Xmas Eve With the Family

Xmas is with Amanda and Rick and Daniel at Florence Avenue.

Amanda did everything. “No, I don’t want any help.”

“Do you want us to bring anything?”

“No, you don’t have to bring anything.”

“Are we doing presents?”

“Oh Joshua, bring presents, don’t bring presents, whatever you want.”

“Is that a yes, or no?”

“It is what it is, Josh,” said Amanda. “It is what it is.”

“What is up with you?”

“Nothing, Josh. I’m just busy with everything.”

“Can you put dad on?”

“Yes.” The phone went clunk on the phone table.

Then there was silence. And more silence. And even more silence.

Scrape. Clunk. “Ullo.”

“Dad.”

“Number 2 son, what’s up?”

“Is mum okay?”

“Oh, yes, mate, I think so.”

“She seems very snippy…”

“Oh, Josh, it is her favourite time of year. She gets to complain with impunity, something about if she didn’t do it nobody would. Always the same story…”

“Always the same story.”

“And at the end of it, she gets her two sons to share a meal with her. And I don’t think she is ever any happier than at Xmas.”

“Well, if you are sure.”

“Oh yes, Josh, I couldn’t be surer,” said Dad. “All she wants is you and your brother, you must know that.”

“Oh, okay then.”

“See you tomorrow?”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”