian in smaller letters, but you could read it. There were several churches listed that were Eastern Orthodox and that one in Summerville that was Russian.

“You and Alik are definitely not the not the only Russians in town,” I said smiling at them.

Then it was time to go. We got refills of our coffees and hot chocolate. Where we were going, we’d be outside a few minutes to an hour. We each had to agree on the tree.

We got to this tree lot. They boasted the finest quality trees in Charleston. (With prices to verify that.) We’d gotten several from here since we found them. Alik got out and again, his eyes widened knowing what happened here.

“But it’s not time to decorate!” Alik said surprised but enjoyed the warm breath that made his breath visible and exhaled to make more.

“Ah, but when it happens on the eighth, we’ll already when it is!” Tony said happily.

“And with tree up, we’ll be inspired to decorate when the day comes!” I said brightly. “Then we can enjoy my favorites! Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch, and many others!”

Alik smiled at that.

“You already know it’s Mitch and my favorite season!” Tony said.

Sasha and David laughed, then leaned over and smiled at his son. “Now, I am going to be Daddy.” He chuckled. “Put your gloves on and this.” He pulled a thick red cap with a thick white border that would keep his ears warm. He slid the cap on to cover the ears.

“I’m warm now,” Alik said.

“Now. When your ears get cold, it will hurt when I thump your ear if you don’t.” Sasha told him. “Obey your Dad.” He said smiling.

“It’s cold! Let’s do this!” Tony said loud making Alik smile again.

A man in his late forties or early fifties, his thick fur-lined hat hid his dark and greying hair. He approached smiling holding his hand out to shake hands. “Delveccio, right?”

“We are, Kyle! It’s Tony, remember?” Tony nodded shaking his hand. “We need another of those ten-foot trees.”

“We have them,” Kyle said smiling and walked us in further.

He showed us two, but Tony rejected them both.

“What was wrong with that tree?” David asked pointing as Kyle went to get another one. “It was fine!”

“Fine.” Tony nodded with a frown. “Trees have a personality. The right one will speak to me saying, I’m your tree!!” He spread his arm to indicate the other trees.

Sasha leaned forward, smiled at me saying to me. “I know they have excellent medicine here. Can’t he take something like…analysis?” He chuckled.

“He won’t go,” I said, then is a gruff voice I said. “I wouldn’t let him go!” I put my arms around Tony and put his around me smiling. “I love Tony, especially this Tony now!” Tony chuckled at me.

Kyle came back with another tree. I swear, I almost heard the angelic chorus singing that long ah when something miraculous happened for Tony, and me, as well. No gaps or spaces, but a full tree with no occasional upper branch sticking out from the others.

“Tell me you don’t hear the call from him saying, I’m your tree!” Tony waved at the tree.

“I sure do!” Alik spoke up quickly. “We’re getting that one!”

“Tony grinned and shrugged. “Majority rules.” He went for his wallet.

“No,” Sasha said chuckling. “We’ll get this.”

“You can afford it,” I said to them.

David grinned and handed his Platinum Express Card and license to the man. “How much is it?” He leaned next to me. “For the tip.”

“Three hundred dollars,” Kyle said.

That McKenzie training kicked in, I saw him push it down again and quickly said. “Run it for six hundred.” He said like that because I knew, if he thought about it more, that training would surface again.
Kyle smiled. “Thank you…” he read the card and license, “Mr. McKenzie?” He asked a little surprised and looked at us. “You two are related, I noticed the resemblance when you got here. Pretty closely related, too.”

I nodded. “Yes, we are!” I gave David a squeeze shaking him lightly. “Just breath.” I smiled. “Or should Sasha use his?”

“His, mine, it’s the same damned account!” David said exasperated.

I chuckled and waved at Kyle returned smiling. “It’s too late now, cuz.”

Tony and Sasha went to put the cloth on the roof shredding it evenly.

Kyle smiled. “The same way as last year?”

“Absolutely.” I nodded. He went to get the tree ready for transport.

“You’re taking the tree on your Bronco!?” Alik asked me in disbelief. “That’s a big tree!”

I chuckled patting him on the shoulder. “I did last year and the year before and before...”

