Family Sticks Together

David “Dave” Seville examined an old photograph, showing his three sons and their childhood playmates.  Although the holiday season had just passed, he already felt as if the events were months ago.  Even the gallon of ice cream in his freezer would fall short of easing his growing feelings of longing.  The aging father sighed as the doorbell sounded to interrupt his train of thought.  Setting the photo down, he walked to and answered the front door.

“SURPRISE!”  Dave nearly stumbled as 13 high-pitched voices cried out in unison.  Everyone was there, in the middle of his driveway: Alvin, Charlene, their twins Alvin Jr and David Jr., Simon, Austin, ther kids Scout and Colin, Theodore, Eleanor, Noah, Jeanette, and his eldest grandmunk, Emily.  Why they were all gathered at his house was beyond him, however.

“What… what are you all doing here?” Dave asked.  For once, it seemed Alvin was not the mastermind.

“A surprise family reunion,” Simon remarked, smiling, “We know you get lonely after the holidays.”  This brightened Dave’s spirits.

“Alright, so how am I supposed to feed you all?” he asked curiously.  Alvin stepped forward, revealing an ice chest on wheels behind him.

“We all brought part of the meal,” he explained, “I, for example, have sodas.”  Theodore was quick to follow.

“Eleanor and I brought cheesy mashed potatoes,” he added.  Noah was next.

“I brought my family-recipe corned beef,” he spoke proudly.  Austin was the last to chime in.

“I brought my grandma’s legendary rhubarb pie for dessert,” he announced, “I hope you have ice cream.”  Dave rolled his eyes.

“Plenty,” he assured his son-in-law, “No sense in staying out in the cold; everyone inside!”  As the entire chipmunk clan filed past him- or rolled, in Scout’s case- Dave could not help but smile.  As crazy as it may have looked to most, he had a truly wonderful family.