Julie wouldn't have been surprised by Clara's flare for the dramatic, but she honestly hoped that her aunt wouldn't be by. She felt, rather than saw, Dax stiffen next to her and turned her head slightly to look at his face. His eyes were narrowed on the cousins as if he was anxiously waiting to see what their answer was. Julie kept her eyes on Dax, hoping to glean some information on what was happening.
"No," Randall finally answered. "Mom stopped in last night and told us she wouldn't return in time for Christmas morning. She wanted us to start without her and even had us drop off some of the presents she had forgotten to wrap."
Randall nodded toward a few small gifts that had been set on the table next to the front door.
"Ahhh," Brenda mused sadly. "I'll miss Clara. I can't re