It took a few minutes for Kyle to wrap the tree in. The man came back. “Oh, I remember what you want.” He handed me the tree and raced off to get the needed item. Then trotted back with two seven or eight foot four by fours he used when bringing the trees in place and from tipping over. Damage with these trees would cost him. He didn’t stack them on top of the other trees. He would transport them in two big cargo trucks standing the trees up and supported by these boards. This extra care allowed him to charge more. David and I helped him put the boards on the almost parallel close in front, just over the roof on the front passenger side but increase the space between them over the tail end on the passenger side behind my seat and extended four or five from the back of Bubba. The tree was placed gently and the happy man with us quickly strapped it securely and secured the lower part with a long stretchy belt that hooked on that curvy part above the tires. Not so strong it would hurt Bubba. He did again on the other side of that curvy part. Then over the rear of the window on Tony’s and my on opposite sides and again on the front side. He bound the rest hanging over the back and securing the tree in place to help me see out the back window and causing the tree to bend or even break. He stapled two of those red strips warning other drivers we were hauling.

“Let’s get our tree home,” Tony said happily going to the passenger side as did Sasha to get in as David was about to help Alik in when this strange man with long stringy, unwashed hair came from behind Bubba, pushed David into me and pulled Alik to him and putting a knife to Alik’s neck threateningly.

“Your money. Give it to me!” He said quickly.

My old instincts kicked in. I quickly bent his wrist with the knife away from Alik. I didn’t use anything nonviolent with him. I used the pinch between his thumb and forefinger making him drop the knife. But I did the kick to his right leg hearing the crack from his knee. His wrist still held. I used the heel of my hand to his nose, again hearing the crack as he dropped to the ground which I held him in place as he nursed his broken nose and broken knee.

David pulled Alik to him as Sasha and Tony came around quickly.

“Shit, Mitch!” David said with wide eyes on me. “That was…incredible!”

Sasha hugged me quickly and went to Alik and David, hugging them both with Alik between them.

Tony had his phone calling 911.

“I know what you’re jonesing for, your affect tells me what.” I leaned closer, but he smelled so foul. I shouted. “How you can threaten a child…how dare you? He was getting excited about this time, but your need trumps all else. Well, you’re going to jail, you can deal with your withdrawal in custody! They will send you to mandatory rehab!”

The sirens were heard getting louder as police got closer. Kyle came back quickly. “You guys okay?”

“Yes.” David smiled at me. “With this he-man ex-cop no problem. He scared Alik, but he’s unhurt.”

Kyle looked at the man. “Oh, him.” He looked at me. “You did this? Remind me not to piss him off.” He told Tony.

“You broke my leg and nose.” The man groaned.

“Want me to break an elbow like your knee?” I growled. “I certainly can.” The police pulled to a quick stop and got out, but not reaching for the holsters. Both police walked over.

“Tell us what happened.” The policeman said.

“This perp assaulted us demanding money using a knife on Alik here to coerce our compliance. The knife is right there with only his prints.” I looked around. “I don’t suppose there are cameras watching this area.”

“No.” The cop driver in his late thirties and his partner who looked to be in his late twenties nodded smiling.

“You’re a cop?” The partner asked smiling.

I stuck my hip out a little. “Until this perp shot me making me get a prosthetic ball and socket.”

“Ouch.” The first one said as his partner winced.

“But still can kick ass.” The partner said.

“He broke my leg and nose!” The man on the groaned.

“Cuff him.” The first was a Sargent the worn only one strip so a corporal.

“He really stinks. Put him somewhere well vented.” I laughed. “I feel the need for a shower with my limited contact.”

The corporal bent over to turn the man over and turned his head. “Peee…uw! Now, I need a shower.” He pulled the man up and took him limping on his right leg. “How long since your last shower? A month? October or September?”

The Sargent smiled his partner. “Put him back and let the window down a little in back and the front windows down. I’ll get begin gathering statements.” He smiled as I gave distance from the others.

“Where are you going?” Tony asked loud to be heard.

“Giving a statement!” I shouted back. “It’s procedure!”

The Sargent nodded and brought up the clipboard. He was a lefty but thought to the right to write. He asked my full name which was verified with my license and asked what, which I told him in detail. The Sargent smiled. “Nice to take a statement who understands the procedure.” He walked back to the others as the corporal was taking a statement from David away from the others. He did the come here gesture to Tony which he did.

I walked over to Sasha who holding Alik who had been more startled than scared. It happened so fast he didn’t register what happened. “I hope that man didn’t ruin your Christmas feelings.”

Alik looked at me smiling at me. “That was so COOL! You were like Alexi Morozov, the super-agent that really kicks ass!”

Sasha raised his eyebrows and looked down on his son. “Alik!” He said surprised.

