Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 103 - Thoughts About Melody

The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the last of the Abernathy's company for the third night of Chanukah on Friday evening.

"That must be Julie," Susan remarked, getting up from where she and the rest of the family were visiting in the living room. All of them were waiting, anticipating Julie, Elliot and Jake's arrival.

"Welcome," Susan said opening the door. "Come on in."

"Thank you, Susan. Sorry we're so late," Julie told her.

"Julie says you've been holding dinner for us?" Elliot said.

"We have," Greg agreed, getting up too.

"It's ready though. So please join us," Susan invited.

"Thank you," Elliot said.

He and his family stepped inside, taking a quick look around the room.

"Reuben isn't joining us?" Julie asked.

"He's decided to come tomorrow," Greg shared. "Something about a relative of his unexpectedly joining Melvin and his wife for Chanukah this evening, so he decided to stay."

"Understandable," Elliot remarked. "Hello everyone. We're glad we could join you tonight."

The Gaffneys, the Zimmermans, and the Obertsteins all got up to greet the new comers along with Forest and the rest of the Abernathy family. Once they did, Susan encouraged everyone to move their visit to the dining room.

"Jessie, can you help me get the food on the table?"

"Yes Mama," Jessie said.

"I can help too," Julie offered. "Cindy and Rosemary have their hands full just dealing with their children."

"Thank you, both of you," Susan said.

Less than fifteen minutes after the Rosenbergs walked in, everyone was gathered around the Abernathy's table, ready for their holiday dinner to begin. Greg said a prayer, and they all sat down.

"So what have we missed since we were here on Wednesday?" Julie asked eagerly as the food was passed around.

"Lots of things," Alan told her.

"But most of it was this evening," Cindy said. "It's been so much fun watching the kids play together since Rosemary and Neil got here."

Julie smiled. She could just imagine what a thrill it was for Cindy to watch her young children interacting with others.

"I'm surprised you could come, Neil," Julie remarked. "I know neither Zack nor Aaron could because they both still have classes."

"I think Zack has finals next week which is the reason he couldn't come," Susan supplied.

"Aaron's are week after next," Elliot shared.

"Ours were supposed to be next week too," Neil told them. "But I arranged with my instructors to take the final for one of my classes ahead. The other is a paper rather than a test, and I turned it in before I left."

"You only have two classes?" Greg asked.

"I have three. I'll take the third one after I get back. No one seemed to have a problem with it when I cited religious reasons." Neil shrugged slightly. "It worked out good for work too. This way I can cover for the rest of my team when they're out for Christmas at the end of the month."

"How long are you staying?" Susan asked curiously.

"Through the end of the holiday. If it's alright with you, we hoped we could stay here until we go home," Neil said.