why not?

chapter 20: buddhmas

Happy New Years everyone!

 chapter 19: buddhmas is here!

Tristain decided to join us in the car as James and I went to pick up the statue. He had paid a warehouse to hold it for us close by.

It feels a bit strange that James still doesn't know, so I decide to tell him, AFTER we get out of the car. He might crash us into a tree or flip us over if he found out.

Tristain has front seat because he's older and male, like James. I always get the back seat.

We park in the gravel surrounding the warehouse and get off. A man, wearing a plaid shirt and ripped jeans with blond hair and tomatoe red skin sauntered over. I imagined him with an axe.

"You're here to pick it up? It's mighty huge" He had a stereotypical "Southern" accent.

"We'll need your lor--truck to deliver it to the cabin for our parents to see, and then to the house where it stays"

"How far away is your house?"

"A 4 hour drive"

"I'll be charging a bit for that"

Tristain takes out his wallet, "And how much exactly will that be?"

"I'd say $700 for the whole job"

He takes out a check to write it out, but James stops him.

"Thanks mate, but I'll be paying"

"Not me, because I paid a crap load for that" I interject. James pulls out his own checkbook, but Tristain insists until they pay half and half. The scary axe man follows our car in his lorry. I've put off telling James for later.

The sun starts to peek over the horizon as the clock hits 7:00. Damn!

"Hurry James!"

"Shut up, I know!" he hisses back.

In the end, we make it on time and park the lorry {truck} outside. Since the sculpture is made of solid stone and WAY to heavy to take out, we leave it in the truck and go inside. Axe man, who tells us his name is Hank, says he'll walk to the village for breakfast and wait for our call.

Tristain helps me with breakfast, and I can tell he's feeling great today.

"Happy Christmas" I smile.

"Actually, I'm not much of a Christian. I don't think I have a religion"

"That's fine. Then...what do I say?"

"Good morning" he grins. Typical Tristain. He takes my hand, the one with the ring on it, and kisses it. 

"Are you off your rocker?" I ask, "What's gotten in to you?"

"I'm just thankful that I've got you, my family, a decent job" I scoff at that.

"Decent job? It's more than decent" 

"Yeah well"

We make toast together, half buttered and half with marmite (after all, you either love it or hate it). Then we make waffles and tea. James went back to sleep, so we go to wake him up along with the rest of the family. Before that, of course, Tristain and I eat our fill.

Everyone wakes up with gift bags and presents in their hands as we come together for the gift exchange. They rip it open and scream and hug and laugh. When Mum and Dad don't get anything though, they look a bit disappointed.

"Did you and James not do anything for us this year?" Mum pouts.

"Come outside" He replies. I grab Mum and Dad and guide them as James leads. They look confused at the large truck, but when they look inside....