The Freak - S01 E13

3 months ago

The Freak - S01 E13

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 13

We rose when the priest strode in to begin the Mass, but also leaned across Barbara to kiss my little sister and wish her a merry Christmas before repeating with Barbara. "Merry Christmas,"I whispered, "the first of many" She accepted my kiss on her cheek, but I could see the confusion on her face. I gave her another quick one and turned my attention to the Mass.

One of the good things about Mass in the church hall was that we didn't have to kneel. Instead, we sat, leaning forward slightly. We took Communion, Carole again holding hands with Barbara and me. Seeing us together the priest must have thought we were a young family and paused briefly to bless us, much to Barbara's and my amusement. We walked out into the cold December morning Just before 1:00 a.m. and were home less than fifteen minutes later.

This was the time that we traditionally opened our presents from Santa and our family. I helped Dad and my sisters bring piles of wrapped gifts down from my parents' bedroom to the living room where they were sorted into piles on the floor. Then I retreated to my closet, carrying a big armful of boxes that I placed mostly in front of Barbara before doing it all over again, this time with presents for my sisters and parents.

Barbara and I sat on a couch while the sisters took the floor and

my parents sat on a large sectional in the opposite corner of their

huge living room. I thought Carole would tear into her gifts as she

always did, but instead she walked up to Barbara to ask her, "Will you open mine first? I bought it with my own money." Barbara took the small package and shook it, causing Carole to laugh crazily. Then Barbara acted as though she couldn't get it open and asked for Carole's help which was eagerly given. Inside was a small spiral notebook, roughly 2.5 inches by four.

"I love it, Carole. It's perfect for keeping my assignments and homework for school and pink is my favorite color. Thank you so much." Then she hugged and kissed my sister who was thrilled. Looking across the room I could once again see how pleased my parents were.

Carole ran to her pile returning a few seconds later with a good- sized box with a label that said to Carole from Barbara and J.J.

"Will you help me open it, Barbara," she asked. Barbara slipped to the floor and turned the box upside down before showing Carole where to tear the paper. Carole's eyes were the size of saucers as she saw the present she had begged for only for weeks before this blessed day. Inside were bunny slippers and a special bunny robe. She had her shoes off in a blur of motion and the slippers and robe on almost as quickly before leaping forward to hug and thank Barbara and, as an obvious afterthought, me.

Everyone began to open their gifts. My first was a silk tie from Barbara. I thanked her with a kiss. Her first was a woolen cap and glove set in a red, black, and green plaid from my sister Angela. Next was a matching scarf from Marie, my middle sister. My parents had bought her a cardigan sweater-gray, and then she reached for my gifts. The first small box had come from Harry Winston, the world famous jeweler. She opened the box and gasped. "I know the good sisters won't let you wear anything around your neck but a cross. It's platinum and so is the chain. Platinum is a lot stronger than gold so it should last you a long time."

"Are these real diamonds?"

"Yeah, and that's a ruby in the center. I hope you like it."

Her eyes showed pure adoration as she replied, "I love it. I really do. It's beautiful." She put it down to pick up the next box. She held it up and was about to shake it when I suggested that might be a really bad idea. Instead, she opened it carefully. Under the wrapping paper was another Harry Winston box. Her hand went to her mouth when she opened the box. The diamond and opal. pendant with matching earrings and ring were truly exquisite. The opal was her October birthstone, "Oh, Jack! It's too much! I bought you a tie!"

"Yeah, and love it. can't wait to wear it. You spent within your means and so did I. Merry Christmas!" Barbara took one more look then closed the box and pulled me into a long kiss. As expected, Carole was standing next to us when she broke it. "Carole, there is something about your brother..."

"Yeah, I love him, too."

I had also bought her a knee-length coat made from water- resistant nylon with a hood and a removable merino wool lining for real warmth and two dresses suitable for a fancy dinner or party. All of the gifts, had been opened by 1:45 so my mother retired to the kitchen to start the oven for the rolls that were also a part of

our traditional breakfast. We broke up for bed and sleep by 2:30.

kissed Barbara good night then she whispered, "I guess it really was my lucky day when you saved me, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," I thought. "It was my lucky day, too." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss me and that was when we heard the giggle just above the landing where the stairs turned ninety degrees before continuing to the second floor. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed,"I asked with a ferocity that all three of us knew I could never have toward my sister.

"I just wanted to kiss Barbara goodnight again," Carole said with another giggle. Then she bounded down the stairs to hug and kiss my girlfriend for at least the tenth time. I scooped her up into my arms as she laughed again to hug her and give her a kiss complete with what was known at the time as a "Bronx cheer" in which my lips vibrated wetly onto her cheek. Carole claimed to hate it, but we both knew differently. I put her down and swatted her behind playfully as she finally ran all the way up the stairs.

"Finally," whispered. "I agree...it was a very lucky day for me, too. And, every day since has been just as lucky." Barbara obviously agreed as she moved into my arms. This time there were no giggles, only the quiet sound of two pair of lips meeting in unbridled passion, my arms tightly around her body and hers wrapped almost as tightly around my neck. We held the kiss for almost five minutes before she whispered that she'd better go. She gave me a quick peck before ascending the stairs, I turned out the rest of the living room lights and moved to my room at the back of the house where I fell immediately into the deepest sleep.

Christmas day was always spent either trying out new toys or trying on new clothes although I did receive a great spinning reel and rod that I really wanted last year. I had Barbara go first, using my bathroom to give me a fashion show with her new coat, dresses, and sweater from my parents. She even tried out the new hat, gloves, and scarf from my sisters. I wasn't at all surprised that everything fit, but Barbara was mystified until I explained about having several flashes that had told me everything needed to know. Last of all she tried on her new jewelry. Everyone agreed that her opal and diamond set was exquisite and elegant simultaneously. "You can wear the set and one of the dresses on Tuesday."

"Huh?"