{"id":1710,"date":"2016-12-10T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2016-12-10T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1710"},"modified":"2016-12-09T20:19:18","modified_gmt":"2016-12-10T01:19:18","slug":"advent-day-10-cookies-are-always-welcome-in-the-cove","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1710","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 10: Cookies are always welcome in the Cove!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, December 10<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMolly, Schrodinger, are you here?\u201d Gideon called out as soon as he pushed open the door to CrossWinds Books. \u201cYou didn\u2019t leave without us, did you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not that late, Gideon, I promise!\u201d Kiaya said, sharing a rueful look with DC as they passed the counter. \u201cThey won\u2019t have left!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As if to prove those words, both Jack and Schrodinger came bounding out of the kitchen. <\/span>You\u2019re here!<\/span><\/i> The CrossCat said, his tail whipping excitedly. <\/span>We were waiting so we could do the castle before we left with you!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSee, I told you!\u201d Kiaya said. \u201cGo on!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gideon ran into the kitchen, where Molly had the castle out on the island, and hopped up on to one of the stools. Lily and Kaylee were already looking hard for the 10, and he joined them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere it is!\u201d Kaylee said excitedly, poking her finger at the 10, which was floating next to a window on the west side of the main castle. The window opened, and they saw the kitchen again, with more cookies being made. This time, instead of stars, there were all sorts of sugar cookies, with jeweled cutouts of spun sugar that gleamed in the lights. Cooks in white aprons and tall white hats were busy painting the cookies with bright colors, and others were placing them on bright silver trays.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re doing a bake sale too?\u201d Lily whispered, awed. <\/span><\/p>\n

I doubt it, <\/span><\/i>Jack said. <\/span>I\u2019ll bet it\u2019s for a party the Snow Queen and Jack are throwing.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

One of the bakers looked up, waved at them, and then tossed up a cookie towards them. As it came through the window, it shimmered, and when it fell into Kaylee\u2019s open hand, it was still a cookie, but now it said, \u201cThere\u2019s lots of things that are sweet today! Make sure you share the wealth!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Gideon asked them, and they all looked at each other, puzzled. \u201cI mean, aren\u2019t we selling cookies today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Lily said. \u201cToday\u2019s the bake sale at the school. Of course, there will be more there than just cookies – it\u2019s more like a craft fair. And everyone loves to buy Christmas presents there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kaylee broke the cookie into five pieces and handed them out. \u201cMaybe there will be someone there that we can share with, just like we shared this cookie?\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

