Fan Fiction |
by Kiki
“I was going to deliver the presents on Sunday, and I was wondering if you’d like to join me.”
“Of course.” I answered. He smiled at my response. “I have to see whose wrapping they think is better, don’t I?” I caught as his smile faded a bit.
But quickly he had his great big signature smile on again, “Great, then we’ll leave around seven?” He asked. I nodded and returned to my apartment.
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Date: December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve had arrived and about 6:58 PM I walked over to Raymond’s apartment. Yeah, I decided to stop calling him Mr. Pervert. When he opened the door I found him standing there, dressed in the most ridiculous green suit. I tried to hold back my laughter, but as soon as the first giggle escaped from my mouth, I was laughing full blast.
“What? Stop laughing, it’s not that funny” He demanded.
“What are you wearing?” I asked between my laughs.
“They didn’t have any Santa outfits left so I could only rent an elf costume.” He explained.
I tried so hard to suppress my giggles as I helped to carry the presents to his car. But each time, I’d look back sneaking a peek at him, I couldn’t help but laugh.
We arrived at an orphanage, which is where I had expected us to go. A mid-aged woman came out to greet Raymond, “You’re too kind for doing all this Raymond.”
“Oh, I just want toe kids to have the Christmas that I always dreamt of when I was younger.”
The woman gave him a hug, “I thank you with all my heart.”
Raymond smiled, “Where are they right now?” he asked excitedly.
“I’ve asked them to wait in the recreation room.” She answered. Raymond nodded, slung the bag over his shoulder and entered the room. The children who had been sitting on the choir stands began to jump up and screamed in excitement. They were all ogling at Raymond’s large red bag.
“Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice?” Raymond asked. All the children started to tell him how good they’d been all year long. He chortled heartedly, “Okay, well good children stand in line, without pushing and shoving, to get their present.” Instantly a straight file line formed in front of Raymond. “Santa’s been really busy this year, so he’s sent his elves to help him, and I happen to be one of them.” He smiled at the children, “Let’s see who’s first, “he reached into the bag and pulled out a large rectangular box, “Jenny” she walked forward to accept her gift with the cutest smile.
I pulled out the next present and called out the name, “Matthew.” We continued to pass out the presents and as the pile began to dwindle down I stepped to the side to let Raymond finish. I looked around at all the children smiling happily as they opened their gifts.
One little girl gasped, “Look at my sweater! It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. It made my heart melt; I had picked out that sweater.
I spotted another little girl, no more than the age of five, sitting alone in the corner. I walked over and took a seat next to her. What’s your name?” I asked.
“Megan” she replied shyly.
“Have you gotten your present form Santa’s helper over there?” I pointed to Raymond in his elf suit. She shook her head sadly, “Oh, how come?” I asked.
“I’ve been a bad girl, that’s why my mommy and daddy were taken away from me. I don’t deserve any presents.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m sure you’ve been a very good girl. It’s not your fault what happened to your parents.” I pitied her; to lose her parents at such a young age. I looked over to see Raymond give out the last present. What were we going to give her? I looked in my purse, large as it was there wasn’t much in there: a pack of gum, a couple of pens, my make-up bag, my digital camera, my monthly planner, and my Hello Kitty wallet. “Megan, I’ll be right back, can you wait here for me?” she nodded. I got up and walked over to Raymond and told him how she didn’t have a gift. We began to wonder what we could give her, but soon our worries disappeared.
All the children had gathered around Megan and began sharing their new gifts. “Do you want one of my hair clips?” Mandy asked, “We could be matching twins.”
“You can have my markers.” James placed them in Megan’s lap. Soon Megan was surrounded by presents.
Raymond walked over, “Megan, I have something for you too.” He handed her a crane he’d fold. She smiled brightly and thanked him.
I grabbed a piece of paper and a pair of scissors, made a few cuts, and presented my gift to Megan. “This is from me.”
She unfolded the piece of paper and gasped. “It’s so pretty!” She exclaimed, “It a snowflake!” I suddenly found myself now being encircled by the group of children asking me to make them one. I smiled as we sat in a circle, Raymond passed out paper and scissors to everyone, and I showed them how to make their own snowflakes and explained that each one was special because they had a unique design of their own.
We wrapped up the night with Raymond helping them hang their snowflakes in their room, “It looks like it’s snowing in here.” He commented. We waved goodbye and left.
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“Do you mind if we walked back.” He asked me. I looked at his car, as if understanding the question in my mind he answered, “I’ll come get it tomorrow.” So I nodded in agreement.
We set out walking in silence, but Raymond broke the quietness, “I know you said it was none of my business, and you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to…”
“Remember that box you gave me the other day? It was from my dad…”
“Why did you cry?” He voice full of concern.
“It was a dress, he’s getting married again and he wants me there.”
“And you don’t want to go?”
“You know how you love Christmas?” he nodded. “I used to be like that when I was a kid, I loved Christmas; it was my favorite holiday of the year, until that year…” My voice trailed off and I took a seat on a bench nearby. He sat next to me, waiting for me to continue, “I was eight that year and when I got up that Christmas morning, I heard my parents having an argument, they screamed and cursed. They ended up getting a divorce and since then I’ve had to fly back and forth, here and there, spending Christmas with one or the other. They’ve never bother to truly care about what I want. I’ve hated Christmas since then.”
“As least you can still see your parents.” He said sadly, “My parents passed away when I was 6.”
“I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“Don’t be, they died helping save others, I feel very proud to have them as my parents. I grew up in an orphanage, but it was there where I realized the true meaning of Christmas. I was like the children back at the orphanage, I never had anything special at Christmas, but beginning one year, a generous man donated toys to the orphanage, so we all got new clothes and toys. I vowed that when I got older I would carry on his tradition. My Christmas wish is that everyone has a joyous and special day. What about you?”
I smiled, “I’ve had one wish that hasn’t come true yet all these years. As much as my parents hate each others’ guts, they have one thing in common. They both prefer warm weather. I’ve moved with them numerous times, and spent Christmas in a different city each year, but never have I been lucky enough to come across a white Christmas. When I turned old enough I moved somewhere cold, but obviously not cold enough. I suppose its genetics, because like my parents, I don’t enjoy the cold weather either, so I couldn’t bring myself to live in states such as New York or Michigan where I’m sure I would have been guaranteed a White Christmas. I just wish to see a white Christmas once. Oh well, I guess it’s just not meant to be…It’s getting late, we better get going.”
“Goodnight” he bid, “I hope you have a Merry Christmas tomorrow.”
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Happy Christmas Eve everyone!