\u201cSo, what do you know about the Allards?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Molly\u2019s question was quiet and meant to be for Aunt Margie\u2019s ears only, but Schrodinger heard, even from his bed next to the wood stove. CrossCats had really sharp hearing anyways, and it helped that the bookstore was fairly quiet, even for a Wednesday. He continued to pretend to sleep, waiting to hear the answer.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNot much, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Aunt Margie admitted, and the stool she was sitting on scraped a bit against the floor as she shifted. Probably reaching for her tea, although Schrodinger couldn\u2019t tell without opening his eyes, which would have given him away. Beside him, Jack continued to nap, woofing slightly, and his legs twitched as he dreamed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than me, probably,\u201d Molly said, and Aunt Margie chuckled.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I know that Peter Allard was born in one of the CrossRoads towns in Connecticut,\u201d she said. \u201cHe went to the University of Connecticut for pharmacy, and that\u2019s where he met Donna Carlton, who was getting her teaching degree. They got married, moved to Pennsylvania, and had Zoey.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me guess: Mrs. Allard has never been in a CrossRoads town, has she?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Schrodinger heard the scrape again, and bet Aunt Margie was shaking her head. \u201cNot as far as I know, although I assume they must have gone back to visit his parents at least once. But remember, not all CrossRoads towns are like Carter\u2019s Cove. The fact that we have the two Gates here makes us a bit more\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOutrageous?\u201d Molly offered, when Aunt Margie\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to say magical, but outrageous works too.\u201d Aunt Margie chuckled a little. \u201cWe\u2019re lucky in that we have so many magical realms so near to us. The industry in the big Gate towns has driven a lot of the magic away.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Schrodinger made a mental note to have Molly take him to one of the other CrossRoads towns in New England, one of the bigger ones. He\u2019d always wanted to see what they looked like.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSo maybe it\u2019s not that she hates Christmas,\u201d Molly was saying, dragging his concentration back. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s just not used to the way a small town works?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThat could be it,\u201d Aunt Margie agrees. \u201cI mean, look at Zoey. She\u2019s polite, adorable and a joy to have around. That speaks well of her parents – and I\u2019ve not heard any complaints about Peter Allard. Donna just hasn\u2019t been around.\u201d The stool scraped one more time and Aunt Margie sighed. \u201cTime to get back to the mines. Are Schrodinger and Jack going to get the girls for later today?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, they had a field trip to one of the local realms to look at Christmas traditions there. Corrine\u2019s bringing them over, since she was a chaperone.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, good.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Schrodinger waited until Aunt Margie had left before extricating himself from the bed without waking Jack (a feat in and of itself, considering how much of the bed the hound had taken up). Then he wandered into the kitchen and jumped up on the stool.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you have a good nap?\u201d Molly asked him, putting his mug in front of him and filling it with water and tea.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I did, although Jack is chasing things again in his dreams.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPoor Schrodinger.\u201d Molly reached out and rubbed his head. \u201cYou\u2019re such a good friend to put up with that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He leaned into the caress and purred a little. Well, he\u2019s warm and he puts up with me snuggling up next to him. I\u2019m so glad Corrine let him come and stay with us during the week.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe too. Dogs aren\u2019t meant to be alone, and this means you have someone to hang out with too, when I get busy.\u201d Molly looked up at the clock. \u201cSpeaking of, want to keep me company while I make some cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Always!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger loved to watch Molly bake. Her kitchen was her kingdom, and the magic of the Gates had flowed into her blood as well, imbuing her with the innate senses to know exactly how and when something was done. Her magic wasn\u2019t powerful in the terms of the warriors he\u2019d known before, but it was homey, and he\u2019d be willing to bet on her against any army in a fair fight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Never bet against a kitchen witch, because everyone has to eat, after all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, she was baking sugar cookies: snowmen and Santa Clauses, he saw, as she brought out her cookie cutters. What are you baking for today?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been asked to help out with some of the charity work around here,\u201d Molly said, rolling out her first lump of dough. She\u2019d made the dough last night, and brought it in to the tea house that morning. \u201cI told you that Corrine\u2019s nursing group has become part of the charity assistance group that Father Christopher started a few years ago, didn\u2019t I?\u201d When he nodded, she continued, \u201cWell, they\u2019re trying to expand a bit this year. So Corrine asked if I would do some baking.\u201d<\/p>\n And you said yes, of course, because you love baking.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I love to watch people enjoy my baking,\u201d she said, cutting out a row of snowmen and laying them on the cookie sheet. A row of Santas followed, and for the next few hours, Schrodinger sipped his tea and watched her dance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She had the innate sense of when the dough was ready, when the cookies in the oven were done, and when they were cool enough to go onto a tray for decorating. There were no timers in Molly\u2019s kitchen – she simply didn\u2019t need them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once she was done, the sideboard was full of cooling cookies. She brewed herself a fresh cup of tea and wandered out into the tea room to wait for the girls. Schrodinger followed her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMolly! Schrodinger! Jack! Wait til you see what we got today!