It was now Christmas Day and both families were up at their normal workday time instead of sleeping. They wanted to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, while they discussed the plans of the day, before they opened their presents. Amber's parents admitted to themselves that shopping for her had been trickier than in years gone by. She had less than two months of her pregnancy left, so maternity clothing was out of the question, a...

"It’s not what it looks like," he said. "I’m not pushing. You’re the one pushing." "Am not." "Are too." "Leave me alone. This side is mine. Stay on your side." "I’m not on your side. Now I’m on your side. Now I’m not on your side." "Stop. I’m gonna’ tell." "Go ahead. See if I care." "I will. Then you’ll have to stay behind." "Yeah, right. As if I’ll be left behind." " I hate you." "You can’t hate me, it’s Christmas. You h...

She awoke ecstatic to see us after rushing to the hospital from our Christmas cruise. The e-mails were candid, ‘Mom in hospital. Home can’t deal with outbursts and rudeness!’ This was inevitable after three strokes and a heart attack. Facilities for Alzheimer patients? Good luck! Mortal health and emotional complications, copious drugs, delusional dreams, faltering hope. Widowed at forty, six children and no job; she was...

He woke up ecstatic. Today, Christmas Eve, was the day Johnny and his friend, Steven, were testing their new invention: Missile Boots. "You're sure these have been fully calibrated?" Johnny asked, lacing the boots to his feet. He donned a Santa suit, complete with a hat and beard. "Positive. Let's soar, Santa." Steven declared. He hit the "Launch" command on his laptop. For a moment, silence. Johnny sighed. Then, boom. Th...

For the past few years, I was a ne’er do well. I was the one kid from the Houston ghettoes that would throw illegal raves, steal cars, run a couple meth labs, run drugs to Mexico and saw the inside of a jail cell more times than dudes saw the panty line of the neighborhood slut. The number of times I’ve been arrested should go in a record book somewhere. I’m surprised I’m not featured on America’s Most Wanted. The beginni...

"It's not what it looks like," she said. The girl’s parents stared in horror at what had, the night before, been a festive and lovingly arranged assortment of gifts under the tree. "But...but why?" Father reached down and examined a piece of shattered dollhouse while Mother wept. "My teacher said some kids don't get any toys at Christmas." She swung the hammer like a baton as she spoke. "I thought you'd be proud—why're yo...

The Christmas present ticked me off! After twenty years of friendship, he knew how I felt about presents and Christmas. The wondrous ideal of love, family and religious worship, that Christmas is, was disappearing; being bastardized by the rapacious celebrations of today’s materialistic society. I abhor that loss of spirituality and introspection. How could he do this? But remembering our loving friendship and the true gi...

“You cannot be me from the future!” I shouted. “That is just not possible! Besides… you’re old and ugly!” “Deal with it!” the old man replied. “I am future you! And I can prove it.” “How?” “By telling you things that only you could know,” he said. I took another hit of gin from my hip flask and stared at the seventy-something guy standing in front of me. If this was me forty years from now I was in trouble! But there was...

You want what? It was Christmas Eve 1996, daddy was back from the war in Vietnam. It had been a long year with daddy gone. Everyone was so excited about Christmas. We all bundled up and everyone jumped into the car to go and see all the Christmas lights. We were having such a great time and suddenly our five year old son excitedly said, “I can't stand it. I want it to be Christmas morning.” I made the comment that he must...

“Are you elfing nuts? You can’t go on strike!” hollered Santa. Yes, there were times when the ‘Big Guy’ bellowed, or even screamed. Like the time Blitzen accidently stepped on his big toe – the one with the bulging bunion, or when Mrs. Claus accidently spilled a mug of hot chocolate on his lap. “We’re in prime toy-making season fellas.” Santa Claus pleaded; he’d never experienced something like this before. “Don’t they li...

He woke up ecstatic, he felt so wonderful! He wasn't going to have that same old boring Christmas dinner with his parents. No, he was going to buy HER, that beauty he brought home, a fancy dinner. Remembering last night, he turned around, seeking her eyes, next to him, on the pillow. An empty pillow! What the..! Caught by a sudden chill, he looked in the bathroom, in his tiny kitchen. SHE was gone. In his pockets he searc...

The Christmas present ticked and would open soon. They've chosen one out of billions annually since the Code was deciphered because its power must be limited. They placed the box in my home on Christmas Eve, timer set for eight in the morning. I'm waiting in the living room now, heart thundering, unknowable sciences about to bring you back. You'll be there, naked. Alive. Every memory retained. Even your death. You'll ask...

Not guilty, your honor. It was not I who broke into the Martins houshold. I was not the one who stole the flatscreen in the living area. It was not me who broke down their seven foot tree. I did not steal the presents from underneath. My name is Santa Claus. I delivered those presents at midnight on the twenty-fifth of December. I polished the ornaments and placed a bow on their Tv. I fed the dog and gave him a bone. And...

All the Christmas stories the children are learning As the Christmas candle is burning. The stories are being told by grandparents and parents alike Sitting by the candle light. Oh so many stories that must be told Stories that never gets old. Stories of different places and unfamiliar faces Like stories of Uncle Scrooge and how the people s kindness he abused And how he changed his ways, and the story lives on till this...

"You got what for my mother?""A vibrator.""Why?""She was complaining about her sore feet.""So you bought her a vibrator?""I was trying to help!"The wife chased her husband out of the house. He ran until he lost her, then made his way back home, once he was sure she had stopped chasing. Looking at the present, the woman realised her mistake."Aw, bless him," she smiled, her eyes welling up.She found him wandering and confus...