The dining room table had been set; the candelabras lit and everyone in their places. Bowing their heads in prayer, a hush had fallen over the entire house. The prayer concluded, and a murmur took its place. Anne served the children, cutting Victoria's meat. Tom decided to speak.

“Merry Christmas everyone. As you know, 1983 has been a rather busy year in our house. Amy and Victoria are going to be going to school in Massachusetts in January. Plymouth Rock Academy in Plymouth and Briarwood in Barnstable, respectively. On the business front, Morrow Real Estate has expanded into Putnam and Duchess Counties. Back on the home front, we had a scare last January when Victoria had to go to the hospital. Amy's photography was featured in the local newspaper last summer. I think I've talked too long.” Tom finished. He sipped his eggnog.

“Thank you, Tom. Merry Christmas.” Jack complimented. By now, he'd been fortified by eggnog and other libations.

“Like Tom said, this year has also been full of ups and downs for us. Nora continues to make strides at Mystic River in Stonington. She has become quite proficient in learning American Sign Language. She recently got an 'A' on a major project. Alexander has also been doing well, despite his shortcomings.” Jack announced.

Every Christmas Eve, both Tom and Jack would give updates on their families. To the younger set at the table, it seemed boring; to Tom and Jack, it harkened them back to a time when family meant everything. An era that seemed to be ancient history to people like Amy and Nora. They ate in a hushed silence. As she was about to take a bite of mashed potatoes, Victoria felt someone kicking her shin. Alexander let out a slight laugh. Victoria slammed down her fork.

“Stop kicking me! Why do you have to pick on me? It's Christmas Eve, you have no more time to get onto the nice list. I hope you enjoy your coal!” Victoria whined.

Carol shot her son a look, yet he continued.

"I said, stop kicking me! Don't you know how to listen?!" Victoria shouted.

Everyone stopped eating and looked at Alex. Carol had yanked him by the arm and started to take him out to the driveway. 

"Let's go. You're making an ass out of yourself." She sneered. In the midst of the chaos, Victoria ran upstairs to the TV Room.

"Victoria, come back here; we're not done eating!" Jack commanded.

"Jack, let her go. She'll come back down when she's calm." Anne began. Upstairs, Victoria let out a scream of frustration. Jack let it slide. Deep down, he respected Victoria for maintaining calm for as long as she had.

"Hopefully she'll learn alternatives to doing this while she's at Briarwood." Anne continued.

"Still, Anne, the way she's maintained her calm tonight has to be commended. You should be proud of her." Jack approved.

"She knows I'm very proud of her. I'm going to miss her while she's away. Perhaps my anxiety has been getting the better of me." Anne confided. She'd never admit this to her friends.

Twenty minutes later, Victoria had rejoined the group. She appeared frazzled, as if she'd been pulling her hair. Anne shot her a look of concern. The only time Victoria would've pulled her hair is if she'd been angry; Alexander had given her cause. Soon, Amy and Nora had been enlisted into taking requests. Serving the coffee, Amy poured a cup for herself. Nora motioned to a cup for herself. Amy agreed and poured her some. Attention turned to the living room, where Jack had been sitting on the couch. 

The kids sat on the floor as Jack and Tom handed out Christmas presents. Amy opened a gift

It was a camera case as well as a photography tips and tricks book.

"Your photography will take you far, Amy." Jack said. Amy believed him, as some of her photos had been featured in the local newspaper. Those photos of Clausland Mountain had made Amy proud.

Tom handed Nora a gift; she slowly and methodically opened it.

The gift was a copy of the Nancy Drew Novel The Elusive Heiress. Nora's eyes lit up like the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. She clapped her hands in excitement.

"It's the only title she doesn't have. Nora's rather obsessed with Nancy Drew. She's practically devoured every book. We've also introduced the Dana Twins into her reading."

"I used to love Nancy Drew." Anne replied. Jack smiled, he remembered those days when Anne would be engrossed in reading.

Victoria opened her gift and was immediately enthralled by the Wonder Cats Sticker Books. 

"Thank you, Uncle Jack and Aunt Carol!" She bubbled. The gift seemed to be a redemption for the night. Finally, Alexander opened his gift. The RC car stared right back at him.

"Nice! Thanks, Aunt Anne and Uncle Tom!" Jack and Carol agreed their son needed a creative outlet, and his budding RC car hobby seemed to be just the thing he needed. He'd built enough courses in their yard to keep him busy to last a lifetime.

After Jack and the rest of the family had departed, Victoria found herself in the kitchen; she was joined by Anne shortly thereafter.

"I saved your dinner. There's more if you're hungry. I'm sorry Alex was mean to you this evening."

" Forget him, I'm sorry I was bad."

"You're not bad, sweetheart. You're trying to be yourself while being out of school. I know how hard that can be."

By now, Anne had taken the leftovers out of the refrigerator; the drama with Alexander had temporarily shelved Anne's appetite. She reheated Victoria's meal and set it in front of her child. Victoria showed a smile and immediately set to work clearing her plate. Anne sat beside her youngest daughter and struck up a conversation.

