Should I Waste my Time on a Title? (Questions, Tags, and Random Things)

The Girl Next Door Pt. 1

     I looked out the window, frost making the picture window white. I found a tiny hole, and peered through it. Our neighbor had a tree with a bunch of lights on. And balls? What's up with that?
     I went downstairs, to where my mom and aunt where setting up Hanukkah decorations. My older sister was putting the menorah on the table. "You're back," I said politely. I would have shouted, but that's impolite.
     "Yes, I am."
     "How did you get off? I thought that they don't celebrate Hanukkah."
     "They don't," Mother intervened. "A Christian holiday falls over Hanukkah."
     "They celebrate the Messiah's coming," Delilah said.
     "But, the Messiah didn't come yet," I said.
     "That is why we do not talk to them." Mother gestured over to the lit up house with a paper Star of David.
     "I've never understood why they put a tree in their house," I said quizzically.
     "They do that because Mary and Joseph hid in a pine tree on their way to Egypt."
     "Why would they do that?"
     "The Jewish King Harrod was after them. He wanted to kill the child that called himself a King."
     "Interesting," was all I said before cars started pulling in the drive.
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     "Hey mom," I said, coming through the door. The Christmas tree nearly blinded me. "I see that you decorated today."
     "Well, you know that I want the house to look nice for when your sister gets home."
     "And for me, right?" I joked.
     "Yes, Hannah," she answered, a smile decorating her face.
     "I'm gonna go do homework," I said.
     "Be down for supper," Mom said as I ascended the stairs.
Math is done, now on to something else, I thought. Before I could reach into my backpack, I heard the door open. "Where's Hannah?" My sister asked. I crept down the stairs.
     "She's doing her homework."
     "Does she realize she is on Christmas break?"
     "Apparently not. But, you know her. Always the doer."
     "Gahh!" I yelled, jumping from the stairs.
     "Hannah!" My sister screamed. I almost died from laughter.
     "Now that you girls have that put of your systems let's enjoy your father's cooking," mom said.
     "Wait, dad's home?" I nearly screamed.
     "In three...two...one..." Mom said. Before I could blink, Dad came through the door, his camouflage uniform decorated with medals. We all got up, as he saluted us. We saluted him back. It was our thing, ever since we were little.
     "Dad, I didn't know you would be back," I said.
     "Me neither, but the officer above me came over and told me that I could come home for the year, as a Christmas gift of sorts."
     "I didn't want to tell you girls. I wanted it to be a surprise," Mom told us.
     "Thanks mom, and dad." I said. Through our patio window, I saw the house that wasn't decorated. Mom saw where I was looking, and decided to have one of her dinner lessons.
     "They are Jewish. They don't celebrate Christmas."
     "Why not?" I asked.
     "Because, they believe that the Messiah didn't come."
     "You mean Jesus?" I asked.
     "Yes."
     "How can they not believe Jesus is the Messiah? His death, resurrection, and the founding of the Church, converted, millions, if not billions, to Christianity. Not to mention the fall of the Roman Empire was caused by Christians."
    "That's why we don't talk to them." Mom said, the serving spoon directing my attention to the cars pulling in the drive across the road.
     "Dad, can you lead?" I asked.
     "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," he said as we made the Sign of the Cross. We all joined in.
     "Bless us oh Lord, and these they gifts, we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen." Making the Sign of the Cross again, we dove into the meal dad made during our ten minute conversation. Three minute spaghetti was the best.
     After Christmas break, it was back to school. I waved goodbye to my mom, who was standing with my dad. I smiled to them, before standing at the end of the driveway.
     The bus came down my road, stopping by the house without lights.
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My first day of school, great, I thought to myself. I hopped out of the front seat if my mom's car, crossed my arms, and stayed a few feet from the end of the driveway, until the bus was stopped.
     "You have to sit in that seat," some kid said, pointing to the fourth right seat. With a court nod to the boy, I sat down. The girl across the aisle from me scowled. When I said, "What?" She just turned to look out the window. That is, until the Christian girl got on.
     "Hannah!" She practically squealed.
    "Screaming is impolite," I said. Both girls looked at me strangely, before Hannah spoke up.
     "She's Jewish Brenna, don't listen to her," Hannah said.
     For whatever reason, I couldn't close my mouth. This girl knew what religion I was! For the rest of the ride, I just listened to those girls talk about how they got all these amazing gifts.
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      "And best of all," I said. "Dad came home, and he's spending the rest of the year here!"
     "That's awesome!" Dylan, my crush exclaimed. "How was Israel?" He asked.
     "He said it was good," I replied. "But he says its good to be home." said. The Jew next to me spoke up. "Your dad is an Israelite?" She asked.
     "Uh, no," I answered. Before I could answer, Brenna put her two sense in, as she always did. It annoyed me to no end. But, Brenna is Brenna. So I just have to live with it.
     "She doesn't need to tell you, Jew." She spat the word out like it was poison. So, we went the rest of the bus ride silent.
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To be continued....