Home For The Holidays

It took at least an hour, a few autographs and some catch in the backyard before the kids finally settled down after being introduced to their Uncle Dick, the all star from California. Dick wasn't the kind of guy to neglect family but he was the kind of guy who would mail out gifts rather than show up and hand them over in person. The funny thing was, none of them were the kind to travel for the holidays. David had been working in Africa for the Red Cross and was content to stay away because of the work he was doing to save lives. Each kid had their own reason to stay away and yet there they were; all under one roof for the first time in what seemed like a decade. The last time they had all been there was for another funeral; their mother's. Malcolm went through with his threat and ordered wings and pizza for everyone and while the kids had their fill, the adults really didn't have an appetite for anything. It was then time to leave and attend the wake. Everyone dressed up in what was usually their Sunday best and went the funeral home to stand and shake hands with everyone as they came in to pay their respects. The funeral director was very polite as he opened the main doors for them when they arrived.

"It's nice to see you all." He said as he gave Kimmy a big hug. "Your father would have so happy to see you all here for him."

"I know," Kim said as she already had a tear. An hour of makeup was already being ruined and they had just arrived. "Such a shame we are all gathered during what's a festive time to grieve."

"I'm sure he didn't pick the date, Kim." Malcolm said as he was getting impatient, "Let's get this over with."

Once the wake officially started at six in the evening, the people slowly started to trickle in to pay their respects. Malcolm stood there with his brothers and did most of the hand shaking while Kim was in and out and making sure her kids were staying out of trouble.

"How long has it been since you were in town?" one man asked as he was shaking Malcolm's hand.

"The last time someone in my family died, actually." Malcolm answered, "So forgive me if I hope we don't see each other again very soon."

"Dude, cut it out." David said when he had a second.

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"Cut what out?" Malcolm replied.

"You're being a tad hostile." David informed him, "Try to tone it down."

"I'll grieve my way and you grieve your way," Malcolm told his brother. He wasn't in the mood to get a lecture from the good doctor. Malcolm never worried about being the asshole of the family because some0one had to balance out the goodness that Dr. Goody Two Shoes had oozing out every pore of his body.

"Both of you cut it out." Dick said and that was it. Neither man was willing to piss off their oldest brother who could snap them both in half like twigs. Richard was always the tough guy of the house, so much so that even Dad never challenged him and pretty much let him do whatever he wanted. Malcolm was sure Dad let him because he was sure baseball was all Dick ever wanted to do and wouldn't do anything stupid to ruin his dream of being a big league player. He saw the focus Richard had and simply stepped out of his way and let his kid do the rest.

It was an exhausting night and when the wake was finally over, Malcolm and the boys were happy to round up the kids and get them back to the cars and drive back to the house. As they were driving back to their childhood home, it had begun to snow. Malcolm had secretly hoped to skip town after the funeral but that didn't look possible now. If the snow got any worse, which was common for Wisconsin, they might have to push the funeral back a few days. A long week was starting to look longer for the professor who just wanted to get it all over with and leave. All thoughts of leaving were quickly dashed as he noticed something as he was driving up the road that led to their house. It was decorated with Christmas lights. As Malcolm pulled in, Kim and the kids and Dick were all out on the front lawn, looking at the lights.

"What the hell?" Malcolm said as he walked up. "Who put these up?"

"Not me." David replied.

"Me neither." Dick called out.

"Let's get inside." Kim said, "The kids are getting cold."

When they walked into the house, it was soon discovered that the lights outside wasn't the only surprise waiting for them. Inside was a fully decorated Christmas tree, with tons of presents underneath it. The kids were all shocked with jaws dropped as they saw the set up. Malcolm on the other hand was not impressed with it.

"Who the hell was inside the house during the wake?" he asked.

"Look," David said as he pointed at the dining room. "The table is set!"

All four of them walked into the dining room to see the table set and ready to serve supper. Their mother's good china was all out too, and napkins were folded up with professional care. Just when they thought all the surprised were revealed, there was one left waiting in the kitchen. He strolled out into the dining room and all four of his kids looked back at him with faces of absolute shock. There in the doorway from the kitchen stood Artie Johnson, their father, alive and well.

"Thanks for coming." The old man said with a smile, "You guys hungry?"