by ID Johnson
After about twenty minutes, my mom walked in. “You ready to set out the cookies?” she asked.
While I’d given up on Santa being real a long time ago, it didn’t seem to hurt to play along. I was doing a lot of that in other areas of my life. What was one more? “Sure,” I replied, hopping out of the chair and crossing the room so we could go to the kitchen to collect what we needed. Maybe, if I went to sleep early, Santa would bring me the present I really wanted, and I’d open my eyes to life before the Eidolon Festival. Although I didn’t think that was possible, as I set out cookies, milk, and carrots, I at least hoped there’d be enough of a miracle that my sister would somehow be there when I woke up. Something told me that was a long shot as well. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t worth praying for.
The house seemed quieter than usual when I opened my eyes just before dawn. There was a moment when it hadn’t quite registered that it was Christmas morning. Once I realized it was the most magical day of the year, my first instinct was to run next door and pounce on my sister so we could race each other down the stairs like we used to do when we were little. But everything came flooding back, hitting me like a ton of bricks, and I remembered, not only was Cadence not there, Cadence wasn’t really Cadence anymore, either, at least not the one I’d known back when both of us believed the only person who might be wandering around on our roof at night wore a big red suit instead of black leather.
Nevertheless, I had made a Christmas wish, and I wanted to see if there was any chance of it coming true. So… dressed in my festive Christmas pajamas, the ones my mom had given me the night before, I tossed the covers off, slipped my feet into my Mukluks, and went next door.
Cadence’s room was exactly as I expected, and dreaded, it would be. Her bed was made and nothing was touched, just as she’d left it after Jack’s funeral. I let out a deep breath and headed for the stairs, thinking I may as well head down there and see how convincing mom and dad’s display of magic was this year.
As soon as I walked into the living room, I realized a Christmas miracle had indeed taken place after all. I couldn’t help but squeal in delight seeing Cadence asleep on the sofa and Elliott napping in my dad’s chair in the corner. Covering my mouth with both hands, I tried to hold back my enthusiasm, but by then, I’d already roused both of them. Part of me felt bad for waking them, but the rest of me felt just as excited as I had the time I’d walked downstairs to find a Cinderella castle beneath the tree.
It took Cadence a second to come fully awake, but when she did, she sat straight up off of the couch, looked around, like she was expecting danger, and then sunk back into the cushions. I would’ve thought this behavior odd if I hadn’t already figured out my sister is no longer a regular person, and since she must’ve been fighting the forces of evil recently, I imagined she might’ve been dreaming about them, or at the very least her training had taught her not to trust anyone.
Brushing it off, I waited for her to acknowledge me, my hands still clasped over my
mouth."I see you haven't outgrown getting up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning." Cadence yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her. Even if her hair hadn’t been all disheveled and her makeup smeared, she still would’ve been amusing considering she seemed almost perturbed that I’d woken her so early. But it was Christmas! "Nope! I had to see what Santa brought me." I winked at her, and Cadence slowly nodded her head at me, as if she couldn’t believe how ridiculous I can be.
Elliott’s deep voice had me turning my head. "You believe in Santa?" He stretched, his long arms reaching almost to the ceiling it seemed, and I was so excited to see him, I couldn’t help but fling myself at him. He adjusted just in time to catch me, giving me a tight squeeze like I was his long-lost daughter or a friend he hadn’t seen in ages.
"You never know," I managed to get out as I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders. No, I don’t suppose I really did believe in Santa, but then I didn’t believe in vampires a few weeks ago either, but I do now. I also didn’t believe my sister or Elliott was going to show up, and yet, here they were.
In response to my statement, he replied, "That's true.” As he continued to hug me, I remembered what he’d vaguely mentioned to me the night he’d snuck into my bedroom, not long ago, about how he’d been looking out for me my whole life, and I couldn’t help but grin up at him, glad to have him back, glad to know when he was around now that I’d begun to figure everything out.
After a few minutes, my dejected sister asked, "Hey, where's my hug?"
