Frost and Light

As the Williams family drove along the village road on their way to visit John's parents, their three children, Harry, Macy, and Ellie, and their dog Chester were all looking out the windows anxiously.

The evening silence settled over the whole field and with a layer of snow everything was bathed in an air of peaceful beauty. The massive stout, evergreen trees lining both sides of the road, their boughs covered by little snowy hats, made all feel as if they were in the painting of a calm winter landscape.

Then suddenly there was a soft jolt and the car was silent. The children had all turned to look at their father.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Harry, anxious, turned to his father, his voice trembling with curiosity and concern.

"Daddy, why have we stopped?" Ellie added anxiously, worry written all over her face.

When the father stepped outside it was frosty and like a crafty friend the frost came in to moisten him in every secret place. The cold was insistent and uncompromising, as if anxious to engulf everything around it immediately. Every breath turned to smoke, which disappeared as quickly as it came out, as if it had never even existed.

Under his feet, the snow crunched as if it implored him to be careful while walking among it, not to break its peace. He left the car, trying not to let any anxiety show in his voice.

"It seems that something has gone wrong with the car. Let me see now," he said, trying not to worry the children.

As he approached the cars bonnet, his breath mingled with the frigid air, growing more and harshly cold with each step. The forest around him was still and silent as a frozen river, and it felt as if all things in the world had slowed down, leaving only light, slow-sighing of time, or the sound of winter night.

After he had closed the door of his car behind him with a sense of relief and sought warmth inside, John suddenly opened his eyes. The frost was still creeping into his blood and body. But as the heater slowly started to fill the car, a feeling of warmth penetrated his whole being.

He sighed with relief, then remembered the problem with the car. It didn't seem to want go anywhere.

Suddenly the sound of an approaching vehicle broke silence in the fog-bound woodland. Head lights cut through gloom and before long a pick-up truck had pulled up at their stalled car. The driver stopped and, not waiting for John to get out, headed for the car window.

“Hey John! You know me don't you? I'm Mark!” said the man with a slight smile as he looked at John's astonished face.

John sat there a while, not quite realizing who it was. “Mark? You live here?” Getting out into the cold, he asked in astonishment.

Mark laughed and shook his head. “Yah. As for you, are you still driving that old car?” His eyes went back to the stopped car.

Mark, a tall man with a dark hat and a warm, padded jacket, smiled in order to dispel the chill of the moment. John felt the strain slowly lifting from his heart. “We're having car trouble, could you help us out?” John glanced back at his family in the car.

Mark nodded, going to the front of the car and lifting the hood to check the engine. Chester, who was on the back seat, pricked his ears and kept an eye on the stranger's movements.

In the next instant as if by magic the car started again. John, astonished that Mark had so easily repaired the fault, burst out laughing.

“You’re just like an angel,” he said with heartfelt thanks, getting into the car again.

As John climbed into the car, he lowered the window and called to Mark.

“We’re on our way to my parents’ home. If you have time, come along with us. We’ll be so happy to see you.”

Mark smiled and nodded his agreement.

"That sounds great! I haven't seen you for so long, I think I must stop by."

The vehicles started up at a slow pace, Mark’s truck in front moving ahead with lights on full to see the way. John went behind, happily watching the familiar road thread through the snowy forest. Ahead of them, like a lamp in the dark pickup headlights broke through winter night, lighting up snow around it so that everything glistened.

Mark slowed down at the gate and got out of the truck, his broad smile unwilting.

“Here were are,” he said, opening the door to John’s car. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”

John nodded with gratitude, and the children, who didn’t wait on their parents, quickly ran out of the car. They stomped happily through the snow, leaving a trail of little footprints behind them. The children rushed ahead and knocked on the wooden door. A moment later, it flew open and Grandpa appeared on the step-a sturdy old man, thinly dressed in his years but wearing a sweater and pants that looked comfortable. He smiled when he saw the children and rushed up to hug them.

“Well, you've come!” he said with a smile. “I never thought each one would arrive.”

At last Grandma came out of the house. She was wearing a turtleneck and a woolen skirt of warm material. She hugged all of them, the joy on her face welling over.

“All of you are so big now!” she said, gazing affectionately at the faces of all her grandchildren. “Come in quickly and get warm.”

“Yes, Grandma! We missed you so much!” Ellie replied happily, and grasped her warm hand.

Right then, John and Ellen walked up, with Mark modestly standing behind them on the porch.

“Your surprise,” John said with a smile, pointing towards his friend. “When the car broke down Mark came to our assistance. We haven’t met other for years, but I thought he would like to come over here.”

“Of course, John, the more the merrier. We always welcome visitors!” Grandma said, smiling kindly at Mark.

As soon as Chester sniffed the familiar smells, he, confident that he had every justification for being the center of attention, barked joyfully and rushed towards the door.

As soon as everyone entered the house they were bathed in warm light. The huge hall greeted them like an old friend: the fireplace had pink-brown stones on the outside, huge and imposing. And within it a fire crackled merrily, the logs letting out golden tongues of flame which reflected against polished glass doors. Its warmth filled every nook and cranny, as though saying: Welcome home.

In the middle of the hall stood a large wooden table with a table cloth embroidered on it. Dishes lovingly prepared adorned it: golden-brown pies with mushrooms, an apple pie with a lustrous crust, pancakes in stacks with a sweet and sticky syrup topping, and a steaming vegetable stew. Each aroma seemed to tell its own story.

Grandpa entered the hall from the vestibule and brought with him a fir tree branch, placing it in a tall vase. Its scent was of the forest, of freshness, and of Christmas magic. Candles with the fragrances of cinnamon and vanilla added to the magical atmosphere.

In the living room, by the fireplace, the large couch was covered with a few soft throws and decorated by pillows embroidered in pretty colors. There were also two chairs in the vicinity, and next to them stood a very tall lamp with a burgundy lampshade which matched the heavy curtains.

Through the large windows outside, snow-covered trees stirred in the wind and the snowstorm splattered upon them, but inside the house there was warmth and grace.

“Oh, what a good smell it has,” Macy laughed as she shook off the snow still remaining in her hair. “It 's like cinnamon and... Christmas!”

"Grandma, you are really a magician!" Harry took a look at the table and added, "This is a feast!"

Chester scurried into the living room, joyfully sniffing every corner. By the window a blanket had already been arranged for him, and there was also a bowl of food nearby. The dog promptly buried his head in the bowl but quickly raised it again, as if recognizing that something special was happening tonight.

"Come in, now, sit down," Mrs. Willians said, tugging at the edges of the tablecloth until it was just right. "Dinner is ready, and we are so glad you are here again."

There was warmth, comfort and happiness in their hearts, and the snow outside continued to whirl in a mad dance.