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Does Your Dad Like Stuffed Peppers?

12/27/2025

Gary rolled over. Sunlight glowed at the edges of his curtains. He wasn’t ready.

“Dad, we’re going.”

He took a slow, deep breath. “Have fun. Love you.”

We’re going.

‘I know.’ He squeezed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

“Okay, Teddy-bear. Let’s go get Daddy.” She snapped the buckle into place and pulled up the blanket. She closed the door and jumped into the driver’s seat. “Here we go!” She turned on the car and found the Christmas station on the radio. Chipmunks were singing about a hula hoop when she heard Teddy giggling. “They have funny voices. Don’t they?” She smiled and backed out of the driveway.

She watched her dad’s Bronco sitting there as she pulled away. Something tugged at her, but she couldn’t place it.

Dad had been really quiet last night. He smiled when she told him about the Triple-C, but it wasn’t the usual steady calm that he embodied. Something was missing.

Sanctus bells jingled. “Gary.”

He rubbed his eyes and sat up. “Hey, Isidore. What’s up?”

“A message from Abigail.”

“Is she okay?”

“She would like to know if she should pick up some sandwich meat on her way home.”

“What’s the forecast?”

“Sunny, but frigid. Today’s high temperature is 20° Fahrenheit.”

“Yikes. It will be even colder in the evening. I don’t want Teddy out in this cold over lunch food.” He sat at the edge of his bed and stretched. “Let her know I’ll pick it up.”

“Gladly.”

Gary yawned as he gathered some clothes. “Let’s start a list.”

“Saturday shopping list. I’m ready when you are.”

He folded his long johns and set them on the corner of the bed. ‘Boot socks, skivvies, t-shirt…’ He stopped to survey the stack. “I’ll be in the kitchen momentarily. Please remind me to check the fridge for vital fluids.”

“Reminder set.”

Gary rubbed his neck. It was a bit stiff. ‘A nice hot shower ought to take care of that.’ He stopped to look in the mirror. He looked the same, but he felt small and hollow. ‘I don’t think a hot shower can fix that.’ He looked away. “Isidore.”

“Yes, Gary, how can I help?”

“It’s the third day of Christmas. Let’s have some music.”

“A wonderful idea. Let’s begin with something to make your shower feel a bit warmer.”

Gary hummed along with Mele Kalikimaka as he got the shower to the perfect temperature and stepped inside.

Abby felt weird about entering the Jozsa home without knocking, but Matt told her to come straight in. Given the temperature, she wasn’t about to argue. “Hey, guys, I brought Mr. Smiley.”

Jenny hurried to the door with her arms extended. “Hello, honey. So glad you got here okay.” She hugged her and took Teddy’s carseat so Abby could take off her coat. “What have we here? Uh-oh. It’s an angel!”

Teddy smiled at her.

“Look at you. Can you stay a moment? We’re playing Parcheesi.”

“Sounds great.” Abby smiled and freed Teddy from his seat and wrappings. “Let’s see if Daddy wins.”

“Da!” Teddy yelled.

Matt got a geeky grin as he blushed and shook his dice. “Come sit with Daddy, you little monkey. You can be my good-luck charm.”

Gary drifted through the aisles of the store, ticking off items from his list as he went. The shopping cart filled slowly with household staples and seasonal treats.

“Wow, out of eggnog already?”

He turned to find Pam regarding him with a whimsical smirk.

He shrugged. “‘Tis the season. You know?”

“Yeah.” She waved a yellow box. “How do you know your fruitcake has a criminal past?”

He had no idea what to say to that.

“Because it’s Stollen.” That made him smile. She had hoped it would.

“Boy, you’re a Christmas card. Huh?”

She clutched her box. “I see what you did there.”

“Hey…”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I had an idea.” He bit his lip. “I don’t know if you’ve heard about the Pine Hollow Light Fight, but some guys I know from church put on an amazing show.”

“Synchronized music and dancing lights? That kind of thing?” She hugged her box, hiding her smile behind it.

“What if I told you there were drones and animatronics?” He leaned on his cart.

“No way.”

“Way.” He smiled.

‘Okay, he got you with that one.’ She resisted the urge to rock in place with her box of streusel. “Intriguing. When do they do that?”

“The judging for the Light Fight is tomorrow night if you’d like to join me.”

“Join you?”

“I can’t help being curious. I didn’t get to see it last year, so I was going to go up to Unity Court and plant a chair. It’s no problem to bring an extra. They fold up.”

She pictured herself snuggled up under a blanket next to him in a folding chair. ‘Yes, yes, yes! Say yes.’ She looked down the aisle. “I don’t want to impose.”

“No problem. I’ve got two chairs and some nice warm blankets. I’m thinking a thermal jug of cocoa and some Christmas cookies. Should be a heck of a show.”

“Will your grandson be okay?”

“Teddy? He’ll be home in bed. His folks can bring him when he’s a little older, I think.”

‘He’s inviting me. He and I under some blankets sipping hot chocolate and noshing cookies? Yes! Say yes, for Pete’s sake.’ She rolled her eyes as she swallowed a grin. “If it won’t be too much of a bother.”

“I can’t think of a better way to welcome you to Pine Hollow than to show you your first Light Fight.”

‘Oh, snap. Am I being friend-zoned?’ Her smile faltered until she saw his. “How can I say no to that? My first Light Fight?”

“Great. Where can I pick you up? We can drive around before the show and see some of the other entries.”

‘Pick me up? At my completely pathetic unfurnished apartment? That’s not going to happen.’ She forced a grin. “Well, I have some errands tomorrow. What if we meet here and you can give me the grand tour? What time?”