I looked at Elliott who shrugged at me, and I raised my eyebrows at him and lowered them quickly, as if to say, “She’s gonna get what she asked for,” before I took a running leap and pounced on Cadence who barely had time to get her arms around me, despite her extra quick reflexes. I also laid a sloppy kiss on her cheek for good measure.
Before she had a chance to protest, I reminded her that things just weren’t the same without her here. Thinking back to how sad Mom and Dad had been the night before, I said, "I am so glad you're here! You missed everything last night.”
Cadence looked solemn. “I know,” she began as I slid off of her lap and sat down next to where she was still stretched on the sofa. I could tell she wished she hadn’t missed church and all of our other family traditions. “I should have been here. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” I said reflexively. I could tell by her glum expression something was wrong, and then I remembered why it was she wasn’t supposed to be here last night. If I had gathered intel correctly, it was because she’d had a date with Aaron. I looked at Elliott, who looked almost as disappointed as my sister, and cautiously, I asked, “Where’s Aaron?”
I didn’t miss the exchange of nervous glances between my sister and her friend. Cadence looked a bit pathetic now, and Elliott gave her a sympathetic smile. I turned back to Cadence and waited to see if she would give me a straight answer. Something was up, and I began to wonder if Aaron had been killed by vampires, or transformed, or….
“With Eliza,” Cadence finally said. That was not one of the options on my short list of possibilities. She spat the other girl’s name out like it was cancerous.
“Huh?” I asked before I even had a chance to process what she’d said or what it might mean. While I had seen Eliza come and go from our house a few times in an ultra-expensive sports car, I had only met her briefly at Jack’s funeral. I immediately didn’t like her. I remember having the impression she was a Fakey McFakerson. “The girl with the purple hair?” I asked. My sister’s face somehow managed to fall even further. I couldn’t help but add, “Really?”
Tears began to sparkle at the edges of my sister’s eyes, and I felt the anger well up inside of me. How dare either one of them treat my sister that way? Cadence nodded and managed to say, “Yep.” Her voice wavered a little bit, and I desperately wanted to ask about nine million questions, starting with, “What the heck happened that he would choose to go out with that bimbo rather than you?” but I knew this drill well enough to know that the answers would be less than forthcoming.
So instead, I said, “Well, that’s stupid!” I glanced at Elliott, who seemed to agree with my assessment, and I absently wondered if it was at all possible that my sister could end up with him instead of Mr. Supermodel who apparently had really bad taste in women. I may have said a few other choice words, none of them obscene, but still borderline for me, before I finished with a reassuring pat on my sister’s shoulder and a, “Totally not worth it!”
I think some of the statements I’m glossing over here may have actually shocked Cadence a little bit because her eyes were wide and no longer threatening tears. She agreed with me, though, and then she began to giggle, which made me happy. I was glad she could find me amusing even when she was obviously having a rough time. It made me want to go find Aaron McReynolds and kick him in his smug little overly-attractive face.
Before any of us could s
ay more, the stairs behind us creaked, and I could hear my mom’s voice wondering aloud, “Who is Cassidy talking to?” I found it hard not to laugh that she couldn’t figure it out, but then, it wasn’t like we didn’t have all sorts of “people” sneaking in and out of our house at all times of the day and night.
Cadence managed to pull her legs out of the throw she’d had over top of her and swivel around so she could get up before I even fully turned my body. I caught Elliott’s eyes, and he shrugged at me, as if to say he had also noticed that my sister had forgotten to slow down. I stifled a laugh and followed my big sister at a much more casual pace. By the time my parents were down the stairs, she’d already wrapped her arms around my mom.
“Cadence!” Mom exclaimed. “Oh, you’re here!” I thought she was going to cry at first, but she didn’t. Elliott and my dad exchanged greetings, and once Cadence let Mom go, she hugged Dad, and Mom embraced Elliott in a way that showed she was thankful he’d brought Cadence back to us. I did wonder whose idea it had been for them to show up. Had my sister begged him to drive her home, or had he suggested it? What kind of a position was Elliott in between my sister, whom he clearly had an affinity for, and his boss, who I also suspected was a good friend? I felt a little sorry for him and hoped I’d have a chance to talk to him about the situation later. The idea that it was none of my business went through my mind fleetingly.
