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The Way To A Man’s Heart

12/22/2024

“Help Joseph up to his room.” Mary pointed to the stairs. “I’ll be up to check on you shortly.” She turned to Murray with tears in her eyes.

“Don’t get ahead of matters, dear.” He hung his overcoat in the coat closet. “He’ll have a little rest and some breakfast. He’ll be good as new.”

“I don’t know. He’s been having these headaches for days.”

“He’s been pushing himself too hard.” Murray took her in his arms. “That’s all it is. We’ll have him checked out tomorrow. A good night’s rest and he’ll be as good as new.”

The front door opened and the children burst into the house. Joan was fast on their heels. “Come here and say hello to Nana and Pop Pop, wild monkeys.” Her smile faded. “What’s wrong?”

“Joe is taking a nap. He’s been under the weather lately.”

“Pop Pop.” Jim held his arms up.

Murray picked him up. “How about we make Uncle Joe a nice breakfast? Want to help?”

“Go, Joe.” Jim pointed at the kitchen.

Joan picked Jenn up, handing her to Mary. “Give Nana a hug, sweetie.”

“Don’t be sad, Nana.” Jenn hung on tight.

Mary carried her to the sofa and sat down. “Thank you, dear. I feel much better with a big hug. Shall we have some breakfast? Uncle Leo bought Christmas Crunchies.”

Jenn grinned as she slid down off of the sofa. Joan picked her up and led Mary to the kitchen.

“Take a seat, honey. I’ll get the bowls and spoons.” Mary squeezed past Murray and Jim. “Where’s John?”

“He went over to help Josh and Ronny unpack the drones.” She played a clapping game with Jenn.

“I cannot wait until this whole Light Fight is behind us.” Mary pulled a box of cereal from the cabinet.

“Maybe we can take next year off.” Joan said. “It seems like more stress than it’s worth.”

“I’m inclined to agree.” Murray handed two slices of bread to Jim. “We hoped that the shared project would make matters better, but it seems that Staś had words with Leo and Chris yesterday.”

“I didn’t hear about this.” Mary pulled a handful of spoons from the drawer and put them in reach of Joan.

“I’m chalking it up to stress.” Murray pulled the cover off of the toaster so Jim could deposit the bread. “People say unfortunate things under duress.”

“Unfortunate.” Mary pulled a stack of bowls from the cabinet and slid them across the counter to Joan. “What did he say, exactly?”

“Something to the effect that Leo was taking liberties with Sarah and they should both mind their manners and refer to him as Mr. Chmielewski.”

“That seems out of character for Staś.” Mary gathered some napkins and the cereal box to take to the table. “No doubt it’s the stress. He works very long hours at Himmelreich’s.”

“Perhaps, but why take it out on Chris? If he feels Leo is being too familiar with Sarah, that’s a discussion in itself. What has Chris to do with it?”

“Well, word has it that Christopher has expressed an interest in Elka’s niece, Amanda. Mandy, they call her.”

“Even so, he hasn’t done anything to her yet.” Murray helped Jim to push the levers down. “See? You just push those down and the toaster gets hot. What else should we give Uncle Joe for breakfast?”

“Bacon”

“Ooh, excellent suggestion. Uncle Joe likes bacon. Maybe some eggs?”

“Scramble bacon eggs.” Jim shook his fists overhead.

“Bacon eggs?”

Joan laughed. “I cut up the bacon after it’s fried and add it with diced onions and peppers when I scramble eggs. They both love it.”

Green milk sputtered out of Jenn’s mouth as she said, “Scramble.”

Mary dabbed her chin with a napkin. “Don’t talk with food in your mouth, sweetheart. That sounds marvelous. I’m sure Uncle Joe will be excited to try that. There is a jar of CranOrange marmalade in the refrigerator that he is partial to.”

“That will go nicely with Uncle Joe’s toast. Don’t you think?” Murray picked up Jim and carried him to the fridge. “We’ll get that while we look for our ingredients.”

“What kind of headaches is he getting?” Joan asked.

