Chapter 20
Ray sat in his car looking at the ancient Victorian-style house decorated for the season with lighted evergreen garlands hung around the railings of the wrap-around porch. It had been his family’s home for many generations. His grandfather and father had been born there, as well as Ray and all his siblings. His aged parents still insisted on living there, unwilling to leave, despite its upkeep being clearly beyond their abilities.
Inside, through its glowing windows, he could see silhouettes moving about—his multigenerational family: parents, brother and sisters, their spouses, and their children. Some of them were now old enough to have married and have brought a new generation into the family. All were home to celebrate the holiday together.
In years past he’d eagerly antic