“It’s all of our faults. He hears all of us use that kind of language, he was bound to pick it up.” I smiled and shrugged.

“Yes, with us occasionally.” He said to Alik smiling at him. “Two of the guys back in the restaurant would use this word in every other sentence, if not every sentence!”

David chuckled as he came over with the corporal.

The corporal pointed at Sasha smiling. “You’re next, big man!”

Sasha went with him kissed Alik on his forehead neat below where Alik’s cap came to just above his eyebrows.

“But you still feel Christmas?” I asked. “Your Dad, Daddy David, Tony and I won’t let anything to harm you.”

“Yes, I feel it.” Alik waved that off.

“He didn’t scare you?” David asked.

“He did, like when someone jumps out saying boo.” He chuckled. “It takes more than stinky there to scare me. I only saw him after you put him on the ground…you were just as tough as Alexi Morozov! The agent that no one can deny what he needs to do. He kicks…” then he paused and smiled, “butt, takes names and always wins in the end.” He began throwing his fists straight out rapidly to show us.

The Sargent came over and pointed to Kyle. “Did you see what happen?”

“Not really.” Kyle shook his head. “I saw they were still here, I came back thinking a strap had pulled loose. By the time I got here,” he pointed at the car, “you can take this down.” He took his license out and gave it to the Sargent. “Here’s my name and address. I’ll give my number, but I’m here for another two and a half weeks. Or until my inventory runs out.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “I have plenty of trees so I’ll be here that two and a half weeks.” He chuckled. “We’ve seen him a lot since we came down the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He panhandles, he has the little cardboard sign that says help me. He also tells people he just wants to go home. No one wants to get close to him.”

“Thank you, Mr. Walters.” The Sargent wrote. “Actually, we’ve seen him with his sign in several parts of the city as we would patrol the areas, but your additional testimonial will help.” He glanced at his partner who was finishing with Sasha. He looked at a Cadillac Escalade pulled in. “Another customer. Again, thank you, Mr. Walters.”

Kyle shrugged. “I want to keep them as loyal customers.” He pointed to us. “You come back.”

“Absolutely,” Tony swore as Kyle returned to his forest of trees. He turned a hugged me, but I kissed him, not quickly but a little deeper.

“They’re trained to be observant, Tony.” I placed my left hand next to his. “Our matching wedding rings.” I hugged and kissed him quickly.

Tony chuckled. “Okay, now explain the procedure with taking us apart to question us.”

“To keep us from influencing the others. They look for individual testimonies. Compare them to see different observations. Too different and inconsistencies raise flags. The same wording by all raises the flags, too, meaning it was rehearsed. Conspiracies and all that.”

Tony chuckled. “I’ve seen you in action once.” He put his mouth near my ear and said quietly. “You good. It’s a shame you couldn’t stay in. You are a real badass cop and ex-cop.”

Sasha and the corporal came back.

“Mind if I speak briefly to your son?” The Sargent asked Sasha. “I’ll do it right here, you, as his father needs to be here.”

“Sure.” As he stood next to David, Alik right up next to them both.

The Sargent stooped a little and first asked his name and age. When Alik answered, the Sargent’s eyes widened in surprised saying he thought Alik was approaching nine! He asked if Alik was frightened or scared. Alik said it was exciting. How his Uncle Mitch was like Alexi Morozov, the super-agent he loved kicking Mr. Stinky’s butt. “It was exciting!” He said excited, which we all heard. The Sargent laughed looking at Sasha. “I see where he gets the height from.” He assured us. “This is really an open and shut case. We have your names and numbers. We’ll take care of him now. We’ll hose him down with some very strong soap. Enjoy your evening.” They got back in the car. Sasha opened the door getting Alik in first and went around to get in. David got in next then Tony and me.

David leaned forward. “I didn’t even catch their names! I want to send them a thank you note.”

I chuckled. “Sargent Bernstein and Corporal Cooper. I even have their badge numbers in here.” I tapped my head.

“What else did you observe?” Tony asked grinning.

“Well, Sargent Bernstein is married,” I said. “Sargent Bernstein removed his glove from his left hand to write. I saw his left finger had a wedding ring. Corporal Cooper was right-handed, so I didn’t see. So, I don’t know.” I started Bubba.

“Damn,” David said quietly. “You could be a private investigator now.”

I shook my head. “No, I loved the hotel business.” I took Tony’s hand. “I really love my hunky Italian husband. I don’t want to be shot again or leaving Tony.” I kissed Tony quickly. “Police have a tough, often thankless job. I don’t want to be one now.”