"I'm proud of you, Victoria, even when you went up to the third floor. I know Alex can be a handful." Anne smiled.

"Just like me." Victoria sighed. 

"You know I don't mean it like that, sweetheart. You're the good kind of handful."

"There's a 'good' handful?" Victoria queried.

"You've taught me a lot about the world, Victoria Gustine." Victoria winced at hearing her middle name.

"You're not in trouble. I have to run upstairs. I shall return." Anne cooed as she kissed Victoria on the forehead.

As Anne left, Amy entered carrying a bowl of ice cream and a cup of coffee. She set the china on the kitchen island and pulled up a stool.

"Merry Christmas, Saint Victoria." Amy crooned. Victoria stifled a giggle.

"Santa isn't the only one who's paying us a visit tonight!" Victoria beamed.

"You're far more brave than me. I'd have hidden upstairs all night in my room like a wuss."

"Amy, you're not a wuss. You stood up to Courtney as best as you could."

"I still think you're an awesome little sister, Victoria."

Anne had come back to the kitchen to retrieve the children. She motioned for them to follow her upstairs. Doing so, she led them to Amy's Room. There, on the bed, were two new sets of pajamas; one blue, the other purple and blue, with a checkered pattern. Victoria grabbed the purple and blue checkered pair  and Anne took her to her room.

"Over the last few weeks, Victoria, I came to the conclusion that your hairbrush was too old. That might explain why it brought you so much discomfort."

On Victoria's vanity sat a new Wonder Cats themed hairbrush along with a bottle of detangler.

"Santa got my memo!" Victoria beamed. She began to jump up and down ever so slightly.

"He did, Victoria. He heard you loud and clear."

She sat at the vanity now, spraying her hair and taking her new hairbrush to her head. The way the bristles glided over her scalp satisfied Anne.

"Who showed you how to brush your hair?"

"Amy did. It's very easy!" Victoria cheered.

"I love you, mommy; even though I can be difficult."

"I love you too, little miss."

Tom had closed the doors to the front room. Turning the lights low, he put on a Percy Faith Christmas record and poured the wine. Pulling the cigar; an H. Upmann Cameroon Toro out of his breast pocket, he began to light it. Anne lit a cigarette; the front room was her territory, after all. Tom had selected Faith's Music of Christmas; because it reminded him of the early years of their marriage, when Genevieve was two and Isaac had just been born. They were such a bright spot in that New Rochelle neighborhood at the corner of Larchmont and Hideaway.

"Do you remember our first Christmas here, when Amy accidentally broke a plate?" Tom asked. Anne grinned, sipping the wine.

"She felt so bad afterward; even when I told her that it was an accident. She put herself in timeout and wouldn't come out from her room."

"It was a cheaply made plate that had already been dropped twice that evening." Tom remembered.

"She had me checking her plates for months afterward." Anne laughed. Amy's anxiety had often manifested itself in semi humorous ways; like the time Anne had caught her apprehensively touching every metal surface.

"They're in bed early tonight. I don't blame them for not wanting to watch the Lovely Lane Chapel service at midnight. Kids their age don't watch that, not anymore at least." Anne complained.

"At least they still have people like us to carry on the tradition to the very end." Tom countered. He puffed the cigar. Anne poured some more wine. The clock on top of the TV displayed 11:30.

"I'm glad Victoria held her own tonight. I have faith in the girl, Anne. I think she's ready for Briarwood. The question is, is Briarwood ready for Victoria?"

"I have to go with her on the 7th for her IEP meeting. Amy's is that same day."

"I'm proud of her, too. She's come so far. Remember when she started junior high and how bossy she was? At times, she was nearly insufferable. I credit her teachers at Nyack for laying the foundations."

"That's one good thing I will say about Mirasol. I will admit she's been an excellent teacher for Amy. She's laid the groundwork for Amy's future." Anne conceded as she lit another cigarette.

"Anne Vandeventer, we may not have a perfect family; but we try our damndest."

"Were you serious about opening offices in Putnam and Duchess Counties?"

"A friend of mine in Newburgh is moving down to Piermont. His wife has a cooking program on Channel 2. I've allowed him into the territory in exchange for Putnam and Duchess. He runs two department store chains in the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys. I'll sell him the land for future locations of his stores. They have two kids; one of which is like Victoria." Tom explained. Anne could tell he was serious.

"When he moves into Piermont; Tom Creighton, Carl Norton, and I will initiate him into the 'family' and show him how we do things."

"Watching The Godfather again, are we?" Anne teased. If she had only known the types of men her husband ran with. Men who could take over anyone's small business without question.

Tom turned the TV on and changed the channel to 2. The service was about to start.

Victoria was the first to wake up on Christmas Morning. Quietly, she made her way downstairs into the living room. Beneath the tree was a mound of gifts; perhaps the largest she'd seen under the tree in years. Some gifts that couldn't fit under the tree had been placed on the credenza. Victoria and Amy had indeed picked out the perfect tree. Turning her attention now to the fireplace, she grabbed her stocking from its hook on the mantel and walked over to the sofa. Pouring it onto the sofa, Victoria took delight in seeing the gold foil chocolate coins and other small gifts; such as an extra bottle of detangler and Tiger Beat Magazine.

