{"id":1233,"date":"2013-12-11T08:00:46","date_gmt":"2013-12-11T13:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1233"},"modified":"2013-12-08T21:06:25","modified_gmt":"2013-12-09T02:06:25","slug":"advent-wednesday-december-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1233","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Wednesday, December 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

It looks like it did last year,<\/em> Jack remarked, laying his head down on his paws. He and Schrodinger were lying on Schrodinger\u2019s bed, watching the snow fall outside of the big windows at the front of CrossWinds Books. When Old Man Winter came around.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It snows every winter,<\/em> Schrodinger replied sleepily. It was one of those afternoons that he loved – he was warm, and the smells coming from Molly\u2019s kitchen were wonderful. The snow shushed quietly against the windows – Aunt Margie had decided not to have music on for the moment, so the only sounds were the people shopping upstairs, the click-click of the keyboard as DC rang customers out, and the snow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not as much as it did last year,<\/em> Jack said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well, no, but that was last year. It\u2019s going to snow, whether or not Old Man Winter shows up.<\/em> Schrodinger snuggled a little deeper into the soft bed. We should just enjoy it.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The bookstore\u2019s phone rang then, and DC picked it up with a cheerful \u201cCrossWinds Books, DC speaking. How can I help you?\u201d She listened for a moment, and then said, \u201cI\u2019ll have to go find her, Corinne, do you mind holding for me for a few minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both Schrodinger and Jack looked up as she went up the stairs, and then Schrodinger looked at the clock. It\u2019s only one o\u2019clock, he said. Why is Corinne calling now?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maybe Lily\u2019s sick.<\/em> Jack started to get up. Maybe I should go.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Schrodinger put a paw on his friend\u2019s back. Wait. Let\u2019s see what Aunt Margie says. DC didn\u2019t sound worried.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

True.<\/em> Jack settled back in next the CrossCat, but neither animal went to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aunt Margie followed DC back down the stairs and picked up the phone. \u201cHi Corinne, what can I do for you?\u201d Her pleasant face was calm and composed as she glanced out the front windows. \u201cOh, definitely! That won\u2019t be a problem at all!\u201d She listened a bit longer, and laughed. \u201cI can imagine. Nathan probably won\u2019t be able to get away for hours. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll head right over there. Yes, you be careful too!\u201d She hung up the phone and looked over at DC. \u201cI\u2019m heading over to the school to get Lily and Zoey,\u201d she said. \u201cThe school\u2019s been let out early, and Corinne\u2019s stuck in Portland. Nathan\u2019s still at the Gate Station, so we get them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

See, I told you,<\/em> Schrodinger said, giving Jack\u2019s ear a companionable lick. It\u2019s just the school getting out early.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hmm, if that\u2019s the case, I wonder where we\u2019re sleeping tonight,<\/em> Jack said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Maybe you can stay with us!<\/em> Schrodinger\u2019s eyes lit up. That would be awesome!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They watched Aunt Margie go into the kitchen to tell Molly they were being invaded early, and then she wrapped herself up in her car coat, her scarf, her hat and her mittens before heading out into the snow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Knowing it would take her a while to get to the school in the weather, Schrodinger and Jack decided naps were the better way to pass the time. It was a good call; when the door opening again woke them, Schrodinger saw it was nearly an hour later.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not staying open,\u201d Aunt Margie announced to DC as she hustled Lily and Zoey through the front door. \u201cIt\u2019s a mess out there.\u201d She squinted at the clerk. \u201cGo now. And call my cell when you get home, please. I want to make sure you make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DC\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cIs it that bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Aunt Margie nodded, unwinding her scarf. \u201cWorse, I\u2019m afraid. How many folks do we still have here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Molly had come out into the tea room as she\u2019d heard the voices. \u201cJust us,\u201d she said. \u201cThe last customers left a little while ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen close it up,\u201d Aunt Margie said decisively. \u201cAnd get your stuff, Molly. I\u2019ll drop you guys off at the apartment – you don\u2019t mind taking the girls for the night, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d Molly said. \u201cIt\u2019s the safest place for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d Aunt Margie nodded. \u201cThen get packed up. I have a few things I need to grab from the office.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to do the calendar,\u201d Lily said. \u201cDo we have time?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you hurry,\u201d Aunt Margie told her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on!\u201d Lily grabbed Zoey\u2019s hand and pulled her into the kitchen. Jack and Schrodinger followed behind them, ducking out of Molly\u2019s way as she shut things down and got her own coat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Zoey found the number 11 hiding in the snow, and Jack pressed his nose to it. The snowflake floated out, and then spun, splitting into two snowflakes that drifted down into Zoey and Lily\u2019s outstretched hands. As they hit their mittens, they turned into a cranberry in Lily\u2019s hand, and a popcorn kernel in Zoey\u2019s.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Zoey asked, puzzled. \u201cWhat are we supposed to do with this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Molly looked at what they were holding. \u201cHmm, I think I know what we can do,\u201d she said mysteriously. \u201cBut not here.