Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2018 17:27:11 +0000 From: Jonah Subject: Letter From America Chapter 8 A Letter from America The usual disclaimers apply. No character in this story is a real person, so if you think you spot any resemblance to anybody living or dead, you are in error. In paticular, although the North Harrow Methodist Church is indeed in the Harrow and Hillingdon Circuit, it's superintendant minister is NOT the Rev. June Bennett (who exists only in my imagination) however several characters deliberately resemble characters created by another author. All my characters live in England, but, if you want to know more about their American visitors, you can visit the story A Neglected Boy, by Jacob Lion, currently serialised by Nifty on the"Gay Adult/Youth" site , or visit https://jacoblion.weebly.com/ If you wish to send feedback to me, you can email me at lfa4321jonah@outlook.com Please consider donating to Nifty - keep this site going http.//donate.nifty.org/donate.html Chapter eight: Christians awake! Salute the happy morn Christmas Day dawned crisp and sharp. There had been more snow in the night, but only a light dusting. There was, however, a healthy frost. The world looked good in the late December sunshine. Not many were on the streets of Harrow, but those few that ventured abroad were wrapped up tightly and their breath smoked like steam trains. If you went out in this you walked briskly. For Jake and I, the smiling morn brought a strange dilemma. Seeing that four boys took up most of our bed,we hadn't liked to disturb them; so we had padded downstairs and cuddled up together on the couch. This was fine, but it was only as we awoke on Christmas Morning that we realised that we were both even more naked than baby Jacob. It struck us, and horrified us that we had wandered in and out of Miriam's bedroom completely in the buff. When Joe had hammered on our door we responded immediately and neither of us gave a thought to what we were, or rather what we weren't, wearing. Of course we had been too busy to give it a thought. The morning after, on the other hand,was a very different matter. We both collided trying to rush upstairs at the same time. We had to find some clothes before anybody else awoke. I let Jake go first and followed in his wake. Murphy's law operates even on Christmas Day. The bedroom door opened and Miriam walked out. "Should you be out of bed yet?" Jake said. "I'm only going to the bathoom" she said,"and look what I'd have missed if I hadn't." Miriam laughed,even through our embarrassment it was good to hear her laugh. I smiled in spite of my predicament. "Make the best of it", I said, Once I've showered and found some clothes I'll need to make a start on Christmas dinner before I go to Church". "Have you got everything in for Christmas dinner?" she asked. I was confused. I couldn't see where this was going. I just said, "Erm....... yeah......why?" "Well you can forget about making a start on Christmas dinner. Joe'll do that for you. It's what he does" "Er......What's what he does?" "He's a chef, or he was when he had a job. You have to have an address, or you can't have anything." "Well he's got an address now," I told her. "No way am I turning you two back out on the streets". Jake raised his hand. "Erm Ma'am", he said, "Me and the boys,we're just visiting. We're going home tomorrow, but from the short time I've known him, I can promise you he means it, even if he has forgotten there are three of you now." He was right. I had forgotten that momentarilly, but his reminder brought me to my senses. "You're right," I said, "and we're not about to bring young Jacob into a world where his mother is in the habit of meeting naked men on the stairs. Now move it"I added to Jake as I administered a sharp smack to his delectable rear. "'Scuse us Ma'am", he said as we slid into my bedroom. The last thing I saw as I closed the door behind us was a laugh from Miriam that was worth any number of Merry Christmasses, and the first thing I heard as I closed the door was a wolf-whistle from the bed. "Merry Christmas Kori", said Jake, "And if you want to live to see the rest of Christmas Day, you'll take that grin off your face "Whoah! said Kori, presenting the palms of his hands to us, but the grin stayed firmly in place. " Merry Christmas", he added. "Merry Christmas", muttered Peter, without opening his eyes. I swatted the place on the duvet where I presumed his feet were. "Merry Christmas Sleepyhead". "What ? "said Liam, sitting up suddenly. "Sorry Liam," I said, "I thought that was Peter. Merry Christmas Champ!" Liam giggled. "Jake calls me that" He said. "Well he's right" I told him. "Merry Christmas Simon" "Morning," said Simon sleepily, "Merry Christmas". Jake had succeeded in assembling some clothes on the foot of the bed. He headed for the door with a towel round his middle. He mouthed a silent question and I nodded. "Boys", I said as Jake departed, "get your clothes ready to put on please, and grab some towels.Shower - dressed, ready for Church -then breakfast ". "That'll be half an hour," confirmed Kori, "Oh wait. There's eight of us now". "Nine," I corrected him, "but I don't think young Jacob will be on eggs and bacon just yet". "Oh right! WHAT?" Kori's mouth fell open as the penny dropped. Having dropped the penny bounced another three times. The expressions on those four young faces were priceless. "No way" said Simon. "Just like Mary and Joseph" said Peter. "Yes,well that's Liam's line Peter, but you're right", I told