The Arcade
Chapter 31

Once Cosmo and Joe got the tree home, it was a simple enough task to get it through the door and into the living room, where it would stand adjacent to the fireplace, in front of the window.

Standing back from the tree, Joe gave it an appraising look, then turned to Rosemary and said, “Well, honey – whaddya think?”

“I think it’s perfect!” Rosemary replied. “It’s the perfect shape, and it’s just the right height.” Giving her husband a sidelong glance, she asked, “You made sure to check it for squirrels, right?”

“Yeah, honey,” Joe chuckled, “the tree is a squirrel-free zone.”

Cosmo started laughing at his dad’s joke, but Rosemary gave Joe a light shove. “It isn’t funny! Do you realize what kind of havoc one of those little beasts could cause?” Facing Joe, she poked him in the chest and said, “You wouldn’t find it so amusing if every single Christmas cookie had a tiny, little squirrel-sized bite taken out of it, would you?”

Joe thought briefly about a witty reply involving traditional squirrel food, then thought better of it. “You’re right, sweetheart – that would be bad.” Giving the tree one final shake, he said “No squirrels.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing for the evening’s activities. In between Rosemary baking cookies and gingerbread men, and Joe concocting his famous spiced cider, they enjoyed a pizza and garlic bread – courtesy of the local pizzeria.

Cosmo helped out by going upstairs and taking out all the boxes of Christmas decorations, ornaments, and what seemed to be miles of light strands. Half way down the stairs with the third box, he was seized with a sneezing fit that dislodged a year’s worth of dust from the top of the box, and lasted for nearly two full minutes.

When it was over, he stood at the bottom of the stairs (amazed that he was standing) sniffling and wiping his eyes. As it happened, his mother was walking past on her way to the living room. Without pausing, she handed several Kleenex to him, and said ‘Bless you!’

Smiling weakly, Cosmo dabbed at his watering eyes and blew his nose. “Thag you,” he replied.

When all the goodies had been set out on the little buffet table in the living room, and all the decorations and ornaments were organized by type on a folding card table Joe brought in from the garage, the trio plopped down on the sofa and took a deep breath.

“Well,” Joe began, “I guess people will start showing up in about an hour or so. Anyone up for a snack?”

“Nah,” replied Cosmo, “I think I’m gonna grab a quick shower. I’d like to wash the attic off of me before everyone gets here.”

Rosemary brushed at his shoulder and said, “Don’t forget the cobwebs.”

Cosmo gave her a pained look and replied, “I think I inhaled those.”

Chuckling, Joe said, “Okay then, I guess I am the only one who’ll be having a hot ham and cheese sandwich.” Standing up, he started for the kitchen. “Some fresh coffee sounds good, too.”

“Coffee? Count me in!” Rosemary exclaimed, as she jumped up and followed him.

About an hour later, the first of the guests arrived. It just so happened that it was Holly and her parents, Bob and Ann.

“Well, hey there! Haven’t seen you two in a while!” Joe said, shaking Bob’s hand, then embracing Ann. As he took their coats, he asked, “How have you both been?”

“Great, Joe, great! How about you and Rosie?” Bob replied with his characteristic smile.

“Well, it’s been…interesting – to say the least.” Ignoring Bob’s raised eyebrow, Joe turned his attention to Holly and said, “And you, young lady! It is always a pleasure to see you! How are you this evening?”

Holly smiled and replied, “I’m fine, Mr. Phillips — thank you. Where’s Doof—I mean Cosmo?”

Smiling at the term of endearment, Joe answered, “Well, the last I saw of him, he had headed upstairs to shower off the cobwebs and dust. He should be down shortly, though.”

Joe had barely gotten the words out, when Cosmo bounded down the stairs.

“Hey dad, is that Holly I hear? If it is, I got some mistletoe…” Cosmo practically skidded to a stop when he saw Holly’s parents. “Oh…hu-hullo Mr. and Mrs. Miller!” Leaning over to his father, he whispered, “Thanks for the heads-up, dad.”

Joe chuckled at Cosmo and winked. “You bet, Slick.”

Before anything else was said, Holly grabbed his hand and as she led him toward the living room, said, “I smell hot spiced cider, and – ooh, what a pretty tree! You know, Cosmo…”

Watching the two teens walk into the living room, Joe looked at Bob and Ann and said, “Cute, huh?”

Bob snorted. Ann gave him an elbow to the ribs and replied, “I think so, although I have to say,” she added with a smile, “I think Cosmo got more than he bargained for.”

Joe looked at Bob and said, “You don’t agree?”

Casting a sidelong glance at his wife, Bob replied, “I’m her father. I’m not supposed to approve of boyfriends. Although,” he quickly added, “I can’t think of anyone I would rather see my daughter with than your son. He’s a good boy, Joe.”

Looking down, and then looking squarely into Bob’s eyes, Joe replied, “Yes, he is.”

It wasn’t long after the Millers arrived that the other guests began to arrive as well. Bobby and his parents John and Marilyn showed up roughly fifteen minutes after the Millers, followed by Butch Cosmano and his wife Brenda from next door, and a few of Joe’s friends (with their wives or dates) from the office. Last to arrive were the Castelhanos, including Theo, who was in a wheelchair.

Upon seeing Theo, everyone who knew him cheered and a round of applause went up. Beaming from his place by his parents – who were sitting nearest the tree – it was clear that Theo was moved by the warmth expressed at his presence.

“Thanks, everybody.” Theo said with a small wave. Looking over at Cosmo and Holly, he smiled and said, “Ah, my two favorite dorks! You never see one without the other…”

Holly, shaking her head, smiled at the friendly jab. “You know, geek, there are far worse things than a wheelchair – like ex-lax in your hot chocolate, perhaps?”

Looking over at Cosmo, Theo said, “You better keep an eye on her, I think she means it.”

Cosmo laughed. “She might. All the more reason for you to play nice. Personally, I don’t trust her, but then -- I try real hard to stay on her good side.”

Holly smiled very sweetly and winked at Theo. “Good advice.”

Bobby chose to join his friends at this point in the exchange. He sat in a folding chair next to Theo and asked, “What’s good advice?”

Looking directly at Holly, Theo replied, “Beware of the blonde.”

“Well, duh! I could’ve told you that. In fact, I did tell you that – when we were at the hospital visiting you. Don’t you remember when she was beating up on me?”

Theo looked at Bobby. “What? What do you mean she was beating up on you?”

Bobby took a sip of his cider, then replied, “Oh yeah. It started before we even got in the car. She’s mean, dude – real mean.” Looking at Cosmo, he said, “Just remember – keep her where you can see her.”

“Hey, I’m not worried about me – it’s you two clowns that need to watch your backs.” Cosmo replied with a laugh.

Still smiling, Holly looked at Bobby and said, “Would you like some hot chocolate?” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Theo and Cosmo both started laughing, and only laughed harder when Bobby looked at them and said “What?”

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