That could be, <\/span><\/i>Schrodinger said thoughtfully. <\/span>Or perhaps there is something else the castle has planned for us.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you find it?\u201d Molly asked, coming back in from the alley behind the bookstore, where her Jeep was currently parked. \u201cWe\u2019re almost ready to go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did, and it was a cookie!\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cIt said we were going to share the wealth. So I shared the cookie with everyone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShare the wealth, huh?\u201d Molly smiled at her. \u201cGood! That\u2019s part of what Christmas is about, after all! Now, are you guys ready to go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What about the castle? <\/span><\/i>Schrodinger asked, as she hustled them out the back door. <\/span>Are we just leaving it there?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cDC said she\u2019d put it away for us,\u201d Molly told him, as she held open the door to the Jeep. \u201cSue and Lai are already setting up at the school, and we just need to bring these last boxes over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They all piled in, careful not to jostle anything, and Molly set off towards the Daughter of Stars Middle School, which hosted the annual Carter\u2019s Cove Christmas Bake Sale. The school got a portion of the proceeds, and it was now a traditional place to get many of the goodies that would be served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Molly\u2019s cookies, scones, and candies were big hits, of course, but there were all sorts of things available, from all sorts of people.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMolly, what did you do for a centerpiece this year?\u201d Lily asked, looking at her aunt. She had scrambled into the front seat before anyone else, and as a prize, she got to hold the basket containing sandwiches, tea, and hot chocolate for them during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember the skating pond I had a few years ago?\u201d Molly said. \u201cI decided to bring that back out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ooh, I loved that!<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said from the back seat. <\/span>Did you bring the lights too?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course!\u201d Molly said. \u201cAnd I have the figurines too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad you missed last year,\u201d Kaylee told Gideon. \u201cMolly built a pirate ship out of gingerbread.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His eyes got wide. \u201cA real pirate ship?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep. It looked exactly like Pavel\u2019s ship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to it?\u201d Gideon asked. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you using it this year, Molly?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I gave it to Pavel,\u201d Molly told him. \u201cHe keeps it aboard his ship – he says it\u2019s a good luck charm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut won\u2019t it rot?\u201d he said, a worried frown on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s part of my magic,\u201d Molly said, grinning as they turned into the school\u2019s parking lot. \u201cIt won\u2019t ever decay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The inside of the gymnasium was controlled chaos. Molly led them to the corner tables she had been given, where Sue and Lai were busy setting up the trays, vases, and boxes of various goodies she\u2019d made. There were snowflake cookies, elegantly decorated with silver balls and icing that had a subtle glittering effect, that Molly had made into lollipops and were clustered into a tall vase. Another vase held her peppermint candy cane cookies, tied with bright red and green ribbons. Silver trays along the front of the tables held an assortment of scones in plastic bags, perfect for a snack as someone was walking around.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then, in the corner, up on a box, was the spot for the centerpiece that Molly was carrying. As they watched, she walked around the tables and opened the box in her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out first came the base, which was a painted piece of wood that looked like the small cove that Indi hosted the skating in. The paint for the ice shimmered, just like the real thing, and Gideon wondered how Molly had gotten it like that. There were a great many things about the kitchen witch and her magic that he wondered about, but hadn\u2019t been bold enough to ask her. Maybe Schrodinger would be willing to tell him at some point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then those thoughts vanished from his mind as he watched her set up the rest of the centerpiece. There was a tower of what looked like rocks and twigs that had bits and pieces of red sticking out of it, and when she sat it on the center of the ice, it flared to life, the red becoming fabric flames that danced and swayed. Around the edge of the ice, Molly set trees, made of gingerbread and iced dark green, and a little hut that was an almost perfect rendition of Indi\u2019s skate shop, where she sold hot drinks, snacks, and rented ice skates if you\u2019d forgotten them. Gideon hadn\u2019t been out to the skate shop yet, but his mother had promised that they would go out soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

He and the others watched Molly string some tiny lights along the tops of the trees, and then she lifted out the skaters. The little figurines weren\u2019t in gingerbread, although he assumed everything else was: they looked almost like porcelain, painted in subtle colors to look human. Well, mostly human; as she continued to pull them out, Gideon saw there were others too, including a CrossCat and a dog that looked like Jack in a little sled. Then Molly looked out at them. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d Gideon whispered to Kaylee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWatch!\u201d she told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly had arranged all the figurines, and now, she leaned over and blew gently across the entire scene. Gideon\u2019s eyes widened as the lights came on, twinkling even in the brightly-lit gymnasium, and the figures began to move across the ice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow,\u201d he breathed, taking a step towards it. \u201cThat\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said proudly. <\/span>I\u2019m so glad she brought it out again.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Tearing his gaze away from the skaters, Gideon looked up at Molly. \u201cSo what are we doing?\u201d he asked. \u201cAre we selling stuff?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Molly said. \u201cAre you guys ready to walk around for a bit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo we have samples, Molly?\u201d Lily guessed. \u201cLike Zoey and I did?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, actually!\u201d Molly pulled out two trays, put an assortment of cookies on each one, and said, \u201cGideon, why don\u2019t you and Kaylee take Schrodinger with you, and Lily, you take Jack. Come back when you run out!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we taste them first?\u201d Kaylee asked, already reaching for a cookie. \u201cWe have to make sure they\u2019re really good!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As if they wouldn\u2019t be!<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said, but Gideon noticed he also snagged a cookie from the tray. There was a loud bell that rang out from above, and then the doors opened and a wave of people flooded in.<\/span><\/p>\n

