Christmas Fools Day

Last Christmas was our first in our new house. For the sake of the story, the house is laid out in a "studio" format; the kitchen, dining room, and primary living area are all one big room. It's a long room, but relatively narrow, so we chose a space-consuming tree, pictured. The tree is visible from anywhere in the main living space.

One evening, caught up in the holiday chaos, I found myself out of some ingredient or another. I told Brian that I had to run to the store, and would be right back.

When I returned, Brian and his friends were on their way out, but were dragging their feet some. After so much loitering and snickering, I asked them what in the heck was their deal?!! "Nothing, nothing," they laughed, headed out the door, with Brian telling me to call him later, if I wanted to.

??

My 18-year-old son telling me to call him? That's a switch. Pfft...I shook my head and went about my cooking.

It was a full 30 minutes before I figured out what the snickering was about, ended up sinking into a chair for a good long laugh, and, indeed, giving him a call.