Part XII --- Viva Los Holidads!
'Come on Jimmy open it up!'
It was Christmas morning in the Faulkes household and the entire family was there. Young, middle-aged and old all gathered in a circle around ten year old Jimmy, who was first to open his presents.
'Hurry up, Smelly! We'd like to open our gifts too!' groaned Jimmy's older brother Craig.
Without delay Jimmy grabbed his first present and tore the wrapping to shreds. It was from his mother: a brand new baseball mitt. Jimmy's parents were journalists and unfortunately were on assignment in Belgium this Christmas, but Jimmy looked out the window and thanked them whether they were.
'Open mine next, Jimmy!' said Uncle Rodgess.
Jimmy found his uncle's gift conveniently atop the others, immaculately wrapped and taped. Ten year old children however are not known for precision when opening gifts, especially during winter holidays. Jimmy ripped it open and was incredibly excited: it was a video game.
'Spelling Blaster 3000!' said Uncle Rodgess happily. 'The lady in the store said it's what every cool kid is playing!'
Jimmy's excitement vanished instantly but he put on a grateful face and thanked his uncle. Next was a present from his little sister, Didi. It was not well taped or wrapped, instead several crayon marks were all over it. Jimmy let the wrapping fall off and found a plastic doll with an arm missing, the remaining limbs also covered by crayon. He smiled at his little sister, who tried to clap her tiny hands but fell over onto the carpet.
'You're going to love my gift, Jimmy.' declared his Auntie Carol.
Old enough to know a clue, Jimmy found her present and opened it next. It was a brownish-green sandwich sealed not tightly in a ziploc bag. Jimmy looked up at his aunt, confused.
'It's an organic eggs, beets and vine sprout sandwich!' said Auntie Carol proudly
'It's smells funny...' said Jimmy, looking over the greenish parts of it.
'That's flavour, Jimmy Wimmy! One bite of that will add years to your life! And make you look so much younger too!'
Jimmy smiled politely and grabbed his next present. It was from his older brother Craig and in an envelope.
'I.O.U: "One punch in the arm." Hey what does that... Ow!'
Rubbing his shoulder, Jimmy set his eyes on a present from Uncle Gerald, although now he insisted the family call him Hanzel-Singh-De-Candalario-Singh-Sundah-Flowers. Jimmy opened his eccentric uncle's present, disappointed to find the same book his uncle gave him every year.
'Humanity's Place In The Cosmic Scheme of Singhism. What a... surprise...' groaned Jimmy.
'Absolutely!' said Uncle Gerald, oblivious to the look of crushed enthusiasm on his nephew's face. 'You see, Jimmy, there's a powerful, all mighty force out there that has a plan for all of us. You, me, the trees, the sea, Sean Bean. All of us. And have you ever wondered about--'
'Gerald! Enough! It's bad enough we have to listen to you. Leave the kid out of this...' said Auntie Carol sharply.
Jimmy did not like being called a kid and as he realized he had reached his last present his heart was damp with unhappiness. It was from his father: another envelope, which made Jimmy even more uncomfortable as his shoulder still stung from the last one. He opened it and found only a letter and four small cards inside. Jimmy read to himself:
'Hey son. I know it's hard on you with your mom and I away so much but here's something to make your days a little better. In this envelope are four cards that you can use at anytime for whatever you want, ice cream or pizza or whatever. Show it to your Auntie Carol or your Uncle Rodgess and they'll know. Use them wisely and know that we love you so much! Love: Mum and Dad.
Jimmy read the letter twice to let it all sink in for him. After that, he took one of the cards from the envelope, took a look at the green sandwich and knew what he wanted.
'Oh Auntie Carol...'
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