Skip to main content

"There's No Day Like Christmas"

Christmas morning was cold to wake up to. I got up from my bed and hurried to the window. I was filled with excitement, as the realization of what day it was struck me. I pulled the curtains back from my window. I smile spread across my face as I saw a snow covered world outside. I knew I had to play out there and build a snowman after I open presents. I know, a sixteen year old guy, still being excited for Christmas? Anyone else my age, the magic is gone for them. For me, however, there still seems to be something beautiful about Christmas that I can't quite explain.
I went downstairs to find my parents in the living room, sitting around the television while sipping out of their coffee mugs. Of course there had to be a Christmas movie on. I know I like Christmas, but Christmas movies are annoying to me. They're too cheesy.
"Merry Christmas!" I yelled, creeping up behind them. My mom jumped a little. My dad took another sip from his cup and turned to me. "Merry Christmas, son." he said in a monotone voice before returning his gaze to the movie. My dad is such a joy to be around. My mom rolled her eyes. "Don't mind him, he just woke up."
"Is it cool if I open presents now?" I asked.
My mom nodded, smiling. "I know you've been eyeballing them for a while, go ahead."
Without hesitation, I sat down before the pile of wrapped gifts surrounding the Christmas tree, and tore them open.

After we ate breakfast, my mom informed me that my Uncle Allen wanted us to come over to open gifts and have dinner at his place. Sure, it was a good four hour drive, but I loved seeing my uncle. And it's not just because he's rich and always goes overboard with Christmas gifts. He's a really nice guy to be around, he's goofy and I'm pretty sure he smokes weed behind closed doors.
My parents and I loaded up in the car that afternoon and headed out to see him.
During the ride there, through busy highways and miles of empty farm land, I rarely lifted my eyes from my phone. I was pretty thankful I had a charger that could plug into the car so I never had to worry about it dying.

I was surprised how quickly nightfall hit, but was even more surprised we still hadn't made it to Uncle Allen's house yet.
"Dad, where are we?" I asked, looking around outside. We were clearly in the middle of a town, yet not a car in sight, only Christmas lights covering buildings for miles onward.
"We should be close by now." Mom said, staring out the window. "This looks like the town he lives in."
"I know where I'm going," dad said. "We should be there very soon."
I looked up at the sky. No way, was that Santa's sleigh soaring through the sky? I tapped Mom's shoulder and pointed to the sky. She gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh my Lord," she cried joyfully. "Richard, look!" she shook his arm. I felt the car swerve a little, but it quickly corrected itself. My dad looked up at the sky and stared in amazement, even a "Wow" escaped his mouth. I'd never heard him sound so happy in my life.
As I kept looking up at it, I noticed something was a little off. It appeared to be getting closer. I thought nothing of it. After all, we were driving in that same direction. I returned my gaze to my phone, my parents still chattering about it amongst themselves. I payed no attention, not until I heard their voices start to sound more and more panicked. I looked up just in time to see Santa in his sleigh crash full speed straight into our car.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

01 "A Monstrous Storm"

  The shadows crept in through the window is the dark clouds overtook the mid-afternoon sky. A feeling of dread and hopelessness flooded me, tying my stomach into a knot. Looking at the clouds, I saw a streak of purple lightning streaking across the sky until it crashed down somewhere along the skyline with a thunderous boom, followed shortly by the ground rumbling beneath my feet. It was jarring. what started as a regular summer afternoon was quickly turning into something dreadful. The nearby trees were all swaying lightly in the breeze as rain gradually started pouring down, eventually creating a curtain of turrential downpour that threatened to flood the streets. Another flash of light followed by another thunderous boom forced me to look away from the window. It was becoming far too real for me. The oncoming storm was becoming too much to bear. I walked back into my bedroom and sat in front of my television. There was a news guy standing before a weather map. He was po...

"Hooked"

T he summer can be the perfect time to get away, to unwind while kicking your feet into the cool water while the hot sun is beaming down on you. But what if the bright summer sky was hiding behind it something even darker? I had been waiting for today all week. They'd finally opened the stream up for fishing. I was a little upset at the fact they'd decided to raise prices, but I didn't care, it was a nice day outside and I wasn't about to waste it sitting inside when I could be fishing. With my tacklebox in hand and my fishing pole in the other, I made my way to my truck. I threw everything in the back seat. I was about to head to the driver's seat but hesitated when I thought about bringing my cooler. I had one in the back ready for fish, as well as housing some canisters of worms. But what if I brought one along for some drinks? After a few moments I decided it might not be the greatest idea. It would be too much to carry and I didn't trust anyone that...

"Tapping"

T here are some things we are all afraid of, whether or not we choose to admit it to ourselves. Perhaps you feel that the ocean is a safe place, yet when you arrive you find yourself fearing what may be swimming below you. What brushed up against your leg? Can they feel you trembling? Can they smell your fear? There I lay, in bed in an attempt to fall asleep. My television was sitting at a low volume as to not awaken me by surprise as I drift to sleep. I've had the unpleasant experience before. Tonight, I turned to my side, facing away from the harsh light of the television, yet still able to make out almost perfectly what they were saying. What was on right now was a couple arguing in a sitcom. I didn't care much for what they were saying, but the roar of the laugh track after every line or two was somewhat soothing to me. I was so close to drifting to sleep, when across the room there came a tapping on my window. I sat up and turned toward the window. It was pitch black...