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey came running into the shop, followed by Corrine, who grinned at her sister-in-law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHi! How was the field trip?\u201d Molly asked, putting her tea cup on the table next to her before kneeling down to hug the girls. Their voices had woken Jack, and he and Schrodinger crowded around as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was AWESOME,\u201d Zoey told her. \u201cWe went to this little village and they don\u2019t even have electricity, Molly!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t?\u201d Molly looked astonished, but Schrodinger saw the twinkle in her eyes. \u201cWhat do they use?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMagic!\u201d Zoey said. \u201cThey use MAGIC!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe school took them to Durintown,\u201d Corrine told Molly. \u201cTo see the toy makers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I love going there,\u201d Molly said. \u201cThey have such beautiful work.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey paint everything by hand,\u201d Zoey said, her eyes shining. \u201cEverything. And look what they let us do!\u201d She held out the horse that she\u2019d carried in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily had one too, and Molly oohed and aahed over them. They were very well-made, and Lily and Zoey had done an amazing job painting them. Lily\u2019s was pink, of course, and she\u2019d painted a butterfly on the back, almost like a saddle. Zoey\u2019s horse was grey, and she\u2019d painted tiny snowflakes all over it with an attention to detail that made Schrodinger blink. The little girl was quite talented with a brush.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you guys hungry?\u201d Molly asked. \u201cOr do you want to just get right to the advent calendar?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdvent!\u201d Lily shouted. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to see what we get to do today!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, Advent!\u201d Zoey agreed, and they both rushed into the kitchen, followed by the others. Corrine looked more tired than usual, and accepted a cup of tea gratefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d forgotten how tiring field trips can be,\u201d she admitted, and Molly chuckled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Schrodinger\u2019s turn today,\u201d Lily reminded them, and Zoey nodded. Schrodinger went up to the calendar and peered at it. Unlike Jack, CrossCats were not color-blind, but it was still hard to see the golden numbers against the brilliant painting. He finally discovered number 4, sparkling against a snowflake, and pressed his nose to it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sweet smell of sugar and spice filled his nostrils as the painting dissolved underneath his touch. He stepped back and the snowflake floated out on that sweet breeze to hover over them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we doing today, snowflake?\u201d Zoey asked softly. \u201cWhat fun do you have planned for us?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you think it will answer?\u201d Lily whispered. \u201cWouldn\u2019t that be neat if it did?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey nodded, but the snowflake didn\u2019t say anything out loud. Instead, it spun and went to hover in front of Lily, who held out her hand. A stream of silver shot out from the center of the snowflake, turning into a small piece of paper that said, \u201cMagic works best when shared with others. Bring some magic to someone else today.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That sounds like a fortune cookie,<\/em> Schrodinger said, wrinkling his nose. What could it mean?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The snowflake then zoomed off and went to hover over the trays of cookies. \u201cLooks like you guys are helping me today,\u201d Molly said, and Corrine smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we doing?\u201d Lily asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRemember how you and I talked about getting your Scout troop to come and sing carols at the retirement home?\u201d Corrine asked her daughter, and Lily nodded. \u201cWell, the director there asked if we\u2019d like to visit with the residents, and bring them over some cookies. I asked Molly to bake some-\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because Molly\u2019s cookies are the best ever!<\/em> Schrodinger interrupted, and Molly blushed a bit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd it looks like the calendar thought you guys might like to help,\u201d Corrine finished.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey looked at the snowflake, which was still hovering over the cookies. \u201cWhat does sharing the magic mean?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger looked at her. The Librarian once told me that magic shared is magic multiplied<\/em>, he said, after a moment. There\u2019s something about the way magic works, almost like a virus, that it spreads and spreads as more people share in it.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like viruses,\u201d Zoey said doubtfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMagic as a virus.\u201d Molly laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s as good an analogy as any, I guess. But in this case, Zoey, think of it more like this – if you\u2019re happy, and you hug Lily, you share that happiness, and it grows. That\u2019s what we\u2019re doing today. Growing magic.\u201d She and the snowflake led them back out into the tea room, where she pushed two of the tables together. The chairs were big enough that Jack could sit in one and watch too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI need you guys to help me decorate these,\u201d Molly said, and brought out not only cookies, but a couple of sets of edible paints. Schrodinger had wondered why she\u2019d bought them. \u201cDo you think we can get all of these trays done by six?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger looked up at the clock, which said 3:30 pm, and then at his comrades. We can, I think,<\/em> he said, and the others nodded. Let\u2019s get started!