In the opening of the story, "A Christmas Story", a husband and wife are having a conversation. I gathered it was about the wife's mental or physical health. The husband speaks of seeing a doctor but the wife disagrees, blaming something outside. As I read on I think she is terrified of getting out of bed and what will become of them due to the exploding outbuildings. I enjoyed the story but am yet extremley confused. Their son's bed and toys are packed up. Have they lost their son in one of these accidents or have they sent him away to keep him safe? The wife is scared but the husband is trying to be logical, possibly just for his wife's sake. At the end of the story the man goes outside and goes for a ride in his son's toy airplane. The journey down the driveway is difficult, then to learn to steer and in the end the airplane is picking up speed as he thinks about the Christmas he bought the toy for his son. Does this mimic life's journey and his life spinning out of control as the airplane speeds down the hill?