Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 101 - An Annual Event

November followed October rapidly that year. Halloween came and went. It was memorable because it was the first time only the little kids went trick-or-treating. Jessie attended the Halloween Dance at school instead. In Greg's mind, that's the reason the holiday stood out. It was a reminder that the children were growing up ... all of them. Even though Melody no longer went to preschool, Susan was working at her job fewer hours than she usually did, and was instead working with Melody several hours every day, teaching her the sorts of things he supposed children learned in preschool: about numbers and counting, and the ABCs. It seemed like only yesterday they were helping Jessie learn them, but already she was becoming a young lady. Jessie looked very grown up when she rode with Greg to pick up Bert on the way to the school. Even more so in Greg's mind when he dropped them off together out in front of the gym where the dance was being held.

"No, you can't come, Forest," Jessie told their dog when she got out of the car. "You have to stay with Papa and Melody, okay?"

Forest wagged his tail and tried to lick her face, but he stayed.

"Good dog," Greg praised, waiving at Jessie as she shut the car door. "Have a good time. Mr. Goodman will be here to pick you both up after the dance," he called through the open window.

"I remember. Bye, Papa!" Jessie called back.

"Thanks for the ride Mr. Abernathy," Bert added.

Greg smiled and waved, watching when the young couple turned away. Bert took Jessie's hand and she smiled. Greg sighed as he watched them disappear into the school. There was no getting around it. Jessie was growing up too.

The dance didn't last all that long, but Jessie was glowing by the time the Goodmans brought her home. Greg didn't say anything. He only listened as she talked to Susan and Melody about her evening. He could remember so clearly the evening Julie went to a school dance when she was Jessie's age and listening to her talk to Ruth about it for hours afterwards. It felt like only yesterday ... and yet now Julie was a grown woman in her forties. Her son had a serious girlfriend ... whom they were looking forward to welcoming into their home. Given how these things played out, he knew it would only be a few years before it was Aaron getting married ... then perhaps Zack and Jake ... maybe even Jessie, eventually. Life was beginning to rush by faster than it ever did. It was only by slowing down now and then to spend time with Melody that Greg found he could differentiate the years.

c

Thanksgiving that year was much like many of them were. Their house was full, or it would be once everyone arrived. Every guestroom was occupied. Matt and Ashley even had people sleeping in their living room to help accommodate everyone. It made them more crowded, but they did manage to find a space for Aaron's girlfriend, and all the members of Greg's and Susan's families too.

"What's Aaron's girlfriend's name?" Susan asked Greg as they prepared to welcome their guests to their home the Wednesday evening before the holiday.

"Rita, I believe. According to Julie she is pre-med, like Aaron. They both plan to go to medical school in a couple of years," Greg said.

"Have Julie and Elliot met her before?" Susan wondered.

"Yes, last year while they were back east for Thanksgiving," Greg reminded her.

"Oh yes," Susan said.

"It is the reason they encouraged Aaron to bring her home, to meet the rest of the family," Greg said, just about the time the doorbell rang. Greg went to answer it.

Everyone seemed to arrive at once that year. There was a crowd standing right outside their front door when they opened it. Susan's brother Stephen and his family were first. Right behind them was Alan with his. Julie's was next, along with their new guest, Rita.