Tuesday - 12/21
BRADY PUB
Carrie and Noah sat at a table. Roman, with three mugs in hand, walked over. He distributed the mugs.
ROMAN: Here we go. Coffee for my oldest daughter.
CARRIE: Thanks, Dad.
ROMAN: And hot chocolate for myself and my favorite little man.
NOAH: Thanks, Grandpa! Are there marshmallows in it?
ROMAN: ‘Course there are! You can’t have hot chocolate without marshmallows!
NOAH: Yay!
Roman and Carrie chuckled as they watched Noah drink his hot chocolate.
ROMAN: You know, it is just so good to have you back in Salem, kid.
CARRIE: Thanks, Dad. I’m glad to be back. There’s just something about Salem at Christmastime.
ROMAN: There is, indeed. So, where is Austin?
CARRIE: He’ll be here in a little bit. He wanted to stop in and see Kate.
ROMAN: I see. Well, that’ll be nice for them.
CARRIE: I’m sure it will.
Max walked over.
MAX: I meant to stop over when you got here, but this is the first chance I’ve gotten. Hi, guys!
Carrie stood up and hugged Max.
CARRIE: Hey, Max. Good to see you!
MAX: You too! Hey, buddy.
NOAH: Hi!
CARRIE: And don’t worry about it, I can tell you guys are swamped.
MAX: Yeah, it’s that time of the year. People are doing their last minute Christmas shopping, and they need a place to eat. So, you guys come to town for the holiday?
CARRIE: That, and Austin and I both have vacation time that we need to use up. Plus, a couple of days after the first of the year, we’re going to a party in Europe.
MAX: Oh, yeah. Claire and Hope have both mentioned something about that. It sounds like it should be a fun time.
CARRIE: That it does.
The door opened.
FRANKIE: Looks like the Brady Pub is the place to be, as per usual.
MAX: Hey, bro!
FRANKIE: Good to see you, bro!
Frankie and Max hugged. Roman stood up, as did Carrie.
FRANKIE: You too, big bro.
ROMAN: Welcome home, man!
CARRIE: Frankie, good to see you again.
FRANKIE: You too. Looks like we all had the same idea.
CARRIE: We sure did.
MAX: Well, it’s good to see all of you. I gotta get back up front, though.
Max clapped Frankie on the shoulder.
MAX: We’ll catch up later, bro?
FRANKIE: You know it, brother.
MAX: Good to see you again, Carrie, Noah.
CARRIE: You too.
SAMI & LUCAS’ APARTMENT
Allie and Ricky sat on the edge of Allie’s bed. Tabitha laid between them, purring contentedly as Ricky gently petted her.
RICKY: She’s really cute. I’m glad you got her.
ALLIE: Thanks, me too.
RICKY: I figured you’d be a good pet owner, ever since last summer when you and I did that project at the Center. You’re awesome.
Allie went slightly pink.
ALLIE: Thanks. Tabitha’s a really great cat, so that makes it easy.
RICKY: That’s cool. So, what are you doing for Christmas and Christmas Eve?
ALLIE: Well, on Christmas, my Mom’s side of the family has a huge party at our family Pub. And on Christmas Eve, my Dad’s side of the family does tree trimming. If you wanna come, you can.
RICKY: I’d love to, but Mami’s going up to pick up my abuela that afternoon, and we’re going to dinner and then midnight mass.
ALLIE: Oh, right. I think Manny might have mentioned that.
RICKY: I’m sorry.
ALLIE: You’re good.
RICKY: I still wanna hang out with you, though. We still have tonight to look at the lights. And we’re gonna hang out loads while I’m home.
ALLIE: That’s true. I am excited to look at the Christmas lights with you.
RICKY: Me too. And, after we’re done, we’ll have to stop by the house so you can get your present.
ALLIE: You didn’t have to get me anything.
RICKY: Are you kidding? Of course I did, we’re together.
ALLIE: Well, I got you something, too.
Allie went into her closet and pulled out a small box.
ALLIE: It’s not much, but I hope you like it.
RICKY: I’m sure I will. Is it okay if I open it now?
ALLIE: Yeah, totally.
She handed the box to Ricky, who opened it. Inside was a mug with a picture of a red-eyed tree frog on it.
RICKY: Whoa! This is awesome!
Allie turned pink again.
ALLIE: Glad you like it. I know how much you like frogs and tea, so…
RICKY: I love it! Thank you so much!
ALLIE: You’re welcome.
They hugged.
RICKY: So, wanna grab some dinner before we look at the lights?
ALLIE: Sounds good. Let’s go!