“Well, let’s go see what Santa brought!” my mom suggested, letting go of Elliott.
That reminded me of the gift I’d purchased for him at the mall the other day. “Hold on!” I shouted, heading for the stairs, wishing I could run as fast as Cadence. I heard my mom ask where I was going, but there was no time to stop or explain. I sprinted to my closet, grabbed the gift, and headed back down the stairs.
Luckily, I hadn’t missed anything. My dad headed off to the kitchen to make some coffee, and Cadence and Mom were talking about the Christmas decorations we’d added since Cadence had last seen the tree. Elliott was standing back a bit, closer to the couch, like he didn’t really know what to do with himself. I wondered if he had a family he usually spent the holidays with and hoped I’d get a chance to ask that later, too.
“Here you go,” I said, handing him the gift.
His green eyes widened in surprise. “For me?” he asked, taking it but not opening it yet.
“Yep,” I replied, possibly a little prouder of myself than I should’ve been. “I got it for you the other day--at the mall.”
“Well, Cass, you didn’t have to do that,” he said, turning it over in his hands a few times.
“I wanted to.”
Elliott raised his eyebrows for a moment before he ripped through the Santa Claus wrapping paper and pulled out the stocking cap. “Wow,” he said, stretching out the thick fabric. “Now, that seems like it’ll be a warm hat.”
My sister and mom had turned to see what we were doing, and I noticed that Cadence looked a little amused but mostly proud, like she was happy we were getting along so well. “It’s not much,” I said, with a shrug, “but I thought it might come in handy for work.”
“Most definitely,” he agreed. “Thank you, Cass.” He bent down and wrapped his burly arms around me, and I could feel the color rushing to my face. I thought I was beginning to understand what my mom was always saying about it being better to give than receive.
“Cadence! Your pajamas are upstairs in your room,” my mom said, as if she’d just realized what my sister was wearing.
“Oh, that’s okay,” Cadence protested. Perhaps she didn’t want to wear her Christmas jammies in front of her coworker.
“Now, come on Cadence. You know the rules. Christmas jammies for presents!” my mom insisted, and I thought back to that movie, A Christmas Story, where Ralphie has to put on those rabbit pajamas. I knew Cadence’s were the same as mine, though, red and green with reindeer heads. They weren’t so bad.
“Okay,” Cadence said with a groan, and Elliott chuckled at her. “Do you have any in bear sized?” Cadence asked, shooting him a dirty look as she headed toward the stairs.
“Unfortunately, no,” my mom replied. Turning to Elliott, she said, “I don’t think we have anything that will fit you, dear.”
“That’s okay,” he said with his hands up. “I’m really here as more of an observer. Or a limo driver.” He had stuffed the hat I bought him in his back pocket, and I thought it was kinda funny that he was the only one who’d even opened a gift yet, but he was trying to stay out of our Christmas traditions.
“Nonsense,” my mom said. “You know you’re perfectly welcome here. You always have been.” I think she must’ve thought about what she said a split second too late because she looked at me and her eyes grew slightly wider than normal before she said, “I mean… since we met you…. A few weeks ago.”
“Right,” Elliott nodded, and he looked at me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. I nodded along because my mom had no idea that I knew Elliott had been hanging around for years.
My dad came in with three cups of coffee and exclaimed, “Let the Christmas present opening begin!” He handed one to Elliott and one to my mom, and I wondered if he forgot that Cadence is also an adult.
She was back now, looking kinda cute in her PJs, even though I could tell she was embarrassed. “Oh, don’t you look darling!” my mom exclaimed, making Elliott choke on his coffee before he agreed. My dad said nothing, only chuckled, and I decided I’d had about enough of their stalling.
“Can we open our stockings now, pretty please?” I asked, taking advantage of my non-coffee-drinking childhood.