him. "Can we see him?" Liam wanted to know. "You need to shower and get dressed", I replied, thinking Miriam had seen enough naked males for one day, " then,after breakfast, I'll ask Miriam if it's all right to bring in the gold, incense and myrrh." Well the showering didn't take long. Then there was a mad scramble in the bedroom. At one stage Peter and Liam both had legs in the same pair of trousers. Eventually six of us, immaculately dressed(yeah,right!) clattered down stairs so that Kori and Simon could start breakfast. The rest of us were going to help set places this morning to save time. Thwarted! Possession had already been taken of the kitchen. Joe had two frying pans and a saucepan sizzling andsteaming. "Morning," He said cheerfully, "Merry Christmas!" We returned our Merry Christmasses. Joe pointed to Liam and Kori. "American right?" He said. "Yes surree!" said Liam, in immitation of countless Western movies. Joe nodded happily. "I'll open an extra pack of bacon," he said. We ate a breakfast of which even Kori approved. In fact I saw him in conference with Joe afterwards. I don't know if he was picking Joe's brains or if it was the other way round. Either way. "Can we see your new baby?" asked Liam. "Of course you can", said Joe. "I don't know if he'll be awake,He sleeps a lot at the moment, but I'm sure you'll love him, just like I do" "How're they both doing?" I asked and instantly regretted it. "Didn't you ask Miriam this morning" asked Joe with a smile. "Er... Joe.." I began. "Don't worry mate," he grinned. "We both saw everything there was to see last night, but we had other things on our minds. We couldn't have managed without you." Three out of four boys wore puzzled expressions. Liam seemed oblivious. His mind was focussed entirely on the baby he wanted to see. Joe's grin quickly spread to Kori, however. Gorgeous as he is, this boy is way too smart for his own good and now the cat is well and truly out of the bag. Obvously I couldn't see my own face without a mirror (which would probably have burst into flames)but, if it was the same colour as Jake's right now............. Well I popped up and knocked on the bedroom door. I found Miriam, sitting up in bed, cuddling the tiny bundle of humanity. He was sleeping contentedly, still wrapped in the towel. I made a mental note that we needed to do something about that - and soon. She was keen for the boys to see Jacob though. It was wonderful to see little Liam take the child in his arms. The love that shone from that boy's face. The arms that surrounded the little child were protection against anything. I've seen that in Liam before. I've never asked about his history but he relies on Jake to protect him from his worst fears, whatever they are, and it works both ways. Liam clings to Jake,not just for protection,but also to protect. No matter how insecure he feels or how vulnerable, at need Liam would lay down his life to protect Jake. I've seen that before too. That knifeman could never have got to Vijay if Peter had been nearby. And Simon the tough teenager who often seems to think the world is out to get him. Sarcasm and cynicism are his first language, but not love. Yet that is what was shining from his face as he cradled the tiny baby in his arms. Did the shepherds cradle baby Jesus just like this? And so to Church. Jake and the boys and I set out in good time. We needed to be early because I needed a word with June. The Rev. June Bennet was the superintendant minister of the Harrow and Hillingdon Methodist Circuit, and was going to lead worship at North Harrow this Christmas Day. Having got Jake and the boys settled in the church I had to try to get a word alone with June. I found her in the vestry and asked the duty steward if I could have a word. Quickly I told June about Joe and Miriam, and how they came to be with us. I told her about baby Jacob. "I hadn't got much of a sermon for this morning, " said June, "because nobody wants to sit and listen to a long one on Christmas Morning, but I think it's just changed anyway. If I know the people of this congregation there'll be plenty of people who want to help. Do you think you could cope with all the church ladies beating a path to your door?" "We need to talk to Monica" said the duty steward. "Good idea David," said the minister, "Can you do that for me?" "I certainly can," he replied, "You go and sit with your boys Jonah.We'll take it from here." I did that, and we lustily sang our way through: Christians awake! salute the happy morn, Away in a manger While Shepherd's watched and O Come all ye faithful, including the last verse, "Yea Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning." Boy did our boys belt that out ! And June did tell them of the two young people who had their baby amongst the animal pens because there was no room at the inn. And she told them of the boys who made sure there WAS room at the inn this year. There were tears all around the congregation. Sure enough, all the ladies of the church and not a few of the gentlemen wanted to offer help. Several wanted to bring round baby clothes. June went and ransacked the church store for a pile of disposable nappies. Then we were introduced to a venerable old lady. Monica Hardy was her name, and she had retired after fifty years of being a district nurse. "You'll need to register the birth," she told us,"and the mother and baby will need to be checked out by a district nurse, but it could be days before you can get one of those, so I'll have to do for now. I've got to come back with