Memories in the Attic

 Memories in the Attic

by

Barbara Valentino

This story was written in honor of James Stacy, born on December 23^rd. Rather than writing another Johnny birthday, I wrote to include all of the family, and a certain surprise. No beta, all mistakes are mine.

Murdoch sat at his desk trying for the third time to make sure his figures were correct, growing more annoyed by the minute. Teresa and Johnny had been arguing all morning and they were getting louder and more aggressive.

'This has got to stop and now.' “John, Teresa in here now.” Both knew the sound of Murdoch's bellow, and hurried to the great room. Murdoch pointed to the two seats in front of his desk, and they sat.

“ I have heard nothing all morning but the two of you fighting. Now what is the problem?Teresa spoke first.

“Johnny is so pig headed. He doesn't listen to anyone.” Johnny interrupted.

Teresa is too bossy. Johnny do this, Johnny do that. Then when I do she's never satisfied. She thinks she owns the entire ranch.”

Teresa was sitting, arms folded, tapping her foot. Johnny got his second wind and was to continue, but Murdoch stopped him. “I don't want to hear it. You two need to settle your differences and get along.”

Johnny and Teresa started again to explain. Murdoch held up a hand. “I don't want to hear it. I have a chore for the two of you to work on together. I want the attic cleaned and organized. Soon it will be time to bring down the Christmas decorations. I want them stacked in easy reach. Before you start to complain, do I need to remind you who calls the tune?”

“No sir” came from both the young people. “Good, now that is settled I want you in the attic. I don't want to see or hear you until lunch.”

Johnny raised his hand like a kid in school. “Umm, Can I ask who is going to do my work around the ranch?”

“There are no horses to break at this time, and the work is slow this time of year, and Maria has Conseula to help cover the kitchen. Now go, my children.”

Scott walked in as Johnny and Teresa left the room. “Did I miss something, Sir. Or do I want to know?”

“Those two have been arguing all day. I sent them to clean and organize things in the attic. Maybe that will end their bickering, unless they kill one another.”

Scott looked toward the rack at the entrance door to see if Johnny's rig was still there. Murdoch chuckled “You're too late, I already checked.”

Johnny and Teresa climbed the stairs with brooms, rags and buckets of water. Johnny opened the door. That little act disturbed the dust. Teresa noticed the large number of spider webs.

“Why does Murdoch keep all this junk anyway?”

“He's been doing that since I was born. Daddy told me Murdoch hates to throw anything away.”

“That's for sure. Okay, where do we start, boss lady?”

“Don't start Johnny. You take one side and I'll take the other. Which do you want?”

“I don't care. Junk is junk.” Johnny was amazed by the clutter.

“Okay, I'll take this side, you take the other.”

There was an old writing desk, some well worn chairs, a headboard too small for an adult bed. Johnny noticed a coat rack. Hanging on it was an old man's dress coat and top hat. “I'll bet the moths had a feast on this.”

In Johnny's section he noticed a large streamer trunk with the name Catherine Garrett. Hey Teresa, come see what I found over here. Teresa came to see Johnny's find.

“That trunk belonged to Scott's mother. Murdoch talked about his wives sometimes but he never mentioned a trunk.”

“Maybe he'll tell Scott about it someday. It may tell him some things about his mama.” Johnny rubbed his fingers over the name to brush away the dust. “Well we better get back to work.”

While Johnny was dusting and organizing the 'junk' in his area, heard Teresa let out a gasp. He went to her side of the attic to see what was wrong. She was now crying softly, looking at an item she found under a sheet.

He looked at her find. “Hey, a little house It looks like Lancer. There's little people in it too.”

“This was mine. Daddy made this for me when I was about 5. Murdoch carved the little people. It's falling apart now.” Johnny watched as Teresa picked up one of the little figures. Tears were on her cheeks. It made him sad to see that. Sunlight and age took their toll on the doll house. Both young people went back to their chore.

Both stopped when Maria rang the lunch bell. They came to the table with Murdoch and Scott. Lunch was a quiet affair, noticed by Murdoch. “Well have the two of you settled your differences?”

