Part Ten: After Dinner
We left Phil and Frankie with Mrs.Springinton, Alice, and Regalo in the Sprinington home, waiting for the rest of the family to arrive. Frankie was providing music at the piano while the others finished dinner preparations. We rejoin them after dinner. Most of the family are tidying up in the kitchen. Phil is laying out kindling in the fireplace, and his dog, Petey is curled up by the hearth. Frankie is back at the piano playing Christmas carols, with Mary Elizabeth seated on the bench beside him, Regalo snuggled in her lap.
“Dinner was delicious, Mrs. Springinton. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a good meal.”
“Thank you Frankie. You and Phil must feel free to join us any time.” Turning to Mr. Springingtion she said, “Isn’t it grand that Mr. Wellbright moved in next door, Arthur. He and Mr. Elliott are such nice men. I feel just like we’ve been given a special Christmas present.”
Mr. Springington replied, “Phil and Frankie are welcome here anytime. Of course, our door is open to all of our neighbors, but since we’ve just met today, I want to make sure you know it’s a standing invitation, for both of you.”
Phil answered, “Thanks, Mr. Springington. We’ll try not to wear out our welcome. ”
“Laughter and music is something I never tire of, Phil.”
Celia winked at Alice and said, “Papa’s just glad to have someone else play the piano after dinner for a change.”
Mr. Springington chuckled, “Sure, that’s because I like to keep my hands free while I’m singing, so I can express myself with these broad gestures…” He spread his arms wide.
Mrs Springington patted her husband on the shoulder, “You have a fine baritone voice dear.”
To which Mr. Springinton replied as he put his hand over hers and gently rubbed it, “Thank you Elizabeth.”
“Do you play, Mr. Springington?”
“A little, Frankie, but not so well, nor with such a wide repertoire as you. Yes, I’d say having you two gentleman join us for Christmas Eve is one of the nicest surprises we could have hoped for. Next to having Robert getting leave to come home, I don’t see how we could ask for anything more.”
Phil looked up from the fireplace and spoke to Robert, “How about you, Lieutenant, are your folks from around here too?”
“No, I’m sort of an adopted son of this town myself. I lost my mother and father when I was a boy.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. After that I was raised by different Aunts and Uncles. Both of my parents came from large families, so there was always someone willing to take me into their home. Everyone was so nice and loving to me, but they just couldn’t take the place of my real mother and father. I suppose if I had been younger, or a few years older when they died, it wouldn’t have made as much difference, but I was old enough to remember my mom and dad, and young enough to still need the presence of a mother and father in my life. No matter how much my aunts and uncles tried to make me a part of their home, it just wasn’t the same for me. My heart always yearned for my real Mom and Dad, so I never really minded when I would go on to the next relatives for a few months or years. I’ve got a great family, not only the aunts and uncles, lot’s of cousins too, and I love them all, but after losing my mother and father, none of those places ever felt like home. I guess that’s one reason why the Navy seemed like a natural fit to me, you know, never really settling down, going to different places. Then I met Celia and we fell in love and got married. Since then, thanks to Celia and Alice, and especially Mother and Father Springington, this house has become home as far as my heart is concerned.”
“What about me, Daddy?”
“You most of all, Mary Elizabeth You’re the North Star that guides me home wherever in the world I may be.”
“I hope my question didn’t stir up any painful memories for you, Lieutenant.”
“That’s all right Phil, it’s nothing I haven’t come to grips with a long time ago. Since we’re all family and friends here, I wish you would drop the Lieutenant and call me Robert.”
“Okay, Robert, thanks, and welcome home for Christmas.”
“It’s good to be home. ”
“Things are looking pretty bleak in the rest of the world right now.”
“Yes, they are. Between Hitler and Staling making war on their neighbors, and Japan’s aggression in the Far East, it’s a wonder we’ve been able to stay our of it this long.”
“Any idea where you’ll be going after your leave, or can’t you say?”
“No to the first, and yes to the second question.”
“Must be pretty tough on you Celia.”
“I won’t pretend it isn’t, Phil. I won’t say I’ve gotten used to it either, because that wouldn’t be true. I suppose I’ve just gotten stronger that I ever thought I was.”
“I want both of you to know, and you too, Mary Elizabeth, that I’m grateful there are men like your father, men who volunteer and who are ready day and night to–well, who are ready in case the need arises.”
“I’m grateful for them too Phil.” Celia said. “The time when he’s away allows me to think of just how grateful.”
“I’ll tell you one thing.” said Robert, “If the worse does happen, we’re going to need a lot more volunteers than we currently have in the Armed Services.”
“I suppose if that day comes, it will be boot camp for me. Unless and until then, well seeing you and Celia and Mary Elizabeth together on Christmas Eve, and knowing you’ve got to leave soon, it makes me feel kind of selfish, like I’m just taking all this for granted . I wish there was some way I could do something too.”
Frankie chimed in from the piano, “That goes for me too,. I don’t keep up much on international happenings, but if what you guys are talking about ever happens, I suppose I’ll be right down at the enlistment center with Phil. In the meantime I’d love to pitch in too, but what can a couple of guys like us do compared to you trained fighting men, Robert?”
” I know something you could do that would be a great help. especially tomorrow, on Christmas.”
“On Christmas?” Frankie asked.
