The rest of the morning was spent taking turns entertaining Ezra, with everyone arguing over who was next. They were all trying to get in as much time with him as possible because, just like Buck, they realized that they were indeed losing their Little One. And they wanted to try and put as many happy memories in his heart and mind... and theirs... as they possibly could before it happened.
Josiah played chess with him and was surprised to find that he was being beat almost every game. They weren't sure if Ezra, at the age of five, really was that good at the game, or if some of his adult proficiency was filtering through. Either way... he was a formidable opponent, and Josiah actually enjoyed watching him win. They tried to teach Nathan, but he decided that he'd stick to checkers, and told them he was just happy that Ezra was getting so much enjoyment out of his gift.
Buck and JD joined the gambler on the floor, and spent an hour playing with his train set... building bridges and roads out of anything they could find handy in the clinic. Nathan cringed when he saw them run the train over his medical books and spare splints, but he had to admit the splints made a pretty good set of train tracks... and besides, anything that made Ezra smile and laugh was okay with him.
By about noon, Nathan decided it was time to start getting him to wind down for a nap, and Vin happily sat on the bed with Ezra while they gave the others a little impromptu concert with their mouth organs. The other five men sat sprawled around the room, exhausted themselves from playing with the energetic Southerner, and enjoyed the soothing melodic sounds that floated around them. They were all amazed at how quickly Ezra picked up on whatever notes Vin showed him, and then were surprised to hear the young man create his own original sounds.
Vin had told him it was his turn to come up with something, and when Ezra had looked questioningly at him, Vin had reached out and tapped Ezra's chest. The gambler had then smiled and nodded before putting the harmonica to his lips, and producing some of the most beautifully sweet sounds any of the men had ever heard. The tracker had smiled proudly and quickly joined in, blending perfectly with him. When they finished, the men treated them to a hearty round of applause that brought a blush of pleasure to both of their faces.
"Okay, Ezra... I think it's 'bout time for ya t' lay down an' take a little nap. That way you'll be all rested up an' ready to enjoy that huge dinner that Mrs. Travis an' Inez are makin' for ya." Nathan was surprised when, instead of arguing, Ezra had readily agreed to the suggestion and let Vin get him settled in the bed. The only things he'd requested were that Buck lay down with him, and that Chris read him a story, but he was sound asleep before the older man had gotten past the first page.
Buck and Chris exchanged worried glances over the sleeping form snuggled between them, and each placed a hand on his face. "Nathan, he's warm... ya think he's comin' down with somethin'?"
Nathan walked over to the bed and felt Ezra's forehead, frowning as he realized he was definitely warmer than the last time he'd checked. "Could be, but then again it might jus' be from all the excitement he's had today. He mention t' any of ya that he wasn't feelin' good?"
They all shook their heads no. Buck stared down at Ezra as he gently smoothed his hair back and reminded Nathan, "He prob'ly wouldn't tell us anyhow. He'd consider that complainin', an' we all know what Maude thought about our Little One doin' any of that."
"Well, will jus' have t' keep a close eye on 'im then an' hope it don't get no worse. Why don't y'all go on over t' the church an' see how the town celebration is goin'... he'll prob'ly sleep til dinnertime anyhow." Nathan smiled as he saw JD's face light up at the prospect of getting to spend some time with Casey after all.
The others hated to leave Ezra, even for just a few hours, but knew JD wouldn't go unless they did, so they agreed to Nathan's suggestion. The Kid had been doing so good with the gambler, that they thought he deserved to have some fun, too.
Buck slid down in the bed, stretching out beside Ezra, and looked up at the healer. "Why don't you go on over to the church with the rest of 'em, Nathan? I'll be here to keep an eye on 'im. He kept me up most of the night, so I could do with a nap anyway."
Nathan hesitated. "Ya sure, Buck? I don't mind stayin'. 'Sides, you haven't hardly been outta this clinic since the accident happened."
Buck shook his head and smiled. "I'd just be worryin' about 'im the whole time I was there anyhow. You go an' have a good time. Just bring me back a little of those fine desserts I know the ladies've made, an' I'll be happy."
Nathan agreed and left after getting Buck's assurance that he'd come and get him if he thought Ezra was getting worse.
As soon as the door closed, Buck looked worriedly over at the younger man curled up beside him on the bed and wrapped his fingers around Ezra's slender hand, frowning at how warm it felt. He knew he wouldn't really be getting any rest... not so long as there was even a possibility the gambler might be getting sick. His eyes never closed as he spent the rest of the afternoon watching over his Little One.