“Yes, you may,” my mom said, emphasizing what she considered to be correct grammar, and I approached the mantle, handing my sister her stocking before I took mine.
“I guess Santa knew where I’d be at this morning after all,” Cadence mumbled, her voice sounding a little sad. We crossed over to sit in front of the Christmas tree, my parents and Elliott all sitting in chairs nearby, and a few seconds later, I totally forgot I was supposed to be trying to prove I was almost a grownup as I ripped into my presents with wonder in my eyes and not a care in the world weighing on my heart.
After the presents were opened and the mess was somewhat cleaned up, we headed to the kitchen for my mom’s delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, which are always ooey gooey and messy, and then she started in on making Christmas dinner, which would be turkey this year since Cadence hadn’t been there for Thanksgiving, and my mom desperately wanted more memories of us all together around a big feast. Grandma called and said she was on her way down, and I was excited to see her.
Having Elliott there was amazing. He seemed just like he was part of our family. When my mom sat down at the piano and began to play Christmas carols, he chimed in at the top of his lungs, a little off-key but festive nonetheless. He even wore the silly Santa hat my sister had planted on his head for hours. We took a few selfies, even though I knew I couldn’t post them anywhere without raising a ton of questions, but I was glad to have them, and so was Cadence. Despite the reason she’d shown up at home, it was turning out to be a great Christmas after all.
Grandma brought more presents, and somehow, she had not only caught wind that Elliott was at our house, she’d managed to pick up a few gifts for him, as well, which would’ve had me asking all sorts of questions if I hadn’t already figured out something fishy was going on. How did she even know what size he wore? I had no idea, but the flannel shirt she bought him definitely fit. I could only pretend like none of this was odd to me and go on about feigning complete and utter innocence while asking myself why my family thought I was so dumb I wouldn’t notice these strange occurrences.
After stuffing ourselves with stuffing, turkey, and lots of pumpkin pie, we played Monopoly. I was shocked at how Elliott transformed from some sort of big-brother-slash-long-lost-uncle figure into a demanding landlord who showed no mercy to anyone, not even me. But it was funny to see him get into the game and bark at everyone in his southern accent a
ny time someone had the misfortune of landing on one of his properties. Cadence is usually very competitive when it comes to board games, but she was either distracted or letting him win because it didn’t seem to faze her when she went out right after mom. (Mom always loses at board games, except for Scrabble.)
Once Elliottneezer Scrooge was done counting all of his money, we headed upstairs to watch a Christmas movie. There’s more room up there in the game room, and the TV is bigger. I plopped myself down on the chaise lounge, and Elliott sat down next to me on the attached couch, Cadence on his other side, and before I knew it, we both had our heads on his broad shoulders, his arms wrapped around us. If it bothered my parents, I couldn’t tell. My mom had this little smile on her face, like everything was right in the world, and my dad kept glancing at us like all three of us were his kids. Grandma dozed off before Elf even made it to the coffee shop that sells the “world’s best coffee.”
I couldn’t blame her, if I’m honest. I was about as comfortable as I could ever remember being. Elliott really was like a big teddy bear, even though I was pretty sure there was a lot more muscle under there than he let on, and I had a Christmas throw over my legs, keeping me nice and warm. It didn’t hurt that I was still wearing my Christmas PJs. Cadence had taken a shower earlier and put on regular clothes, but I was a hold-out for tradition, and I really didn’t want this day to end. It was like I knew something else was out there, something unpleasant, and as long as I could hold on to this holiday, it couldn’t get in. Maybe the new year would be full of as much despair as the last, but for now, it wasn’t invading my happiness. My sister was home, my family was content, and I had a new, old best friend. Life was pretty perfect.
We had my mom’s awesome turkey sandwiches for a late meal, and Elliott and I both shoveled down more pie before Cadence declared she was beat and going to bed. Grandma headed off so she’d get home before it was too late, as well, and I realized my perfect Christmas would be over soon. No matter how hard I tried to hang on to it, it was slipping through my fingers.