Teresa spoke first. “Yes, somewhat.” Johnny just nodded in agreement.

Scott watched in amusement. 'I guess this is what family does. If grandfather saw this he would be truly shocked.'

Murdoch was enjoying the quiet but he broke the silence. “Well, how's the work coming along?”

“We still have a lot to do.”

“Yeah Murdoch, you sure have a lot of junk.”

“My son, what you refer to as 'junk' holds a lot of memories for me.”

Lunch finished, Johnny and Teresa made their way back to the attic. All of the Christmas boxes were neatly stacked near the door for easy access. By the time the dinner bell rang the work in the attic was completed to there liking.

“Well it looks better than when we started.” Teresa reached over to brush some cobwebs from Johnny's hair.

“Gee, I hope there's no spiders in there.” Teresa laughed, slapping Johnny's are lightly. “Johnny, Stop.”

As she turned to walk away, Johnny grabbed her arm. “Teresa, I'm sorry I called you bossy.”

Smiling, Teresa responded. “Well I'm sorry I called you pigheaded. Truce?”

“Truce.”

They left the attic to go to their rooms to clean up. Every one sat at the table to eat. Dinner was a quiet affair. After dinner, everyone retired to the great room for drinks.

Yawning through dinner Johnny spoke. “Murdoch, I'm heading to bed. I'm wore out.”

Teresa chimed in. “I think I'll head up as well.”

Scott and Murdoch finished their drinks near the fireplace. “Well Sir, your attic idea worked well.”

“Yes, my plan was two fold. I got those two to stop bickering, and I got my attic cleaned.”

The two older men headed to their rooms.

The next morning, talk started about Christmas and the preparations. It was too early for the tree, but Maria and Teresa were busy draping ribbons around the great room and staircase. Candles were set in the windows, and the room was scrubbed clean.

Murdoch noticed Teresa, who was usually excited about holidays, staying in her room more. “He knocked at her door, waiting for her to ask him to come in. When he did he noticed she was sitting on her bed. She was holding a picture of her father taken on a trip to San Francisco. Her eyes were red indicating she had been crying Murdoch sat down beside her on the bed.

“You miss him, don't you?” Murdoch stroked her hair.

“Christmas was Daddy's favorite holiday. I remember both of you getting the tree arguing who had the better one picked. We would set it up in the great room, then we would decorate it. Maria would make hot cocoa and cookies for us.” Murdoch lightly kissed her head, sitting with her for a while.

Johnny was coming from his room when he heard Teresa talking of her dad. He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but he heard how sad Teresa sounded. He hoped his surprise for her would help her.

Scott and Murdoch were playing chess. “Scott, where is your brother? He has been spending a lot of time lately in the barn. Is something going on?”

“I'm not sure. He always seems happy when he comes out the barn.” Murdoch shook his head and the two men continued with their game.

Johnny wanted to surprise Teresa so he worked in the barn loft. He asked his Tio to help him get the doll house up to the loft. He knew his uncle would keep the secret.

Johnny started repairing the roof and porch columns. He wanted to paint the house. Remembering his Tio had just mixed a batch of white wash, so he crept down to take some of it. That worked perfectly, but now he needed some color for the roof and porch. 'Hmm, Jelly was painting some window frames, maybe I can get some.'

Christmas was approaching quickly. Everyone was busy, planning for the day. Murdoch and Johnny were to get the tree. Murdoch searched for the perfect tree while enduring Johnny's complaining.

“Why can't we just pick a tree and haul it down before I freeze.” Murdoch laughed while listening to Johnny who sounded like a little kid. He knew the pout would soon appear.

“Alright son, this is the perfect tree. We'll cut it down and haul it home”

“Dios, let's go.”

“At the ranch the tree was stuck in the bucket and sand. Murdoch cut the rope and the tree fluffed out to show its original size. All remained was to get the boxes from the attic to decorate the tree.

“Scott, would you please bring down the boxes? Teresa gave Scott of he prettiest smiles.

“Certainly. Care to join me, little brother”

“I would Scott, but I still can't feel my feet. My hands are not better.”

