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Uncle Charlie’s Car

11/28/2024

“So, do you have any plans for the holidays?” Dr. Wisler jogged the stack of papers before sliding them into a file folder.

“I wish they involved staying here.” Grace looked down at the folder.

“Really? I love getting home for Thanksgiving Dinner with Mom.”

“Me, too.” She smiled. “Nobody makes a turkey like my mom, but…”

“But?”

“It’s a whole thing with my dad and the neighbors and the darn Christmas lights.” Grace shook her head. “It’s…” She frowned. “I’d honestly rather stay here and discharge Blue Bolt than go home and deal with the Pine Hollow Christmas Light Fight.”

A smile teased the corners of Dr. Wisler’s mouth. “It’s got a title?”

“Yeah, it’s a whole thing. My dad and Mr. Murray across the street have been at each other’s throats over this thing for years now. There’s a trophy that the mayor gives out.” She threw her hands up. “Mom said they’re even having one of the Sentinels out as a guest judge this year.”

“How odd. Paul went out your way for Christmas last year.”

“Is that Megaman? He was over in Laurel Ridge for their thing.”

“Who did they get this year?”

Grace shrugged. “I think it’s that guy with the Hammer Pants. I guess Mayor Drabek got his nose out of joint about Laurel Ridge having a superhero for their jingle bell whatever.”

“Connor is going to judge the Pine Hollow Christmas Light Fight?” Dr. Wisler covered her smile. “I’ll bet he volunteered.”

“I don’t know. I’d love to just skip the whole thing. Having a celebrity judge come in to hand out the trophy this year? My dad’s gonna be all keyed up about trying to outdo the Murrays’ layout. He and Josh and Emma’s husband, Ron, are going to be freaking out.”

Dr. Wisler’s smile faded.

“It’s a constant mania. Why can’t Christmas just be fun? Why can’t we keep to ourselves for once and just enjoy the holidays?”

“I guess I don’t understand what’s involved, but I’d give anything to have another Christmas with my dad and my brother.”

Grace’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, Dr. Wisler. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s a lot when you’re in the middle of it.” She waved it off. “Tell you what. Maybe you can have your Christmas cookies and eat them, too.”

“Huh?”

“You’re looking for more experience and some hours away from the light thing and family drama. I have a colleague at St. Hedwig’s who could use some help. If you want, I can put a call in.”

“I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.”

“I know it’s stressful, especially with this situation between your dad and the neighbors. Try to make the most of the time you have with your family. Things happen and…”

Grace chewed her lip, not knowing what to say.

“Anyway, if you get a chance to talk with Connor, tell him Becca says hi.”

“Hey, Leo, Uncle Charlie wants to get going.” Dad handed him a set of keys. “Be an exterior decorator and see if you can work his car out of that mess.”

Leo’s jaw tightened as he grabbed his coat and headed outside. His breath wafted before him in the porch light.

As usual, the cul-de-sac was parked tight with cars from the Murrays and the Gallaghers on one side and the Chmielewskis and Gajewski on the other. Thanksgiving and Easter were guaranteed to be parking nightmares because his dad likes to be a big shot.

“Which one is Uncle Charlie’s?” He said as he clicked the unlock button on the fob. Lights came on in a sedan that was parked in, three cars deep. “Of course.” He was about to go back in for reinforcements and additional keys when a car with its high beams rolled up. “Great, now he’s even more parked in.”

He wandered over to the driver’s door and knocked on the window. It rolled down. “Leo, you scared me.”

“Sorry. Hey, can you pull in over there for a minute? I’m trying to get Uncle Charlie’s car out.”

She leaned out to see where he was pointing. “Is it hard?”

“Excuse me?”

“The ground. Is it hard or has it rained recently?”

He crouched down beside her door. “Uh, no. No rain or snow or anything recently.”

“Great. I’m sorry, but I just got in from Empire City. I’ve been fighting traffic for hundreds of miles and I just want to go eat turkey before it gets cold.” She rolled up the window and revved the engine as a warning.

Leo stepped away as she pulled a sharp turn onto the neighbor’s lawn and around the assembled vehicles of her family.

“Hey, what’s keeping you?” His brother, Chris, came out onto the porch.

He watched her spring from her car, fetch some luggage from the trunk and hurry into the house. “I’m home!”

“It’s about time.” Her dad gave her a bear hug, lifting her and her luggage high. “I’ll take those. You go get something to eat.”

“Thanks, Daddy. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“I’ll say it is.”

“What’s up?”

“Ronny’s got a killer idea for–”

“Oh, is that chestnut stuffing I smell?” She dashed into the dining room. “Hello, everybody!”

“Gracie, we saved you a chair.” Her grandmother waved her over. “Was the traffic bad, honey?”

“Wall to wall, Grammy.” She kissed her on each cheek and took a seat. “Dr. Wisler let me out early and I still missed dinner.”

“Nonsense, we just finished the first course. Joshua, carve some meat for your sister.”

Josh hacked off some dark meat and held the ladle. “Gravy?”

“Thanks. Can you put some extra for my potatoes?”

“I’m surprised you could tear yourself away.” Emma said, passing the plate.

Grace spooned a portion of cranberry sauce and reached for the vegetables. “She set me up with a colleague of hers at St. Hedwig’s so I can get some hours over the break.”

“Grace, honey, you should take some time and unwind.” Grammy chided.

“I don’t want to get out of practice. This is a great opportunity for me.”

