Page 21 of The Christmas Keepsake
“The trees are perfect, Pop. We have our usual seasonal staff, and I’m overseeing a few kids from the boys home too.”
Pop patted Hollis’s hand. “I knew the farm would be in good hands with you managing it. You’ve always had a way with those trees, just like your father.”
Hollis felt a lump form in his throat. Pop had started treating Hollis like his own flesh and blood from the first day Hollis went to stay with Matt and Sandy. Because of Hollis’s age, Matt and Sandynever legally adopted him, but legality had never mattered to Hollis. Families were built on love and proven over time.
“Thanks, Pop,” he managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. “Learned from the best.”
As they chatted about the farm and Christmases past, a commotion erupted in the hallway. Hollis tuned in to the familiar voice full of distress.
“No! I don’t want it! Take it away!” Nan yelled from her room down the hall.
Hollis’s heart took a steep dive into the pit of his stomach. Hollis knew the staff had planned to bring the Christmas tree to Nan’s room today. They had promised to give Nan plenty of warning, but considering how early it was in the day, Hollis didn’t think that had happened.
“What’s all that about?” Pop said, squinting, as if that would make him hear any better.
“Not sure, but I’ll go check. Be right back.” Hollis squeezed his grandfather’s hand before getting up and hurrying into the hallway.
The scene that greeted him made his chest tighten. Nan was backed against the wall, trembling with wide eyes as two staff members tried to maneuver a small Christmas tree into her room.
“Hey, guys. What’s going on?” Hollis asked, keeping his voice calm as he approached.
One of the staff members turned to him with flushed cheeks and pursed lips. “We’re just trying to set up Mrs. Nan’s Christmas tree, like we were told.”
Hollis positioned himself between Nan and the tree. “Nan,” he said softly, “it’s okay. You don’t have to have the tree in your room if you don’t want it.”
As he turned to look at her, Nan’s eyes focused on him, and a flicker of recognition crossed her expression. “Hollis?”
He offered a reassuring smile. “It’s me. Everything’s okay.”
Turning to the staff, he said, “Could you please take the tree away? Nan doesn’t want it in her room.”
The staff members exchanged glances.
“But we were instructed—”
“I’ll talk to Francis. It’s okay,” he said. “Take the tree to Pop’s room instead. He’ll love it.”
After a moment of hesitation, the staff wheeled the tree away. Then Hollis gently guided Nan back to her recliner in the corner of her room. He pulled up a stool to sit in front of her. “Not a fan of trees these days, huh?”
Nan wrung her weathered hands in her lap. “I’ve never liked a tree. They belong outside, don’t they?”
Hollis looked down momentarily. Nan had loved a Christmas tree. She’d forgotten that, but yet, she’d looked at him a moment ago and remembered his name. She was still here, just a little harder to reach at times. “It’s almost Christmastime. It’s kind of a tradition to put up trees and decorate them.”
She studied his face thoughtfully. “Oh. Is that what those people were doing?” She suddenly looked worried. “Were they doing something nice for me?”
Hollis laid a hand on her lap. “It’s okay. Now they’re doing something nice for Pop.”
As Nan settled back into her favorite chair, an idea began to form in Hollis’s mind. If Nan couldn’t have a tree in her room, why not create a communal tree that all the residents could enjoy? Sure, there was a tiny artificial tree in the lobby but it wasn’t placed where residents could enjoy it daily or even add their own ornaments.
“Nan, what would you think about having a big Christmas tree in the community room? One that everyone could decorate together?”
Nan’s eyes lit up. “Like the one in the town square?”
Hollis grinned at another memory from Nan. “Exactly like that.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Hollis nodded. “It does. And I think I’ll make it happen. Don’t you worry.”