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The snowflake spun up towards the ceiling and then burst over them, drenching them in sparkles. They all laughed and settled in at the table, with Zoey and Lily picking up paint brushes and Jack and Schrodinger offering suggestions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By 6 pm, they were done, and tired, and hungry. Molly had been packaging up the cookies as they dried, and she and Corrine had a full box with three bags of brightly decorated cookies in cellophane, tied up with sparkling ribbons. Molly had a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ready for them, and once they were done eating, she said, \u201cAre you ready for the next part?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily and Zoey looked at each other, eyes wide. \u201cThe NEXT part?\u201d Lily said finally. \u201cIt\u2019s a TWO-PART adventure?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is.\u201d Corrine grinned. \u201cGet your coats. We have to deliver these cookies!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Corrine had a mini-van, and they all tumbled into it. She headed out to the Carter\u2019s Cove Retirement Home, which was located out on the other side of town from the bookstore. It wasn\u2019t a long drive, which was good: everyone was too excited to sit still for long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to our home!\u201d boomed out a female voice, as they disembarked from the van. \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey gasped as they came up to the front door. \u201cIs that Mrs. Claus?\u201d she whispered to Lily, who shook her head in wonder, eyes wide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The woman looked like the classic Mrs. Claus, Schrodinger thought, which was impossible, because Mrs. Claus had other things to do this time of the year. But it was an uncanny resemblance: she had curly white hair that was currently tucked up under a muffin cap of bright red, and her blue eyes and blushing cheeks radiated warmth. Her white apron glowed against her red dress.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Corrine went up and embraced the woman. \u201cHello, Mrs. Dawson, how are things going?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s excited to see you, dears.\u201d Mrs. Dawson kissed her on the cheek, then beamed down at everyone else. \u201cAs am I!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is my sister-in-law, Molly,\u201d Corrine said, turning back to them. \u201cAnd my daughter Lily, her friend Zoey, and this is Jack and Schrodinger. They all worked very hard on these gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust having you here is a gift!\u201d Mrs. Dawson declared. \u201cCome on in!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger didn\u2019t like hospitals, or doctor\u2019s offices, or vet\u2019s offices. They all had a smell of antiseptic that he hated, and he knew Jack did too. Despite the warmth of their welcome, he entered hesitantly, not sure what to expect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was not what he found. There was no antiseptic smell – instead, he smelled pine boughs and cinnamon, and the air was warm and inviting. He and Jack exchanged a look and relaxed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The foyer of the home (and it really was a home, he realized, a large mansion that had been adapted for its current use) was already decorated for Christmas, with a large wreath over the reception desk, and a Christmas tree in the corner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMost of our residents have just finished dinner,\u201d Mrs. Dawson told them, leading them down one of the hallways. \u201cThey\u2019re about to sing some carols, so I think this is the perfect time.\u201d She led them into what once had been the grand ballroom. The ceiling soared high above them, and Schrodinger was suddenly reminded of the massive outdoor ball room that the Snow Queen brought with her to her ball every year. This one was paneled in warm wood, and large windows opened out to a lawn on one side and an enclosed courtyard on the other, both with trees strung with brilliant lights. Inside, more lights were strung along the walls, twinkling like stars against the paneling and the green boughs they were intertwined with. A grand piano sat in one corner, with a small artificial tree on top of it and an older woman sitting on the bench, stretching her fingers out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And there were a LOT of people in the room, some in wheelchairs, some with walkers or canes. Some were quietly sitting, but more of them were talking, gathered around tables and in groups. Mrs. Dawson led them in, and then clapped her hands, getting everyone\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook what we have here!\u201d she said, her voice not loud but carrying clearly through the room once everyone had quieted down. \u201cYou all have guests, and they\u2019ve brought surprises!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All the eyes in the room turned to them. Schrodinger felt Lily and Zoey shrink back a little, but he knew they would be fine once they started talking to people. They were like that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So he poked Zoey in the knee and, when she turned to look at him, said, Why don\u2019t we work together? Jack can go with Lily and that way, we can spread all sorts of joy.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She nodded, and Molly gave them a bag of the cookies, pointing with her chin. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you start over there?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOver there\u201d was a group of older men and women around the piano. Schrodinger and Zoey went over and then Zoey stopped, unsure of what to say.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hi!<\/em> Schrodinger went up to the first older lady, who sat in a wheelchair, knitting on her lap. He put one paw on the wheel of her chair and stood up to get closer to her. I\u2019m Schrodinger, and this is Zoey.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The woman smiled at him, but didn\u2019t say anything. She did, however, reach down with a dry hand to stroke him gently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPolly can\u2019t speak,\u201d another older woman said, leaning over. She too had knitting in her lap, but she wasn\u2019t in a wheelchair. \u201cPoor dear lost her voice several years ago, when she had a stroke. But she understands perfectly well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger rubbed Polly\u2019s hand. I\u2019m sorry you can\u2019t speak,<\/em> he said. This works just as well, though.