Mary dabbed at the spilled milk and moved the bowl closer to Jenn. “He didn’t specify. It’s a wonder he admitted to having them at all. He’s dreadfully tight-lipped about such things.”

“We’ll have to buy his wife a crowbar as a wedding gift. Won’t we, Jim?” Murray handed him the jar of marmalade and fished around for the bacon.

“She can just tickle him.” Jim turned the jar around to study the label.

Mary laughed as she dabbed a tear from her eye. “We’ll be sure to mention that to her. Whoever she might be.”

John strode into the kitchen, chafing his hands. “Good morning, all. Uh-oh, Chef Jim has Pop Pop hard at work. Where are the guys?”

“They were escorting Uncle Joe to his bed for a little rest.”

“Still having those headaches?”

“He told you?” Mary clutched a folded napkin.

“In passing.” He kissed Jenn on top of her head. “You know how Joe is.”

“Only as well as he lets us.” Mary frowned as she discarded the napkin and pulled a new one from the stack. “Jim had a marvelous idea, though.”

John smiled and waved at him. “Jim always has marvelous ideas. What was it, kiddo?”

“Uncle Joe’s wife can tickle him.” Jim laughed.

“His wife?” John shook his head. “Boy, that will be the day.”

Chris turned the corner. “Joe’s got a wife he didn’t tell us about? No wonder he’s got headaches.”

“How is he, Christopher?”

“He’s just been working too hard. If you burn the candle at both ends, you run out of candle twice as fast.” He spotted his nephew on the kitchen counter. “Chef Jim in the house. What’s happening, buddy?”

“We’re making breakfast for Uncle Joe.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. He’ll appreciate that for sure.”

“Hey, grab your coat. We’re putting our half of the drones out back. Where’s Leo?”

“He already went out to help. Jenn, your milk is green. Are you eating Uncle Leo’s Christmas cereal?”

She nodded and smiled as she fished for some Christmas tree marshmallows with her spoon. “Nana said he shares.”

“With you? Absolutely. You’re way too cute to say no to.”

“Okay.” John said, pushing him toward the door. “Spoil my children on your own time.”

Mary watched them leave. “Isidore, darling.”

Sanctus bells jingled. “Good morning, Mary. How can I help you?”

“Let’s have some Christmas music to help the boys make some breakfast for Joseph.”

Staś pulled Elka away from the stove to give her a twirl. “Bells are ringing, ding-ding-dingling. Christmastime is here again!”

“Ha ha, cut it out. I’m trying not to burn the home fries.”

“Folks are singing, jing-jing-jingling. Christmastime is here again!” He gave her another twirl and left her to her cooking.

“If you’ve got so much energy, go help the boys move those drones around. They’re not going to set themselves up.” She waved a wooden spoon at him.

“Only if you promise to slice some kielbasa in with those.”

“Ugh, go already.” She laughed as she stirred the potatoes and onions in the pan. “Emma, bring me the garlic kielbasa from the fridge, please.”

She got up and poked around in the refrigerator. “What happened with Dad and Leo?”

“He wants them to slow down. Can’t say I disagree. There’s plenty of time for pawing at each other after they’re married.”

She pulled out a pack of sausages and put them on a cutting board. “Pawing. They hold hands and give each other little pecks. I think it’s adorable.”

“It’s different with you. You were brought up correctly. Sarah has raised herself since she’s sixteen. Can you imagine what nonsense she’s learned from TV or whatever? We’re trying to look out for her.”

“She seems to have done alright, in spite of everything.” Emma sliced the sausages into thin medallions and scraped them into a bowl to hand to her mother.

“Everything…” Elka shook her head. “No. Clearly, something went very wrong in her life. We’re helping her start over on the right foot. It may seem heavy-handed, but she needs some guardrails. Believe me.”

Emma sniffed. “More pepper and some caraway seeds.”

“Thank you, Chef Emma.” Elka shook some black pepper over the pan and stirred. “If you want caraway seeds, pass them over. Don’t bother with the dill weed. Your father finds it too pungent.”

She spun the rotating spice rack and handed her mother the jar of caraway seeds. “I think we should probably take next year off. This whole thing has been a giant headache.”