Chris and Vin tried to relax and join in the festivities at the church, but everytime someone asked after Ezra, they were reminded that their time with him was limited and immediately resented being pulled away from him. After an hour of trying to pretend they were enjoying themselves, they finally gave up and went back to the clinic.
Buck wasn't at all surprised when the door opened and Chris and Vin walked in. He knew how hard it would be to stay away from Lit'l Ezra knowing that he might be sick, and worse... that he'd probably be leaving them soon.
They nodded at Buck when they came in and settled carefully on the bed beside Ezra. "How's he doin'?" Chris stared down at the smaller man as he gently placed the back of his hand along the lightly whiskered cheek. They'd decided to give him a break in honor of the day, but one of them would have to shave him in the morning, or it would start itching again.
"He's been a little restless. Feels warmer to me, what do ya think?" Buck still had a tight hold on Ezra's hand since the contact seemed to help him sleep better. He'd found stroking the younger man's hand when he started to stir calmed him, and it was while doing this that he had finally noticed the very faint pale scars on the back of Ezra's wrist. There had been no doubt in his mind that here was the reason Ezra was so against being in any kind of restraints. Buck had decided he needed to bring this up with Nathan. He knew the healer would have to have noticed the scars, and he had a feeling the former slave knew exactly what had caused them.
Chris nodded his agreement and continued to stare at Ezra. This was so much like all the times he'd sat with Adam as a baby when he was sick, frustrated because his son was too young to be able to tell him what was wrong. The only difference was that Ezra was capable of telling them when it hurt... he just wouldn't. The teachings of his mother ran deep, and he was convinced it was a punishable offense just to be sick, much less to actually complain about it.
Vin ran his hand lightly back and forth over Ezra's leg, comforting himself as much as the gambler. An image of his mother lying in her bed bathed in sweat, dying of a fever, popped into his mind as he felt the warmth of Ezra's body even through the blankets covering his legs. The tracker quickly pushed it away by reminding himself that Nathan had said the Southerner was likely coming down with a cold after that mess the other night. He knew Nathan would never have left Ezra's side if he'd thought the fever was anything serious.
Vin had been five when he'd had to sit helplessly by his mother's bedside and watch her die... the same age Ezra thought he was now. The sharpshooter looked at the gambler, watching a slight frown appear on his face as his dreams took a dark turn again, and compared the first five years of their lives. Vin's had been a life of near poverty, but filled with love from his mother. That love had been enough to see him through the rough times he'd encountered growing up on his own. His hold on Ezra's leg tightened as he thought about what they'd learned about the Southerner's childhood.
Ezra's had apparently been filled with nothing but pain, fear and loneliness... leaving him with nothing to sustain him when things got tough later. Oh, he'd had that brief period of happiness when he'd been left with his uncle David, but Vin knew that Ezra had to resent the fact that the man had given him up so easily. And even with his mother still alive, Vin knew the Southerner's life had been no less lonely and empty than his own had been. Maybe even more so... at least Vin had the memories of his mother's love to comfort him, Ezra didn't even have that. And yet Ezra had still turned out a caring and decent man... he'd deny it vigorously if he were told that... but that didn't make it any less true. Vin idly wondered if he, or any of the rest of them, would have turned out differently given the lousy start in life that Ezra had suffered through. Would they have had the same strength of character that the gambler obviously possessed?
Vin's mental ramblings were suddenly interrupted as Ezra began whimpering and tossing about in the bed. He leaned across Ezra's legs, pinning him to the bed as Chris and Buck fought to bring him out of the nightmare that was invading his sleep.
Chris pressed down on Ezra's shoulders, leaning close to join Buck in trying to wake the gambler. "Ezra! Come on, little guy... you're safe."
"Wake up, pard. We're right here with ya... no one's gonna hurt ya now." Buck patted gently at Ezra's face, his heart breaking at the frightened mutterings and the tears that were flowing down his flushed cheeks.
Ezra's struggling increased as the nightmare escalated and they had all they could do to keep him in the bed. Nothing they did was working. His body thrashed as he tried to pull out of their grip, and his cries grew louder and more terrified. "W'et me go!! Don't!! No, Unca Maffew... stop!! Pwease... pwease don't... do... d'at... No!!" The men felt him stiffen and almost lost their grip on him when they were startled by his eyes suddenly flying open.
