Chapter 10

“And there has to be cookies!”

“What is this, my first Christmas?” Chad asked. “You think I don’t know how to get ready for Santa?”

“And milk!”

“I know, milk. Now you’re just trying to get out of going to bed,” Chad said.

“Putting out the fire requires a lot of concentration,” Randy added. “I might not be able to get it out in time if I’m distracted by a bunch of kids who won’t go to bed.”

“We’re going, we’re going.”

Yvonne piped up. “Everybody say thank you to your grandma.”

“And to Lee!” Camilla cried.

“Thanks, Lee!” chorused the cousins.

“And grandma?” Yvonne repeated.

Dutifully the cousins traipsed over to the couch to give Editta a cursory thank you hug.

“Good job,” Yvonne deadpanned, rolling her eyes. “Now, does everyone have their money in their wallet?” she asked. A sea of affirmative nods. “Good. You can put it in your stockings, 'k? Then we’ll hang them back up, see if Santa wants to put anything else in them.”