They set off, Gideon carrying the tray and Kaylee and Schrodinger on either side of him. The tray itself had straps that went around his neck, helping to steady the tray. He was half-afraid they\u2019d be crushed, there were so many people, but to his surprise, it wasn\u2019t crowded. People wandered around, talking to their friends and the vendors, buying gifts and catching up. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, guys, look over there.\u201d Kaylee said, tugging on Gideon\u2019s sleeve. \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u201d was a younger man, standing in one of the little alcoves formed by all the tables, looking a little lost.<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger said, also looking at him. <\/span>I\u2019ve never seen him before.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Gideon, who was still getting used to everyone at the Cove, wasn\u2019t surprised that he didn\u2019t recognize him. The man was dressed in jeans and a parka that had definitely seen better days. And there was some dirt smudged on his face, although he\u2019d obviously tried to wash it off. His beard was long and braided, and so was the hair that escaped from under the knit cap he wore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go find out,\u201d Gideon said, and suited action to words.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man watched them come over, and Gideon held up his tray. \u201cHi! I\u2019m Gideon, and this is Kaylee, and this is Schrodinger! Would you like a cookie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, but I don\u2019t have any money to pay for them.\u201d The man\u2019s voice was low, and Gideon had to strain a bit to hear him. \u201cI just wanted to warm up for a bit before I went on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re free, so you don\u2019t have to pay,\u201d Kaylee said, and picked a few off the tray. \u201cPlease take them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Where are you going?<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger asked, as the man accepted the cookies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d the man said. \u201cWherever will accept me.\u201d He smiled at them. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d Gideon said, fascinated by the man. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRobert,\u201d he said, around a mouthful of cookie. \u201cThese are very good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly makes the best cookies,<\/span><\/i> Schrodinger agreed, and looked around. <\/span>Wait here, guys.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

He vanished into the crowd, and Gideon and Kaylee turned back to Robert, who was finishing the cookies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave some more,\u201d Kaylee said encouragingly. \u201cYou look hungry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI haven\u2019t had much to eat since yesterday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s so sad,\u201d Gideon said. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just go home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I don\u2019t have one,\u201d Robert said. He sat down with his back against the wall, to be closer to their height, and they joined him. Molly had said to share the samples, and Gideon was sure that she would want them to go to someone who truly needed them. \u201cI\u2019ve been on the road for so long that I don\u2019t even remember where my home was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds lonely,\u201d Kaylee told him. \u201cI would miss my family and friends. Don\u2019t you miss them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d Robert said. \u201cBut I carry them here with me.\u201d And he touched his hand to his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schrodinger came back, carrying a brown paper bag that he gave to Robert. <\/span>This is from Molly,<\/span><\/i> he said. <\/span>It has some sandwiches and a thermos of tea, and she said to tell you that any time you come through the Cove, you\u2019re welcome to a hot meal at CrossWinds Books.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Robert took the bag, and Gideon saw there were tears in his eyes. \u201cBut why would she do that?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because you need help, and she likes to help,<\/span><\/i> the CrossCat said. <\/span>Would you like to meet her?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to embarrass her,\u201d Robert said. \u201cMost folks don\u2019t want to be seen with a tramp.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMolly won\u2019t mind,\u201d Kaylee assured him. \u201cShe loves everyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The tramp smiled down at her. \u201cI\u2019ll bet she does. But I won\u2019t go over now. She\u2019s got people wanting to buy from her.\u201d He tucked the bag Schrodinger gave him into his knapsack and stood up. \u201cPlease tell her thank you, for everything. I\u2019ll remember you all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They watched him go out the door and back into the cold, his woolen cap pulled down around his ears. \u201cSchrodinger,\u201d Gideon said, when the door had closed, \u201cdo you think that\u2019s what the castle meant? That we were to share with someone like Robert?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe,<\/span><\/i> the CrossCat said quietly. <\/span>Sadly, there are always people like Robert, who have nowhere to go.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s sad,\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine having nowhere to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

>Activity: Bake and share cookies with someone you like!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Saturday, December 10 \u201cMolly, Schrodinger, are you here?\u201d Gideon called out as soon as he pushed open the door to CrossWinds Books. \u201cYou didn\u2019t leave without us, did you?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re not that late, Gideon, I promise!\u201d Kiaya said, sharing a rueful look with DC as they passed the counter. \u201cThey won\u2019t have left!\u201d As if …<\/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],"class_list":["post-1710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1710"}],"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=1710"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1711,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1710\/revisions\/1711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}