Please post your Christmas stories

[Kitt]

Tell us about a memorable Christmas. Fiction or non-fiction, any story you want to tell.
Mine is a fiction except the mix up at the real Benbow Inn did happen and Stacy was with me.

Christmas at the Benbow

One thing about Christmas, there's a lot of potential for something to go wrong. And when something does go wrong, there's a story to tell. It could be a falling out with the in laws. Or the crazy aunt tips one too many again and bares her soul, embarrasing everyone. Or you and your luggage arrive on time but at different locations. Or the turkey is dry and some smart-aleck kid remarks about it, touching off a furor.

Stacy and I, one year, narrowed the potential for anything going wrong by replying to an add for Christmas dinner at the Benbow Inn.--"This world-class Tudor-style inn is known for exquisite fine dining and old-world ambiance."--The Christmas dinner offer was for private use of the main dining room--reserve your table--"and their executive chef and his culinary team would serve a multiple course dinner. Seating is at 7:00."

We'd been to the Benbow a few times. Only a pleasant half hour drive away, and their brochure, though flowery, doesn't overstate the inn's elegance or the quality of their cuisine. We sent in our check for our reserved table and readied ourselves for a fine Christmas experience. On our next Christmas shopping excursion, Stacy, who's closet and dresser drawers were stuffed as it was, decided that for Christmas dinner she'd want to wear something special and so she bought a beige silk blouse and what she and the exuberant sales person called a coordinating skirt. She prodded me into buying myself a pair of shoes. She suggested that they be something nicer then what I'd put on to go for a run. I got a pair of soft leather Rocksports, which I believed were comfortable enough to run in if I should ever happen to be late getting someplace. Later, passing by a shop window on Second street displaying wool sweaters imported from Ireland, Stacy said , "Look darlin'!" She calls me that sometimes; I think, because she's from Louisiana. I chose a dark blue one, "With a touch of gold woven in," the shop keeper said, " giving your sweater a festive look for Christmas." A rack of books stood beside the checkout counter. Most of them were about Ireland, but some were Christmas books. Stacy found a picture story book of the sugar plum fairy, and set that on the counter to buy. I asked her who the book was for, and she said she didn't know yet but she'd think of someone. When I hinted that I thought she might intend to keep it for herself, she said, "And, so, what if I do?"

We'd made the rounds visiting friends on Christmas eve, getting our fill of fruitcake, eggnog and a lot of off-key Christmas caroling. Funny how some of the quietest people that I know can sing or bellow with passion when fortified with Christmas cheer. On Christmas morning I ran a few hilly miles while Stacy did her yoga. If that sounds new wave it isn't really; Stacy's a dancer and has danced with dance companies in the past and still dances with a local troupe for fun, so yoga is an ordinary part of her routine. I whiled the day away reading "T. C. Boyle stories" and snacked on the walnut fudge and fruits and other stuff set out on the kitchen table. Stacy, ever the hostess, popped popcorn, lit the Santa candles and the angel candles, and played a lot of Christmas music on the stereo, including Bing Crosby.--"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ..." Before it came time to leave for the Benbow, while she was doing her hair, I stashed Bing on a shelf in the bluegrass section hoping she wouldn't find him and bring him along in the car.

Stacy came into the living room smiling coyly, pretending not to know how beautiful she was in her new outfit, and with her hair in what she calls French braids. She'd pinned to her breast a small gold broach, causing me to murmur, "Oh, pretty." I'd given the broach to her as a gift after watching her perform "The Coffee Dance" from "The Nutcracker Suit". "Stacy, you look exquisite." "Thank you," she said, as she looked me over. I tugged on my Irish sweater like snapping a pair of suspenders and said, "Good thing you prodded me into gussying up more then I otherwise would have. I'd have felt like a frumpy big brother escorting you instead of your proud and handsome deserving date." She hugged me while purposely stepping on, and scuffing my new shoes.

I went out to the car to start it and get the interior warmed up some; it was a frosty night. Stacy soon followed with her straw carryall bag in hand. We hadn't gone a mile before she rattled around in her bag and said to herself, (a little too innocently, I noticed). " Now, where is that?" Oh, here it is." She stuck a CD in front of my face with a picture of Bing crosby on it and said, "Look Darlin'! Bing Crosby!" I asked her how the heck she found that and she laughed and said, "I saw you stashing it." She spared me though and we listened to "The Nutcracker Suit" all the way to the Benbow.

We joined the diners-to-be in a lobby by the dining room where we would all wait to go in whenever the double doors would swing open for us. Some folks made use of the antique couches and chairs while others wandered around studying the historical photos on the walls or mingled and conversed in quiet tones. Stacy and I cozied into a love-seat and watched and waited from there. A little girl (four or five years old) with a red pony tail sprouting from the top of her head like a feather duster, stood fascinated and dwarfed, next to a seven foot Christmas tree loaded with twinkling lights and old-fashioned ornaments. She'd reach in, real slow and cautious, then poke at one of the tiny wooden ornaments, making it swing on the branch. Then she'd pull her arms back quick against her chest and watch to see if anything would fall off.

When the doors creaked open we all turned at once to see a waiter holding a clip board and wearing a Santa hat that drooped over one ear. Behind him were a half-dozen or more other waiters and waitresses looking Christmasy with their work-a-day black and whites' adorned with red ties--bow or regular-- for the waiters, and the waitresses wore flowers in their hair or corsages or both. The Santa waiter said, "Welcome to Christmas dinner at the Benbow." Some of us said, "Thank you," and "Merry Christmas," and others just stared.

The Santa waiter called the names listed on his clipboard and couples and groups were escorted into the dining room to their reserved tables. When the little girl's mom and dad were called, her mom took her by her hand and pulled her along as the girl clutched a wooden toy soldier, she'd borrowed from the tree, in her other hand.

This is when the night lost some of its magic for Stacy and me. The lobby had emptied except for us. The Santa waiter turned to leave so I said, "Wait. What about us?" He already knew that something was wrong. Why else would we have been standing there but for the Christmas dinner; signs of panic crept onto his expression. I felt for him; this wasn't his fault. We told him that Stacy and I were aware that this was a dinner by reservation only and that we had read the add and sent in our check well in advance. He went off to see what he could do and left us mired in limbo. I paced, agitated, in a circle around the room. Stacy tried out each and every couch and chair and made herself comfortable. She told me not to fret, and said, "We'll tell them we're moving in until at least after they feed us."

