Hollingwood University

Chapter 18

I have to say that I was pretty wrong about the Patterson family. I thought they would throw me out of their house because I was a low class American girl; but they seemed to take quite a liking to me. I had met the rest of Ethan's family: for example there was his father, James. He was a very well kept man with dark brown, close cropped hair, and a faint goatee on his chin. He wore thin rimmed glasses and had a very nice watch from Hugo Boss. He was very kind towards me, and I noticed he kept shooting sneaky looks towards Ethan. 

I had also met Ethan's uncle Wallis, who wasn't as thin as James, but also very well kept with a very nice suit on for Christmas. His hair was black and curly, and he had a pipe sticking out of his back pocket. There was also Ethan's cousin Gloria, who was a very pretty dirty blonde, sixteen year old girl. She was incredibly sweet, and offered to share her room with me since Jeremy was sharing a room with Ethan. All I could think about was how I would kill for a family like this.

-

About half an hour before dinner, I was changed into a ruby red dress and a nice pair of black flats. I also paired it with a set of silver bangles and a pair of hoop earrings, then I curled my hair into loose rings and applied a small layer of make-up. I looked pretty nice, I just hoped it was decent enough to impress the Pattersons. 

Downstairs was a delicious smell of roasting vegetables and gravy wafted through the house. The inside of the house had a very rustic theme to it, with garlands and tinstle hanging from corner to corner, and in the middle of the living room was a beautiful big christmas tree. 

In the kitchen was L'Wren and Jennah talking out the turkey with Gloria stirring the gravy pot. It didn't even take three seconds for them to notice me. Gloria was the first to gasp.

"Oh my god! You look so pretty!" she exclaimed. L'Wren and Jennah turned around also and had to agree. They were dressed very nice as well. L'Wren was wearing a navy blue long sleeve dress the ended just abover her knees and jewels lining the neck line. Jennah was wearing a very nice dress blouse and pants, with a very nice pair of red flats. And Gloria had on a high/low style gown with a white bustier top, and the skirt was black and flowing.

"Thank you, would you like me to help with anything?" I asked them.

"No dear we're all ready, can you just round up the boys to the table please?" Jennah said.

"Yeah, sure," I left the kitchen and into the living room, where the boys were watching White Christmas, well, James, Wallis, and Ethan were, Jeremy was playing on his DS.

"Um, hi. It's-it's time for dinner," I said. Ethan looked up at me, and he just stopped. His eyes went wide and his jaw dropped, the Jeremy reached over and shut it for him. 

"Ethan, you're going to swallow a fly," he said. Ethan shook himself out of his trance and stood up, along with the rest of the boys.

"Thank you Lucy, you look beautiful," James said. I felt myself blush.

"Thank you sir," I replied. The four of them stood up and followed me into the dining room. The dining table was decorated with classy white plates, with utensils on either side and red napkins folded on each. Three candle sticks were placed evenly on the table, and holly leaves and berries placed at the bottom of each. Dishes of food were layed out on the table, portions of mashed potatoes and baked brussel sproutes, fresh cranberry sauce and a bowl of bread rolls, and steamed mixed vegetables, casserole, and a pot of gravy. In the center was a large turkey, with meat sutffing. I felt full just looking at the table.

"Girls, this looks amazing! You've out done yourselves again!" Wallis took his wife by the waist and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you sweetheart," she replied.

"Well don't just stand there with your tongues hanging out, take a seat!" L'Wren said, then everybody sat down at the table. I found myself sitting between Gloria and Ethan...not that I minded. Gloria was great to talk to, and Ethan seemed to be interested in Jeremy's game boy. Wallis took his fork and tapped on his wine glass continuously until the table went quiet.

"Now everybody knows the rules: we can't begin our christmas feast without saying grace," he said.

"Awe, can't we skip just for tonight? It's not even sunday!" Jeremy protested. Jennah whapped the back of his head with her napkin to make him shut up.

Grace? Wasn't that like praying or something before eating? I didn't know, my family's been athiest for generations. My family had never ever said grace, or even took thought to God. It felt wrong to tell the Pattersons that though, so instead I bowed down my head along with everybody else.

"Ehem, God of all gifts, we thank you for the many ways you have blessed us this day. We are grateful each of those who are gathered around this table. We ask you to bless us and our food and to bless those we love who are not with us today. In our gratitude and love, we remember your humble birth into our lives and pray for those who are are without enough to eat. We remember the stable in which you were born and pray for those who have no place to live. We remember your challenging message of caring and giving and we pray for peace in families and nations throughout the world. We bless you and give you thanks in your Spirit who brings our hearts to life the Christmas Day and forever. Amen."

It was the first time I had ever heard such words, they struck me to the heart and burrowed in. Those words made me think about life, how much we sacrificed what we receive in return. Ryan had practically given up his childhood to raise me, so I wouldn't make the mistakes our parents made...and I abandonded him at christmas. I am just like my parents, so is Ryan, but it wasn't an ultimate fail. Maybe we're just destinede to make mistakes, so that we can grow and be better people. Seems impossible I know...but at the same time...very possible.

"Amen," my thoughts were cut by the family chorusing in amens, then I felt Ethan nudge me. I forgot to say it.

"Amen," I said quickly. Ethan smiled at me, not his snarky smug smile, but a kind and sympathetic smile. He knew what I was thinking.

"Now we can dig in. Bon appetite, everybody," L'Wren said. Jeremy gave a happy whoop and taking spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate. Everybody laughed at him, then continued taking portions of food onto their plates. I wasn't feeling hungry at the moment, I had to do something important.

"Will you all please excuse me for a moment?" I asked.

"Of course, is everything alright?" James asked. 

"Yeah, um...I'll be right back," I replied. He nodded as I stood up and went into the hallway. My legs carried me into the room I was sharing with Gloria, and I grabbed my phone off the side table. I dialed the number, and let it ring, until it picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ryan, Merry Christmas..."