Take a look in the five-and-ten glistening once again

 "What is he up to?" Justin shook his head. 

"What happened?" Carmen wanted to know as she stood by the cart with an armful of pancake syrup.

"He's cominig for Christmas," Justin shook his head. "Alone."

"Alone?"

"I don't know what to do," Justin didn't  like the thought of his brother coming to the states.

"He can stay in your room," Carmen said. "And you can stay with me in mine."

A shiver went through Justin. What was she saying? He looked at her blankly.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," he shook his head no. Maybe it was best just to bunk with dear old Jared. Yeah, he thought that would be best. It would be just confusing, he thought, staying with Carmen. What was she going to do? Sleep on the floor?

"Why not?" She looked at him as if he'd clearly forgotten something.

"Well." Justin remained even-lipped.

"We want him to have a nice time, now don't we?"

"Well, not that great of time. I want him to go home, you know."

Justin squinted harder as if this was just too much for the holiday. This was all so crazy. Jared was married with a baby and he wanted to be here?

Justin called Jared to see what was going on.

"What's going on?" Justin asked first thing. "Did mom put you to this?"

"No, but..but she does think it's a good idea."

"A good idea?"

"I..I just didn't want to tell you," Jared started.

"Tell me what?" Justin couldn't imagine Jared having troubles. Jared lived his life on the sea. He was good with boats and what came with it, like fishing and knots and that kind of thing.

"Well..." he was very quiet then.

"The baby's not mine. And then I hurt my back. And my hand isn't doing so good. I can't work like I used to. So I got a lot of time on my hands, and mom wanted me to see you."

Justin listened. This was not going to be the holidays he was hoping for, but he would do as Vada asked. They'd make the room nice for Jared.