When they get back to the house Kathy’s Aunt Eileen is there. Aunt Eileen drove down in her green 1972 Mustang from North Arlington in northern New Jersey. Aunt Eileen was a real character and beloved by everyone. She was Aunt Kathleen’s sister. She was funny, often without meaning to be. She was usually the life of the party. She was a funny, good looking Irish spinster. Kathy was her favorite niece. The rest of the evening was very much like a typical holiday gathering at the New Jersey Smith’s. A lot of talking, arguing, wisecracking, and mostly singing. The singing was lead by Uncle Danny but all of his girls and Eileen would join in. Kathy loved to sing. She and Dee would often perform duets. Robert wasn’t used to this. The pure joy was contagious and he found he loved it. Danny would sing Irish songs, sometimes joined by Eileen. Truth be told, Eileen was not a very good singer and she could not quite make up for her lack of talent by her enthusiasm. God knows, she tried. Kathy and Dee would sing mostly show tunes. He found he loved to hear Kathy sing. Robert had never seen a family so happy.
At the end of the evening as Dennis and Robert and Davey were leaving to go back to their hotel, Kathy ask Robert to go to the Christmas mass with them on Christmas day. Robert said he doesn’t know what to do in church. Kathy told him to just follow her. Robert said he wasn’t expecting to go and he didn’t bring proper clothing. All he had was his jeans and the sweater he was wearing. With a straight face Kathy told him not to worry, if anyone in church said anything about his dress she would just tell them he was Jewish. He looks at her, not believing what he just heard. Then she smiles and he knows she was kidding. It was the smile he could never get enough of and would fall in love with. Of course, he tells her he will go. He would have eaten glass if she asked him to.
Dennis, Robert and Davey walk back to the hotel about 11pm. Davey was kidding with and fighting with his cousin Dee most of the evening. Dennis was very quiet. He was plotting, working on his next scheme that would bring him enjoyment at the expense of some adults. He hadn’t come up with anything yet but he was confident he would be successful as he was in almost everything. Although he didn’t say anything he was happy for Robert and Kathy. He alone felt this was the beginning of something in spite of Kathy’s boyfriend, Bob Smiley.
The next day both Smith families and Robert go to the 10:30 Christmas mass at St. Rose church in Belmar. Robert sits next to Kathy and takes his cues from her as to what to do during the service. She is clearly in her element. She is serene with a slight smile on her face. She has no makeup. She is dressed simply and looks incredibly lovely. The morning sun is shining through the stained glass windows to where she is sitting. Robert just stares at her, thanking God for this moment. She is so beautiful he is almost in tears. He realizes for the first time it is not just her physical beauty that has him transfixed. Her inner being comes shining through.