Leo followed Sarah in from the living room. “I’m sure he’ll be alright. Thanks.”

“What?”

“I heard you say headache. Joe should be alright by show time.”

“Joe isn’t feeling well?” Elka stirred the home fries and sausage slices. “That’s a shame.”

“He’s been pushing too hard on all this. It will be good when we can all take a breath and enjoy the holidays.” Sarah said.

“From your lips to God’s ears.”

Emma slid the jar of caraway seeds into its slot on the spice rack. “So, Whitney is interested in him?”

“Interested in who?” Elka itched her forehead with the button on the cuff of her blouse.

“Joe.” Sarah said. “Very interested, I’d say. Rushed home to make him a bento box, whatever that is.”

“It’s a Japanese lunchbox, but there’s a whole art form to it.” Leo squeezed her hand. “If she’s into all that…”

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Elka took the pan off of the burner and wiped her hands on a dish towel.

“Hmm, I know somebody who won over a whole clan with a platter of Christmas cookies.”

Sarah blushed. “I couldn’t eat them all myself.”

“Where did Mandy get to?” Elka put her fists on her hips.

“She’s out helping to set up the drones.” Leo noticed Elka’s glare and took a step away from Sarah.

“Can you switch places with her? I need to have a quick word.”

“Sure.” Leo brushed past Sarah, giving her hand a squeeze, on the way to the back door.

“How did you enjoy the service this morning?”

“It was beautiful. Father Tom brings something to Advent that I haven’t experienced before.”

“You haven’t seen beautiful until you’ve been to Pasterka at St. Casimir’s.” Elka smiled.

“And Wigilia here.” Emma nodded. “You’re joining the family at the right time, Sarah.”

“Seems like. What’s a Pasterka?”

“Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve to welcome the Christ Child. The word is related to the Polish term for shepherds, because–”

“The angels told the shepherds that Jesus was born. Your choir sounds like angels to me. That song today…”

“Which one?” Emma asked.

“The one in Latin before Communion.”

“The Magnificat.” Elka nodded. “That’s one of my favorites, too. You have so much to look forward to, honey.”

Mandy pushed in from the living room. “Hi, Aunt Elka, Leo said you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, both of you sit. This is serious.” Elka pulled Emma to her side.

Mandy and Sarah looked at each other in confusion as they took seats at the kitchen table.

“This is primarily for Sarah. As an Inquirer to the Catholic Church and our goddaughter, it’s my responsibility to see that you learn things correctly. It’s a good refresher for you, Amanda, considering how you’re getting roped into this romantic Irish do as you please way of doing things.”

“What?” Mandy yelped.

“Christopher is a nice young man, and so is Leo. Even so, they have certain drives that will come up sooner or later. It is your responsibility to take charge of your virtue for your sake and for his.”

“Is this the birds and the bees talk?” Sarah winced.

“In a way, yes. The birds and the bees are about what comes naturally. This is bigger than that. We’re talking about virtue, holiness, discipline and–”

“Why buy the cow when the milk comes free? Yes, I’ve heard this one plenty of times.” Mandy said. “May I be excused?”

“Actually, no. You may not.” Elka scowled. “You may have heard this and it may be engraved in your bones, your heart and even your soul, but you’re going to be setting an example for Sarah of how a good Catholic girl behaves.”

“It’s not like I’m some bed-hopping heathen, Elka.” Sarah clenched a fist. “I don’t just fall for every smooth-talking jerk who comes along.”

“Good. What I’m trying to get through to you is that you’re joining the church. You don’t know all of what that includes because you haven’t started classes yet. The best way to stay out of trouble is to avoid it until you’re ready to handle it as the church directs.”

“What are you driving at?”

“We want you to slow down and consider where you’re going. All the hand-holding and sweet little kisses… It’s been a whirlwind romance for you. If you’re like this after a week or two, how long before temptation rears its ugly head? Just take it slow and be patient. There will be plenty of time for more after you’re married.”

Jing-A-Ling (Christmas Time Is Here Again)