Page 47 of Garr

“It looks amazing,” grinned Jonathon. “That porch is beautiful now with the chairs and rug. Two huge baskets of food, boxes of holiday gifts, it’s just magical.”

“Don’t forget the new roof,” said Grip. “I’ll never understand the magic of being able to replace a roof in this amount of time, with no sound at all, but I trust you, Matthew.”

“The world is full of miracles,” he said calmly. “Look at the three of us. We are, technically, ghosts. Yet we are helping others, touching them, providing love and support where needed. The two of you have even found love. It warms my heart.”

“It doesn’t bother you that we’re two men?” asked Jonathon.

“Bother me? Love never bothers me, Jonathon. True love is too hard to find for me to question how it comes. Besides, it is not for me to question. Grip is my son. Not by birth, but in every other way, he is my son. I would give anything for him to be happy.”

“Thank you, Matthew,” smiled Grip.

“When I returned from my time in service and suddenly discovered that I’d met the woman I was to spend my life with, yet I had no life, I was upset, to say the least. My Irene, she’s the real miracle worker between the two of us. Oh, don’t get me wrong, we’re a great team, and together we can make amazing things happen. But I would be nothing without that woman in my life. That love.

“This family has that kind of love. They don’t cry at night for all the things they don’t have. They feel blessed for the things they do have. They don’t wish for more for themselves. They wish for more to be able to give to others. When they wake tomorrow and find all of this, they will wonder how they can help those around them.”

“Then this was all for nothing,” said Jonathon. “They’re going to give away everything we’ve done for them.”

“No,” said Matthew, shaking his head. “I’ve left a message for them that they will understand and something they can use to help those around them. By Monday, they will both have new jobs that will provide a greater opportunity for them to help. The twins will have after-school jobs and full scholarships to college.

“Ten years from now, this family will have impacted the lives of hundreds of other families in a remarkable way. Generations will be changed because of them. This is why we do this. This is why we help those around us.”

“To make a difference,” said Jonathon.

“To make a difference, but more than anything, Jonathon, to show love. To show others that love will always win. Always.” He kissed the foreheads of his spirit elves and moved back toward their transportation.

“He’s so special,” said Jonathon with a tear in his eye. Grip nodded, smiling at the man beside him.

“You have no idea.”

“Come along, boys. We’ve much to do before the night is done.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Macie stood near the banks of the bayou along with her mother, soon-to-be mother-in-law, Sophia Anne, Susie, Montana, and others. Standing near them was Finley, holding a strange-looking remote control. They all had a job to do, and they would not let the team down.

“Here come the boats,” said Mama Irene. “Everyone, cheer them on.”

Hundreds of Belle Fleur residents stood along the water waving and cheering as their neighbors went by on their boats. They were decorated with lights, trees, ornaments, even animated exhibits. As the Belle Fleur boats began to come around the bend, the team cheered louder.

“Whose idea was this?” frowned Luke, looking down at himself.

“Your grandmother’s,” smirked Eric. “Just go with it and smile. Look at the kids. They’re loving this.”

“We’re a bunch of six-feet-three plus, two-hundred-and-thirty-pound elves in a makeshift workshop. I’m not finding humor in this,” growled Luke.

“Well, they all think it’s hysterical,” said Cam, pointing to the banks. Children were laughing and jumping up and down, waving. The parents were waving frantically as the two dozen elves smiled, waving their white-gloved hands.

“Pay attention,”said the harsh voice of Hiro.“Their boats are one behind you and two in front of you. We’re going to trigger the engine trouble for the one in the rear in two minutes. The other boats will be directed to maneuver around it until we have them far enough away.”

“Got it. Thanks, Hiro,” said Luke. “Alright, elves. Pay attention.”

The boat in front of the team had Brockman and his sister on it. Although the sister looked to be asleep in her chair. Brockman simply covered her to her chin with a fur blanket and smiled at her.

In some ways, it seemed tender and sweet. In others, it was just creepy.

Boss – the boat is having engine difficulties. Should we do it now?

“Shit,” he muttered to himself.

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