that’s a given.” Nora commented. “I meant with the younger
generation.”
“Ouch.”
Vivienne grimaced. “I guess I walked into that one on my own.”
“I didn’t mean
you were old, darling daughter.” Nora was quick to reply.
“Oh good.”
Vivienne was surprised.
“But you
really should make an effort to get married and start a family while you still
have a few prime years left.” Nora added with her usual sweet sting.
Vivienne
stepped on the gas pedal a little more, just for good measure as her response
to the barb.
Nora cleared
her throat. “My, the snow certainly is bright when the sun is shining like this.”
“It reminds me
of the sand reflecting on the beach in Ogunquit. Those were the best family
vacations.”
“Except for
you always ordering a lobster roll and then refusing to eat it.” Nora added.
“Good gracious, you pulled that little stunt every vacation until you were
almost sixteen.”
“It took me
some time to get used to cold seafood.” Vivienne defended herself from the very
old battle. “Besides, Daddy always ate my entrée anyway.”
Nora nodded.
“Which probably didn’t help his cholesterol levels with all the heavy
mayonnaise and extra bread.”
“You’re
right, Mother. I’m sure it didn’t help matters.” Vivienne spoke as she admired
the well-kept homes that lined both sides of the street. Most were decorated
with tasteful holiday wreathes, gold and silver ribbons, and the occasional
menorah. White lights, of course, were the standard and each home was modestly
illuminated, yet they could not chase, blink, or flash in any sort of pattern.
The Residential Association kept strict guidelines for approved outdoor decor
along the street and the homeowners followed it to the letter as hefty fines
were given out at the slightest sign of defiance. Vivienne had to admit the
tasteful displays of holiday cheer were something to be admired, but part of
her missed the tacky blow up snowmen and the light up flamingos and pigs that
gave a certain unexpected gleefulness to the holiday.
“I hope Nana
isn’t confused today. She can get into moods when I start to organize.” Nora
broke the silence between them.
“I’m sure
she’ll be happy to see us.” Vivienne slowed the car down as they passed over a
speed bump and turned into the parking lot of the assisted living facility.
“She loves the holidays.”
“Let’s hope
so.” Nora replied as they pulled into a spot between two mini vans that had
stick figure families plastered to the back windows. “Those are so cute. I
can’t wait until you get to put some on your car.”
Vivienne took
a deep breath and smiled. “I can put the woman and the cat on right away.”
Nora frowned.
“I wouldn’t do that, dear. It’ll make everyone think you’re just some crazy cat
lady.”
A few minutes
later as they stepped into Nana Mary’s apartment, Vivienne was pleased to see
that her grandmother had gone out of way to keep Nora busy while they chatted
about magic. There were piles of clutter scattered everywhere except for the
living room which was surprisingly quite neat. Her Amish-made wooden rocking
chair that faced the picture window anchored a tranquil island of order around
a sea of chaos.
“I’m so glad
that you both came to see me today, I decided I wanted to get organized before
the holiday craziness hits.” Nana Mary hugged Vivienne and Nora as she gestured
to the clutter. “What do you think?”
Nora did her
best to smile. “I think we have a lot of work to do.” She set her canvas bag
down by a vintage wooden umbrella holder that was filled to the top with empty
water bottles.
Nana Mary
scratched her short white hair, which looked to be styled and curled quite
recently at the beauty salon downstairs. “I thought we could divide and
conquer, that way the work will go faster.”
Vivienne
smiled. “Sounds like a good plan, Nana. Where do you want us to start?”
“Why don’t I
start by finding
generation.”
“Ouch.”
Vivienne grimaced. “I guess I walked into that one on my own.”
“I didn’t mean
you were old, darling daughter.” Nora was quick to reply.
“Oh good.”
Vivienne was surprised.
“But you
really should make an effort to get married and start a family while you still
have a few prime years left.” Nora added with her usual sweet sting.
Vivienne
stepped on the gas pedal a little more, just for good measure as her response
to the barb.
Nora cleared
her throat. “My, the snow certainly is bright when the sun is shining like this.”
“It reminds me
of the sand reflecting on the beach in Ogunquit. Those were the best family
vacations.”
“Except for
you always ordering a lobster roll and then refusing to eat it.” Nora added.
“Good gracious, you pulled that little stunt every vacation until you were
almost sixteen.”
“It took me
some time to get used to cold seafood.” Vivienne defended herself from the very
old battle. “Besides, Daddy always ate my entrée anyway.”
Nora nodded.
“Which probably didn’t help his cholesterol levels with all the heavy
mayonnaise and extra bread.”
“You’re
right, Mother. I’m sure it didn’t help matters.” Vivienne spoke as she admired
the well-kept homes that lined both sides of the street. Most were decorated
with tasteful holiday wreathes, gold and silver ribbons, and the occasional
menorah. White lights, of course, were the standard and each home was modestly
illuminated, yet they could not chase, blink, or flash in any sort of pattern.
The Residential Association kept strict guidelines for approved outdoor decor
along the street and the homeowners followed it to the letter as hefty fines
were given out at the slightest sign of defiance. Vivienne had to admit the
tasteful displays of holiday cheer were something to be admired, but part of
her missed the tacky blow up snowmen and the light up flamingos and pigs that
gave a certain unexpected gleefulness to the holiday.
“I hope Nana
isn’t confused today. She can get into moods when I start to organize.” Nora
broke the silence between them.
“I’m sure
she’ll be happy to see us.” Vivienne slowed the car down as they passed over a
speed bump and turned into the parking lot of the assisted living facility.
“She loves the holidays.”
“Let’s hope
so.” Nora replied as they pulled into a spot between two mini vans that had
stick figure families plastered to the back windows. “Those are so cute. I
can’t wait until you get to put some on your car.”
Vivienne took
a deep breath and smiled. “I can put the woman and the cat on right away.”
Nora frowned.
“I wouldn’t do that, dear. It’ll make everyone think you’re just some crazy cat
lady.”
A few minutes
later as they stepped into Nana Mary’s apartment, Vivienne was pleased to see
that her grandmother had gone out of way to keep Nora busy while they chatted
about magic. There were piles of clutter scattered everywhere except for the
living room which was surprisingly quite neat. Her Amish-made wooden rocking
chair that faced the picture window anchored a tranquil island of order around
a sea of chaos.
“I’m so glad
that you both came to see me today, I decided I wanted to get organized before
the holiday craziness hits.” Nana Mary hugged Vivienne and Nora as she gestured
to the clutter. “What do you think?”
Nora did her
best to smile. “I think we have a lot of work to do.” She set her canvas bag
down by a vintage wooden umbrella holder that was filled to the top with empty
water bottles.
Nana Mary
scratched her short white hair, which looked to be styled and curled quite
recently at the beauty salon downstairs. “I thought we could divide and
conquer, that way the work will go faster.”
Vivienne
smiled. “Sounds like a good plan, Nana. Where do you want us to start?”
“Why don’t I
start by finding
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