The Great Christmas Bowl (15 page)

“Is Brianna coming home for Christmas this year? I know she's busy with her practice.”

“Not this year,” I say without any sadness. “We'll probably stop by and see her, though.”

“I suppose it's hard for Amy to get home. She's almost done with her doctorate?”

“Yes, although she's talking about learning German. Marcus's grandparents live in Germany, and they might move there, although I have a feeling she's wanting to have a baby.”

Something twinkles in Marci's eyes. “I can't wait until Kevin and I have kids. To be a mom, wake up in the morning to little feet. I'll bet Kevin was an adorable baby.”

I turn away to finish chopping the onions. “They all were.”

They still are.

“Did you love being a mom? Was it everything you dreamed of? Would you do it again?”

Would I do the chaos, the late night feedings, the challenges and worries? Would I do the book reports and the piles of laundry and the illnesses? Would I let them take over my heart so that when they grew up and left home, it created this hollow space that seemed cavernous?

But a space that is just the right size for grandchildren.

I turn and toss Kevin a towel. “I need a dishwasher.”

“I'm on it.” He gives my shoulders a squeeze as he walks by.

I slide the onions into the pot, wipe my eyes, and look at Marci. She's watching me, as if seriously waiting for my reply. “I would do it over and over and over, Marci.”

Marci nods, slips her gaze to Kevin, and takes a sip of cocoa. “Oh,” she says, putting down the mug. “What happened to Bud?”

“He had his heart transplant,” Kevin says. “With what the community raised, as well as a couple big donations, it covered his hospital bills. The church recently helped them buy a new house closer to town. He took over as the Trout again, although I don't think he's quite as energetic.”

“We're going to have to find a new Trout one of these days.”

Kevin glances at me, waggles his eyebrows.

“Nope,” I say. Unless of course Kevin returns home and takes over coaching the Trouts. . . . No! Not even then.

“Does the Community Church still have the Christmas Tea?” Marci asks.

I laugh.

“Not anymore,” Kevin says. “Now it's a soup kitchen. Except they call it the Annual Christmas Bowl.” He looks at me, back to Marci. “Hey, wanna see my mom's picture as a fish?”

“Kevin, no!”

But he's wiping his hands and thundering down to his room, which remains largely untouched and filled with old copies of the town paper.

Marci leans against the counter, lowering her voice. “If no one is coming home, what are you and Mr. Wallace doing for Christmas?”

I smile, seeing Mike's headlights appear in the driveway. “Oh, we're going to Cancún.”

Warren Family Christmas Clam Chowder

8-12 strips bacon (cut into small squares before browning)

1 medium finely chopped onion

3 stalks chopped celery

4 potatoes, diced

2-3 cups boiling water (enough to cover potatoes)

1½ cups milk

2½ cups half-and-half

1-3 6½ oz cans minced clams

dash nutmeg

salt and pepper

Brown bacon until crisp; remove from pan. Brown onions in bacon fat; sauté celery. Drain off grease. Add water, salt and pepper to taste, and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender. (Can mash some in the pot to make a thicker soup.) Add clams (with juice). Heat milk in separate pan until scalded; add to soup. Add half-and-half; heat through. Garnish with nuteg. Enjoy with homemade bread (and don't forget the Christmas cookies!)

About the Author

Susan May Warren is a former missionary to Russia, the mother of four children, and the wife of a guy who wooed her onto the back of his motorcycle for the adventure of a lifetime. The award-winning author of over twenty books, Susan loves to write and teach writing. She speaks at women's events around the country about God's amazing grace in our lives. Susan is active in her church and small community and makes her home on the north shore of Minnesota, where her husband runs a hotel.

Visit her Web site at
www.susanmaywarren.com.