Christmas Openings

Photo Credit: Adhitya Sibikumar

“Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us.” ~ David Cameron

For the month of December I’m writing blogs about Christmas celebrations of the heart. Today’s blog is a scene from my novel, The Rogue Scorpion. It’s Christmas Eve, and Isabella’s mother and father, who have travelled from Winnipeg to Panama City for the holidays, are meeting Catalina’s family for the first time. Perhaps you can relate to the complex and sometimes challenging emotions that often accompany the holidays? Yet my hope is that what resonates most is the joy and love. Please leave a comment if you feel inspired.

“I can’t decide if I’m more excited or nervous,” Sylvie says. “I’m grateful your parents invited all of us for Christmas dinner, but I know there are still a lot of hurt feelings between you and your sister, and I admit, I’m a little anxious there might be some family drama.”

“Try not to worry, Señora Sylvie,” Catalina says. “Even though there are some unresolved issues, my family will be on their best behaviour. Christmas is a time when everyone agrees, without saying it, to put everything unpleasant behind us, at least for one day, and to focus on the meaning of the holidays.”

“That’s good to hear,” Toni says. “I wonder if we might leave a bit early, so we can take a short tour of the Christmas lights on the way over?”

“That’s a great idea, Papa,” Isabella says. “It will only take me a few minutes to change, and I can be ready to go. What do you think, Maman?”

“That does sound lovely,” Sylvie says. “I hadn’t planned to change though. I thought you said dinner would be casual?” She stands up and attempts to smooth out the wrinkles in her navy linen trousers.

“It is casual,” Catalina says. “But everyone always wears their best clothes for church, so you might want to consider wearing a dress or a skirt and blouse since we’ll be going straight to midnight Mass at the church closest to my parents’ house.”

“Did you bring the gorgeous emerald-green suit-dress you usually wear, Maman?” Isabella asks. “I’ve always loved how beautiful you look wearing that with your pearls.”

“I did pack it,” Sylvie says, “But I worried it would be too formal down here.”

“It will be perfect,” Izzy says. “And Papa, I think you should change into your suit too.”

Not long after, everyone is changed and ready to go, lined up at the door looking sharp in their Sunday best. The four of them head outside and cram into Catalina’s compact car. Catalina takes the scenic route along Balboa Avenue to show them all the most spectacular Christmas lights and nativity scenes on display. Palm trees have twinkly lights wrapped around their long, slender trunks. Stars, wreaths, and angels hang from the streetlights. All the shops and restaurants that line the road are decked out with lights and decorations too.

“My goodness, look at the time. It’s already five to eight,” Sylvie pipes up from the back seat after glancing down at her watch. “I hope we’re not going to be late?”

“Five to already?” Catalina says. “Where did the time go? But don’t worry, Señora Sylvie. We’re not far away now. We should be there almost on time.”

“I do hate to be tardy our first visit,” Sylvie frets.

“Don’t worry so much,” Isabella says, patting her mother’s hand. “The attitude here is mañana. I’m absolutely positive that no one in Catalina’s family will even notice what time it is when we arrive. They’ll be too busy observing the two of you to see which one of you I take after the most.”

“Or more likely, they’ll be too far into enjoying a few Christmas cocktails,” laughs Catalina. “We’re only one street away now.”

            “This is a very interesting-looking neighbourhood, Catalina,” Toni says. “I remember you telling me when you visited us that the houses here are all painted brightly, but I never imagined it would be this colourful. It’s really very charming and feels so inviting.”

“Thank you, Señor Toni,” Catalina says. “My parents’ house is the orchid-purple stucco house just over to the left.”

Catalina pulls into the narrow alley behind her parents’ house and parks behind Geovani’s truck. Colourful twinkly lights are draped all along the broken-down wooden fence, and an ornate bronze angel is attached to the gate handle.

“My, doesn’t it look festive,” Toni says, opening the gate for the women to pass through first.

“Wait until you see the beautiful nativity scene they’ve set up on the lawn,” Sylvie says, the first to enter the yard.

The usual clutter has been tidied away and replaced with a huge nativity scene including a straw manger and carved wooden figures of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus swaddled in his cradle, and an assortment of animals. Christmas music and laughter drift out of the open windows that line the wall of the house, and as they draw nearer, the aromas of coriander, oregano, onions, and garlic permeate the air.