Ezra was obviously not seeing them, but reliving instead some horrible event in his past. He stared wildly about the room and then focused on a spot in the corner, his eyes widening in fright. His gaze was so intense that the others couldn't help but follow it, fully expecting to see the horrific scene he must have been witnessing.
Just as they turned there eyes back to Ezra, desperate to wake him and bring him back to where he was safe, he tore himself out of their hands, sat straight up in the bed, and screamed hoarsely, "'Manda!! Noooo!!!!"
Once he'd recovered from the shock of the scream, Buck clasped Ezra's face tightly in his hands and forced the gambler to look at him. "Ezra! Listen to me, Little One... you're safe now! It's all a dream... it's over now!" Buck saw the terrified green eyes finally begin to focus on him and felt Ezra begin to tremble violently as he slowly came back to them.
"B-Buck?" Ezra's hand came up to grip Buck's arm, his fingers digging painfully through his sleeve as he tried to shake off the terror of his dream. "Howld me, Buck... pwease... I'm scarwed." His voice had faded to just a shaky whisper as he begged to be pulled into the safety of the gunman's arms.
Chris rubbed Ezra's back gently as Buck wrapped his arms around the smaller man, bending his head to whisper soothingly in his ear. "I'm here, Little One... Chris and Vin are here, too. We're not gonna let anyone hurt you, baby."
Chris felt the trembling slowly ease beneath his hand and started gently questioning Ezra. He knew it would help the gambler if he could just talk about what was scaring him, but he wasn't prepared for just how deep Ezra's fear ran.
"What was Uncle Matthew doing to you, Ezra?" Chris kept his voice low and soft and continued to move his hand over the frightened Southerner's back.
Ezra clung tighter to Buck and the trembling began again as he shook his head slowly against the older man's shoulder. "No... can't talk 'bout it... not s'posed to."
Buck pressed his hand against Ezra's head, smoothing back the tousled locks as he attempted to keep him calm. "It'll help if ya tell us, Ezra... it might even make the nightmares go away."
"No, Buck... you don't un'erwstand... it's not safe forw me to talk 'bout it." Ezra pulled himself out of Buck's arms and curled up in a tight ball on the bed, burrowing his face in the pillow as his body shuddered against the memories they were forcing on him.
Chris glanced at the other two men and then turned back to Ezra, deciding to try a different question. "Ezra?" He waited until the younger man looked up at him before continuing. "What happened to 'Manda?"
The effect on Ezra was devastating. He immediately burst into tears and struck out at Chris. "Don't ask me d'at!!" Sitting up in the bed again, he frantically turned his terrified gaze from Chris to Buck, his head swiveling back and forth as his fingers plucked fretfully at the blankets. "I can't tewll you d'at... Unca Maffew tol' me not to tewll anyone 'bout 'Manda!!"
"Uncle Matthew can't hurt you anymore, little guy... we won't let him. It's safe to tell us what happened." Buck tried to put his arm around Ezra's shoulders, but he jerked himself back against the headboard, wincing as his head hit the solid wood with a painful thump.
"No!! You'rwe not w'istenin' to me!" Ezra started to sob, his voice low and husky as he pleaded with them to understand. "He warwned me what would happen if I tol' anybody. I can't tewll you... I can't... pwease don't make me tewll you 'bout 'Manda... pwease..." He pulled his legs up and wrapped his arm tightly around them, resting his head wearily against his knees. "He'll kiwll you if I tewll... he'll come an' kiwll awll of you..." Ezra raised his head and they all flinched at the haunted look on his tear-stained face as he whispered, "then he'll kiwll me."
Buck and Chris reached for him and started to promise him that nothing would happen, but Vin stood and pushed them away from Ezra, his usually placid blue eyes flashing and his voice quivering with anger. "Damn it... that's enough. Can't ya see what you're doin' to 'im? Leave 'im alone." He sat down beside Ezra on the bed and wrapped his hand gently around the gambler's arm.
Bending to look into his tormented green eyes, Vin promised, "It's okay, Ezra... ya don't have t' tell. Jus' let it all go, pard." He let his hand slide up and around the gambler's shoulders, tugging gently until Ezra sobbed softly and collapsed against him.
"F'ank you, Vin." His voice was weak and shaky and his hand trembled as he wrapped it in the soft material of Vin's shirt. "I'm sowwy."