“Hey, did Staś tell you about my idea?”

Grace scooped vegetables onto her plate. “He said you had one.”

“Carol of the Bells. We can have bells wired to chime in sync with the song all over the yard.”

“Oh, I love that song. Are you doing the traditional one or the rock one?”

“Hey, it’s Christmas. Go big or go home. We’ll alternate between both of them with a nice medley between.” Ronny smiled as he handed her the mashed potatoes.

“That sounds great. Any idea what they’re up to?” She pointed across the street with a serving spoon.

Her dad took his place at the head of the table. “Robots!”

“Robots?” Grace scooped mashed potatoes onto the puddle of extra gravy. “What kind of robots? That’s got to be Joe’s idea.”

“Like I asked?” Her dad scoffed before tipping a beer bottle to his lips.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“If you think it’s a bottle of Old Cas, you’d be right.” He swigged. Letting it dance on his tongue before swallowing, he couldn’t help but smile at his daughter’s reaction. “Ronny was kind enough to bring over a case from the Święty Kazimierz Batch.”

“I’ve got another case in the trunk for Father Tom.” Ronny helped himself to more potatoes. “Can I get the gravy, Josh?”

Josh stood up to hand it to him. “I’m going to grab one. Want a bottle, Gracie?”

She shuddered and shook her head. “You can have mine.”

“You sure? We saved you one.” Josh winked at his dad.

Grace winced. “Honestly, what kind of demented mind even came up with such a thing? I mean, seriously. Krupnik-spiced beer?”

“Hey, both our dads came up with this.” Ronny finished his and tossed the bottle to Josh. “Think fast.”

Josh caught it and headed for the kitchen.

“How have I not heard about this before?” Grace grimaced at her dad. “You and Mr. Mazur invented this swill?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa there.” Staś pointed his bottle at her. “Jan and me worked on this recipe a good five years before we brought it to the Brewmaster at Edelholz, I’ll have you know.”

“Grace, don’t upset your father. It’s just beer.” Her mom buttered a roll.

“Just beer? My dear, this is a masterpiece. Holiday cheer in a bottle.” He finished it in a long, uncomfortable gulp. “Josh, grab me another. Will you?”

Grace shook her head and ate her dinner. “More power to you, Daddy. Emma’s not drinking it, either.”

“Well, of course not. She can’t.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“What do you mean, she can’t? What’s the matter, Emma?”

“Nothing’s the matter, silly.”

“What am I missing here?”

Her grandmother took her hand. “Good thing you’re sitting down, dear. You’re going to be an aunt.”

“Oh, okay.” She took another bite of turkey and chewed until it sank in. “An aunt?”

Emma smiled and giggled behind a napkin. “I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.”

“Oh, my God! When?”

“Early June, probably.”

Grace gulped down her turkey and wiped her mouth. “Emma, that’s incredible! Have you picked names? Schools? Set up a trust?”

“Slow down there, kiddo.” Ronny laughed. “We don’t even know if it’s a he or a she yet. You’re just going to have to be patient with the rest of us.”

“You’re pulling my leg. You don’t even have names yet?”

Her sister grinned. “Tell you what. I’m going for an ultrasound on Monday. If little Mazur here gives up the secret, I’ll give you first dibs on picking a name.”

“What?” Grace put an arm around her grandmother. “Did you hear that?”

“I don’t know if I’ll be hearing out of that ear from now on, honey.”

“Oh, where is it? I have to go to the hospital on Monday to see about helping Dr. Wisler’s friend.”

“We’re going to the hospital, too.” Emma said, holding Ronny’s hand.

“There you go.” Mom wiped her hands with a napkin. “You can go get settled in with…”

“Dr. Hu.”

“Seriously?”

“That’s what Dr. Wisler told me.”

“Is his office in a blue phone booth?”

“Huh?” Grace went back to eating her dinner.

“Boy, you’re right.” Ronny said. “Maybe Josh is the smart one after all.”

Emma smacked his arm. “Wise guy.”

Grace chuckled as she saw headlights illuminating the front curtains.

“Now, was that so hard?” Chris shook his head as he got out of Grandpa Gallagher’s Zümmer.

“Uncle Charlie was buried to the curb.” Leo frowned. “I suppose Dad thinks I’m going to stay out here like a valet.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The rest of the keys are inside. Just stay by the front door so you can start people’s cars and get them pointing in the right direction.” Chris tossed him Grandpa’s keys.

“You’re a riot.”

“Look, if you can Feng Shui and arrange pillows just so, how can you not solve a simple puzzle like this?”

“I can’t stop Dad from treating me like the black sheep, but I don’t have to take it from you.” He hurried up behind his brother. “Besides, pillows don’t require insurance or body work.”

“I suppose you have a point.” He jogged up to the front steps. “Hey, what were you gawking at when I came out?”

“Grace just got back from school.”

“So?”

“I thought she was going to park Uncle Charlie in four deep, so I asked her to stay out of the way a minute. Next thing I know, she’s turfing the Jones’ yard to go park alongside the house.”

“They’re bananas, the bunch of them.” Chris held the door for his brother.

“I see what you did there.”

“It’s nice to be appreciated. Hi, Aunt Ruth. Leaving so soon?”

“I hate to eat and run, but Wolf has been by himself all day.”

“It was a treat to see you. Don’t be a stranger.” Chris grabbed her keys from the bowl and handed them to Leo. “Oh, valet…”