One Shots Rated R

Christmas Party

Holly pulled up into the driveway just as the snow started to fall. She had driven all the way here from Georgia where she was taking classes while working as a assistant to one of the biggest non fiction writers of this generation. She had feared that her car wasn't going to make it all the way being the 2006 model it was, but, slowly but surely they both arrived in one piece. There were cars parked all down the street, but luckily her best friend had reserved her the best spot in her driveway. Holly and Josie had been best friends since senior year in high school and yet despite the long distance their friendship seemed the blossom. Holly hasn't been home since Easter and as excited as she is to see her family, her best friend's annual Christmas party happened to be on the night that she was coming home so being the descent friend she is, she told her she would stop over and social for a few hours before going home.

Unlike in Georgia, it had gotten dark very early, so the multicolored Christmas lights dotting the rim of Josie's house stood out like a beacon on an otherwise bleak street. Josie had married one of her high school sweethearts a few years ago and now they were happily having their second child together. Holly had been named godparent of their first child Chrissy, so of course Josie's mother demanded they have another child as soon as possible so that she could have one, another grandchild and two be a godmother.

Holly could see evidence of a child living here, on the porch little boots stood next to giant ones, and scattered throughout the yard were sleds, snowball makers, and a giant snowman with a Hello Kitty scarf wrapped tightly around its neck. These parties to Holly were great, but they also meant that she had to socialize with people from high school that she didn't care about anymore. Josie had always been closer with their high school group than Holly ever was, and it was much easier for Josie since she never left the town they had lived in for 25 years of their life.

As Holly got out of the car, as could already feel her heels slipping on the sloppy drive, plus, the packed down sheets of ice didn't help. Using her body to shut the door she carefully grabbed her presents, her food that she made and her purse from the backseat. Before she could even make it to the door, a very pregnant Josie came flying out and nearly tackled her. Holly couldn't even get a good look at her before she was embraced tightly into a world famous Josie hug.

"Holly! I can't believe your here! I've missed you so much, you have no idea!" Josie squealed into her shoulder.

Holly laughed and hugged her back, "I know! I've missed you so much!"

"Alright love, give her room to breathe, and it's freezing and you have no shoes on! Get back into the house!" A very loving but firm voice commanded from behind. Josie's husband, Charlie, was standing in the doorway holding the glass door open while guests from the party looked on.

"Oh, hush now!" Josie reprimanded. "It's Christmas you can't tell me what to do!" She quickly released Holly and led her back into the house.

Josie always had a knack for the dramatics and her Christmas party was no exception. Garland was hung over the banisters, while twinkling lights were hung over nearly every surface. It smelled of pine and spices, and also the smell of a cooked meat came from out of the kitchen. Her tree was immaculate with dozens of neatly wrapped presents underneath. The sight of everything Christmas brought a smile to my face, this was best the time of year after all.

Soon Charlie took the presents from my hands and placed them under the tree as well, while Josie's sister came and took the food from me. Josie's daughter Chrissy, now three came and took my coat and purse from me to put into the other room. Josie gasped, "Holly, you look stunning, look at that Georgia tan! I wish I could only get one of those!"