“Does seven work for you? That will give us time to see the town and still get a decent seat on Unity Court.”

She couldn’t believe the words that came out next. “What if we push it back to six and we can add dinner to the itinerary?”

“Then we’ll meet at Hearth and Hollow. My treat.”

“Gary, you don’t have to–”

“I know. That’s why it’s the right thing to do. If I’m going to treat you to a night on the town, we’ll start it off right. Since you’re my guest, it’s on me to cover dinner.”

“But–”

“You can get the tab next time. Fair?”

‘Next time? He wants a next time? Heck yeah! Let there be a next time.’ She closed one eye and made a cute duck-face as she pretended to consider it. “Fair. I’ve got the tab next time. See you tomorrow at six?”

“Definitely. Six o’clock at H&H.”

Abby grabbed the blanket from Teddy’s carseat and slung it over her shoulder. “I think somebody’s hungry.” She picked him up from Matt’s lap.

Bonnie shook the dice and rolled a twelve. “What kind of formula. You’re such a dope.” She moved her piece into the home circle.

Jenny picked up the dice. “Does your dad like stuffed peppers?”

Abby sat on the couch with Teddy nesting in her crossed legs and draped a blanket over him. “I don’t make them often, but I know he likes them.”

“When you’re done, we can invite him for dinner. I made plenty.” She shook the dice and moved her pieces.

Harry picked up the dice and let Zelda blow on them.

“God, you’re ridiculous.” Bonnie shook her head. “This isn’t Monte Carlo.”

Abby pulled out her phone. “Isidore, call Dad for me.”

Sanctus bells jingled, and Gary said, “Abby?”

“Hey, Dad, Jenny says she’s got plenty of stuffed peppers here if you want to come over for dinner.”

“Tonight? Sure. I’ll go home and put the groceries away and be there in a jiffy.”

“Why did you say it like that?”

“Say what like what?”

“Tonight? Have you got plans tomorrow?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Yes!” Bonnie shook a triumphant fist. “Pop’s got game!”

“I’m just showing somebody who’s new in town the Light Fight.”

“Somebody cute?” Zelda yodeled.

“Yes, Zelda. She’s pretty. I won’t say she’s not.”

“What’s the plan, Gary?” Matt grinned as the dice came to him.

“Dinner at H&H. We’ll drive around to see the lights and then we’ll see the big show on Unity Court. Staś and Murray have something big planned.”

“That sounds very nice, Gary.” Jenny said. “We’ll see you when you get here.”

“Thanks for the invite. I’ll be over right away.”

Abby slid her phone back under the blanket and settled in.

Jenny shook her head. “Like a pack of wild hyenas around here. The man’s entitled to show somebody the Christmas lights. That sounds very nice. Gabe, why don’t you show me the Christmas lights?”

He twisted around in his chair and shrugged. He pulled a remote out of the compartment in the arm and flicked on the tree lights. “Ta-da.” He shook his head as he returned to his football game.

Pam was studying the canned artichokes when she heard Gary’s voice from the next aisle. It was a warm, reassuring voice. He was so calm and self-possessed.

“Yes, Zelda. She’s pretty. I won’t say she’s not.”

‘Pretty?’ She turned to the ice cream fridge. Her giant work glasses and her messy bun. Her dumpy, frumpy knee-length cardigan and her off-brand moccasins. From head to toe, she was a complete wreck. ‘Pretty?’ She smiled at her disastrous reflection. ‘Guess you’re back out of the friend-zone.’

Gabe opened the door for Gary. “Welcome, welcome. You’re just in time.”

“I brought this sparkling apple cider. I thought it would go nicely with the stuffed peppers.”

“Isn’t that thoughtful? Jenny, look at this. It looks like a champagne bottle.”

“That’s lovely. Let me get your coat, and we can all sit for dinner.” She took his coat to hang it.

“Wow, what a lovely high chair.” Gary took a spot beside Abby.

“It was theirs.” Gabe took his seat. “Boniface, Matthew and Harold all had their turns in that chair. It’s a blessing to have it for Theodore to sit in. A few months more and little baby Brewer can have a turn.”

Bonnie bristled at the mention of her proper name. “Yes, Benjamin or Bernice.”

“I thought it was going to be Bob or Bertha.” Harry slid the napkin onto his lap.

Zelda elbowed him. “Don’t joke. It was Bill or Betty.”

“Well, anyway, thanks for inviting me. It smells incredible.”

“What’s incredible is you having dinner and Christmas lights with some lady.” Abby muttered.

“Yes, that’s great. How did you meet?” Jenny smiled as she took her seat.

“We ran into each other a few times. She asked me where she could find a church service for Christmas.”

“And you invited her to Christmas Vigil at St. Cas?” Abby gasped.

“Sure, can you think of a more beautiful service for someone new in town?”

“I can’t.” Gabe smiled. “Your church has a lot of character.”

“It’s a living repository of the community’s inspired craftsmanship. Generations of artists have donated pieces they created out of devotion.”

“Did you show her those, too?”

“No, maybe next time.” Gary frowned at her.

“Well, let’s say grace and we can dig in. How’s that sound?” Gabe announced. “Bless us, oh Lord…”

The family joined in and crossed themselves before passing dishes around.

“Abby, honey, can you give me a hand in the kitchen a moment?” Jenny rose from her chair. Abby rose and followed her.

“Honey, what has come over you?” Jenny whispered.

Abby’s squint was poisonous. “I don’t like it.”

“What if Gabe and I went to the Light Fight with your dad and his new friend?”