“Let’s get this bad boy home,” Tony said happily.

“See? One moment it’s a puppy and now a bad boy?” Sasha groused.

“When you taught me to cuss in Russian, you had many words for a certain word.” I smiled at Sasha.

Sasha looked at Alik. “I had to! How would he know what it is when someone called him the words?” He asked Alik.

“Wow! My Christmas Tea from the Omni is still warm!” David said surprised.

“Insolated cups and holders. Everyone buckled up?” I said, glanced behind me at the one I knew had not.

Alik looked down. “Sorry, Uncle Mitch.” He put his seatbelt on.

“Let’s go home.” I put Bubba in first gear and was off.

It wasn’t too long when I drove into our garage. We used that cart to bring stuff up, be it groceries, luggage or even our ten-foot Christmas tree. The cloth, too to be laundered. Getting it up we took the freight elevator where movers brought several appliances. Even a concert grand piano! We put the four by fours in the bin that fit. Every resident in this building put their garbage in it. Even with two garbage days in the week. Tuesday’s and Friday’s, it got pretty full. And no smelly city or county truck. We had our own! A special hauler took the bend outside where our garbage own special garbage truck took it up and dumped it in with all the other buildings garbage. We had a recycling bend which was a little smaller. Not everyone here recycled. We did. We got the tree upstairs leaving it outside by our door to get the tree stand on. Sasha cleaned off the cart and David took it downstairs. Sasha smiled pointed at the front door. “You need to get in the house. It’s cold outside.” He told Alik.

“I want to help,” Alik complained.

“You will if you want to,” Tony said. “We bring it in, we take the ropes off, you can help get the rope to throw them in the garbage. That will be a great help.”

Sasha opened the door and pushed Alik in. “I’ll even make you another hot chocolate.” He watched as Alik walked in. “And take your cap, gloves, and jacket off.”

David returned and we got the stand we were using wide enough to keep the tree upright attached it to the truck on the bottom and the four of us carried in the house making sure to bring the wide stand slightly at angle avoiding any collision with the wall. Alik looked where we were going between the couch and the TV. He slid the coffee table away on the rug it was on.

We got it in the place away from the fireplace in front our balcony windows. Clipped the ropes hold it together tossing them to the side, which Alik picked them up. We did still have on gloves to raise it in place. Then our Russian Mr. Clean. Said he would be right back taking a broom and dustpan and cordless vacuum to catch those dust bunnies under things like a bed against the wall where they like to hide the dark there. Not in Sasha’s house!!

Alik frowned. “It’s doesn’t look like the one we wanted.” He moaned. “It’s not the same tree.”

Tony glanced at Alik. “But he is! He was just traumatized with the ride on top of Bubba.” He held up a finger. “Now we add the Delveccio’s Magic Potion.” Alik’s eyebrow rose.

“I’m going to be eight, Uncle Tony.” Saying he wasn’t gullible.

“Doubt me!?” Tony grinned. “You can watch me make it.” He walked toward the counter but stopped him from getting too close. “Stand there. If I don’t do it right, I can hurt you.”

Alik looked surprised. “How?” He was about to come closer, but Tony stopped him with a raised finger of warning.

“Because, if I don’t do it right, I make a gas that could make you sick.” Tony smiled and got our two-gallon water pitcher and got what he needed. Filled the pitcher a less than halfway up and poured a little vinegar and lemon juice in the water. He took the pitcher and dumped it in the large bowl the tree stood in. “I’m not done if I added the next ingredient at the wrong time you may get lightheaded or dizzy. You know those words?”

Alik nodded quickly. “Sure. The school nurses asks everyone that falls especially if we hurt our heads.”

“That’s good.” Tony smiled. “I have to say; your English is so good now! I’m very impressed!” He’d filled the pitcher so it would complete the gallon of water. Then he put enough he poured a little from a bottle of Clorox, didn’t measure, he did it so often, he knew. He took a full bottle of corn syrup and poured the whole bottle in. He went to the cabinet and pulled a can of Sprite and poured that in and then stirred in together. “If I’d added the Clorox with the vinegar and lemon juice then there would be that toxic gas.” They walked back when Sasha came back in.

“Okay,” Sasha said. “Unless absolutely necessary, I am not going out there again tonight!” He took his jacket off and thumbed to the fireplace. “Fire anyone?”

