Everything Sucks! Season 2 (KEMALINE)

Episode 2 Part 1 - Church and Belts

- Kate -

December 24th, 1996

Okay, so that was awkward. I forgot what it was like to have family drama. Of course, I miss my mom like crazy, but her death has kept her brothers away from the entire Pacific Northwest for ten years. A win in my book.

I can tell my Dad feels sort of strange about this too.

"Do you know what that's about?" I ask him, trying to gauge exactly what he feels.

"I didn't want to push her to tell me anything, so all the details I have are that Leroy's family wants to spend time with her and Luke before he heads back on the road."

"Why Christmas though? After being gone for half a dozen years and he thinks he can just demand one of the most important holidays of the year?"

"To keep the peace, I guess. It's my understanding that the grandparents have a college fund for Luke, so one day to keep them happy."

"Ah." That sucks, I'd hate to spend Christmas like that. I'm sure Dad's thinking the same thing.

"What if we throw them a second, superior Christmas?" I propose.

"Which would entail what?" he questions, clearly intrigued.

"Next week, we do it all over again. Get some more presents, a huge breakfast and dinner, and Christmas movies all day!"

"I don't know Kate, I feel like that's a lot for me and Sherry's first few weeks of seeing each other," he says, tentatively.

"It'll be smaller then. Shan's Diner for breakfast, I'll pick up some knick-knacks from the thrift store and wrap them, and your spaghetti for dinner. I can swing that on some allowance I have saved up. A secondary, mini Christmas."

I can tell he's warming to the idea.

"Alright, let's do it," he agrees with a smile.

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- Luke -

December 24th, 1996

[11:23 PM]

When I agreed to Christmas with Mary, Joe, and Leroy, I was thinking maybe a 10 am to 5 pm type of situation. I absolutely did not consider, nor agree to, midnight mass. But here I am, still very much stuffed with turkey and three different types of casserole, desperately trying to zip my nice pants so I can pray to a god I don't believe in with people I don't like at half past midnight. Delightful.

"Luke, bud, are you almost ready?" Mom calls in as she knocks on the door.

"Come in," I say, giving up. She enters. "I don't have any pants that fit," I start. "Does that mean we don't have to go?" I ask hopefully. She rolls her eyes at me.

"I got you some new ones for Christmas. Let me go grab them." She walks down the hall and comes back with a bag, way overstuffed with gift wrap. She leaves it on my bed, and I change into them. They're decently too big, and I, in this moment, of course, cannot find any belt I've ever owned. Mom knocks and comes back in, seeing me clearly holding the pants up. She giggles.

"I can fix this," she says with a small chuckle. She walks out again, and I hear her footsteps go down the hall and into her room. She rustles in the closet for a minute before coming back with one of Leroy's old belts. The one with the little cameras on the buckle. I remember it well, he used to wear it all the time when I was little. I forgot I remembered that. She holds it out to me.

"Will this work?" I nod slowly, taking in the memories of late night ice cream and pumpkin patches and fourth of July picnics that come rushing back. She checks her watch.

"Mary and Joe are expecting us by 11:45 so the rest of the pew doesn't get taken. Those Catholics are ruthless," she jokes. I'm half paying attention. I didn't know such a small object could have so much power over me. She sees I'm having some reactions, and quietly walks out while reminding me to hurry up. I quickly lace the belt through the loops in my pants, slip on my shoes, and meet her in the living room. She grabs her keys, and we head to the car.

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After a particularly quiet ride, which, after the belt incident, I'm very grateful Mom allowed, we manage to grab the last spot in a small church parking lot. As we get out of the car, she checks her watch again.

"Shit," she mutters. "Come on, bud, T-minus 90 seconds before our seats are gone," she continues as she starts ushering me towards the entrance.

We head inside, and I realize I've never actually been inside a church before. I mean, sure, I've seen them on TV and all that, but the stained glass feels so different at night. I feel like I'm somewhere I'm not supposed to be. The ceilings are really tall too. I bet the acoustics are really great in here. But something about it makes everything feel so... hallow.

And then I look straight forward, at the altar, and I realize I've seen this all before, in my parents' wedding album.

I can't help but wonder what Mom is thinking. I also can't help but think of Kate. The best day of Mom's life was here, and after today, one of her worst could be too. But at least she got the chance to try and to feel and to hope. She took a chance on love. Sure, it bit her in the ass in the end, but she did it. I hope to god, maybe to the one in this church, or to whichever one is out there, that Kate gets that someday.

Mom grabs my wrist and pulls me towards the front. In the third row on the left-hand side, I'm met with Mary, Joe, and Leroy, with their coats fluffed and spread out to take up as much room on the bench as possible. Mary spots me, and clearly sighs in relief. Mom and I quickly make our way over.

"Thank goodness you got here when you did," she says to me with a smile. "I don't know how much longer I'd have been able to keep Ellen and Frank Peters away. They were really gunning for these seats." As soon as she finishes her sentence, a strong chord erupts from the organ. Here we go.

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Well that was quite possibly the most boring hour of my life. No wonder we don't go to church. After that, I'd literally give my firstborn to go home and sleep for like 12 hours in my own bed. I tell Mom this, and she looks at me apologetically. Damn.

"Sherry and Luke!" Mary announces as she approaches us in the parking lot. You guys can follow our car, right?" she asks Mom. I try to interject, but Mom beats me to a response.

"You got it Mary! See you in a few!" she says in a way that's saccharinely friendly.

"Moooom," I complain.

"I'm sorry, bud," she apologizes. But remember, 24 hours from now, we're done with them." That's the only thing keeping me going.

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We pull into Mary and Joe's driveway after them. Their house is really nice, it's the type that has a balcony off the master bedroom, and there's two entrances to the driveway.

We all get out of our respective cars, and file into the front door. As we go in, we're met with a pile of five gift bags; one for each of us. Before anyone can say anything, Mary shoves a bag into each of our hands.

Pajamas. In all of them.

"Oh, I'm so glad I was able to find matching sets in everyone's size! These will look so great in the pictures tomorrow morning! Luke, Sherry, come on. Let me show you to your rooms!" Oh boy.

Mary leads Mom and me up a flight of stairs. We stop next to the second door on the left of the second floor.

"For Luke," Mary says before opening the door, and I'm met with what might as well be a hotel room. The most comfortable-looking bed with super soft sheets. This woman even gave me a pillow mint. I stay there as she leads Mom down the hallway.

I go into the bathroom attached to the room and change. These PJs may be ugly, but damn, are they soft. Next to the sink, I find a little basket with things like deodorant, a toothbrush, a washcloth, and other daily essentials. I quickly brush my teeth and get into the bed. As much as I'm averse to being here, I'm so tired, and the bed is so comfortable that I'm knocked out as soon as my head hits the pillow.