Punks Not Dead

It's My Life

•Maxi's POV - Flashback•

Christmas Eve 1972

I sat down next to my father, glass of whiskey in hand, smiling happily. This was the last Christmas we had spent all together. Sid and his mother, sitting on the couch opposite to us, had joined us for the evening. It was nice to see them actually spend Christmas with someone. It was a rare sight to even see them celebrate any holiday, namely Christmas. 

My mother continually baking pastries in the kitchen, despite it being close to midnight. My father had been heavily drinking during most of the day, this being the reason that he was allowing Sid and I to have a huge glass of whiskey of our own. when my mother had protested, he had insisted that it would toughen me up. His voice loud and booming at her as he spoke.

Finally, when midnight hit, Sid and I had pleaded to open the gifts we had bought for each other. My mother sighed as she always did when things didn't go her way and once again father won, allowing us to open 'Just the one'. Sid's mother seemed very pleased.

I went into the closet and fished out a huge box. I had assured to pack the box so Sid would have no clue what it was until it was completely unwrapped. When we had returned among our families, Sid handed me a small box, wrapped up in some faded, stained newsprint. It was at least a hundred times smaller than the one I had bought for him. He blushed instantly, when he saw the difference in the box dimensions.

"Open yours first, please." Sid stammered, pleading like a child.

I chuckled and tore open the newsprint, revealing a small  box. I carefully opened the lid and gasped. The gift that Sid had bought me was a gorgeous silver chain with a matching pentagram pendant. I smiled, threw my arms around him and kissed the top of this head. He helped me put it on, which made our mothers coo in unison. They had always seemed to think that Sid and I were perfect for each other.

Sid finally came around to opening his gift. He was very bewildered and joyous to see that I had gotten him a second hand bass. He was dumbfounded actually.

"Wow, Maxi. How'd you get this for me?" he asked, smiling widely.

"Ah...well...-" I was cut off by his mother smacking the back of his head. I couldn't get myself to tell him that I had scrimped and saved basically any money that had come my way for over a year. It was unnecessary details.

"John, what do you say?!" she barked.

"Sorry...thank you, Maxigan. It's fantastic!"

My mother scoffed and rolled her eyes. She hated when people called me Maxigan. It was a name that I had invented when these girls in my class had made fun of my French name. My real name is Madeleine, but I hate it. Still to this day, I never allow anyone but my mother to call me that.

"Well, if you want, you kids can open one more, then it's off to bed!" my mother said smiling, catching us off guard.

I grabbed the second smallest box that was directed to me and opened it. Inside was a pair of car keys. Confused I looked at my parents unsure what to think.

"Next year, we teachin' you how to drive, dear. It'll be real neat. I got you that car," He said motioning to the beater that could be seen from the den window, "for a cheap price, thanks to Toby down at the factory. Anyway, that is your car, love. Merry Christmas!" He exclaimed, hugging me tightly.

Sid's mom handed him a gift. She smiled radiantly as he tore it open. Once the wrapper had been discarded, he was left with a hefty bag of white powder, cocaine. My parents, clearly unsure how to deal with the situation, sat with their mouths agape.

"What is the meaning of this, Mrs. Beverly?" My mother finally asked, freaking out.

That was the last time Sid and his mother came to celebrate Christmas with us...it was also the night my mother left for good...