Madferit: The Novel - Continued

Chapter 154: December 2001

If you haven't already (and thank you so much if you have!), please read the Author's Note posted prior to this chapter as it will explain why I've begun posting this story the way that I have.

Also, if you read the Content Previews I've shared (and thank you so much if you have), feel free to scroll down to wherever those ended to pick up where they leave off if you'd like!

I hope you enjoy this part of Chapter 154!

Thank you for reading!

Thump!

"Oh, fuck!" Noel exclaimed. "Hopefully there weren't nothin' breakable in there but it don't sound too good..."

I stayed in the kitchen washing dishes while listening to Noel make noise in the living room.

It was mostly quiet noise with some bumping and thumping at times along with Noel's quiet mumbles and grumbles.

"How many fuckin' more are there?" He wondered aloud. "Jesus!"

At that point, I decided it was time to go check on him.

"What the heck are you doin'?" I asked watching him carry a Rubbermaid tote into the living room.

"The fuck's it look like I'm doin'?" He quipped. "It's time to decorate for Christmas now, innit? Halloween and Thanksgiving's over plus yer said we're delayed in decoratin' thanks to goin' 'ome for your 'oliday."

"Yeah. You're right-"

"Course I'm fuckin' right! I always am, ain't I? It weren't even my holiday, it were yours. Yank bird, Yank holiday, Thanksgivin'. Deffo not a British one!"

"Didn't seem to stop you from stuffin' your face!" I shot back.

"Course it didn't." He replied. "Nowt wrong with a free meal."

"It wasn't completely free." I informed him. "We paid for part of it."

"Which part?"

"The mac and cheese."

I bought groceries when we needed them at my parents' house including things my parents needed if they had me run to the store for them.

"Right." He nodded. "So, what're we contributin' to the Christmas dinner?"

"Mac and cheese, vegetable tray, and a trail bologna and cheese tray." I informed him.

He rolled his eyes. "What is it with Americans and their silly traditions? Not to mention they can't cook!"

"Well, for all the more we can't cook that still doesn't keep you from-"

"I don't got a choice, do I? Plus I can only fit so many tins of beans and Pot Noodle in me suitcase. I just don't understand why Americans have such a problem cookin' turkey, potatoes, and stuffing for Christmas. It's proper abnormal!"

"This comin' from somebody who don't even like celebratin' Christmas!" I pointed out.

"Fuckin' right!" He agreed. "If it were up to me, we wouldn't even be celebratin' Christmas. We'd be stayin' 'ome on our jacks not arsed to visit with people. Or we'd go to Ibiza and still not be arsed to visit with people. Either way, we wouldn't be arsed for people or Christmas or anythin' else involved."

"Y'know, I really don't think you're as much of a Scrooge as you'd like people to believe."

"Oh! Yes, I bleedin' am! I reckon Christmas is the most depressin' day of the year and I'd be well happier if we didn't even bother puttin' these fuckin' decorations up. I think we'd both be happier to be honest."