Love Prevails (Kris Bryant)

5| Heart Locket

McKayla

Christmas. Time for joy and time for cheer. But those are two things not found in this household that I find myself in. A great big tree would look great in the living room but my dad says that's a waste of power. The house would look great covered in lights but my dad says that's childish and tacky. I've been working at the nearby rec center and have saved up all my money I've made, haven't spent a cent. Over the last three years I've saved up over a thousand dollars in my childhood savings account because even though my parents give me money it feels better when you earn it. So this Christmas Eve I'm going out to buy gifts for Mike and Sue since they always help me out when I need it and something for Kyle and Kris.

I pull up to a target because what can't you get there? I grab a cart and lowly hum to myself as Christmas music plays throughout the store. I pick up Mike a new watch since he always teases me for being too early to practices and I tell him he should get a new watch because his is broke. I get Sue a ring with her birth stone in it, it was the same as mine after all. For Kyle I got him a few dress shirts and a new pair of Nike shoes he's been talking about. I walk around target and look for inspiration for Kris, he needed something special. I head to the baseball section and find a beautiful bat, one Kris has been looking at for the longest time. It was a all black aluminum bat with a golden handle. It had nice weight to it and I take a few swings with it, it swung well.

"Excuse me, I have a question" I say as someone who works here passes me.

"How may I help you" a guy about my age asks.

"Where can I get this engraved" I wonder.

"On Christmas Eve? I'm not sure. If anywhere it would be a sports store but we're the only one open right now" he says. I let out a sigh and thank him anyway. I end up getting the bat and heading home to wrap and bag gifts. I stare at the bat for a while and decide to engrave it myself. I write out what I want in a marker then take a knife and start to carve it. I finish it up and take a good look at it, it looked nice. I put the bat in a really long box and wrap it up before calling it a night. I go to bed satisfied with my gift selections and hope for a decent Christmas.

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I wake up Christmas morning with a huge smile on my face, I might not celebrate it like most people but I still enjoyed it none the less. Since Kyle was out of town with his family I had to wait to give him his gift but he still sent me a sweet text message. I change into jeans and a light white sweater, it doesn't get that cool in Vegas. After grabbing breakfast I chill in my room before grabbing my things and heading out to deliver the rest of my gifts.

"Where are you going" my dad asks as he stares at the tv.

"I'm delivering Christmas presents" I whisper.

"We don't celebrate Christmas" he states simply.

"Other people do though, and this is my way of showing gratitude" I defend. He slowly turns and looks at me sending chills down my spine. That is my father, I shouldn't be this scared of him. But I was and there was no way I could let him have the satisfaction that he has gotten to me. He turns back to the television and I slide out.

A few steps later I find myself at Kris' door with a huge smile on my face. I use the secret knock and Sue answers.

"It's great seeing you sweetie. Merry Christmas" she says happily. How nice that was to hear...