A Christmas Story

11: george bailey

Calvin Solano didn't know exactly why he accepted to go to babysit with Emma. He could have just told her a straight no and she would just walk away. But he had to say yes. Damn him and his necessity of returning the favor. Now, he was going to be stuck with three children because yes, Emma counted as one. Emma was odd, he had met girls like her. Always happy, claiming that other should follow her path of joy. But she was... different. He didn't know why, but he was going to find it out.

***

"CALVIN, WE NEED TO GO."

"DON'T SHOUT EMMA."

"I'm going!"

"SHUT UP RODRIGO."

***

"So..."

"So?"

"What's your plan?"

"Do I have to have one?"

"Of course you have! They're kids!"

"Exactly, they are kids."

"I don't get it."

"Soon you will."

***

"Emm! So glad you came!"

"Hey Adri! Hello Will!"

"Oh, Emm! It's been so long! How have you been?"

"Excellent, I have my own department!"

"I have to visit you! It's not fair Adri and the kids have!"

"Sure! Anytime Will."

"And who's him?"

"Adri, Will, this is Calvin. Calvin, she is my sister and my brother-in-law. That name is really funny."

"I know you, don't I?"

"Yes, you were the one who left Rodrigo in the summer camp."

"YOU'RE A BRO."

"..."

"Too high?"

"Yes."

"Thank you so much for taking care of them. They are asleep now, they won't be much of a problem."

"Lies."

"Will is just kidding."

"No, I'm not."

"Don't worry, we'll take care of them."

"Thank you! Be back later."

***

"What do we do know?"

"We wait for them to wake up."

"Auntie Emm?"

"Peter, did we wake you up?"

"No, mommy thought I was asleep because I was on my bed."

"She always thinks that."

"Hey, Liam."

"Kiddos, what do you wanna do?"

"I wanna to the same thing we did when we visited Auntie!"

"Those horren-"

"Hmm."

"Those tremendous pieces of art! I saw them when I passed her door, they were awesome."

"Don't lie."

"What?"

"We heard you, and aunt Emm complained about how rude you were!"

"Complained? What did she say?"

"She said that you were a hot jerk!"

"LIAM."

"Okay, we'll do the crafts but I'll teach you to make them better."

"Yay!"

"Go and get your things!"

"..."

"So... you think I'm hot?"

"..."

"..."

"A jerk."

"But a hot jerk, right?"

"Fudge you."

"..."

***

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

-Clarence, It's a Wonderfull Life