“Yum, yum, I just love the smell of Mamá’s Christmas Eve tamales,” Catalina says as they come up the sidewalk toward the back door.

“Tamales?” Toni says. “That has to be a unique Panamanian tradition. I’ve never had tamales before, let alone at Christmas.”

“Yes, I think it is,” Catalina says. “And trust me, Señor Toni, once you taste Mamá’s secret blend of banana leaves stuffed with corn dough, pulled pork, vegetables, and raisins, you’ll be instantly addicted.” She stops to open the screen, then calls out, “Feliz Navidad mi familia!”

“Entren, entren,” Ciara calls out from the kitchen, already scurrying over to the door to greet her guests. Luis, Lorenzo, and Geovani are right behind her, while Kamila remains conspicuously seated on the sofa in the living room.

“Buenas noches,” Catalina says, passing her mother a paper bag stuffed with gifts for under the tree while kissing her on her high cheekbone. “This is Izzy’s father, El Señor Toni, and her mother, La Señora Sylvie. Toni, Sylvie, I’m pleased to introduce to you my mother, Ciara, and my father, Luis.”

Toni takes the lead, lifting Ciara’s extended hand for a kiss, then pulling her tiny frame next to him for a big bear hug. He hugs Luis, similar in height and size, with a few claps on his back. Everyone starts talking over one another in a crazy mix of Spanish and English as Ciara passes the bag of gifts to Geovani. He sets them under the enormous tree that is centre stage in the small living room, draped top to bottom in a mishmash of garland and ornaments. A warm breeze enters through an open window, and a ceiling fan purrs overhead, rustling the tinsel on the tree. Ciara encourages everyone to take a seat, Lorenzo and Geovani squished in beside Kamila on the couch, while Catalina directs Toni and Sylvie to chairs reserved for special guests.

“Where are the girls?” Catalina asks Geovani, looking around the room but seeing no sign of his children.

“Ah, I’m sorry to say that it’s Marisa’s turn to have them for Christmas Eve,” Geovani replies, a sad look in his eyes.

“That is too bad. I would have loved to see my three gorgeous nieces and introduce them to Isabella. Children always bring such a special feel to the holidays. I’m sorry, mi hermano, that you have to take turns, but I guess we all just have to wait for next year,” Catalina says.

Ciara and Luis both disappear into the kitchen and an awkward silence descends, no one sure what to say. Kamila is clearly still holding on to her grudge, not even looking her sister in the eye, her arms folded over her chest.

Luis returns moments later with a tray of his famous ron ponche, a Panamanian rum-spiked eggnog. Ciara follows behind with plates and bowls filled with pre-dinner snacks and appetizers, including the traditional tamales Catalina spoke of on the way in.

After a few drinks the atmosphere begins to shift a little, a mix of Spanish, English, and even a few bits of Italian and French thrown in.

“I’m curious about that gorgeous nativity scene out back,” Toni says. “Is it new? Do you know who carved all the sculptures?”

“Papá built the entire project with his own two hands, starting with the manger just after he and Mamá were married,” Catalina says, getting up and taking Toni by the hand to lead him out the back door for a closer look. Sylvie and Isabella follow close behind.

“It’s incredible, the workmanship and detail that your father has crafted into each piece,” Toni says with appreciation. “Did Izzy tell you I like to tinker around with woodworking too?”

“No, she didn’t mention it,” Catalina says. “I suppose we all still have so much to learn about one another.”

“Yes, we do, but I’m just so happy that you and my Izzy have found one another,” Toni says as he pulls Catalina to him and holds her close. “I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be welcoming a woman as my daughter’s chosen life partner, but it’s so clear how much the two of you love and respect one another. It’s really opened my eyes and given me an understanding that I was missing out on before.”

Just then, Kamila walks outside and secretly witnesses the tender scene, having been sent by Ciara to round everyone up for dinner. She stops in her tracks and stands still, watching from the dark doorway as if in a trance.

COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I am pursuing representation from a traditional publisher for my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

Reviews & Interviews:

·      You can read, listen, or watch a large selection of reviews and interviews on my website.

Events:

·      There are no events currently scheduled in my calendar.

YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

·      Watch The Holding trailer.

·      Watch The Healing trailer.