After some time a waitress appeared in the lobby and finally we were led into the dining room. All the tables were set complete with flowers and candles. Vegetable appetizers and bread and crackers had been served. Everyone had drinks and the room hummed with chatter. Our table was kind of jammed between two others, with a red table cloth on it and nothing else. The little girl and her family were on one side, two couples were on the other. Well, we had a table now. It would fill up soon and we'd fit in and put the foul-up behind us. But, apparently, someone in management, making decisions anonymously from the kitchen or the luxury of one of the "charming antique filled rooms" was not yet satisfied.--They didn't find our check until days later.--Perhaps, Stacy and I were con-artists; a flamboyant couple with imagination and a daring sense of adventure, and were pulling a fast one on the Benbow Inn. The poor Santa waiter was sent out to us, looking authoritative with his clip board, which contrasted with his drooping Santa hat, to ask me a lot of annoying questions of the sort that you'd be asked when trying to get a bank loan. This seemed to me to be appallingly out of place in the atmosphere of the dining room in view of everyone. He apologized before going on with the questions. I answered them, feeling like the dunce in the corner of the room.

The little girl, pointing at the Santa waiter, asked, "Who's that? Who's that man, Mom?" Her mom, trying to hush her said, "Shhh, shhh." Stacy leaned toward the little girl and said, "That man is Mr.Grinch, Honey." Everyone at the tables around us laughed and so did Mr.Grinch. The little girl, who probably didn't get it, was caught up in the moment, and laughed delightedly.

Mr.Grinch completed his list of questions and, I hope, on principle, if he had any money in the bank, quit his job. Shirley, a friend of ours, turned out to be our waitress. Two bus boys and a bus girl bustled around filling our table with all the goodies that we were supposed to have while Shirley gossiped with us about what went on in the back through out our ordeal. She said the crew was aghast that we'd been treated as we had. Stacy and I said that's what we were too--aghast. But now, we all agreed, the night was young, dinner was on the way and we had it all to look forward to.

To be fair to the Benbow, I'll say that I can not praise enough the superb dinner that they served us. Shirley was a delight, and we were amused at how unimpressive an extravagant dining experience is to a four year old girl. The toy soldier she'd lifted from the tree and her unabashed personality, prompting passersby to make faces at her or talk in that odd way that grown ups talk to kids, kept her mostly entertained; she'd wriggled out of her seat a time or two and visited with people. Her parents would sit the little charmer back down.

The highlight of our night was when Stacy and I were driving away in the parking lot. Many of us diners were leaving at the same time and Stacy noticed the little girl and her family about to get into their car. Just as we passed them Stacy suddenly said, "Wait." I stopped, she grabbed her carryall bag and told me she'd be only a minute. I watched in the rear view mirror as she talked with the little girl and her family but I couldn't guess what about. Stacy came back beaming and said, "Guess what?" -no pause- "I gave the sugar plum fairy book to the little girl. She'll go to sleep tonight with visions of sugar plums dancing in her head."

Kitt Flynn

[This message has been edited by kittflynn (edited 12-02-2001).]

[Montana Ponine]

Wow Kittflynn!! You're a really great writer..I'd never be able to write like that! How'd u come up with that?? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif As for me...I don't have many Christmas stories.. But I did write a Three's Company Fan Fiction (titled "A Christmas Carol: Three's Company Style) but I doubt you'd want me to post that, lol!

[This message has been edited by Montana Ponine (edited 12-02-2001).]

[DJM77]

This is a non fiction Christmas story. The preacher at the church I went to growing up had taken his family to the mall one year to Christmas shop. His son who was six years old at the time, had asked him to hold his soda while he went into this store. When he came out of the store he discovered his dad had drank the rest of his soda. About five minutes later he turns to his dad and says, "Christmas is supposed to be about giving, not getting, and you're getting fat!"

[-*Forever*-]

This is fiction.... MADE UP.... WANT IT TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Everybody Loves Christmas"

It was December 24th. I, Joiyse Kline and my two best friends, Jackie Crenn and Karli Cauble were sleeping over at my house.
"Hey Joiyse, pass the champagne!" called Jackie, giggling. We were drinking that fake champagne (which is really good!)
"Ya kno, we're almost out," said Karli drinking the last glassful.
"I'll get more!" I gladly vouleneered. I ran down the stairs and into my kitchen. I heard voices in the family room as I was going into the living room, so I turned around.
'Damn sisters', I thought, meaning Shannon. 'Always forget to turn the TV off' I went into the family room to turn the TV off. But it wasn't the TV. It was people, standing around our Christmas tree. There were three men and three women. All the women were pretty short, so none were my mom. And all but one of the men were really short, so they weren't my dad.
I sprinted up the stairs, panting.
"Karli! Jackie! There's people in the family room!" I said, gasping for breath. They looked at me.
"It's your mom and dad, Joiyse," said Jackie, looking at me funny.
"No! The girls were short and so were the men- well all but one- and it was freaky!!!" I said. Did I forget to mention it was 3:35 am? Now they looked scared. So the three of us snuck downstairs- much complaining from Jackie- and we peered in the family room. Sure enough, there they were. But this time we could hear them.
"Brad, shut up!" one of the women said.
"I wasn't talking!" said both the tall guy and one of the other guys. Then my heart stopped beating. I had almost figured it out. The short woman was PATRICIA HEATON http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif and the tall guy was BRAD GARRETT http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. But who were the others??
"Hey Brad," said another one of the women (not Patricia). She had a faint Southern accent.
"What?" both Brad Garrett and the other guy replyed. Then I realized it was Brad Gianni, Jackie's crush! Ok, I had mos of em figured out....
"It's Jean!!" hissed Karli.
"Who's Jean?" asked Jackie. So the woman with the southern accent was Jean Smart! But who was the other woman and the other guy? I took my chances and turned on the light. Frozen in my family room stood Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Jean Smart, Brad Gianni, Tucker Cauble, and Pamela Anderson. Jackie whistled.
"Better not let your dad see her," she said, pointing to Pamela.
"OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" we all cried, realizing who was in my family room. We met all of them and had a great time.
But I had the best time of all because I got to kiss Brad Garrett.
THE END

LOL was it bad? Good? REPLY!

------------------
¤°¤°Debra Barone°¤°­­­¤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Jo, only twice in my life have I spoken in an arbitrary manner. Once when my ex-husband mortgaged out house to pay the bookees and now. GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE BEFORE I BEAT YOU WITH MY FRYING PAN!!!"~Mrs. Garrett, FOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I believe VERY strongly that Debra Barone and Robert Barone belong together. If they got married, she would be Debra Barone Barone. Saves on monograms.(LOLZIES LIKE ON FOL!!!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. G: I thought her boyfriend was Robert.
Blair: He is.
Mrs. G.: Where is he?
Tootie: Upstairs.
Mrs. G: Well, who's that?
Blair: Harper.
Mrs. G.: Who's he?
Blair and Tootie: Her boyfriend.
Mrs. G.: Of course. How silly of me. Got it.
*she slaps herself*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I was 16, I had a bad case of acne and I played the accordian in the marching band."~Dorothy Zbornac, The Golden Girls
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
hey allison DON'T CALL ME PERVERT!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smooches! ^_^

[LaughingPicklePrincess]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! Ooooooh I wanna kiss Brad!!!! (Gianni that is!!!!) GOOD JOIYSE GOOD!!!!!!!!