She didn't know how long she'd been looking at her magazine when Amy had decided to join her sister in the living room. After turning on the tree, she quietly walked over to the fireplace, retrieved her stocking and then sat next to her sister. They sat in silence as they looked at the small gifts and candy.

"We really did pick out a good tree. Nearly everything fits underneath it. Mom and Dad will be surprised at how many gifts are under there!" Amy observed. An earthy, burnt smell had wafted into the living room.

"Dad smoked a cigar last night. One of his 'Cameroon's'." Amy quipped. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed the empty plate on the end table; crumbs remaining where a stack of cookies had been only hours before.

"Amy, he cleaned the plate! He even drank ALL the eggnog! Look, the glass is completely cleaned out." Victoria chirped. Santa must've been in dire need of a quick pick me up and a stiff shot of courage.

"I hope he brought me new Wonder Cats stuff! I hope he brought you that new camera and those albums you want, too!"

"This Christmas feels different, Victoria. Like it might be our last one."

"Don't be silly, Amy. We'll be here next Christmas."

Two hours later, their parents stumbled down the stairs. Anne's hangover was as sharp as acacia thorns. Tom, himself hungover, groaned as he headed into the kitchen. Soon, the smell of the freshly ground coffee being brewed filled the first floor. Following Amy's lead, Victoria headed into the kitchen. Their parents had been engaged in a low conversation. Victoria cleared her throat. Anne turned her attention to her youngest daughter.

"Merry Christmas!" She beamed. Tom and Anne forgot what they were doing and greeted their daughter.

"Merry Christmas, pumpkin." He grinned. Anne sipped her coffee and chatted with Amy.

"We'll go into the living room in a few minutes; I'd like to enjoy my coffee." She articulated.

Fifteen minutes had passed. The family had entered the room.

"You two must've been very good this year." Tom beamed as he looked at the pile of gifts under the tree. The sun had fully risen by this point, illuminating even more gifts. Their parents assigned them places to sit by the tree. Amy was closest to the door; Victoria near the couch. Victoria gently rocked herself back and forth.

The first gift to be opened was by Victoria. She opened the box to reveal two new shirts; one of which was Wonder Cats themed.

"It's Lefty!" Victoria beamed. Until now, she only had the Ellie shirt. She grinned from ear to ear. Amy had opened her first gift; revealing a new book bag.

"That book bag will be able to hold all of your books." Anne cajoled. Amy was pleased with it.

"Look at all the pockets! I'll be able to take everything to class. That's neat!"

An hour later, only a few gifts remained. These were to be exchanged between the siblings. Amy handed Victoria the first gift. She opened it. The tote bag exposed to the world. Victoria grew silent as she thumbed the bag. The checkered pattern seemed satisfactory to Victoria.

"I like it, Amy, it's perfect." She approved. She handed Amy a gift. As she unwrapped the gift, she wondered what it could be. The stuffed animal stared back at her; it was a new Mr. Bear.

"I'm going to take him to school with me. His name is 'Rocky!'" Amy kneaded her hands; her green eyes sparkling in the sun.

Victoria opened the gift containing her new sketchbook and finally the cake mix.

""Now I'll make snacks for everybody at your next slumber party!" Victoria chirped.

"We put Victoria in charge of making snacks with her Easy Bake Oven whenever Stacy comes over." Amy explained.

"I love cooking for Amy, Ellen, and Stacy!" Victoria beamed. She loved being included whenever her sister had friends over; Amy made sure to include her. She'd been assigned Easy Bake duty The way the cakes came out half doughy and half well done seemed to be the hit of the party.

As Tom got up from his chair, he motioned for Amy to speak to him.

"We're going to do the annual Christmas Morning photo. Do you have your camera?" He inquired.

"No, let me run upstairs."

"Before you go up, can you go into the dining room to get the film? I think we left it in there last night." Tom asked.

Without question, Amy walked into the dining room. There on the table sat a brand new Minolta X700 camera. In what seemed like a flash, she moved over to it; picking it up and holding it. Studying all of its features, she eyed it. Then, in another flash she began to skip around the entire first floor. She passed her parents, and then went down the hall towards the laundry room.

"I'd say Amy's Christmas has been made." Anne observed, as Amy jumped up and down as though an episode of Whiz Kids was on TV. Turning her attention to Victoria, Anne pulled her into the living room.

"These items appeared in front of your father and I." Anne explained as she showed Victoria a new pink bookbag and several outfits. Victoria's eyes grew glassy as she touched her new wardrobe. The way the fabric felt on her hands was soft and inviting. Victoria picked up the heavy bookbag and opened it. Inside there were numerous notebooks, pens, and pencils. Victoria happily clapped her hands.

Amy had calmed down by this point and went over to the tripod and set up her new camera. Setting the timer, she ran to her place. The 1983 Christmas Morning photo had been taken.