Surprise Party

Sam opened the front door to see his younger brother, Clark, holding a decorative bottle bag. He blocked his entry.

“What are you doing here?”

He offered him the gift bag. “Merry Christmas to you too, Sam.”

Sam took the bag and set it on the gift table.

“Cute, Clark. But no cigar. You need to leave.”

Clark was used to Sam’s challenges, but this was extreme.

“You’re serious? I came to make peace.”

Sam set his jaw, out of patience for his brother’s games.

“What if that’s not an option? Your being here offers anything but peace.”

“Listen to yourself. I’m just standing here. You’re the one starting...”

Sam leaned in. “You don’t get it, Clark. You didn’t see him after what you did. You can’t…”

“So, it’s all on me? That’s why I’m here. I need to talk with him.”

“Today? Convenient timing. Couldn’t call? No. You come when he can’t refuse you.”

“Excuse me...”

Clark pushed by Sam and walked to the living room, already crowded with guests. Gold and silver garlands draped from the ceiling. Laden with sparkling ornaments, a magnificent tree stood in the corner by the bay window.

A woman in an elf costume carried a tray with cups of spiced egg nog. A guest stopped her and exchanged his empty cup for two full ones. She laughed as he downed one and set it back on her tray.

Clark recognized most of the guests, having known them most of his life. They were his parent’s neighbors, golf buddies and business associates. Some who saw him, nodded or smiled, but turned away before Clark could respond. None came over to talk.

He felt tainted. They didn’t want to catch the stink.

He walked to the open bar. His uncle Avery was joking with the bartender. Guffawing, he dropped the punchline and the bartender laughed politely. Seeing Clark, Avery’s smile soured. He thrust his hand out to shake. Clark dodged reflexively, as if expecting a stomach punch. Recovering, he took Avery’s hand.

“Hey, Uncle Avery… Merry Christmas…”

“How are you kid? Staying out of trouble?”

“Much as possible…”

“You do that. Many happy returns… Ha!”

Avery raised his drink and turned away.

Clark glanced at the bartender, who shrugged. A touch on his shoulder drew his attention.

Beaming, his mother said, “How’s my baby boy?”

Clark gave her a hug.

“Hi Ma…”

“You know I love you, Clark. But should you be here?”

“Thanks, Ma. Merry Christmas. I won’t waste time looking for my present under the tree.”

“Don’t be like that. You know what I’m saying.”

“Yeah… Sam was less nuanced about it, but sure…”

“Fine. You know what you’re doing. I just want you to be aware…”

“I get it, Ma. Not gonna make trouble.”

“Thank you. In that light, skip the egg nog. Sam may have over fortified it.”

“Got it.”

She smiled her best ‘magazine cover smile’ before gliding away to other guests.

People kept arriving. Clark guessed over seventy people had gathered to honor his father. Knots of guests spilled into other rooms and the patio. The music barely cut through the chatter and bursts of laughter.

Clark approached his sister, Beth, greeting new arrivals. Seeing him, she stepped back from the door.

She said, “Leaving?”

“No. Thought I’d say hello.”

She accepted his hug without reciprocating.

“Oh. Hi.”

“Merry Christmas… How’ve you been?”

A neighbor couple came up the walk. Beth directed them toward the living room.

She said, “I’m good. You?”

Small talk was not their strong suit. He touched her arm.

“Actually, sis, I’m feeling kind of strange…”

“Oh… Well, I don’t want to keep you…”

“No. I’m not leaving…”

Beth pointed Clark toward the living room. A family came up the walk. She greeted them with excited squeals.

Clark mulled over his family’s reception of him. He’d known other twenty-somethings who’d done much worse.

‘Okay… Some bad investments. I gambled and lost. They’d be cheering if it’d turned out different.’

It came down to his father. He made the rules. No one dared buck him.

‘Why try? Even hungry, I wasn’t bound by all this… Who needs it?’

The celebration gained momentum. People danced and sang carols. A small group had gathered around a boy at the piano. They laughed with him at his clumsy attempts to play.

Clark felt alone. ‘I’m out. I hold no sway. Sam’s right. Should leave… His word’s law.’

Sam nudged Clark and cocked his head toward a man standing by himself. He looked out of place. Not dressed for a party, he looked like a laborer or a gardener.

Though alone, he appeared to be a calm center amidst the swirl of activity.

“Who’s that?”

Making eye contact, the stranger nodded to Clark.

“How should I know? Friend of Dad’s?”

Sam said, “Doubt it. Never seen him before.”

Clark shrugged. “It’s a surprise party… Maybe he’s the surprise?”

Sam said, “Seems to know you. He your backup?”

Clark scowled. “Backup for what? Still paranoid after all these years…”

“I’m not paranoid brother. You’re an ass.”

Clark scoffed. “Whoa! Careful, Sam. Someone might knock that chip off your shoulder.”

“Really? After what you did? Time to go.”

Sam grabbed his arm. Clark shook him off. Sam blocked his path. Face to face, immovable, the brothers stared.

“You don’t want to be here, kid. I’d be dead meat if I pulled a stunt like that. I’m trying to help.”

Clark thought, ‘Can never come back. Even as a servant, they’ll never accept me.’

The stranger approached. They couldn’t ignore him.

Enjoying the pregnant pause, he smiled. Then, speaking only to them, his words cut through the din.

“What father would refuse his son’s returning…?”

They looked at each other, their dispute forgotten.

A commotion drew all eyes to the entrance.

Sam said, “I warned you. Here goes…”

Standing with Beth, their father grinned at the huge party. Seeing his sons he rushed to embrace them.

Stepping back, he looked from one to the other. Tears of joy streamed.

Taking Clark by the shoulders, he said, “Here you are! You made it! Ha…! Back from the dead.”

Neither brother could believe their ears. Clark looked for the stranger. He’d gone.

Indicating Clark, their father addressed Sam. “Can you believe it? We thought him lost. This is the best surprise ever!”

Scoffing, Sam pulled away.

“I don’t believe you… Dad. You forget what he did?”

His father stepped up. “Listen to me Sam. You are my sons. I love you both. Let the past remain there. Clark is back from the dead. Welcome him. We need to celebrate our family, renewed!”

He waved for his wife to join them. Beth ran up. The guests cheered and applauded as the family embraced. They laughed together.

They partied all night.