“Of course.” Tony smiled.

“Uncle Tony made a potion for the tree!” Alik said happily.

“Don’t tell Uncle Tony, we had one very similar…” he looked at Tony, “in Russia!” He said loud.

Tony shrugged not bothered at all. “Great minds think alike.” Tony poured the new pitcher in the water. “No dizziness?” He asked Alik who shook his head. “Whew!” He hugged Alik. “I did it right!” He looked with pride in our tree. “By tomorrow night or Monday morning, he’ll recover and he will be the tree we saw!”

I walked to Tony and whispered. “That was a little dramatic.”

“You saw his face.” Tony smiled. “He loved it. He’s had an exciting day!”

“All this excitement may make it hard for him to sleep,” I said.

“We can help with that.” He looked at his watch. “He gets a later bedtime on Friday and Saturday. We have time.”

“I’ll get the hot chocolate after I start the fire.” He looked at us. “How about joining David and me with a cup of Chamomile Tea?” He jutted quickly his eyes at Alik and looked pleading.

I loved Sasha trying to do. “Sure!” I said positively. Great minds did think alike.

“Alik,” David said to Alik who was walking slowly around the tree, “you’re a big boy now. Why not some adult drink instead? It’s really good.”

“Really?” Alik asked. “Dad let some his beer once, I didn’t like that.” He frowned. “I remember that.”

“No.” David chuckled. “Nothing like that.” He gave a scrunched-up face to Alik and shook his head. “What was it you said about it, Mitch?”

I grinned. “That it smelled like horse piss and though I’ve never drunk horse piss, I think it’s the same.” Alik laughed quietly.

“This tea’s sweet, delicious and warm,” David said. “Would I lie?”

“No!!” Alik he bounced a little. “I’ll try it!”

Sasha mouthed a thank you.

The fireplace had wood waiting. We never used those gas powered lighter. Our fireplace can use gas alone or provide fire to get a wood fire going more quickly. We loved that crackle and smell of a wood fire.
Sasha went to make the tea. I went with Sasha with a tsk, tsk shaking my head. “Drugging your son. For shame.”

“Alik is a calm boy,” Sasha said logically. “I watch his sugar intake, he’s not hyperactive. With the excitement of the day, it will take a while for him to relax enough to go to sleep. I’m helping him do it faster and gently.”

“You are a very good father, Sasha.”

“I love him, I do it naturally.” He got our big teapot out and filled it for four sizable and one regular mug of tea. Put the bags in and stood with his back to the fire sticking his backside closer and hands behind him. “Some things are still cold. This helps.” He looked at Alik. “Other than being exciting, did you have a good day?”

“I was fun. I loved everything from our great dinner, the Omni and getting the tree!” Alik smiled. “I had a great day.” I could see he would have a hard time going to sleep.

The tea kettle whistled. Sasha poured the tea. He waved at our mugs. “There’s honey, cinnamon sticks, lemon…you know what you like.” He was working on Alik’s mug adding a little sugar, honey, a cinnamon stick, and a little cream. “He takes after me a lot, it’s how I like it!” He smirked at us.

We all made our teas and took the teas in the room and dimmed the lights. The windows let the night in a dark sky with that triangle of the tree casting a darker triangle on the sky. I turned on our sound system and turned to a soft station that was playing easy Christmas music. Yes, I was furthering the relaxation mood.

“I think you need to relax.” Sasha smiled as we sat on the sofa that was long enough, he didn’t crowd us. He patted the space between himself and me. “And drink this. You had a busy day.” He handed Alik his mug. “This mug had silicon around the whole mug, but it is hot. Don’t burn yourself.” He got up and went to the kitchen and came back with an ice cube and dropped it in. “This will help, but don’t stir it.” It took about fifteen minutes, Alik began yawning. Fifteen minutes more and he was asleep against Sasha.

“What you both did today,” Sasha whispered to Tony and me, “you didn’t like being thanked at first, but I have to. You gave a day he will remember all his life! What you did, Mitch, thank you, thank you.” He rose carefully, picking Alik up. "I’ll clean that up in the morning. That tea working on me.” He smiled.

It was on us, too. We never left dirty dishes in the sink. We wash them or put them in the dishwasher. I took Tony’s hand as we went to our room. “I love you, Tony,” I said with a feeling I never had.

“I know. I love you.” He looked puzzled a first. Married people can read the minds of each other. “Oh, thank God. I don’t have the energy either.”

 

To be continued