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Polly smiled and continued to stroke his head. He couldn\u2019t help it; a purr built up in his throat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you have there, dear?\u201d An older gentleman, his hands folded around a cane, leaned forward to look at Zoey\u2019s bag. \u201cSweets?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust what you need, Francis,\u201d the other woman said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlways,\u201d Francis said, winking at Zoey. She grinned and pulled the first package of cookies out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMolly made them, and we decorated them,\u201d she said shyly, offering them to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Francis took the package of cookies and looked them over. \u201cThey\u2019re beautiful,\u201d he told her, and her smile widened. \u201cIs that whole bag for me?\u201d He winked at her again, and she laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That broke the ice, and she handed out cookies to the other people at the table. They all started asking her and Schrodinger questions about the cookies, about school and about their plans for the holiday. At one point, Schrodinger looked up to see that the room had split three ways: one group with them, one group around Jack and Lily and one group with Molly and Corrine. Mrs. Dawson and her nurses (they must be, they looked official, although none of them had uniforms on) circulated around, keeping an eye on everyone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey was listening with fascination to Francis and another older gentleman, who were telling stories about getting Christmas trees back in their youth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo cars then, little miss,\u201d Francis told her, his blue eyes misty as he looked into the past. \u201cMy da and me would go into the forest with the sleigh and the horses, and bring a tree back. Took a long time, but it was worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd what did you decorate it with?\u201d she asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPopcorn strings, cranberry strings, paper snowflakes that we kept from year to year,\u201d he said. \u201cMy ma had some lovely glass birds and ornaments from her ma, and we\u2019d bake gingerbread cookies to decorate and hang. One year, my sister tied her hair ribbons to the tree.\u201d He looked down at the cookies in the bag he still held. \u201cThis brings back memories, it does. I haven\u2019t thought of our Christmases at home in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds lovely,\u201d she said. \u201cAre they good memories?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He reached over and ruffled her hair, but Schrodinger saw just the faintest sheen of tears in his eyes. \u201cThey are, yes. They are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Dawson clapped her hands again, and they all turned to her. \u201cNow that you all have your goodies, who wants to sing carols?\u201d She smiled as many of them raised their hands or nodded. \u201cMary Ellen has been nice enough to offer to play for us tonight. What shall we start with, dear?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mary Ellen, who had been talking with Lily and Jack, went back up to the piano. Sitting down, she stretched her fingers out before her. \u201cHow about this one?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Notes flew up from under her fingertips as she started to play. Schrodinger recognized the tune quickly, as voices took up the words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDashing through the snow, on a one-horse open sleigh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was nearly an hour later when Mary Ellen finally pleaded exhaustion and the singing stopped. Schrodinger was surprised to find how disappointed he was at that – he loved music, any music, and the carols sung by the retirees had been heartfelt. He jumped down from Polly\u2019s lap regretfully as Molly and Corrine called them over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you so much for having us,\u201d Molly said to them all. \u201cThis has been a wonderful evening.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes,<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Lily and Zoey echoed his words. Jack contented himself with wagging his tail enthusiastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d Mrs. Dawson said. \u201cYou have been wonderful guests, and we would love to have you back any time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEspecially if you bring more cookies!\u201d someone called out from the back of the crowd, and everyone laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ride home was quiet: everyone was tired, and it seemed right to listen to the instrumental carols on WCOV and watch the stars twinkle in the night sky. Schrodinger was nearly asleep when they dropped Zoey off, but the van stopping woke him up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHere,\u201d Molly said, passing back another bag of cookies. \u201cTake this with you, and tell your parents that they\u2019re always welcome at the tea room.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Zoey said. \u201cFor everything.\u201d And she hopped out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMommy?\u201d Lily asked from the back, as Corrine waited for Zoey to get in the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d she said, waving to the woman (Mrs. Allard, Schrodinger assumed) who had come out on the porch. Schrodinger saw, as the door shut, that Zoey\u2019s wreath hung on the door, which made him smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan parents be wrong sometimes?\u201d Lily asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEveryone can be wrong sometimes, Lily love,\u201d Corrine said, backing the van up. \u201cThat\u2019s part of being human. What\u2019s really important is how you react once you realize that you\u2019re wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Lily turned back to look out at the window again, and Schrodinger wondered what was going through her mind. She didn\u2019t say any more, though, and in a few minutes, his eyes closed again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It had been a long day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cSo, what do you know about the Allards?\u201d Molly\u2019s question was quiet and meant to be for Aunt Margie\u2019s ears only, but Schrodinger heard, even from his bed next to the wood stove. CrossCats had really sharp hearing anyways, and it helped that the bookstore was fairly quiet, even for a Wednesday. He continued …<\/p>\n