Page 2 of A Raging Merry Christmas
“Then why are we here?” Texas inquired, tapping on the table.
“Christmas,” I replied.
“This is about Christmas?” Apache responded.
“And the Winter Ball. It’s being held on the Saturday before the big day, and attendance is mandatory. Phoe is insisting we wear tuxedos,” I said as appalled looks were shot in my direction.
“Not putting on a penguin suit—ever,” Fish stated.
“You fuckin’ are, all of you, and that’s an order,” I announced and let that sink in. “Your tickets are one thousand per person,so get ready to pay up. And no cuts over the tuxedos, Phoe will kill you all.”
“Prez. We’ve always got away with jeans and a button-down and our colours,” Lex complained.
“I know. This year, Phoe and the old ladies have bees in their bonnets. This time, we are gonna give them exactly what they want. But I’ve got an idea. Go get fitted for the tuxes, and I’ll have the patch embroidered on them,” I ordered.
Everyone beamed and nodded, although they weren’t happy.
“Fine,” Texas replied grumpily. “Is that it?”
“No. We’re taking over from the women and are planning Christmas to take a burden off them,” I explained, and silence fell.
“This is a sick joke, right?” Ghost demanded.
“Nope, we’re going to organise everything. The old ladies only need to buy gifts. Plus, ninety per cent of us are banned from the toy store for another three months,” I muttered, annoyed.
Why supply toys that make a noise? And why do shop owners get irate when they are pressed to hear those sounds? Stupid rules.
“What have you got in mind?” Axel boomed, sounding wary.
“The whole shebang. We’re going to sort breakfast, dinner, and tea, organise the tree, someone’s gonna dress as Santa, and shitloads more. The youngsters need to do a nativity play for Christmas Eve and have snowball fights in the afternoon. I want this to be one the women and kids will remember. And they will recall us taking the time to plan it for them,” I said.
I held back what I didn’t say. Some of us sitting here may not live next year, leading to broken families. I shied away from that, but the same thought crossed their minds: I saw it. Nobody commented, none dared to. The idea that, next Christmas, a few of us might be missing bit deep. I was unwilling to confront that truth and deliberately changed the direction of my thoughts.
“What’s your plans?” Ace asked, breaking the silence.
“Someone to dress up as Santa on Christmas Eve,” I said and sat back.
“That’s me,” Axel boomed.
I joined everyone in smirking; that had been pretty obvious.
“Axel, you can also help the kids make their ornaments. We need Santa footsteps throughout the house, leading from the main tree to each room guests are staying in. Those in Rivendell and Ewok Village are in charge of the footprints there.”
“I’m going to come down the chimney and deliver toys. I’ll get security to record it,” I added, and my brothers exchanged glances.
“Drake, you’re too old,” Apache exclaimed.
“Bullshit, I’ve got plenty of life in me,” I retorted. The cheeky asshole.
“Prez, it’s not that easy to climb down a chimneystack,” Gunner interjected.
“You think I don’t know that?” I challenged.
“What if you get stuck?” Calamity asked.
“What if Phoe sets a fire?” Rock added, and everybody laughed.
“I’m doing the chimney. End of story. We need someone to fetch the tree and volunteers to set it up.”