Magic Christmas 2001
Snowflakes swirled outside the living room window in their 5th Street house in Cornwall, Ontario, on that cold December afternoon. The Pyke family home smelled faintly of pine and cookies, and the boys were scattered around the house—each lost in their own world.
“Boys, come into the living room,” Mom called, her voice carrying a lilt of excitement.
Kris, twelve and teetering on the edge of teenage coolness, appeared first, adjusting his sweatshirt like he didn’t care, but his eyes betrayed curiosity. Kyle, ten, dashed in next, still buzzing with energy from the video game he had been playing in the basement with his brothers. Brandon, eight, trailed behind, bouncing a tennis ball against the wall, while Blair, six, toddled in gripping his favorite action figure like it was treasure.
They collapsed into the couch and chairs, looking at their parents expectantly. Mom and Dad exchanged a quick smile. Dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“This Christmas,” he began slowly, “is going to be a little different.”
