Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 7 - Swish

"Isn't today Boxing Day?" Julie asked Karen Wilson as they sat around on the generous sized sofas in the upstairs game room at the mountain house at Lake Tahoe.

Everyone present was there at the invitation of her father, Greg Abernathy, and his wife Susan, and so far they'd all enjoyed themselves tremendously.

"In the UK it is," Karen confirmed. "I know it's not observed here."

"Not so much," Alan agreed. "We've heard of it, but we don't really know what it means."

"I always thought they called it that because it's the day after Christmas and some people box up their Christmas things on that day," Matt remarked.

"Sounds like as good a reason as any," Stephen said.

"I think in Great Britain it began as a second day of Christmas, on which families traditionally gave a Christmas box to servants, postmen or others who served their families," John said. He shrugged slightly. "We acknowledge it in Australia, but for most people it's just another day off."

"Isn't everybody off work this entire week?" Matt asked.

"Not everyone is, Matt," Susan said.

"The place you work is. Your entire company is shut down between Christmas and New Year's most years," Matt pointed out.

"True, but there are people who have to work," Susan said.

"Like who?" Zack asked.

"Neil, for one," Greg told them. "It is the reason he and Rosemary aren't coming until the end of the week."

"When are they arriving?" John asked.

"Thursday evening. They wanted to be here for Friday especially so they could join us for supper that evening. Neil is taking the day off," Greg said.

John nodded, mentally noting what significance Friday evening would have for those practicing the Jewish faith. Perhaps it wasn't so unexpected they would choose to be together on the Sabbath.

"Is anyone else coming this week?" Mr. Simms asked.

"Ruth and Reuben are also coming on Thursday," Susan said.

"They too are taking Friday off, in order to gain a four-day weekend for the New Year's holiday," Greg said. "They plan to go home the following Monday."

"Like everybody else," Julie remarked.

"Okay, so that is happening on Thursday and today is Sunday. What are we doing between now and then?" Aaron asked.

"Some of us thought we might go skiing tomorrow," Stephen offered. "After all the snow we've had, the skiing should be very good."

"Can we come?" Aaron asked, looking between Stephen and his dad.

"I don't see why not, provided Stephen and his family don't mind," Elliot said.

"I'd like to go," Julie confirmed.

"I would too, Jules. If it's alright," Alan said.

"The more the merrier," Stephen said.

"Who else is going?" Jenny asked.

"Are you going?" Susan asked.

"I thought I might," Jenny said. "Girls, do you want to come?"

"Can we Mom?" Lisa asked.

"I think that's a good idea," Jenny said. "Jessie, do you want to come?"

"I don't know how to ski," Jessie said.