“Sure. Just come with me to the military hospital tomorrow, I’m sure you could help make Christmas a lot more bright for a lot of servicemen who won’t have the chance to be home this Christmas. ”
“I don’t get it, ” said Frankie, “We’re not even at war, and there are still guys getting ending up in the hospital?”
“Sure there are Frankie; preparing for defense can be dangerous, even during peacetime. Ships and tanks and airplanes are big and heavy, and even with training, guys make mistakes and get hurt.”
“I never thought of that. ”
“Sometimes we even get wounded pilots home from the American Volunteer Group in China.”
“You mean the Flying Tigers?” Phil asked.
“That’s right Phil.”
“Imagine Frankie, what those guys have been through. What an honor to spend Christmas with such men.”
“Then you’ll come, both of you?”
“I see how Frankie can help spread Christmas cheer with his music, but what can I do to help?”
“Bring your paints, brushes and plenty of canvas, Phil. You can do portraits or winter landscapes, even caricatures, if somebody wants one. The point is that you’re a skilled and famous artist. The fact that you’re spending Christmas Day with these wounded vets who can’t be home yet, I think it should make a big difference to many of them. I know it would mean a lot to me to know that I wasn’t forgotten in a hospital bed on Christmas day. ”
“Sounds like a great idea, what do you say, Frankie.”
“Count me in. The man I learned piano from used to go around to the hospitals on Christmas Day and play for the kid’s there.”
Mr. Springington said, “That sounds just like Sam Rawlings.”
“You know Sam Rawlings? He taught me everything I know about music, plus a whole lot more. I used to spend all my free time as a kid down at the Keyboard Café sitting next to Mr. Rawlings at his piano.”
“I thought I detected something familiar in the way you played. You learned from a great musician and a very dear friend.”
“Don’t I know it. I sure do miss Mr. Rawlings, I haven’t had the chance to see him since I got back in town. You know, Mrs. Springington, it’s funny that you mentioned Dooley Wilson earlier today, ’cause that’s who Mr. Rawlings always reminds me of. Even the way his voice sounds, and the way he looks at you when he’s playing; his eyes soft and patient and full of understanding. I can’t wait to see him again to thank him and tell him about everything that’s been happening, you know, the places I’ve played, catching up on new songs, that sort of thing.”
Mr. Springington said, “You’ll find him everyday at The Keyboard Café, same as before.”
Mrs. Springington added, “Every day except tomorrow. He still closes the café on Christmas Day so he can get around to the hospitals.”
Frankie replied,”He still won’t let making an extra buck get in the way of doing some good for those in need. Good old Mr. Rawlings. Does he still have the same business partner, that crazy Hungarian chef, what was his name, Rudolph, wasn’t it?”
“What’s this about a crazy chef?” Phil asked.
“He’s not really crazy,” Frankie replied, “Just sort of eccentric, you know with a real artistic temperament. He’s short and plump and waddles around the café like a restless gander, speaking half English, half Hungarian, making small talk with the customers, giving orders to the staff, making sure everything is just right all the time. Then if something doesn’t turn out just the way he wants it, bam! Up goes his voice about two octaves, out goes the English except about one in ten words, and Rudolph’s arms go out in wild gestures in every direction: at the staff, at the ovens, at the floor, at his heart, you name it, and not one of us can understand what he’s even talking about until Mr. Rawlings comes along, looks at him with those big brown eyes, nods a few times, talks nice and soothing to him for a few minutes, and everything is all right again.”
“That’s them all right.” Mr. Springinton said, “And I’m glad to say they are still partners in the business, and The Keyboard Café has lost none of its character.”
Mrs. Springinton looked at the kitchen clock. “Oh Arthur, look at the time. We have to get going.”
Phil asked, “Are we keeping you from something Mr. and Mrs. Springinton. Frankie and I can leave if you need to get ready.”
“Oh no, there is no need for you to leave. We’re going to Christmas Eve service. You and Frankie are welcome to join us.”
“I haven’t been to a Christmas Eve service in a while. I’d love to go, thank you.”
Alice said, “It will be nice to have you along, Phil.”
“Thanks Alice. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t light that fire if we’re all leaving.”
Mrs. Springinton asked, “How about you, Frankie, would you like to go with us?”
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t have to pray out loud, would I?”
“Of course not. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. You can sing if you like. There will be plenty of singing; carols and hymns.”
“The carols I can handle, but I’m a little out of my league with those hymns. I’d hate to sound foolish there in a church full of people.”
“Just stay close to me and you won’t sound foolish. Oh dear, that didn’t come out right. What I meant was, just stay by me and I’ll help guide you. Just follow my lead. If you need to get my attention just tug gently on my sleeve, and if I need to get your attention, I’ll nudge you gently with my elbow. Besides, if you knew half the mistakes I’ve made, you wouldn’t worry about how you are going to sound.”
“All right Mrs. Sprinington, I’ll go, as long as you promise to look out for me.”
“I do. I’m so glad you’re going too Frankie, and now I can tell you that you’ll get a chance to see Sam Rawlings tonight.”
“Mr. Rawlings, really?”
“Yes, really. Sam is a member of our church and plays keyboards at our services. He’ll be so glad to see you again, I’m sure. Arthur, would you lend one of your coats to Phil. Is everybody else ready? Phil, Frankie, it’s just a couple of blocks. What a lovely night for a walk…”
To be continued…
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