\u201d She hustled them back out into the tea room. \u201cCome on, Aunt Margie will want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d Aunt Margie said, coming back down the stairs, a large briefcase in her hand. She paused at the computer terminal that DC used to check out customers, tapping a few keys to open the cash drawer, and put the entire cash tray, coins and all, in the briefcase. Then she looked at them. \u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cReady,\u201d Molly said, flipping off the lights in the tea room. They all trooped outside, waited while Aunt Margie set the alarm and locked the front door, and then they made their careful way to her car.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was only about two o\u2019clock in the afternoon, but between the driving snow and the clouds, it was darker than they\u2019d expected outside. Schrodinger understood why it had taken Aunt Margie nearly an hour to get to and from the school. It was horrible out, and he couldn\u2019t wait for them to be safe and warm in the apartment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When they got to Molly and Schrodinger\u2019s building, Molly hustled all four of them out into the snow, then turned to her aunt. \u201cCall me when you get home,\u201d she said, and Aunt Margie nodded. \u201cDrive safe.\u201d Then she hurried to unlock the front door, and Aunt Margie drove off carefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Molly said, ushering everyone in and up the stairs. Molly and Schrodinger had the second floor apartment in their building, and the building\u2019s owner had put in a brand-new generator in that summer. So it didn\u2019t matter how much it snowed – they would be dry and warm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWow, this is cool,\u201d Zoey said, as Molly unlocked the front door to the apartment. The foyer had been decorated, as it was every year, with a greenery garland wound around with sparkling white lights, and Drew had put up a wreath on their front door, with red holly berries and a golden bow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks!\u201d Molly said, as they came into the apartment. \u201cWe like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Schrodinger more than liked it. The small apartment he shared with Molly (and increasingly with Drew, but that was okay too) wasn\u2019t the fanciest place he\u2019d ever been, but it was warm, and filled with love. Like the lair he\u2019d grown up in. It was home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSchrodinger, why don\u2019t you lead everyone into the living room?\u201d Molly suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll get us some hot cider and something to eat, and we\u2019ll warm up. Sound good?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lily looked at the cranberry she still held in her hand. \u201cSure, but what about these?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Molly winked at her. \u201cLet\u2019s get warmed up first and then we\u2019ll see what we can do about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I think she\u2019s got a plan,<\/em> Schrodinger said. Molly\u2019s plans are usually good ones, so let\u2019s go.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He nudged Lily\u2019s leg, and after a moment\u2019s hesitation, she and Zoey followed him and Jack into the living room. The Christmas tree hadn\u2019t been gotten yet, but Molly had already cleared the space for it, and moved the couch and chairs away from their normal space next to the hearth. They had a fireplace, although Schrodinger couldn\u2019t remember the last time it had been lit, and Molly\u2019s treasured Christmas nativity scene was set up on the mantel. The television was moved into the corner, so they could still watch it, and out the window, Schrodinger could see the snow falling. It was going to be a long storm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cZoey, what\u2019s your phone number?\u201d Molly called out from the kitchen. \u201cI want to let your folks know we made it here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Zoey gave her the number, and then snuggled on the couch with the others. Molly\u2019s couch was deep and soft, with several handmade quilts on them. \u201cThis is the best way to spend a snowy day,\u201d she declared. \u201cAbsolutely the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we haven\u2019t even done anything yet!\u201d Lily giggled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But it\u2019s warm, and we don\u2019t have to shovel,<\/em> Jack said, poking his nose against her neck and making her giggle even more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And maybe later, we can have a snowball fight!<\/em> Schrodinger said, tickling Zoey\u2019s cheeks with his whiskers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d Molly said, coming in with a wooden tray that was piled with steaming mugs and goodies. \u201cThe way it\u2019s snowing out there, I might not find you again! You might be lost in the snowbanks!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nah, I\u2019d make it back.<\/em> Schrodinger abandoned tickling Zoey to investigate the tray. Besides the promised hot cider, Molly had put some of the goodies she\u2019d been keeping in her fridge at home: some gooey caramel brownies, some leftover candy cane cookies that hadn\u2019t made it to the bake sale, and some ham and cheddar scones that she\u2019d warmed in the oven while the hot cider was bubbling. How else would I get fed like this?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it! You and Drew! You only love me for my cooking!\u201d Molly gave a suitably tragic sigh as she took a mug of cider and one of the scones and installed herself in one of the recliners. \u201cWhatever shall I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stop cooking,\u201d Lily said wisely, her mouth full of brownie, and then looked confused when Molly started laughing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said, picking up the remote and turning the television on. Nothing but snow greeted their eyes. \u201cAnd the power is out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Zoey looked at the lights, which still glowed. \u201cBut it\u2019s not!