------------------
~*Jackie Lizzie McGuire*~
(and in the words of Beatrice Bulzac: That's me)

~*Now you can see. Can you see?*~

*~Joyce, can we pulease feed David again? He's so cute!~*

*HI KARLI JAMIE AND JOYCE U R MY SISTAHS!*

*~Jacqueline: Let me call Cindy.
Cindy: hElLo?????????~*
LOL!

[Montana Ponine]

LOL Joiyse, Tucker Cauble??

[Kitt]

Originally posted by Montana Ponine:
.I don't have many Christmas stories.. But I did write a Three's Company Fan Fiction (titled "A Christmas Carol: Three's Company Style) but I doubt you'd want me to post that, lol!
).]

Sure! Post it if you want. Have fun. I'm not makin' the rules.

[Montana Ponine]

Originally posted by kittflynn:
Sure! Post it if you want. Have fun. I'm not makin' the rules.

K here it is... it's kinda long, lol:

A Christmas Carol: Three's Company Style

By Montana Ponine

Summary: Christmas is coming and everybody is getting ready...that is, except for Mr. Roper. Mr. Roper hates Christmas and is in a bad mood at this time of year. As much as Mrs. Roper, Jack, Janet, Chrissy, and Larry try to get him into the Christmas cheer, nothing helps...That is, until three ghosts come to visit him during the night...

[Scene-Roper's Apartment. Mrs. Roper is sitting at the couch painting her nails; Mr. Roper is reading the newspaper.]

Mrs. Roper: (singing way off tune) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, had a very shiny nose... And if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows...

Mr. Roper: (looks up from paper, disturbed)

Mrs. Roper: (still singing) All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names. They wouldn't let poor Rudolph, join in any reindeer games!

Mr. Roper: (exasperated sigh; throws down his newspaper)

Mrs. Roper: (still singing) Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, "Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh toni--"

Mr. Roper: Ahh! Would you please stop singing, I'm trying to read!

Mrs. Roper: Oh come ON Stanley, it's almost Christmas!

Mr. Roper: So what??? Christmas is dumb!! All you do on Christmas is sing stupid songs and waste all your money spending it on presents! I mean, lots of people don't even deserve what they get!

Mrs. Roper: Well, I've gotta admit, you've got that right.

Mr. Roper: I hate Christmas! Who created Christmas, anyway? And what's with the flying deer? Everyone knows deer don't fly! A deer named RUDOLPH that has a red nose!! I mean, what's up with that????

Mrs. Roper: You know who you remind me of, Stanley? Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol." You could probably be his twin brother! You're exactly like him!

Mr. Roper: Bah, humbug! I am not! (does double take)

Mrs. Roper: See?

Mr. Roper: I don't care!! Bah! Humbug! Bah! Humbug! Bah! Humbug! Bah--!

Mrs. Roper: OK, OK Stanley!!! What's wrong with you?? I mean, you're usually not this grumpy!

Mr. Roper: It's the Christmas season! It always puts me in a bad mood! And this year is a lot colder than usual!

Mrs. Roper: It's 74 degrees outside!

Mr. Roper: 72!

Mrs. Roper: OK, Stanley, that's it!! I'm not going to sit here listening to your complaining! Don't you have a toilet to fix or something??

Mr. Roper: Bah, humbug!! I am NOT in the mood for fixing toilets!!

Mrs. Roper: Well, I'M not in the mood for listening to you be a grouch!! I'm going up to the kids' apartment!

Mr. Roper: Have a fun time!

(Mrs. Roper leaves.)

[Scene-the kids' apartment. Janet and Chrissy are wrapping a present.]

Janet: Boy, Chrissy, this is a great coat. Mrs. Roper is just going to love it.

Chrissy: Yeah, I couldn't find anything to get for Mr. Roper though.

Janet: Just give him a couple of bucks and he'll be happy!!

(Jack enters from room.)

Jack: Hey, gals, what are you up to??

Janet: Just wrapping Mrs. Roper's Christmas present. Chrissy went and bought it today.

Jack: Wow, expensive looking, Chrissy! How'd you get the money for it?

Chrissy: Oh, money wasn't a problem. It was on sale.

Janet: And this present is from all three of us, Jack, so you and I both owe Chrissy five dollars.

Jack: Five??? Five measly bucks? Thats it??

Chrissy: (shrugs) I told you, it was on sale!

(Doorbell rings.)

Chrissy: Oh! That must be Mrs. Roper! Hide the present!

Janet: Why, are you expecting her or something?

Chrissy: No!

(Chrissy stuffs the present under the couch. Jack answers the door. It's Mrs. Roper.)

Jack: By golly, Chrissy you were right! How'd you know it wasn't Mr. Roper or Larry?

Chrissy: They never use the doorbell.

Janet: She's got a point there.

Chrissy: Now, aren't you glad we hid her pres--

(Janet covers her mouth.)

Chrissy: (muffled) Oops.

Mrs. Roper: Hid my what??

Jack: Nevermind. Come on in, Mrs. Roper, is there something we can do for you?

Mrs. Roper: No, nothing really. I just came up here for some company.

Janet: What's Mr. Roper up to?

Mrs. Roper: Oh, he's acting like the other Ebenezer Scrooge that never was. What a spoilsport.

Chrissy: Ebenezer Scrooge? Whos that?

Jack: You know, from "A Christmas Carol," Chrissy.

Chrissy: Oh. (looks confused) My middle name isn't Carol.

Janet: Forget that. Ebenezer Scrooge is a guy from a story who's grumpy and hates Christmas. (pauses) Uhh--I mean, as in, the holiday Christmas, not you.

Chrissy: Wow. I can't think of anyone I know that's grumpy and hates Christmas!!

Jack: Mr. Roper.

Janet: (elbows him) Jack!!

Mrs. Roper: It's alright, Janet, it's true. Stanley's in a bad mood because it's almost Christmas time.

Jack: Christmas puts Mr. Roper in a bad mood?

Mrs. Roper: Oh, you know him, all he really cares about is his money. He doesn't like to spend all of it.

Chrissy: But you don't have to spend ALL of it.

Mrs. Roper: Oh, I make him!

Janet: Aw, don't worry, Mrs. Roper. It's impossible to be angry on Christmas. Things will lighten up.

Mrs. Roper: If it's impossible to be angry on Christmas, Stanley's a miracle man!!

