Christmas in the Kitchen

Part 5

Author's Note: If you were wondering, yes, I am aware that Christmas has passed.  But I didn't time this very well, and there was more story to tell! So this part is for all you readers out there who, like me, always wish that the Christmas season didn't end immediately once the clock passes 11:59 PM on December 25th, but instead lingered for a few days after.

This part is dedicated to notalegend, due to my minor (and hopefully correctly conjugated and gramatically composed) use of Italian.

This week's motivation goes to Breakfast at Tiffany's, which I watched for the first time yesterday.  If you  haven't seen it, you really ought to.  Hopefully the watching of that movie doesn't make it sound like my characters are from the mid-nineteen hundreds, because it was truly something I had to fight (just imagine Lily calling him "Teddy dear"... it just doesn't really fit, now, does it?).

Other motivation goes to the Avengers, the Shaytards daily vlogs on YouTube, The Life and Times of Harry Potter Fanfiction, snail mail, magazine collages, Simon and Garfunkel, Norah Jones, Tired Pony (AN AMAZING BAND), the song "Three Marlenas", Sleepless in Seattle, Sixpence None the Richer, and the snowstorm that New England (aka, me) is currently experiencing.

[I'm feeling especially thankful this week, as can be clearly seen by those lengthy paragraphs of recognition.]

Now then, this has been quite the Author's Note, paralleling those of early Memories in Jars chapters (shout out to all of you who remember those monsters...).  So I'll end it with this message: This is the last part.  If you're reading, PLEASE vote and comment.  Follow me, to get updates on my other stories.  PM me if you wish.  <3

Kay (dreamer44)

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            Teddy and I stood side by side behind the serving table, making sure that plates and utensils were well-stocked, that the pans of food were full and warm, and—most of all—that everyone eating was happy.

            And they were.  The Christmas cheer at Coniston Soup Kitchen was more bountiful than I had ever imagined it could be.  It was so bountiful, in fact, that I suspected I was being exposed to more cheer there than I would have had I been with my family.  Everyone was so grateful, and so happy to be eating such a feast.

            And me? I was overjoyed to be making others joyful.  I was grateful that I would be able to see my family the next day.  And, more than I could express, I was happy to have Teddy, my own personal partner in crime of the day, an arm's length away from me.

            "Merry Christmas," I said to the man and his son and daughter who were currently taking food.

            "Thank you!" The girl squeaked.  She was adorable, and reminded me of Cecelia's four year-old daughter, Bailey.  "I love the lights here!"  She looked up at me with big blue eyes.  "Did you do them?"

            "No, I didn't.  But look over there.  Do you see that Christmas tree?" I pointed across the hall to the tree in the corner.  "There are candy canes on it.  So be sure to get one before you go, okay?"  I looked at the boy, who had been quietly standing behind his sister.  "You, too."

            "Thank you," the boy responded, reaching forward to take some macaroni and cheese.

            The kids' father stepped forward.  "You have beautiful children.  They're very well-mannered."

            He smiled at me.  "I'm quite proud of them," he said, ruffling his son's hair.  "Thank you."

            They took their food and moved along to find a table.  I watched them go with a smile on my face.  This was the rewarding part of the day, the hours where I almost felt luckier to be here, helping others, than to be in New Hampshire spending time with my family.