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We have a generator,<\/em> Schrodinger told her. Mrs. Collins, who owns the building and lives upstairs put in a dwarven generator this past summer. It runs on magic!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMagic?\u201d Her eyes widened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cActually, it runs on something that they mine out on the edge of town,\u201d Molly said. \u201cIt\u2019s not coal, and it\u2019s not gasoline, but I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s magic.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Schrodinger looked doubtful. I thought everything that came out of that mine was magic. That\u2019s why they have manticores guarding their mine!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey have manticores guarding their mine because they have always had manticores guarding their mine,\u201d Molly said, putting her mug down and getting up to get a movie. \u201cOr so Julie told me, and since she orders their feed for them, I assume she would know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because they need to guard the magic,<\/em> Schrodinger said, as if it should be obvious. They didn\u2019t always make generators, you know. And it\u2019s hardly the only thing they do now.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cVery true,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI have no idea what else they do. \u00a0I didn\u2019t know they did generators until they came to install it this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDwarves.\u201d Zoey said. \u201cLike Snow White dwarves?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKind of,\u201d Molly told her. \u201cThey\u2019re not quite as short, though.\u201d She chose a DVD and went back over to the TV. \u201cLuckily, Schrodinger and I have quite the movie collection.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the cranberry and the popcorn kernel?\u201d Lily demanded. \u201cWhat did the Advent Calendar mean by giving us those?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay!\u201d Molly laughed and threw her hands up. \u201cI\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She went out into the kitchen, and returned with two big bowls in her hand. One was piled high with fluffy popcorn, and the other held gleaming cranberries, glowing like jewels in the light. The four on the couch watched, confused, as she set them down on the table, then went back out into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When she came back, though, Lily and Zoey\u2019s eyes lit up. \u201cAre we making garlands?\u201d Lily asked, seeing the rolls of thick black cord in Molly\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are! For the retirement home. Mrs. Dawson asked if we would help decorate the outdoors for the birds,\u201d Molly said, and handed two long needles, one to each girl, threaded from one of the rolls of cord. She kept another roll and needle for herself. \u201cSo what better way to pass a snowy afternoon than to watch movies and make gifts for someone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Which is exactly what they did. Molly hadn\u2019t been kidding when she\u2019d said they had a movie collection, and the bowls of popcorn and cranberries seemed never ending. The afternoon light faded into darkness and Molly put in a version of the Christmas Carol.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThose nightshirts look silly,\u201d Zoey giggled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Lily agreed. \u201cBut I kind of like the hats.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut would you wear one to bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019ll bet it kept their ears warm,<\/em> Jack said sleepily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, what are we going to sleep in tonight?\u201d Lily asked, looking over at Molly. \u201cWe don\u2019t have pajamas!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh no!\u201d Molly\u2019s eyes were twinkling, and she got up. \u201cYou mean you didn\u2019t bring overnight bags?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t know we were staying!\u201d Zoey reminded her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing I was prepared for such an emergency.\u201d Molly got up and went into her bedroom, coming back with four wrapped presents. \u201cI was going to save these for closer to Christmas, but I think you can open them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That got all four of them out of the blankets in a hurry. Molly moved the finished garlands into the kitchen as they opened the gifts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNightshirts!\u201d Zoey squealed, pulling the soft purple flannel from the box.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd hats!\u201d Lily added, cramming the dark pink one she\u2019d received on her head. \u201cThey ARE warm!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Help!<\/em> Jack asked, scrabbling at the box he\u2019d unwrapped. Lily hastened to help him, while Zoey assisted Schrodinger. They didn\u2019t have nightshirts, but they did have hats: Jack\u2019s a dark blue that complemented Lily\u2019s and Schrodinger\u2019s a bright red, almost a Santa hat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys look awesome,\u201d Molly declared, when they were all dressed. \u201cLike a picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And then she put the movie back on, and they settled in for the night, with the snow falling outside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Schrodinger decided, right before he fell asleep, that this was one of the best days he\u2019d had in a while.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It looks like it did last year, Jack remarked, laying his head down on his paws. He and Schrodinger were lying on Schrodinger\u2019s bed, watching the snow fall outside of the big windows at the front of CrossWinds Books. When Old Man Winter came around.   It snows every winter, Schrodinger replied sleepily. It was …<\/p>\n

>>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[61,15],"class_list":["post-1233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent","tag-christmas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1233"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1233"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1234,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1233\/revisions\/1234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}