Chris and Buck looked up as Nathan walked in and backed away from the bed so he could move in to check Ezra over. The healer placed his hand on Ezra's back and immediately scowled up at the other two men when he felt the shudders rippling through the gambler. "What the hell's goin' on? What did y'all do t' 'im?"
They started to explain, but Ezra's soft words stopped them. "Don't bwame d'em, Nafan... d'ey werwe jus' twyin' to hewlp me."
"He had another nightmare, Nathan." Vin gave the healer a silent plea to let it drop and breathed a sigh of relief when he nodded and settled for shooting a 'we'll talk about this later' warning at Chris and Buck.
Nathan leaned over so he could look into Ezra's face and saw the flush of fever still on his cheeks. "You jus' sit here with Vin, little guy, an' I'll go brew ya up some tea that'll make ya feel better, okay?" As soon as the Southerner nodded, Nathan rose off the bed and headed over to the small stove, glaring once more at Buck and Chris as he brushed past them.
Buck exchanged a guilty look with Chris before moving to sit beside Vin and Ezra. They'd let their anger and hatred for his uncle Matthew get in the way of what they knew was best for Ezra. Buck gently stroked the back of the younger man's head as he apologized. "We're sorry, Little One. We didn't mean to upset ya like that... you don't have to talk about it if ya don't want to."
Ezra kept his face pressed against Vin's chest, shaking his head slightly at Buck's apology. "I'm sowwy, Buck... I jus' can't..." Soft sobs again shook him as he gasped out, "I c-can't... t-talk about... it."
Nathan approached the bed and roughly pushed Buck out of his way, pointing at the door before kneeling beside the bed. "Here, Ezra... drink some of this for me." Nathan shot another angry glare at the two men who were quietly leaving the clinic when he got a look at the incredible sadness in the gambler's eyes. The healer and Vin exchanged a worried look when Ezra failed to offer a protest to Nathan holding the cup for him, or even at having to drink the tea. He just quietly sipped the warm liquid down until the cup was empty and then let Vin ease his head back down against his shoulder.
Nathan draped the blankets over Ezra before patting him gently and telling him he had to step outside for a minute, but he'd be right back. The smaller man nodded, but never said a word... just sat there letting Vin rock him slowly back and forth.
Buck and Chris both jumped when Nathan stormed out onto the landing. They'd never seen him quite so angry and knew they deserved every bit of it. They'd both completely blown it with Ezra, and they just prayed they hadn't done any permanent damage to their Little One.
Josiah and JD were just coming up onto the boardwalk beneath the clinic when they heard the shouting begin. They hurried up the stairs and approached the three men standing just outside the clinic door.
"Brother Nathan, might I suggest we move this somewhere else? We don't want the whole town hearing this, and we definitely don't want you upsetting Ezra." Josiah's words were quiet, but left no room for argument.
Nathan nodded and muttered angrily as he headed for the stairs. "Don't gotta worry 'bout upsettin' Ezra... these two fools done took care of that already."
JD and Josiah exchanged astonished looks as they watched Chris and Buck follow meekly behind the healer. Nathan had called Chris Larabee a fool... whatever had happened must have been bad. The two men hesitated, glancing at the clinic door and then down at the three figures who were headed across the street to the jail. Realizing Ezra must be in Vin's capable hands, they decided to follow the others and find out exactly what had happened to push Nathan into speaking to Chris like that... and how the hell he had managed to live through it.
Vin continued to gently rock Ezra until he finally felt the trembling stop. "Ya wanna lay down, pard?"
But Ezra clung tighter and shook his head, so Vin shifted on the bed until he was leaning back against the headboard and went back to rocking the gambler. He was relieved when Ezra finally began talking. His voice was still a little shaky, but anything was better than the utter silence he'd lapsed into since speaking to Nathan.
"Buck and Chwis arwe mad at me, arwen't d'ey?" Ezra's voice sounded so sad, Vin would gladly have strangled the two men himself. He hoped Nathan gave them hell. Vin knew they only wanted to help, but they were letting their thirst for revenge against that bastard cloud their judgement as to what was best for Ezra.
Vin untied his bandana and used it to gently wipe the tears from the gambler's face as he answered him. "Naw... they're not mad at ya, little guy... they're mad at themselves for upsettin' ya. They're just so angry at your uncle for hurtin' ya, that they're not thinkin' real straight right now."
