Chapter Eight

The day before Santa's coming to Peppermint Christmas play, has arrived and Thomas is still not speaking; he also has the head elf role.'' So Tom isn't still speaking?'' asks Caleb while they are at work, concerned about his nephew and knows that the reason he isn't talking has to do with his little sister. I mean, what else can it be? It started on the night of the year since her death. It can't be anything else,'' that's what I am thinking. That he thinks that the reason his mommy is gone s because, says Liam, not wanting his baby boy to blame himself for something that wasn't his fault.

''Well, everyone in town thinks that Tom shouldn't play the head elf role since he still isn't talking, ''says Avery coming into her son's office.''His mother's anniversary of her death only happened three days ago; how is that fair to give away his lead role in the play because he hasn't said a one in three days ''says a furious Liam.'' I'm guessing it has more to do with the dry erase board that he is constantly carrying around, and it would be hard to have a silent elf with a whiteboard, ''says Avery, also wanting to know why her grandson isn't speaking. Also wondering why her son doesn't seem more concerned about this and getting him help. and that he is in denial lately about a lot of things. That's it. I will handle this right now,'' says. Liam then marches out of his office and makes a beeline for his truck.''He is precisely a spinning image of Jeremy'' says Caleb as he watches Liam get inside his truck.'' I know, and I am starting to see that more and more this past year, they both love to hold onto things that neither of them has any control over. My husband holds onto his pride, and Liam hold s onto feeling that it is as well his fault that he was away that weekend after my daughter-in-law begged him to go is his fault, ''says Avery. Missing the person who kept her little boy in line while being a nurse held her family in line. Also as much as she likes Hazel, having Thomas getting too attached to this woman might not be such a great idea. Plus, not only for Thomas's sake, Liam's as well. However she can't tell her fully grown widowed son how to live his life, she can however prevent him from getting hurt all over again.

Liam then arrives at the Mayor's office,'' Blake, we need talk, ''says a stern Liam, not wanting his baby boy to lose his part as the head elf in Santa's Coming to Peppermint.''Liam, what can I do for you?'' asks Mayor Moore assuming that he overheard the gossip around town about everyone thinking it's not the best idea for Thomas to be the head role.''You can't make erratic changes about the Christmas show the day before, ''says Liam trying to be very calm without losing his cool. This was another thing his wife was very good at keeping him cool and chill like a cucumber. Which at the moment, he could use her right now,'' the role in this play involves a speaking part as a head elf, and as of right now, Thomas isn't speaking' 'says Mayor Moore.''Yes but they are only kids and as you remember the anniversary of his mom's death was only three days ago ''says Liam not letting his family be pushed around.''If your son isn't speaking by tomorrow, he is being dropped down to a non-speaking role in the show ''says Mayor Moore.

''Blake, don't you think that's a little harsh? I mean, he is only nine; give him a break, ''says Liam.''No, my decision is final, and listen, you might be the Sheriff of this town, but I am still the Mayor, and what I say goes ''says Mayor Moore.''Well, maybe it's time for a new mayor of Peppermint''says Liam wanting to run for Mayor.'' You're on Brown, let's see who this town picks for the new Mayor of Peppermint.''Oh, it's on, and good luck with everything that my wife and I have done for this town, the town's people will be voting for me ''says Liam as he walks out proudly and will be sure to win.

After he exit's the building, his phone rings,'' yes, this is Sheriff Brown; what's up?'' asks Liam as Thomas's school is on the other line. Which makes him worried if everything is okay with his little buddy since the school rarely calls.''Hi Mr.Brown, this is Thomas's Principal at Peppermint Elementary; the reason I am calling is Thomas's is not speaking still' 'says the principal.

''Yes, I know, and I wrote a note explaining why that was, and I am working on it. Although as you know his anniversary of her death was on Friday so he is dealing with it in his own way' 'says Liam trying to defend him because this is a lot to handle at his son's age.''Yes, I know we will do everything we can to help, and maybe take him to see a child psychologist, see what's wrong with him ''says the principal.

''Tom is fine; he is just dealing with this way, differently, but it doesn't make it wrong, ''says Liam not understanding that his baby boy is processing this in his own way.