Jack: Well, Mrs. Roper, miracles do occur...

Mrs. Roper: Ugh I just cannot TAKE that Stanley anymore! He's sleeping on the couch tonight and that's that!! (pauses) I never thought I'd say that. (shrugs)

(Mrs. Roper leaves; Janet, Jack, and Chrissy all look at each other.)

COMMERCIAL

[Scene-The Roper's apartment, 1 week later. IT IS NOW CHRISTMAS EVE. Stanley is watching TV.]

Mrs. Roper: Come on, Stanley, aren't you coming to the kids' Christmas party??

Mr. Roper: No!! Christmas parties are dumb! Besides, there's a special marathon of Name That Tune on Nick at Nite! 6 episodes in a row!

Mrs. Roper: Nick at Nite stinks. Come on Stanley!! The kids invited you!

Mr. Roper: You go without me!

Mrs. Roper: Ohh, why do I even bother! Fine, I'll go by myslelf, Ebenezer Scrooge!! And remember, you're sleeping on the couch tonight!!

(Mrs. Roper leaves and slams the door.)

Mr. Roper: Gladly!! (mimicking Helen) Ebenezer Scrooge!

(Larry enters.)

Larry: Hey, Mr. Roper! What are you doing here? Aren't you coming to the Christmas party?

Mr. Roper: Don't you ever knock!

Larry: C'mon, Mr. Roper! It's Christmas!

Mr. Roper: Bah, humbug!

Larry: Wow, you sound exactly like Ebenezer Scrooge!

Mr. Roper: *grrrrrrrrr...*

Larry: Okay, if you'd rather stay here by yourself than come celebrate with us, that's your choice! See you later, Mr. Roper!

[Scene-Later, at the Roper's apartment.]

(Helen is asleep in bed; Stanley is still watching Name That Tune on the couch, and is falling asleep. The clock reads 10:58.)

Guy on TV: Well, thats all we have for today folks!! Join us next time on... Name That Tune!!!

(Stanley absentmindedly turns off TV and falls asleep on the couch. Jerry Gordon {reminder: he is Stanley's best friend} enters through the wall. He is covered in big rubber chains and is moaning.)

Jerry: Stttaaaaanllleeyyyy.... Staaanllleeyyy! Sttttaaan-- (trips over his chains and falls on his face)

Stanley: (wakes up) Oh, hey Jerry! What are you doing here at 11 o'clock at night? Hey, you still owe me 10 bucks--

(Jerry gets up, holding his head in his hands. {Note: it is not attatched to his neck, LOL} Stanley realizes he is a ghost and screams.)

Stanley: Uhh, Helen! Helen!

(He starts running for the room, but Jerry grabs his shirt.)

Stanley: Noooooooooo!!!!! Let me go!!!!!

Jerry: Stttaannnllleeyy... I've come to waaaarrrnnn yyyoouuu...

Stanley: W-w-what?? W-what are you t-talking about, J-Jimmy? Uh, J-Jerry?

Jerry: I am neither Jiimmmmyy nor Jeerryy... I am now the Ghhoosst of Ruubbeerr Chhhaaiinnsss...

Stanley: (shaking) Th-the Ghost of R-rubber C-chains?

Jerry: Ttthaatt's riiigght... I have come to waaarrnn you, Stttaannllleeyyy, three spirits are coming to visit you tonight....

Stanley: Three s-spirits? What?

Jerry: That's right, thrreee sppiiirriitts...I must gggooo nnnooww, I haavve ooothherr things to doooo...

Stanley: Wait! No! Don't leave me!

(Jerry leaves. Stanley collapses on the couch. Soon he is asleep again.)

(1 hour later, at midnight...)

(Chrissy enters through the wall, as the Ghost of Christmas Past. She runs to Mr. Roper and taps him on the shoulder.)

Chrissy: (cheerily) Hi, Mr. Roper!

Mr. Roper: (screams) C-Chrissy!!! Y-you're a ghost!!

Chrissy: I'm the Ghost of Christmas Past. (says slyly) And you'd better get used to it, cuz two of my friends are going to be here later to pay you a visit...

Mr. Roper: What??????? Is this a dream?????

Chrissy: (tugs on his sleeve) C'mon, Mr. Roper, we have some places to go. Follow me.

Mr. Roper: But--but--

Chrissy: Let's GO!!

(Mr. Roper and Chrissy exit, Chrissy pulling Mr. Roper's sleeve.)

[Scene-an old house. Chrissy is leading Mr. Roper to the window.]

Mr. Roper: But... But this is the house I grew up in!

Chrissy: Sshhh!! Listen!

(The camera now shows the inside of a house. Young Stanley is there with the rest of his family on Christmas. Stanley's siblings are opening gifts and looking inside their stockings. Stanley's parents are watching.)

Young Stanley: (walks over to his parents) Mommy, Daddy, where are all my gifts! I've looked everywhere but none of the packages are for me! And all Santa put in my stocking was coal! I didn't ask for any coal, I've still got loads of that left over from last Christmas!

Stanley's Mom: Sorry, Stanley, you don't get any gifts!

Young Stanley: Why????

Stanley's Dad: You were naughty this year, son, and Santa knows it! Just like you were last year!

(Cut to Chrissy and Mr. Roper at the window.)

Mr. Roper: But....

Chrissy: (sadly) Come on, Mr. Roper. I'll bring you somewhere else.

(Mr. Roper follows reluctantly. Chrissy brings Mr. Roper back to the apartment that we know--the one he is currently living in.)

Mr. Roper: (happily) Yay! I'm home again!

Chrissy: But remember, we're still living in the past.

(The camera now shows the inside of the apartment. Helen is on the couch, opening presents. Stanley eagerly grabs his stocking.)

Mr. Roper: I wonder what Santa brought me this year!!

(He dumps the contents of the stocking out on the carpet--coal and a new toilet plunger.)

Mr. Roper: Coal and a TOILET plunger?????? What about my Name That Tune Guide Book I asked for??

Mrs. Roper: You don't deserve it Stanley!! You were naughty this year!! And look, now you have coal all over the carpet I just got cleaned.

Mr. Roper: Oh who cares about the old carpet! I expected gifts!

Mrs. Roper: Stanley, if you don't give, you don't get!!!

(Chrissy and Mr. Roper at the window...)

Mr. Roper: Ohh ... I was pretty terrible that Christmas, wasn't I?

Chrissy: Lets go, Mr. Roper. (pauses) By, the way, were Janet, Eleanor and I already living here then? I don't remember that toilet plunger...

Mr. Roper: (shrugs) I guess you weren't, you would've remembered that one. It had little daisies on the handle.

Chrissy: Ohhh I remember it now!

