The Cold & Hot Winter

The Cold & Hot Winter — page 7 — Mrs Golding grabbed her great niece in her arms for a big hug Then Mr Golding had his turn Derek and Rory stood by grinning self consciously They were glad to see their friend but they certainly weren't going to express it the same way old people did Bolivia grinned at them Happy Boxing Day she announced What's that asked Derek In England December 26th is a national holiday In the old days people gave their servants money in little boxes on the day after Christmas So it got to be called Boxing Day Derek had forgotten that Bolivia always knew odd pieces of information She was a walking trivia game At first it had been irritating but after a while he realized that she was also very interesting He had picked up a lot of unusual information last summer We've got boxes for you at home said Rory But they don't contain money I've got boxes for all of you too promised promised Bolivia It's fun to have Christmas

The Cold & Hot Winter — page 8 — presents two days in a row Where's Lucette asked Derek as Bolivia claimed her luggage Lucette was Bolivia's pet parrot She had come to Woodside with her last summer I couldn't bring her because of the cold weather Don't forget parrots are tropical birds Then seeing the disappointed expressions on the boys faces Bolivia added But she sends you greetings I taught her to say Happy New Year When they got to Woodside they went to the Goldings house where Bolivia distributed the gifts that were in her suitcase There were packages containing red and white hats and scarves for both Derek and Rory Red and white are the Cornell colors Bolivia told them Derek remembered that Cornell was the name of the college where Bolivia's parents taught The boys gift for Bolivia was a poster size blowup of a snapshot Rory's mother had taken of the three of them last summer

The Cold & Hot Winter — page 9 — You can hang it in your room at home suggested Derek as Bolivia unrolled the picture Isn't it humongous asked Rory No It's us said Bolivia and they all laughed Humongous was another of Rory's grown up words There was a second smaller box for Bo livia Chocolate toothpaste She giggled It's from my father said Derek blushing It was a silly gift but when your father was a dentist what could you expect Both he and Rory had gotten identical toothpaste tubes in their Christmas stockings Bolivia opened the cap and sniffed Yummy she said Derek felt loads better Now you have to come to my house insisted Rory I want to show you what I got yesterday Besides Edna is waiting to see you too Edna was Rory's little sister When they got to Rory's house his mother gave Bolivia a hug Welcome back to Wood side she said

The Cold & Hot Winter — page 10 — Rory's father taught at the Woodside Middle School so he was home to greet Bolivia too Rory showed off his new hockey skates and his Walkman I can skate and listen to music at the same time he bragged You never saw anyone on a hockey team doing that said Derek He was hoping that he and Rory would get good enough to be on the hockey team by the time they got to the Woodside Middle School But if Rory was skating to music how could they practice together Bolivia put her hand into the pocket of her jeans I forgot to show you my neatest gift of all she said She pulled out a bright red Swiss army knife I've wanted one of these for years she said But my parents never thought I was old enough Look she showed them It has so many parts to it Derek and Rory leaned over to admire the different blades and the tiny scissors that were all part of the knife I've always wanted one of those said Rory taking the knife from Bolivia and running his fingers up and down the shiny red

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