The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 44 - Matt's Idea

"Yeah ... I wanted to visit the San Diego schools over Thanksgiving. Could we?" Matt asked looking from Greg back to his mother again.

"Aren't we supposed to have Thanksgiving with Dad this year?" Zackary asked.

"We were, but Dad told me I need to visit all the schools on my list before December if I think I want to move here and I need to do it without missing too much school, so I've sort of got to do this," Matt explained.

"And you father's agreed to this?" Susan asked.

"I think you should talk to him about it, but yeah," Matt said.

Susan arched a brow looking to Greg. "What do you think? How can we do this, visit my parents and spend Chanukah with Julie too?" she wondered.

"When is Chanukah?" Matt asked warily.

"It starts the Saturday after Thanksgiving," Susan told him.

"Oh," Matt said with a frown.

"It should still be possible. Chanukah as you know lasts for eight days. We could instead spend Thanksgiving Day with them as proposed, go to San Diego for Friday and Saturday to visit colleges, visit with your parents on Sunday afternoon to pick up the rocking chair, and be at Julie's for the second night of Chanukah. We could offer to return for the seventh and eight nights the following weekend," Greg suggested.

"What would we do about supper on Saturday?" Susan wondered.

"I expect there are restaurants available that serve foods appropriate to the holiday," Greg told her.

"When would I fly back? On Monday again?" Matt asked.

"Or possibly late Sunday. We could drop you off at the airport after supper at Julie's Sunday evening," Susan said.

Matt nodded thoughtfully. "Mom, if we're going to Grandma's on Sunday ... could we go to church with them too? You, me, and Zack I mean ... and maybe Jessie too. Greg, I know you wouldn't go, but I think it would mean a lot to Grandma and Grandpa if we did. It would be the first Sunday of Advent," Matt reminded her.

Susan arched her brow. "As if we could stuff anything more into that weekend."

"Or would that be too much running around for you?" Matt wondered picking up on something in her tone.

"I agree it would make for a busy weekend, but it should still be possible," Greg commented looking to his wife. "This is important Susan, to Matt and to us as a family. It's these sorts of experiences that make up the life we will all remember years from now."

"Yeah maybe, but only if it's not too hard on Mom," Matthew said evenly. "The advent part isn't that important. I know I'm the one who brought it up, but still ... if it's better for you ..."

"Are you certain?" Susan asked tentatively.

"Yeah. What about this, Mom: Go to Julie's like you say for Thanksgiving dinner, but then go to Grandma's that night. We can visit in the evening and the morning and go to colleges on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Then go back to Julie's for Saturday evening. That way you can drop me off at the airport on Sunday. It's not so much running around for you, and Julie doesn't have to change her plans," Matt suggested.

"That would work too," Susan said looking slightly more comfortable with Matt's proposal. "Call Julie, Greg. Make sure modifying our plans and staying with her on Saturday doesn't unduly inconvenience her. If she's okay with our proposal, I'll call Mom and ask her. Then we can make our plans."

"That would work too," Greg agreed.

Matt grinned. "Thank you, Mom. You too, Greg."

"You're welcome. Now if we're done planning Thanksgiving weekend, why don't you go help Greg with the garage while Jessie and I make dinner so we can eat before you have to leave?" Susan suggested.