Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 123 - Lessons on the Sabbath

"Welcome," Greg said.

It was late on a Friday night on the weekend that marked the beginning of Passover. The family was slowly gathering at the Abernathy house to celebrate the holiday as they often did. On this particular occasion, Greg and Susan stood on the walk in front of their house waiting to greet Neil, Rosemary and baby LeeAnn as they piled from their car.

"Thank you," Neil said with a grin. "Sorry we've come so late, but both Rosie and me had to work a full day today."

"No explanation is necessary, Neil. We are pleased to have you here, whenever you are able arrive," Greg said.

"Thanks ... again," Neil said genuinely.

"Yes, thank you from me too," Rosemary said. "We're both so grateful you made it possible for us to come."

"We're grateful you were willing to make the effort to come. I know it isn't easy when you're both working full time and have children too," Susan said.

Rosemary smiled. "You said something about Melody in particular asking us to be here?"

"She wanted you to be here," Susan supplied. "She's been giving us hints that it's important for you to be with us this year."

"Is she worse?" Rosemary concluded automatically.

"Well, she isn't getting any better, but generally she's been relatively healthy. And she's finally weighs enough for Dr. Lin to consider doing her surgery," Susan told her.

"Do you have a date?" Neil asked.

"We did," Greg told him.

"When?" Rosemary asked, holding a sleeping LeeAnn in her arms.

"It was at the end of this month," Susan told her. "Unfortunately Melody's developed a complication that's caused them to delay it some."

"Is it serious?" Rosemary asked.

"Why don't you come inside and make yourselves more comfortable. We can tell you about it," Greg urged.

"We'd like that," Neil told him seriously. "Rosie, should we get settled first?"

"Not yet. I have a feeling once we get to our room, we're going to want to stay there and go directly to bed. I'd like to visit for a little while first," Rosemary told her husband.

Neil nodded. Retrieving only LeeAnn's baby bag from the car, he and his family followed Greg and Susan inside to the Abernathy's living room. Neil sighed as he set the bag down, looking around the room. Greg didn't say anything, but he arched a questioning brow at his step son.

"I'm always astounded by the size of this room," Neil explained. "It's so comfortable most of the time, I always picture it smaller and cozier in my mind. Actually, it's twice the size of our living room and ours isn't small."

"It's larger than the first place Greg and I ever lived," Susan remarked.

"The hut in the native village you featured in your movie?" Rosemary asked curiously.

"It's easily three times the size of that whole structure ... but that's not the place I was thinking of," Susan said.

"Which place did you have in mind when you made the comment?" Greg asked curiously. In reality, their living room was larger than most places they lived back in those days, but he was curious to know which place it was Susan was thinking about when she made the remark.

"Our cottage in St. Augustine's," Susan told him.

"Ah. You're right. That place had two small rooms and a small kitchen. And this room is bigger than all of that," Greg agreed.