Boy Declines Grandpa’s Invite Every Christmas, He Arrives Years Later and Finds a Ruined House — Story of the Day

A boy declines his grandfather’s invitation every Christmas but becomes intrigued when it abruptly ceases one year. He decides to visit him to find out what happened, only to discover the house in shambles and his grandfather missing.

“One plate, two plates, three, and last but not the least, four! Perfect!” 85-year-old Gregory thought as he arranged the dinner table and headed to the kitchen. Following the Christmas preparations, Gregory was waiting for his son’s family to visit him, especially his grandson Aaron.

Gregory had made the traditional turkey, sweet potatoes with lightly glazed brown sugar, and a final wedge of pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of ice cream, just how Aaron liked it. The good smell still lingered; the fireplace was blazing with logs Gregory had cut last week from a tree in his backyard.

Gregory slowly took a seat at the table with a bottle of wine and poured himself a glass, hoping that this year Aaron wouldn’t turn down his invite. It had been almost 20 years since Aaron had last visited him.

Gregory would send him a letter of invitation every Christmas, inviting him and his parents to come see him, but that never happened. However, he never lost hope and prepared a Christmas dinner every year for Aaron and his parents, hoping they would come one day.

As Gregory drank a sip or two of his aged beverage, his thoughts returned to the past – to the times when Aaron and his parents, Brandon and Linda, would spend the holidays with him every year. He pictured Aaron complimenting him: “Wow, Grandpa! You are the best cook! Even mom can’t make such a delicious pie!”

“I agree, Dad! You are indeed an amazing cook! Actually, Linda’s a terrible cook! She’s the best at her workplace but in the kitchen. God forbid!” Bradon would tease his wife.

Then he pictured Linda’s face, which would be flushed like a cherry because she was embarrassed whenever Brandon mentioned her cooking. She knew that no miracle could help her cook a proper meal in the kitchen.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Gregory’s thoughts were interrupted. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to see if he was dreaming or not. The clock had struck seven o’clock, and it was the first time in 20 years that his doorbell had rung at that hour on the eve of Christmas.