Free Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

went tearing down the stairs, afraid of what he might be saying to her parents if he had woken up first.
    The house was quiet. She burst into the kitchen, expecting to find her mother.
    Her father was there instead.
    â€œMorning, kitten,” he said. “Coffee?”
    â€œUm, sure, Dad, thanks. Where’s Mom—and Jake? Is he still sleeping?”
    â€œOne might have thought—he and your brother watched movies most of the night. But, no, Jake is up and about.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œHe went out with your mother.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe’s out with your mom. She wanted to pick a few things up at the store, and she was going to take him by the old Anglican church down the way. They were going to look up some records.”
    â€œThey—they can’t just do that. Can they?” she asked, staring at him blankly.
    â€œAre you all right?” he asked her.
    â€œMe? I’m fine. Just fine. Dad—you can’t just walk into a church and get to the parish records, can you?”
    â€œIf anyone can, it’s your mother,” George said, smiling and shaking his head. “Well, excuse me, kitten. I’m heading back out to work on my converter.”
    â€œYour converter?” she asked.
    â€œHas to do with sound waves and radio frequencies,” he told her cheerfully. “It’s all so fascinating, if you think about it. Come on, my love, I know you think I’m often crazy, but…I did invent the Dust To End Dust sweeper.”
    She walked over and hugged him. “And you sent me to college on it, Dad, I’m grateful. I’m just always afraid you’re going to hurt yourself. Electronics and chemicals are scary stuff, you know.”
    â€œI’m careful,” he said.
    She nodded.
    â€œIs Keith up?” she asked him.
    â€œI think I hear the shower going. Run in and use the one in the master bedroom, if you want, kiddo. I thought I heard singing a while back, too. That could mean that he’s going to take a while.”
    She sipped the coffee he had prepared for her while she headed back upstairs. She found some warm stockings, a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved knit top and a sweater to wear over it, then padded her way down the hall to her parents’ bedroom.
    She showered quickly, wanting to be out when her mother returned with Jake.
    But they were still gone when she came back down the stairs. Keith, however, was in the kitchen munching on toast and reading the morning paper.
    â€œWhere’s Dad?” she asked.
    â€œOut back.” He grinned. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œHe’s trying to find out if he can contact anyone in outer space.”
    â€œOuch!”
    Keith shrugged. “There’s more in this universe than you or I will ever know,” he told her.
    â€œLet’s hope he’s not trying to transport down any little green men,” Melody said.
    Keith reflected on that. “Surely—they won’t really be green, ” he said.
    â€œYou’re as bad as he is,” she said.
    â€œI hope I invent something as popular as the Dust To End Dust sweeper,” Keith said with a shrug. “No, it hasn’t changed the world. But, I’ll tell you, it sure keeps my place clean.”
    â€œI have a couple in my apartment, too,” Melody admitted. “He made good money with it—and I’ll bet many a family gets to keep their cat or dog because it really picks up animal hair.”
    â€œSo, Dad has provided a real service to the world.”
    â€œI never suggested he didn’t. I’m just always afraid for him and Mom.”
    Melody heard a clacking sound and then a happy baying. Brutus half ran and half dragged himself into the kitchen, his tail wagging away. She bent to pet him. He was followed by a vivacious Jimmy. Their coats were icy cold.
    â€œThey were outside?” Melody said. “How’d