(Chrissy and Mr. Roper disappear from the window.)

[Scene-the apartment. Mr. Roper is tossing and turning on the couch.]

Mr. Roper: Noo... No!!

(He wakes up.)

Mr. Roper: Oh my gosh!! Jerry...as a ghost...Chrissy.. as a spirit...That had to have been a dream..but it felt so real!! No... I had to have been dreaming! Wait, first I'd better make sure I'm still not dreaming! (slaps himself in the face) Okay, I'm not...

(He lies back down on the couch and calms himself by counting sheep.)

Mr. Roper: One sheep...two sheep... three, four, five--no, wait, that one had a baby on its back so, six... seven....eight... (falls asleep)

(Janet enters through the wall as the Ghost of Christmas Present. She tiptoes over to Mr. Roper and shakes him awake.)

Janet: Mr. Roper! Wake up!

Mr. Roper: eighty five sheep...eighty six... (wakes up) Oh, hi Janet. Oh, your a ghost too!

Janet: Yeah. Ssh, be quiet, you'll wake up Mrs. Roper! Come on, we'd better get going!

(Mr. Roper follows Janet out.)

[Scene-The North Pole. Janet leads Mr. Roper over to the window to see Santa. He is carrying two lists, one NAUGHTY and one NICE. There are a lot of names on the NICE list but only one on the NAUGHTY list. As we look closer to see, we find that...]

Mr. Roper: Hey! My name is the only one on the Naughty list!!

Janet: That's right. Now be quiet and listen...

(An elf enters and comes over to Santa.)

Elf: How many people get gifts?

Santa: Oh, everybody except for Stanley Roper.

Elf: The one in Santa Monica or the one in Jamaica?

Santa: Santa Monica.

Elf: I figured!! Its the same as last year!! Can you even remember a time when he got on the Nice list?

Santa: Mmm, yeah, once, when he was 8 months old.

Elf: Ya know, it's pretty sad, but what can we do??

Santa: Yeah, oh well Shortie, go on and help the others with the gifts. Oh--and do me a favor, will you? Make sure that Petite doesn't write the name tags? He's having some trouble. I think he's dyslexic.

Shortie: Okay!

(Shortie exits.)

(Cut back to Janet and Mr. Roper, watching from the window.)

Mr. Roper: (crestfallen) I don't believe it, I'm the only one on the Naughty list?? But how can it be?

Janet: Well, I guess you're just not trying as hard as everyone else in the world, Mr. Roper.

Mr. Roper: I guess.

Janet: Let's go, I have one more place to bring you.

Mr. Roper: I'm starting to hate this. My feet hurt. (yells to Janet) Can we at least take a break at the equator??

Janet: Mr. Roper, we're not even crossing the equator!

Mr. Roper: Okay, then how about the Regal Beagle???

[Scene-the Roper's apartment. Remember Janet is the Ghost of Christmas PRESENT. Helen is sitting in bed, holding a picture of Mr. Roper and a red pen.]

Mr. Roper: Oh, hey, isn't that nice Janet? She's admiring my handsome face!!

Mrs. Roper: You hateful, revolting, speciman of a man!!!!! (draws a mustache on Stanley's face with her red pen) You fun spoiler, you huuuuggge meanie!!!!!!! (draws spiders coming out of his nose) You irritable and detestable creature!!!!!!!!!!! (draws earwax coming out of his mouth) Aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh I can't STAND you!!!!!!! EW what a gross picture!!!!!

Mr. Roper: Oh.

Janet: I hate to break it to you this way Mr. Roper.

Mr. Roper: (sighs) It was no problem Janet.

[Scene-the apartment. Mr. Roper is tossing and turning on the couch.]

Mr. Roper: (talking in his sleep) No... No, Helen!! PLEASE don't do it!!! Noo!! Don't shoot!!!

(He wakes up.)

Mr. Roper: Darn, I always have to wake up at the most exciting parts! (slaps himself in the face) JANET as a spirit!! My dreams are getting weird!! I don't believe I am the only one on that Naughty list! I wonder if Helen is still drawing on my picture!

(He gets up and walks to the bedroom door. He opens it and peeks in. Helen is fast asleep.)

Mr. Roper: Oh.

(He goes back to the couch and starts singing himself a lullaby to try and get to sleep.)

Mr. Roper: (starts singing) Rock a bye, Stanley, on the tree top... When the wind blows the cradle will rock...When the bow breaks, the cradle will fall...And down will come Stanley, cradle and all... (yawns) and THAT'S supposed to calm you down????? So what happens to me after I fall??? Do I die or what???? Let's try another one!! ... Wow, I'm talking to myself!! (starts singing) Hush little Stanley, don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you a mocking bird!! (stops) Ugh I don't like this one either, mocking birds are annoying! Oh hey I know one! The one from Peter Pan! And it has sheep in it too... I like sheep... (starts singing) Tender shepard, tender shepard, won't you come and count your sheep...

(He falls asleep)

(Jack enters through the walls, as the Ghost of Christmas Future.)

Jack: Man, that took awhile! Wait till I tell the girls Mr. Roper sings himself LULLABIES to get to sleep!! (laughs to self and walks over to Mr. Roper)

Jack: (yells in Mr. Roper's ear) Mr. Roper! Wake up!!

Mr. Roper: Ahh!! Hey what are you doing in here!!!

Jack: I'm the Ghost of Christmas Future!

Mr. Roper: Oh. Okay, so where are YOU going to bring me? Fairy Land???
Jack: Haha, sooo funny! Come on, Mr. Roper we only have a limited amount of time, now let's go!

Mr. Roper: Can we at least stop to rest at the equator or the Tropic of Cancer or something? Janet wouldn't even let me stop to get a beer at the Beagle!

Jack: We're not going to the equator or the Tropic of Cancer and you won't be needing a beer! Come on!

(they exit)

[Scene-omg sorry I forgot the name; the place where Helen and Stanley went to live after they moved out of the apt, next to the Brookes. Jack hides behind a bush and motions to Mr. Roper to join him. Mr. Roper does so.]

Mr. Roper: Where are we?

Jack: We're at the place where you and Mrs. Roper move to after you move out of our apartment.

Mr. Roper: We move out of the building and move here instead??

Jack: Yeah.

Mr. Roper: Whoopee!!! Wait, how much did this place cost??

Jack: I don't know but it must've not have been too much because you bought it.

Mr. Roper: Whoopee!!!!

Jack: You won't be saying that after you hear what you're about to hear. Now will you shut up and be quiet???

Mr. Roper: Hey, you don't talk to your landlord like that!!!

Jack: You're not my landlord. I'm the Ghost of Christmas Future!

Mr. Roper: Women!!

(Larry as a policeman comes and rings the Ropers' doorbell. Helen answers it.)