you." "We live right down Rayner's Lane" I told her. " You don't want to be walking all that way". "Nonsense" she replied, " I live in Pinner and walked here from there this morning. You're on my way home." This lady must be nearly eighty, but oddly enough, I could believe that. If she'd told me she'd climbed Everest first, by way of a morning constitutional,I'd have believed it. There was no way of arguing so I made the best of it. "But isn't your dinner in the oven", I asked. "Dohhhh!" she replied dismissively," I don't make a fuss over Christmas dinner -not just for me. I'll just heat up some cottage pie". She'd walked right into my trap. "Not this Christmas Day you won't Monica. If you're coming home with us, you're coming to dinner. It's compulsory". She knew when she was beat. We set off. Three adults following four boys, each laden down with piles of nappies. I bet you wouldn't have seen THAT on the streets of Bethlehem. Our flat held the delicious aroma of sage and onion. Joe was in his element. We took Monica up to inspect mother and child. She came down beaming. She was fulsome in her praise of Jake's handiwork. "Couldn't have tied that off neater myself", she told him. Jake positively beamed. Dinner,for nine of us, was a merry affair. Joe had excelled-as was to be expected. The only question was what to do about the American boys who didn't like Brussells sprouts. That", said Joe, "is because they've never tasted sprouts the way I cook them". He was right, and Jake had to ask Joe for the recipe. Turkey and all the trimmings, pigs in blankets, gravy and cranberry sauce, sprouts and parnips, mashed and roasted potatoes, was followed down by Christmas pudding and brandy sauce. Then we gathered around the tree for present opening. Jake and I had quickly wrapped a few small things for Joe and Miriam (who had Monica's permission to come down and join us, so long as she didn't overdo it)so they weren't left out. I had even found a box of chocolates to wrap for Monica. I had noticed, over the past few days, that the pile of presents under the tree kept growing. We had started it of course, and it didn't surprise us that the pile grew when Jake and the boys arrived, but it didn't stop growing. Seemingly every time we went out, somebody would see something that they would like to give to someone. Peter was over the moon. It seems that the hot-wheels craze is still raging in America, and Kori and Jake had both bought Hot-Wheels for Peter. I had forgotten that he was still collecting them and had bought him next year's Ian Allan Combined volume of Locomotives and Multiple Units. Simon had a digital camera just like the one of Kori's that he had so much admired, he would have been satisfied if he had recieved nothing else,but Jake had bought him a drone. Yes,a small quadro-copter. I couldn't believe it. Of course he wanted to take it out and use it right away. "No way!" I had to tell him. "You need to learn the laws about those things before you can fly one. It's illegal to fly it in London anyway. It's a built up area and too close to too many airports. I'll download the government guidelines for you and, when you can convince me that you know them,I'll take you out in the country." I expected him to argue, but all I got was a tight smile that clearly SAID that he was happy with my decision,but clearly MEANT something different. Jake intervened. "Jonah," he said," It's not that type of drone. This is a BOMPOW low power rechargeable battery model for beginners. It charges from the USB lead. He could even use it in your appartment". " What ?" I said incredulously," And that's supposed to make it better?" Jake laughed and immediately apologised for laughing. Yes you've got to love these people, and I knew when I was beaten. We all got expensive and inexpensive presents and everybody got something, but we all knew that Joe and Miriam had brought into our home the most precious gift of all. There was a knock on the door and June was ushered in bearing a huge pile of knitted things. "The ladies of the Church all wanted to come and visit," she said, "but I persuaded them that it'd be better not to all come today, and promised to bring some of their things. I'm afraid I couldn't fend all of them off though. There'll be more soon." I thanked June for all she had done, and offered her a sherry. Not all Methodist ministers are teetotal nowadays, and June was delighted. Joe followed us to the corner cabinet and said. "Reverend, can I have a word?" "Of course you can Joe, and not only now. Any time." June smiled at him. "Well it's just,....." hebegan " Miriam and me were talking..." it was obviously difficult for him. "All it is, you see, is we want to have Jacob Christened." "But of course said June, I can arrange..............................." but Joe hadn't finished. "And we'd like Jake to be his Godfather, if he'll accept, but he goes back to America tommorrow". June understood at once. "But that's no difficulty at all Joe," she told him. "I'm glad I kept my collar on. We can open up the Church, or we can do it here, which would be better, because it would be easier on Miriam. It's a good job some of the ladies did insist on coming because there's supposed to be a congregation." Peter ushered in three middle-aged ladies laden with knitwear. They could have been waiting in the wings for their cue. I recognised Elsie Brownlow, but didn't know the other two ladies' names. "We're sorry to be a nuisance....." said Elsie. "Well we're not" said June,"Come on in.The Lord has need of