Ezra tilted his face up to look into Vin's compassionate blue eyes and tried to apologize again. "I'm sowwy, Vin... I wanna tewll y'all what happened... but I jus' can't."
Vin smoothed Ezra's hair back and gave him a reassuring smile. "That's okay, pard... don't you worry 'bout none of that. You don't have t' talk about nothin' ya don't want t' an' nobody's gonna get mad at ya for it. Okay?"
Ezra pressed tighter against Vin and nodded. "Vin? Would you pway some music forw me?"
Keeping one arm wrapped tightly around the Southerner, Vin pulled his mouth organ out of his pocket. "Anything for you, little guy." He smiled as he felt Ezra snuggle his head up under his chin, and began blowing some soft soothing tunes which quickly calmed the gambler's frazzled nerves. Vin felt Ezra relax against him and stopped for a minute to ask him if he wanted to join in. When he felt him nod, Vin reached over to the table and retrieved Ezra's harmonica for him. Soon the clinic was filled with the sweet music that came straight from their hearts.
Nathan had just started shouting when Josiah and JD hurried into the jail, closing the door securely behind them.
"What the hell is wrong with you two?! I told ya not t' be pushin' 'im an' what do ya do the minute my back is turned?!... ya get 'im so upset he's sobbin' in Vin's arms an' shakin' like the devil was after 'im!"
Chris knew they were guilty of what Nathan was saying, but he was getting real tired of being yelled at. He started to protest... tried giving the healer one of his scathing glares... and was quickly shot down.
Nathan merely pointed one dark finger right in his face and started yelling again. "Don't even try it! I ain't the least bit concerned with your feelin's or how sorry y'all are! All I care about is Ezra layin' up there cryin' his eyes out jus' 'cause he thinks he disappointed two of his heroes!"
Josiah and JD had all they could do not to laugh at the stricken looks on Buck's and Chris's faces. Nathan really knew how to lay on the guilt when he had to.
"Now this is the last time I'm tellin' ya... and this goes for you two standin' back there snickerin', too..." Josiah and JD straightened up real quick when Nathan's wrath was turned on them. "Leave 'im the hell alone 'bout these damn nightmares... if he has another one, hold 'im and talk t' 'im until he's calmed down. If he wants t' talk about it, listen an' keep your mouth shut... don't be badgerin' 'im with no damn questions! Whatever this sonofabitchin' uncle of his did, it's got 'im scared t' death... an' their ain't nothin' we can do 'bout it now 'cept try'n make 'im feel safe again."
Nathan finally wound down and took a deep breath, trying to get his feelings under control. The sight of Ezra crying and shaking again had been just too damn much for him. That poor boy had had enough heartache in his life without his friends adding to it... no matter how well-intentioned their actions were. "Have y'all got that? I don't wanna have t' go through this with ya again."
Buck, who had been amazingly silent through the healer's tirade, finally heaved a sigh, totally disgusted with himself. He couldn't believe he'd allowed himself to get carried away like that and hurt his Little One. "I'm sorry, Nathan... you know I'd rather cut my damn arm off than to hurt Ezra like that. I just hate seein' 'im in so much pain... an' I keep thinkin' if we knew what was causin' it, maybe we could help 'im." Buck stopped and stared searchingly at Nathan. "You know what's causin' part of it, don't ya? You know about the whippin'... about those scars on the back of his wrists."
Chris, Josiah and JD stared at Buck and then Nathan... scars? They'd never even noticed the ones on his wrists... just those on his back.
Nathan sighed and leaned back against the desk. Damn, he really didn't want to have to tell them now... they were having enough trouble dealing with Ezra's nightmares as it was. But he could see by the looks on their faces that he didn't have any choice, so he finally took a deep breath and started explaining his theory on what had probably happened with the whipping Ezra had mentioned.
By the time he had finished and seen their looks of horror and disgust, he'd changed his mind and decided that maybe it was a good thing he'd told them. Now maybe knowing what the boy had been through, they wouldn't be so eager to make him remember it.
They all had tears in their eyes when Nathan finally finished his grizzly explanation for Ezra's fears and scars. Tears of sorrow for what their brother had been put through, and also tears of anger because there was nothing they could do about it.
JD felt sick to his stomach at the thought of anyone doing something like that to a child, much less a relative who should have been loving and protecting him. He looked up and saw the absolute hatred shining in the older men's eyes, and shuddered to think of what would happen if any of them ever got their hands on this Uncle Matthew of Ezra's.