Larry the Police: Are you Helen Roper?

Mrs. Roper: Yes I am.

Larry: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I have bad news for you.

Mrs. Roper: Okay.

Larry: Your husband Stanley was just in a car crash. He's at the hospital in serious condition and we're afraid there's really nothing we can do for him now.

Mr. Roper: Nooo--! (Jack covers his mouth)

Mrs. Roper: Okay thanks for telling me. Hey, by the way, do you want some tea? Or how about a donut?

Larry: Your not upset??

Mrs. Roper: Nah, it's no big deal, he wasn't any fun. He didn't even like Christmas!!

Larry: Oh in that case... I'll take that donut!

Mrs. Roper: Great, come on in!

(Larry goes in and Mrs. Roper shuts the door.)

Mr. Roper: I... I don't believe this!! This is just... ahh! I'm going to die in a car crash!!!

Jack: Well, Larry didn't really say that, he said that you were IN a car crash and your in the hospital and you MIGHT die. I mean, you don't know if you're going to die yet.

Mr. Roper: BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

Jack: It IS a big difference, Mr. Roper!! C'mon, we have one more place to go.

Mr. Roper: (gulp) You mean, this isn't the end of my life? I didn't die????

Jack: Just follow me. I have a big surprise in store for you!!

Mr. Roper: (a lot happier) Okay!! Lead the way!

[Scene-graveyard]

Mr. Roper: Uhh, Jack? I don't like the look of this...

Jack: Patience, Mr. Roper, patience.

(Jack leads Mr. Roper to a gravestone. It reads...)

STANLEY "GREEDINESS" ROPER
LOVER OF NAME THAT TUNE AND MONEY
HATER OF HELEN, TENANTS, AND PLUGGED TOILETS
RIP...NOT REALLY

(Mr. Roper looks shocked)

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNN!!!!

(Screen fades)

COMMERCIAL

[Scene-the show opens up again as Mr. Roper and Jack are back at the apartment. Mr. Roper is pleading with Jack.]

Mr. Roper: Oh, please spirit!!! Don't let me die like that!!! I'm not THAT bad, am I??

Jack: We-e-elll....

Mr. Roper: Don't answer that. Oh but please you've got to help me!! Is that really going to be my future??

Jack: Yes... unless--

Mr. Roper: Unless what???

Jack: Would you please stop interrupting and listen??

Mr. Roper: Sorry.

Jack: (to himself) Hey, this is fun! (to Mr. Roper) This is how your future will be UNLESS you make up all those horrible things you did in the past.

Mr. Roper: Make everything up?

Jack: Yeah. For instance, spend more time with Mrs. Roper and say nicer things to her. And...you could do some nice things to your tenants too, couldn't you??

Mr. Roper: Whatever you say spirit!! I'll be the nicest man there ever was!!!!! (pauses) Do you think I can do it?

Jack: Well of course you can, Mr. Roper!! I mean, every man has kindness in their hearts somewhere...even you! (puts his arm around him)

Mr. Roper: (looks tentatively at Jack's arm) Umm, I'm not sure how to say this nicely... But...could you PLEASE take your arm off me??

Jack: Oh! Sorry.

Mr. Roper: Hey, do you think that was nice enough?

Jack: Yeah! Sure it was, Mr. Roper, see that's a start! You'll get the hang of being nice!!

Mr. Roper: Yeah, I guess I will, huh? Thanks, Jack!!

Jack: No prob, Mr. Roper. Well, I'd better be getting back now! See you later, get a good night's rest, tomorrow's Christmas!

Mr. Roper: Okay, bye!!

(Jack exits; Mr. Roper smiles happily and settles back down on the couch.)

[Scene-the next morning in the Roper's living room. Mr. Roper wakes up happily.]

Mr. Roper: Ahh, what a wonderful, beautiful morning for Christmas!! Merry Christmas world!! Merry Christmas TV set! Merry Christmas radio! (runs to the window) Merry Christmas sun! Merry Christmas birdies!

(Mrs. Roper enters.)

Mr. Roper: Merry Christmas Helen!!!

Mrs. Roper: (looks confused) Uhh, Merry Christmas...

Mr. Roper: Isn't this a beautiful day for Christmas! The birdies are singing, the sun is shining!!

Mrs. Roper: Stanley, do you feel okay?

Mr. Roper: I feel fine!!! It's just that I've decided to act nicer from now on!

Mrs. Roper: REALLY Stanley!!!!!!!

Mr. Roper: Yeah!! Now let's go buy a turkey and surprise the kids! C'mon, we have Christmas to celebrate!!

(Mr. Roper hurries out the door to buy a turkey.)

Mrs. Roper: Yippee!!!

(Runs after him.)

[Scene-Later, in the kids' apartment. Janet, Jack and Chrissy are sitting on the floor unwrapping presents.]

Jack: Ohh Janet, Chrissy, wow!! A new frying pan and a bag of sugar!!

Janet: The pan's from me and the sugar's from Chrissy.

Jack: You're so sweet. (pats them both on the head)

Chrissy: Hey, I'm not a dog!

Janet: Oh, by the way guys, did we get anything for Mr. Roper??

Chrissy: Oh, yeah--I went shopping and got him something the other day.

Jack: Not that he'll appreciate it or anything; what did you get him?

Chrissy: A toupee.

(All three laugh.)

Janet: He'll just love that, Chrissy!!

(Doorbell rings.)

Janet: Oh, I'll get that.

(She answers the door. Mr. Roper, Mrs. Roper and Larry are there. Mrs. Roper and Larry looked a little dazed. Mr. Roper is holding a turkey.)

Mr. Roper: Hi, Janet!

Janet: (eyes the turkey) Oh, sorry Mr. Roper we're all out of cranberry sauce.

Mr. Roper: I'm not here for cranberry sauce!!

Janet: You're not? Oh!! Silly me! Of course, now I know what you're here for! Sorry, Mr. Roper we don't have the rent either. Can't we have just a couple more days??

Mr. Roper: Janet, you three can have a whole YEAR to pay your rent!! You too, Larry!

Janet: We can??

Larry: I can??

Mr. Roper: Of course!!! (pulls out a party balloon and hands it to Janet) Here you go Janet!! Merry Christmas! (hugs her)

Janet: Umm--thanks...

Mr. Roper: (walks over to Chrissy) Ohh hiii Chrissy!! (hugs her and hands her a balloon)

Chrissy: Uh--thanks...?

Mr. Roper: Hii Jack! (hands him a balloon and pauses cautiously)

Jack: Yessss...?? (flashes eyelashes)

Mr. Roper: (hugs him akwardly and quickly hands him the turkey) This is for you kids from me!