you. Simon, could you be a love and see if you can get me a cup of water? Not too hot, but not cold either." Monica rose to supervise Simon in that. Soon we were gathered round the kitchen counter with June and Jacob on the kitchen side and the rest of us on the outside. June had explained the responsibility of the parents, of the Godparent, and of the congregation. The parents promised to try to bring up the child in the Christian way of life. Jake promised to support them in that. " I will, God being my helper", he responded, and the congregation, including me and my boys, promised to maintain the life of the Church so that it could support them. Jake was visibly moved by what had just takenplace. June baptised the baby, Jacob Joseph, forming the sign of the cross on his little forehead with warm water. Then she brought him round and presented him to each of us in turn for a hold. Then June and her church ladies said their goodbyes. There was a telephone call for Jake. A young man with a slight North European accent asked for him. Jake took the call and said, "Yes,and frohliche weinachten to you Ian.Is everything OK?......... Yes and we're having a blast.... Yes, we can't wait to tell you all about it. Are you looking after Garrett for us? ....... Yes please, Merry Christmas.........Hi Garrett...... Merry Christmas...... That's good...........Course I can put Kori on....." Well they all got to talk to Kori and Liam and I don't like to think about Jake's next phone bill, but I don't think he'll mind. He loves his boys and just wants to see them happy. I must write to the Professor and thank him for sending these wonderful people to us. It was three o'clock. Time for the Queen's Christmas Speech to Her Nation. Jake sat next to me on the sofa and the boys sat at our feet. Miriam sat in the armchair and Joe sat at her elbow. Monica sat on the small pouffe that we used as a footstool. I had offered her a place on the couch, but she said I must sit next to Jake. No, I couldn't understand that either. I noticed that the Americans stood up more quickly than we did as the strains of the National Anthem rang out. You've got to love these people. Together we listened as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivered her 66th Christmas speech. Our American cousins listened attentively. The big surprise came after the speech. Jake,who for some unfathomable reason had an arm round my shoulder at that time, leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Geez you two!" said Simon, " Get a room won't you". I was about to reply to this when Monica spoke up. "Young man", she said sternly, " apart from taking our Lord's name in vain, I would have thought, after all that Jonah does for you boys, that you would be a little more caring for his happiness". Every mouth in the room dropped open with shock. We had tea,with Miriam ceremonialy cutting theChristmas cake, then us old fogies taught the boys some card games. Games that don't need batteries are an alien concept to most of the younger generation nowadays, but these boys are just plain wonderful. I left Jake in charge as Joe and I walked Monica home. She insisted that she could manage quite well thank you very much, but I pointed out that it was dark now, and Joe and I needed the exercise. We saw Monica to the front door of her bungalow in Pinner and then started the walk home round Durley Avenue then through the woods and across the Yeading Brook into Harrow.The pavements glistened and the grass was crisp, our breath smoked in the street lights. As we came out of the woods the sky was clear and black. A few stars managed to outshine the street lamps - one above all the others. "Do you think......" began Joe. "Sirius, the dog-star," I told him. "A lot of people think it might have been the Star of Bethlehem. The brightest star in the sky, so if you see anything brighter than that it'll be a planet. It's bright because it's really two stars that line up from Earth." "Two thousand years," he said thoughtfully. "It saw Jesus into the world, and it's seen my Jacob into the world, and neither of them had a place to lay their head". "You've a home for as long as you want one," I told him, "and so has Miriam, and so has Jacob". We walked in silence for a while, and I pretended not to notice the tears that glistened on his cheek. The boys were watching "Dad's Army" when we got back, which was followed by a new programme, "Upstart Crow" which Peter spotted was based on the "Christmas Carol" story. There was a programme of Christmas music after that but we weren't long before we were off to bed. We said goodnight to Joe on the landing, as Miriam had already retired. There was a showering and brushing of teeth and then all six of us clambered into my bed. Kori was on the outside edge this time, as he said he wanted to get to the kitchen in the morning before Joe did. I pointed out that, since we had a six o'clock start, he would probably do that anyway. "Goodnight boys" I said. There were mumbled "Goodnights" in return, then, "Jonah!" said Jake whose feet were again resting on my calves. I tried to turn to face him, but it was impossible without pushing either Kori or Peter out of the bed, so I just said,"Jake". "I know you promised us a nice, traditional English Christmas, but I would never in a million years have expected anything like this". "Jake," I responded, "I have to say that you don't look that old". That earned me a few sniggers from the boys and a playful dig in the ribs from Jake, who just said, "Goodnight Jonah".