As if in silent agreement, the five men looked at each other and filed slowly out of the jail. They suddenly felt an irresistible urge to be with Ezra... to make him smile again and to try and drive away the image they all carried now of him as a small boy, strapped to a post and being whipped. But they all knew it would be a long time before that image was completely gone... if ever.
Mary and Inez were just coming out of the Clarion's office, their arms piled with boxes of food, when they saw the men leaving the jail. Mary called out to them and waited as they hurried over to help.
"Just in time, gentlemen. Everything's nice and hot, and we even managed to convince Mrs. Arlington to donate one of her delicious pumpkin pies for your dessert." Mary's smile faltered as she saw the looks on their faces. "Is everything alright? Something hasn't happened with Ezra has it?"
Nathan shook his head. "He's fine, ma'am. Jus' might be comin' down with a little cold, nothin' serious."
Mary nodded hesitantly and glanced at Inez. They knew there was more that Nathan wasn't saying, but they wouldn't pry. Ezra was in good hands, and they were sure his brothers could take care of whatever the problem was. "Well, I hope you enjoy the meal, and tell Ezra we hope he's having a nice Christmas." The two women handed the men the boxes and turned to head back down to the church.
"Mary, Inez... thanks for all your help." Chris spoke softly, his eyes still haunted by what he'd learned about Ezra.
The women nodded and continued on down the street, their hearts filled with worry for their southern friend. Something had obviously happened with Ezra. Mary and Inez shared a look and knew their prayers would be a little longer tonight... they had a feeling Ezra needed all the help he could get right now.
Chris handed Buck the box he was carrying and walked back over to the jail. They watched him curiously, wondering what he was doing, and then smiled as he hooked his arm around the rocker that always sat in front of the jail and began walking toward the clinic with it. When he saw them all standing there grinning at him, Chris shot a glare their way and continued walking. "I promised him a story and he needs to be rocked... and the first one of you that laughs'll be doin' that month of patrol I promised Ezra."
The others managed to muffle their snorts of amusement and followed Chris and the rocker up the stairs to the clinic. They all smiled when they entered the room and were immediately surrounded by the sweet sounds of the two harmonica players nestled together on the bed.
Ezra's face lit up when he saw what Chris was carrying. "Chwis! You found a w'ockin' chairw!"
Everyone was relieved to see that Vin had apparently managed to get Ezra over his nightmare, and that the tea seemed to have worked to make him feel better. Now they all just wanted to do whatever it took to keep that smile on his face.
"I told you I'd find us one. Now how 'bout we sit down and enjoy this delicious Christmas dinner that Mary and Inez sent over for ya, and then we'll see about reading you that bedtime story." Chris went over to the bed and was thrilled when Ezra threw himself into his arms, gave him a big hug, and whispered sweetly in his ear, "I wuv you, Chwis."
Chris wrapped his arms around the younger man and returned the hug. "I love you, too, Ezra. You got that story picked out?"
Ezra giggled and whispered back, "Yeah, Chwis... it's the w'ongest one I could find."
Chris smiled as Ezra's giggle immediately came to a halt when he whispered back, "Well, you better stay awake for the whole thing or I'm dumping your little butt on the floor."
"You would not, Chwis! Nafan would yell at you if you did d'at... w'ight, Nafan?" Ezra turned to the healer for confirmation and smiled when Nathan nodded his head.
Nathan had no idea what he was agreeing to, but he figured if it gave him a chance to holler at Chris again without getting his head taken off, it was alright by him. He grinned hugely at the gunslinger as he took Ezra's hand and helped him off the bed before leading him over to the table. "Let's see jus' what the ladies sent over for us t' eat, Ezra. All these good smells floatin' 'round the clinic are makin' my mouth water."
Everyone crowded around the table and unpacked the boxes, smiling and laughing as Ezra exclaimed excitedly over every new dish that was set on the table. Once all the food was spread out, and everyone was seated, Josiah asked that everyone bow their head so he could say grace.
"Lord... thank you for this wonderful bounty that was so kindly prepared for us and for allowing us to all be here together to enjoy it. And most of all, Lord... thank you for sending Lit'l Ezra to spend this glorious day with us. He is definitely the best gift you could have presented us with. Amen."
Everyone looked up at Ezra and had to blink away tears as they stared at his smiling face, and thanked God one more time for letting him remain with them long enough to give him his special Christmas.