Jack: Really, Mr. Roper???? Well, uh, thank you. (pauses) Umm, why are you celebrating Christmas??

Mr. Roper: I'm not Jewish.

Chrissy: Why are you acting so... umm...

Janet: Nice?

Mr. Roper: (laughs) Like you guys don't know!!

Jack, Janet, Chrissy, Mrs. Roper, Larry: HUH?????????????

Mr. Roper: You guys! Janet, Jack and Chrissy!! They pretended to be spirits and walked through the wall and visited me at night!!

(Everyone else looks confused.)

Mr. Roper: And Helen, Larry, you two were in it with them, weren't you?? (laughs again) Anyway, I've decided you were right!

Larry: Am I missing something here...?

Mrs. Roper: You're not alone Larry! He's been acting like this ever since he woke up this morning!

Jack: Hey, whatever! He's decided to be nice, I don't have a problem with that!

Chrissy: Yay!! Let's party!!!!!

Larry: Waaaahooooo!!

Mr. Roper: Come on, let's dance!!

Mrs. Roper: I could get used to this!

(Janet turns on the music and everyone starts dancing to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.")

Mrs. Roper: Stanley, I thought you didn't like this song!

Mr. Roper: I changed my mind! Come on, dance!

(Cut to Janet and Chrissy, who are dancing but are looking extremely confused.)

Janet: Chrissy?

Chrissy: Yeah?

Janet: Don't give Mr. Roper the toupee.

COMMERCIAL

[Scene-the North Pole, next Christmas. Santa is holding two lists, his NAUGHTY and his NICE. Shortie the elf enters.]

Shortie: Hey, Santa, who gets presents this year?

Santa: Everyone except for Stanley Roper...

Shortie: Again!! It's always the same year after year!!

Santa: ...But this time it's the Stanley Roper in Jamaica!!

Shortie: Really!!

Santa: Yeah!!

Shortie: I don't believe it!! Let me see!

(Shortie grabs the lists and looks shocked.)

Shortie: It's a miracle!!

[Scene-The Roper's apartment, Christmas day. Helen and Stanley are opening presents.]

Mrs. Roper: Hey, you know Stanley, you've done really well since last year. You've been a lot nicer to people.

Mr. Roper: Some people have the talent.

Mrs. Roper: I mean, you're not hugging people anymore but you're actually still doing pretty well.

Mr. Roper: I guess I have, huh? I'm a pretty good guy. And I didn't get coal this year! I finally got my Name That Tune Guide Book!

[Scene-The kids' apartment. Jack, Janet, and Chrissy are eating dinner in the living room with Larry. They're having turkey.]

Janet: This is great turkey, Jack.

Chrissy: Great cranberry sauce too!! How'd you make it?

Jack: It's store bought Chrissy.

Chrissy: Oh.

Larry: You know what this reminds me of? Last Christmas, when Mr. Roper came up here with that turkey?

Jack: Wow, I'll never forget that day!!

Chrissy: Me, neither!

Janet: I honestly never thought I'd say this but... (holds up her glass, and everyone else does so too) a toast. To the new and improved Mr. Roper!

Chrissy: Yay!

Larry: You know, I wonder how long this is going to last.

Jack: What do you mean by that Larry?? I think Mr. Roper's changed for good!

Janet: I think so too!

Chrissy: So do I!

Larry: You know something? Me too!

(Mr. Roper comes barging into the apartment, followed by Mrs. Roper.)

Jack: Oh, hey Mr. Roper, we were just talking about you!! How about you and Mrs. Roper join us?

Chrissy: We're having turkey!!

Mrs. Roper: Hey, I'd love to! Thanks kids!

(She runs to sit down at the table.)

Mr. Roper: Hold it!! Before you start feasting, you owe me my rent!

Janet: Rent???

Mr. Roper: Yeah!! Last Christmas I promised you a year for your rent! Well, that year is up, where's my money?

(Jack, Janet, Chrissy and Larry start making excuses and talking at once.)

Mr. Roper: Sorry! A promise is a promise! And I promised you a YEAR ONLY. Pay up!!

Jack: (hastily grabs the turkey) Here you go, Mr. Roper, there's my rent! (notices Mr. Roper glaring at him) Hey, it cost me one hundred dollars to make that!

Larry: (grabs a bottle of wine off the table) Here, Mr. Roper, take this!

Jack: Hey, I thought you said that was my Christmas present!!

Larry: Can't you take a joke, Jack?? I mean, why would I give it to you when I could give it to Mr. Roper??

(Jack scowls.)

Janet: (sees Mr. Roper eyeing her) Quick, Chrissy, where's that toupee??

THE END

Kinda weird, i know... lol.

[Kitt]

Your Three's Company Christmas was a lot of fun Montana Ponine. You got the characters acting like they do on the show. lots of good little jokes. Good job. Thanks for posting it

[Montana Ponine]

Thanks so much Kittflynn, compliments and feedback really mean a lot to me. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Bootsy Whoosh]

Great story kittflynn...I gots tears welling up in my eyes at all the parts about the little girl...

Everyone else's stories were interesting and amusing as well..

Montana Ponine, I didn't read yours yet, gosh it is long!! I have to write a paper tonight and tomorrow (it's my final exam!) but when I am done with that I'll come back and read your story, and perhaps even post one of my own soon!

[Montana Ponine]

Looking forward to your story, Bootsy!! http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[DarleneIllyria]

When I was 15, I hated my brother so much. Now that I’m in my 30s, he is my best friend and I love him dearly. During my teenage years though, I hated him so badly. I guess I was jealous of all the attention that he got. Johnny was in a car accident when he was 10, it messed him up pretty badly. He was paralyzed from the waist down, and now depended on a wheel chair to get around. He was 13 during that fateful Christmas when everything boiled over and the steam smoked through the air.

I was trying to be the definition of coolness. I wanted to be cool so badly that I would do anything to be cool. I wanted to be as cool as a 15 year old could possibly be. Johnny was the definition of un-cool. I sat at the supper table eating my food slowly, but yet sophisticatedly. I glanced over at mom and dad. They were chatting up a storm, and seemed so in love with each other. I looked over at Johnny. He sat at the table, stuffing his face full. I rolled my eyes at him, because he was stuffing his face so much he looked like a chipmunk. I looked up when my mother’s voice rang through the air, “Johnny, I hear you received another excellent report card.” Johnny looked up and smiled shyly. My father’s voice spoke up next, “Marilyn, I hear you didn’t do so well.” I sucked my cheeks in and replied back, “Dad, the classes are hard. I do my best to at least make an A, but it always comes out as a C.” Dad frowned slightly and said, “If you studied a bit more, instead of hanging around with all those drug addicts.” I rolled my eyes again, “Dad, they are not drug addicts.” I slumped in my chair as I thought that parents just don’t understand.