“I'll go with you Scott. They were outside for an awful long time.”

They noticed that Murdoch with his bad back, got up to share the fire with his youngest.

Scott was first in the attic. “Well you two did a great job.”

“Thanks Scott.”

For the next few moments the boxes were brought down into the great room. Entering the room Scott put his finger to his lips. “Murdoch and Johnny had moved to the sofa and were asleep. Murdoch was startled by a log shifting in the hearth.

“I guess we dozed off.” Knowing it was dangerous to startle Johnny when he was asleep. “John son wake up.”

Eyes closed and still not moving, they heard “Who said I was sleeping?” This got a laugh from every one.

“Well my children, we need to get to bed. Tomorrow will be busy.” All returned to bed for the night.

Morning came bright and early. Maria cooked a wonderful breakfast. Although it was December 24^th, a ranch still does not run itself.

Murdoch gave the men their chores. The ranch was rather quiet, so the men could finish quickly. They were all released to spend the holiday with family and friends.

Scott and Johnny were attacked by Teresa when they came in. “Come on, we have a tree to decorate.”

The brothers groaned and waited for Teresa to issue her orders. Murdoch smiled and decided to join in.

Christmas morning arrived. After breakfast, everyone went into the great room. Gifts were given and the room was filled with his family laughing and enjoying Christmas. Murdoch smiled as he looked at his family. 'I've waited so long to have my boys home with me.' He pictured how Christmas would have been when the boys were children. 'If only every day could be like Christmas, what a wonderful world it would be.'

Everyone exchanged kisses and hugs. The room was filled with warmth. Johnny stood announcing he had one more gift to give. “Well son, who is this last gift for?”

“I can't tell ya. Scott can ya' help me?”

“Certainly, little brother.” Scott followed Johnny to the barn. Looking around, he for a new addition among the horses, Scott decided to joke with Johnny. “You mean you don't have a new horse for me? I thought that was your surprise.”

Johnny looked up a moment but decided Scott was joking. “Nope. Now help me will ya​?”

Scott saw a large object standing on a small table. It was covered by a sheet. “You do know you are going to be in serious trouble with Maria for using one of her good sheets.”

“Nope, she won't mind. Now let's get going.” Shaking his head in amusement, Scott took a side as they walked from the barn to the house.

Murdoch stood, holding the door open. Teresa was just returning from the kitchen with a plate of cookies to share while Johnny revealed his surprise. Murdoch and Teresa looked at each other, neither knowing what to make of the surprise the boys just brought in.

Johnny's face was beaming as the gift was set near the tree. “Now everybody, close your eyes.” He carefully lifted the sheet. “Okay, open ya eyes.” They were shocked at the sight of the gift. “Merry Christmas Teresa.” Reaching down he kissed her cheek.

“Oh Johnny, it's my old doll house.” She started crying as she grew closer.

“I'm sorry. I thought you would like it.” Johnny worried he upset her.

“No Johnny. I love it. You did this for me?”

“You said it reminded you of your daddy. You looked sad that day in the attic.”

She ran into Johnny's arms. “I love it and what you did for me. Thank you so much.” she reached up and kissed Johnny's cheek.

The two older Lancer's were smiling at the two younger ones. They grew in for a closer look, not wanting to interrupt.

“Oh look Murdoch, the little people you carved are in there,too.” Teresa picked one up and held it to Murdoch. He smiled, remembering when he and Paul worked on the doll house.

Teresa spent several minutes more looking at the doll house. “I know just where I will put it in my room. Now, I brought in a tray of cookies, but I don't see them. Johnny did you eat them all?”

“Not all of 'em. Murdoch and Scott ate some too. There were only a few left and I didn't want them to go stale. Ya know I hate stale cookies.”

“Johnny Lancer, when has a cookie ever been around you long enough to get stale.”

Murdoch and Scott watched, amused. “Well son, here we go again.”

“I don't suppose you have any other attics that need to be cleaned, Sir?”

“No but I have lots of unused rooms that need to be cleaned.”

This will be a Christmas that will be remembered their hearts forever.

Merry Christmas.

End.

December 23,2025