Chapter 1: Christmas

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!" Peter's alarm went off at 7 am.

"Yippee! It's finally here!" Davy yelled and jumped out of bed.

He ran to the same spot every Christmas day. The living room couch, the right side, right next to the tree. I got out of bed, as usual, wondering why he acted like such a five-year-old when it came to Christmas. I sat in the same spot every year too, on the step of the stage, handing out gifts. I was "Santa"; they called me Santa as I handed them their gifts too. Peter came bounding into the living room, cheerful as usual.

"Ho, Ho, Ho!" Peter yelled, in his best Santa voice.

"'Ay! That's my line!" I joked. I kissed him good morning and he sat next to Davy.

From upstairs, a loud growl was heard.

"Mikes up!" I giggled.

He and an anxious Micky came down the spiral staircase and sat also. I giggled at Mike's sour expression.

"Ah don't see what's so fun about Christmas!" He replied, growling.

"It's fun!" Micky yelled and bounced in his chair.

I handed out the gifts in Military roll call fashion. We each got four- one from each person in the house.  Once everyone had their gifts, we went around opening them, starting with Davy and ending with me. (Davy, Peter, Mike, Micky, then Me) We were all happy with our gifts. Once it was all over, we threw away the wrapping paper and I made breakfast. Micky turned on the annual parade and he, Davy, and Peter "ooh"-ed and "aah-ed at the balloons and floats; all the while, I wondered why they ALL acted like five-year-olds.

After breakfast, I pulled Micky and Peter aside and asked, "Did you guys start your shopping for them for their birthdays?"

They shuffled their feet and looked at the floor. I nodded.

"Thought not. Ok, tomorrow, we're going out to get them stuff. Be ready by 8, okay?" I asked.

They agreed and ran back into the living room and watched the parade.

Chapter 2:

"Alright. Where we orderin food from? Ahm hungry!" Mike grumbled.

"Order? On Christmas day?" I asked, giving him a "you've got to be kidding" look.

"Well, how else are we supposed'ta eat? No one around here can cook worth a darn." He replied.

"We can too!" Peter pouted.

"Pete, lemme handle this bud." I replied, pushing Mike into the kitchen.

"Listen bucko..." I started and was abruptly cut off.

"'Bucko'? That's has got tah be the worst..." Mike also started.

"No shut up! You're gonna listen to me!" I stated firmly.

He sighed.

"Every year, you try to ruin Christmas and every year I sit by the side watching those boys get hurt with all your "Scrooge"-ness! Well, i'm fed up! You're not spoiling it for us this year!" I took a deep breath. "You're going to act happy if it kills you. Do not ruin it again for them. They love it too much. Why take away the only greatest time of the year for them?"

He looked speechless.

"Well, how bout them apples?" I finished.

"Ah, Mandi, I didn't know ya felt that way." He finally said.

"You're darn right!"

"I'm sorry, I... It's just...." He stammered.

"That's it, come up with a good excuse. Go ahead." I said flatly.

"I... Come here." He pulled me into the bedroom just off the kitchen.

"This is my problem." He started with.

I nodded and sat down. Looked like a long story was coming.

"So yeah like I was sayin', uh..." Mike started uneasy.

"Yeah?" Mandi said a bit agitated.

"Well, it's just, every year.... every year..." a tear rolled down his cheek.

Mandi started to get a bit sympathetic. "What's wrong hon? Tell."

"Well, every year around this time, I seem to loose..." Mike started really crying.

Mandi had never seen him really cry before.

Trying to add some humour to the situation, he finished with, "...a pet!" he let out a loud cry. He sniffed. "If i've got one."

Mandi thought that was a load of crap.

"Comeon. Tell me the truth!"

"Aight." Mike got serious. He sniffed and said, " Well, every year this time I really loose a loved one."

It all started to make sense to Mandi.

"Last year, before you came, I lost my girlfriend. The one I told you about, Sharon. The one I was really in love with?"

Mandi hugged Mike and apologised for giving him such a hard time. She had no idea.

"I'm sorry babe. I had no idea."

Mike cried softly into Mandi's shoulder.

"Don't worry," Mandi said. "This year will be your best ever, and I promise, no one will die."

Mike looked confused. "Die? Ah Mandi, ya missed the point. They don't die, they just leave. Vanish. Lost. No one knows why."

The boys were listening in through the other side of the door. They started laughing at Mandi's mistaken words.

"Oh...oh." Mandi was a bit embarassed and a bit confused.

Mike hugged her. "It's okay. Anybody's mistake. I guess I should be more clear when I explain somethin', huh?"

They laughed. "Yeah." Mandi replied. 

Just then, Mandi heard the boys' giggling from in the kitchen. She opened the door and caught them.

"What have I told you boys about spying?!" Mandi scolded.

Peter, in between giggles, replied, "uh, not to do it?" He burst out laughing.

"Why do you all find this so funny?" Mandi was completely lost. So was Mike.

"We thought something was going on in there!" Davy giggled.

"Like what?" Mandi asked.

"Uh, I dunno. What do you THINK we were thinking?" Micky asked.

"Mike was only explaining to me what was bothering him." Mandi told the truth.

"Sure, sure. That's what they all say." Davy said, walking away and waving his hand.

The boys went back into the living room and all sat.

Mandi looked at Mike and Mike bowed his head, looking at his shoes.

"Boys." Mandi sarcastically said, rolling her eyes.