The Christmas Season - A short story

The Christmas season - A short story

"Dad," Alex said, "Can you buy it for me?"

His dad looked at him, and smiled. Alex had been wanting to buy the video game, "Bob's Adventure: The Escape of the Ring." It was a recent Role-playing game that was selling like hot cakes, and he had wanted it badly for this Christmas season. However, he knew that his father was in financial straights even if his nine-year old mind couldn't even comprehend why. He continued to look at his father if there was some way that he could buy it for him. His father look at him again, and noticing his son's eyes were still on him. Neatly folding the newspaper, he patted his lap gesturing his son to sit on his lap. Gleefully, Alex ran up towards his father as if he were Santa ready to ask him what he wanted for Christmas.

Dad looked into Alex's eyes as he tried to give his son words of comfort and advice. "Alex, I know that you understand that since I have lost my job that we can't seem to afford anything this Christmas. I know that you want this game badly, but I since I know that you have been a good boy this year," Dad said as he sighed still looking at his son's tearful face. Smiling warmly he then said,"Tell you what since you have been a good boy this year, I am going to hand you sixty dollars this year. I know that you will spend it wisely."

Alex eyes lit up knowing that he was given the chance to buy the game that he wanted. His dad handed him the sixty dollars. Alex's hand shook, he now had the money to buy the game. Some part of him felt like he should give it back, but he knew that he wouldn't have another chance to buy the game. Still feeling guilty, he looked back at his father.

"Are you sure daddy?" Alex asked still feeling guilty that he had nagged his father for the money.

His father looked at his son still smiling warmly before responding. "As long as you spend it wisely."

Alex bundled up in his clothes as he rushed out the door. The freezing wind blew past his cheeks instantly stinging them. As he walked, his footsteps crunched under the snow. Though it was slippery to walk under the ice that lay under the snow, he tried to keep a steady-fast pace as he walked to the closest electronic store that was ten blocks from his house. He was excited that he was going to finally own this game. However, he halted to a stop when he noticed a woman slipping and sliding from the car. Alex ran up towards catching her before she slipped. The woman turned around to notice Alex staring up at her.

"Oh, thank you young man," the woman said. "Who knows what could have happened if I fell on this ice, especially on the eve of Christmas!"

"You're welcome," Alex said. He shivered under the cold as the woman turned towards the steps that led towards two - story building. He was ready to head towards the store, knowing that it was going to close soon, but a part of him wanted to stay. He called after her.

"Ma'am, would you like any help with that box?" Alex asked. The woman stared dumbfounded by Alex's gesture. Alex felt like he had just asked something wrong. Somehow it felt colder inside his jacket; however, the woman's expression changed to a smile of warmth.

"I'm sorry if I stared. Not very many people would be willing to help this Christmas holiday. Of course, you can help me," the woman said gesturing for Alex to come in. Alex slowly walked up the slippery steps towards the door. The door closed behind him. He followed the woman towards the kitchen where she laid the box down. She looked at him as she headed towards the coffee machine. Pouring herself a cup, she asked Alex if he wanted something warm to drink. Alex nodded that if there was some hot chocolate that she could prepare. Happily, the woman poured the hot water into a drink before handing a packet of Swiss Miss Chocolate towards Alex. Alex thanked the woman. Alex then looked at the box on the table.

"So, what's in the box?" Alex asked. The woman took a sip of coffee then slowly raised her eyes to meet with Alex who was still looking at her. A few seconds flew by, then a tear drew up in her eye as small sobs chocked up in her throat. Alex felt like he asked something that he shouldn't have asked.

"I'm sorry for that," the woman said. "The items in the box are medical supplies for my daughter who is lying upstairs very sick. I have been picking up supplies from the hospital for home care, but the funds are slowly running out. I don't think I won't have any more funds to bring home the medical supplies; let alone pay the medical bills to keep her alive."

Tearfully, her eyes sweltered as joyful thoughts of her daughter came rushing through her mind. She wondered what it would be like to lose her only family, especially when her husband left them when her daughter was at such a young age. The years to make ends meet have been difficult. As she recollected the memories, she tried courageously to face the boy. She hoped that her eyes didn't signal that she was thinking something deeper; something much darker.

As Alex heard her state her daughter's position, Alex pulled out the money from that of his coat pocket looking at the sixty dollars which his father had given him. He looked up the woman her eyes were slowly rolling with tears. Alex knew that the money wouldn't be enough, but he knew that it would help. His thoughts flip-flopped between keeping the money, or spending the money. As his eyes continued to stare into the woman's eyes, he knew that there was something else that she didn't tell him. He knew that she needed it more than he did. Taking a heavy sigh, he took her palm and handed her the money.

"I know this isn't much, but I think you need it more than I do," Alex said. The woman look dumbfounded by what the boy had just given her. Without another word, Alex hurriedly walked out of the home all the way back towards his house. He felt tears fall from his eyes knowing that he had done the right thing, but a part of him wished that he had bought the game.

Once home, Alex closed the door behind him where his father greeted him with a smile.

"So, did you buy it son?" his Dad asked. Alex shook his head no as he sat beside his father. He then told what happened to the money while on his way towards store.

"Dad, I know that I did the right thing but why do I feel guilty?" Alex asked. "Did I do the right thing?"

His father smiled seeing that his boy was still confused with his decision. He beckoned his son to sit on his lap, which Alex walked over slowly towards his father. Hugging his son, the father replied. "You spent it wisely. Always remember the purpose of the Christmas season."

With those words, Alex weakly smiled at his father. His father then kissed his son on the forehead, and approvingly told his son that he did the right thing.

My words

The Christmas season shouldn't have to last until the Christmas starts, it should always last throughout the year. Remember that reason why we celebrate Christmas is too celebrate Christ's birth. Christ died, and gave freely towards everybody that he came into contact. He spent his life wisely and sacrificed for us freely knowing that he would save us all.

As I was watching, "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" there is a quote Donald Duck gives to his nephews Huey, Duey and Louie. Donald says: "Christmas isn't about candy canes, or lights all aglow. It's about the hearts we touch, and the care we show. Wishing you lots of love, Donald and Daisy Duck."

May we show care and love this Christmas season, and let it remain within our hearts forever.

Tee-J Valdez (c) 2011