Class of '97

7. Ill

December 25,1996 3:00 pm

"Who's the birthdayboy?" cried Kyle's mother as Doom walked through the front door.

"Jesus?"

"Oh! Come here andgive me a kiss, sweetheart. How old are you turning?"

"I'm eighteenofficially now," Doom said proudly. "A legal adult."

Kyle rolled his eyes."Merry Christmas."

Doom put his bag onthe table and went over to Kyle's mother, kissing her on the cheek.She took him in for a hug, patting his back proudly.

"I can't believe howbig you are, I can't believe it," she said emotionally.

"Ma! Relax! Don'tsmother him!" Kyle ordered.

Doom left her graspand walked over to his bag. "I bought you presents for Christmas!He said happily."

"Oh, sweetheart!"Kyle's mother said. "You sure didn't have to!"

"But, I wanted to!"

Kyle shook his head."You are Jesus."

"I'm Satan."

"Hey!" Kyle'smother said sternly. "Don't talk like that, not around me."

"Sorry, ma'am."Doom replied. He pulled out two packages from his bag.

"Oh, dear, it's yourbirthday and I don't have anything for you!" Kyle's mother saidsadly.

"It's okay," Doomsaid. "My dad and mommy already spoiled me."

"What did you get?"Kyle asked, leaning against the wall and folding his arms.

"I got a new stereoand some cash," shrugged Doom.

"What did they do tocelebrate your birthday?" Kyle's mother asked.

"Well...they'repretty busy with Christmas. Megan's family is coming over and allthat. And Mommy...she's just busy all the time. You know, it's nottheir fault."

"Neglecting theirson's eighteenth birthday, not their fault?" Kyle's mother askedsharply.

"Ma, stop. Hedoesn't like that," Kyle said quietly.

Doom was red faced."They d-d-don't n-n-neglect m-me."

"I'm sorry, Corey, Ididn't mean it like that," she said genuinely. "I didn't mean tomake you nervous."

"Relax, dude. Iwanna see those gifts!" Kyle said changing the subject. He reachedout and lightly hit Doom on the arm.

Doom handed thepackage to Kyle who tore the paper off in less than a second. Insidewas a box that he struggled to tear open. He placed it on the floorand begun clawing at it as he remained in a crouched position. Whenhe finally ripped the corner off and pulled it open, he found a pairof brand new pair of black military style boots, to replace his old,broken, thrift store pair.

"Whoa, dude..."Kyle lifted a brand new shiny leather boot from the package andstared at it in awe. "You...these must have been expensive."

"I thought you'dwant a nice pair for school."

Doom and Kyle meteyes. 'For school' had become their code word for massiveretaliation.

"Youreally....wow..."

"He's speechless!"Kyle's mother chimed in breaking the tension in the air. "Oh,Corey, you really know my son more than anyone."

"They're leatherboots, ma." Kyle announced happily.

"Give...give my mahers now, Doom," Kyle gently instructed.

Doom handed thesmaller box to her and she carefully tore the paper off and openedthe brown box. She gasped as she pulled out a glass figurine of anangle, trimmed in gold.

Doom blushed. "I'msorry if you can't see it well. It's an angel, it has real gold onit, and it's pretty so I got it for you."

A tear rolled down hercheek.

"You're like somekinda mother to me. You treat me more like a son than my realfamily," Doom admitted.

"Corey...Corey,Corey. You are always welcome in my home. You are always loved andaccepted, do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am."

"You are a specialboy." She felt the figurine in her hands and wiped the tears fromher eyes. "Oh dear, no way could Corey do anything wrong. Come giveme another hug!"

Doom leaned in for awarm hug and smiled so wide he thought his face would get stuck. Hetried to avoid getting emotional in front of Kyle who sat by thewall, looking over his brand new boots.

"Merry Christmas,guys," Doom said leaving the hug.

"I wish I could getsomething for you," Kyle's mother said regretfully.

 "Don't worry aboutit. You have given me a lot already, both of you." Doom looked atKyle's mother. "You gave me a second home." He looked over atKyle, "and you gave me a reason to live." But their eyes remainedlocked on each other's for a long time as they mutually understoodwhat Doom really meant - "a reason to die".