Diary: December 23, 1996

Christmas is coming up, and I can’t wait. Nothing much has been going on around here. Mom and dad have been babying Johnny as usual. I hate to be cruel, but they just baby him so much. Johnny gets the good deal, and I get the bad deals. It’s always one thing after another. I can’t wait til I get away from him. I swear, the day he got paralyzed is the day that I might as well have died. I’m sure nobody would notice me dead. Well, gotta go I have to go downstairs and watch my dear parents spoon feed Johnny his supper.

I ran downstairs and sat down at the table. Johnny was busy occupying his time by spinning the wheels on his wheel chair. “Johnny, can’t you at least do something better than spinning your wheels?” He looked at me and shrugged. Mom and dad came into the room with all the plates. The food was already on the table. Both of them had already sat down when mom said, “Oh dear, Marilyn I forgot the butter for Johnny’s roll. Run and get it please.” My red hair began to short circuit as I stood up. I looked over at Johnny who was rolling his wheel chair wheels again. My mouth opened up and the volcano blew up. “Why can’t he get it himself? I’m sick of this. We all do everything for him and he can’t do anything, but sit there spinning his damn wheels on that wheel chair.” My voice began screaming at all of them and I looked over at Johnny, the tears brimmed at my eyes and began to fall, “Look at you. I might as well be dead in this house. I hate you. Do you hear me? I hate you! The day you became a cripple is the day I should’ve ran away from home!” Mom stood up and glared at me, “How dare you say those things. Go to your room!” I looked at Johnny before I ran upstairs and saw that he really looked bad. I had really hurt his feelings. I couldn’t apologize. I wouldn’t apologize. I sneered at Johnny and ran upstairs.

I hate him. God, I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I must’ve said that a million times while sobbing into my pillow. Mom came into the room a few minutes later and gave me all this jazz. She doesn’t understand. How would she feel if she were me? I climbed out my window and down a ladder that was built under my window. I jumped down the last few steps and walked over to the bench. The bench overlooked the whole yard. I looked at all the Christmas lights that glimmered from the houses on the street. I heard the porch door slam. I didn’t turn around, because I knew it was Johnny. “You must really hate me? Well, do you?” I continued looking ahead and said, “I don’t think you want me to answer that. You don’t know me. I wonder if you ever knew me.” Johnny cleared his throat; “I could say the same thing for you not knowing me. You don’t know how I feel about being in this damn thing for the rest of my life. I’ll never be able to do what you do. I want to go to a dance, well what am I going to do? Am I just going to sit there and drink punch until I go to the bathroom? You don’t know how lucky you are, either you are too dumb to realize it, or you don’t want to realize it.” I felt the hot tears falling again, “What do you want me to do Johnny? Are you telling me this because you want my pity? I don’t give pity away Johnny. You can’t even earn my pity. I build my pity up for one person, and that happens to be me.” Johnny sighed and replied, “Whatever, I might as well be talking to a brick wall.” He wheeled himself back up, and slammed the porch door.

The next day was Christmas Eve. I slept through the day, and didn’t go downstairs not even once. Why even go downstairs? I would just be the invisible girl. It wasn’t worth it. On Christmas Day, mom came in and woke me up. I told her to bring my presents upstairs. I lied and told her my stomach was cramping, and I didn’t feel like moving. Mom actually gave into my requests and brought them upstairs. I sat in bed with the presents on the blankets. I picked up each present and looked at who they were from. I decided to open the present that didn’t have a tag on it. I wondered who it was from. I unwrapped it slowly and saw a jewelry box. It had jewels all around it. It looked exquisite. I opened up the box and saw paper inside. I unwrapped the paper and looked down at it.

Hey Sis,

I hope you enjoy the jewelry box. I left the tag off of it, because I knew you probably wouldn’t open it if you knew whom it was from. I got to thinking after our conversation, and I realized I was just as harsh as you were. I may not be able to do all that you are able to do, but I do thank my lucky stars that I’m even here. No, this isn’t some kind of ploy to get pity. I just wanted to let you know that I love you. I know we get into fights, but I still love you. I consider you my best friend, even though this feeling may not be the same thing you feel towards me. I drew you a picture, and I hope you like it. Merry Christmas.

Love Always,
Johnny
I opened up the drawing and saw a picture of my first teddy bear. The teddy bear was special to me. It got lost one day when I was playing in the park. I began to cry as I looked at the innocent looking teddy bear. I placed the picture up on my wall and ran downstairs. I found Johnny in the living room, and hugged him. Mom and dad weren’t in the room. I sat down beside Johnny, “Johnny, I opened your present. I think I liked the picture more than the jewelry box. I really do love you. I was just jealous of you. I expected that just because you are in a wheel chair that you were lower than a bug on the wall. I’m sorry. I love you.” I continued to hug him, as I realized just how lucky I am.

That Christmas really opened up my eyes. Johnny and I still hang out a lot. Mom and dad aren’t here anymore, but Johnny and I still keep the family together. The good news is that technology has developed so much that they may be able to make Johnny titanium steel legs. He’ll be able to walk again, but will have to walk with a cane. I’m glad that I got to know my brother, and realized that he was the cool one all along.

[Montana Ponine]

Wow Jenny!! Did u make that up? I loved it, it was very touching. Thanks for posting it! :)

[DarleneIllyria]

Originally posted by Montana Ponine
Wow Jenny!! Did u make that up? I loved it, it was very touching. Thanks for posting it! :)

Yes, I made it up tonight. I'm glad you liked it. :) Usually my stories have sad endings, but this one actually came out with a happy ending, so I'm kind of surprised by that. :)

[Montana Ponine]

Originally posted by Jenny


Yes, I made it up tonight. I'm glad you liked it. :) Usually my stories have sad endings, but this one actually came out with a happy ending, so I'm kind of surprised by that. :)

lol! none of my stories ever have sad endings hehe they all have to have happy. but i never write sad/serious stories anyway..like my fan fic they all have to be silly. :D

[Kitt]

Nice and well written story Jenny.

I'm letting all of you in a little secret. Jenny and I e-mail each other. Sometimes we talk about writing. She inspires me and I know, because she has told me, I inspire her. I'm pleased and proud to share that interest with Jenny and, more impotantly. to call Jenny my friend.

[Penny Lane]

This is a true story. My grandpa was a little boy in the early 1900's. He lived on a ranch in Montana miles from town! So every Christmas time they couldn't get to a post office to mail their letters to Santa Claus.What they did was ........... wrote to Santa and threw the letters into the fireplace. His mother told them that their letters would get to Santa by travelling in the smoke. Kind of like smoke signals! I thought that that was very clever of his mother to come up with that!;)