Christmas Eve with Red Beans
Bob smiled warmly at his small family. Belle and Tim sat on either side of him as he offered a hearty, “Merry Christmas! Please enjoy the food! Belle! This smells amazing!”
A stiff breeze pushed through the room, but the occupants were accustomed to cold breezes as the weatherstripping needed repair.
Claude and Scrooge were unnoticeable by design and watched the family start to eat.
Scrooge’s eyes widened at the scene. He knew that woman — it couldn’t be her. He turned to Claude and demanded, “Who is that woman with Cratchit, Claude?!”
Claude had predicted this question and had an answer ready, “You don’t need me to answer that, Scrooge. It’s plain who the woman is, no?”
Scrooge looked with fury at his guide. He paced and then finally asked, “Then, who is that boy? Who? Tell me!”
Claude knew this next question very well, “That is Mr. Bob Cratchit’s young son, Tim.” The machine waited carefully as this bit was always hard.
Scrooge stared at his hands. He scratched at his twisted skull and then looked at his guide with watering eyes.
“We would have named our child Tammy,” he said softly before stopping.
Claude held Scrooge’s hands as he sobbed into its waiting shoulder. It held him and waited.
Scrooge looked up, “Yes. Please. Yes.”
Claude patiently added, “No. We’re not ready yet. Just a bit more. You’ll be ok.”
Bob asked Tim, “Are you enjoying Christmas Eve, Tim?”
Tim did not respond.
Scrooge turned and asked, “Why isn’t he speaking, Claude?”
Claude steamed for a moment and added, “Tim has a different mind. He needs help, but it’s very expensive. So, they do their best with beads and such to keep him soothed.”
Belle answered for Tim, “He’s just a bit tired, Bob. School has been very hard, but he’s been great! Right, Tim?”
Tim did not respond.
Bob smiled at his wife and said, “Well, it is a very fine Christmas Eve indeed! Red beans and my family! Only day-old babka could top it off! But first, a toast to my employer who makes this all possible!”
Belle laughed and got up, “You can toast him. I’m going to get dessert!”
Scrooge asked, “Why is she LAUGHING! They have NOTHING!”
Claude answered softly, “Honest answer: they have everything. Please say ‘Yes’ to proceed.”
Belle brought in the babka with candles lit as her family was awash in the yellow glow. Scrooge sobbed as Claude brought him close. They faded slowly away.