I think the
Merry and Bright carnival
is my
favorite part
of Christmas.
This year,
Mom comes
in one of
Jeff's ugly
Christmas sweaters,
and for
the first time
since I've started
high school,
she is not alone
at the carnival.
This year,
her Christmas
is merry and bright
and there's no
pregnancy,
less angry
step-children
still adjusting,
and more
unity and love
in her heart.
She is happy
with her family
and it
makes me
want to be
happy
with her.
With all of them.
A friend and I
are dressed as
elves,
directing lines
for Santa.
Kids waiting
in line
have no problem
asking about
Frederick.
A friend suggests
I tell them
it's how
I get
my magic
superpowers.
My fellow elf
says to
tell them
the truth.
Mom and
her family
don't stop by
for long
because Jason
doesn't understand
Santa yet
and the
older three
think he's
stupid,
but I am glad
to have the support.
StudCo spends
the night
making announcements
over the
PA system,
running games
and competitions,
checking on
club booths
and food trucks,
selling tickets,
and awarding prizes.
We get
more and more
money
and excited.
Mom and
the gang
stop by
toward the end of
the evening
to say goodbye
and see how
it's going.
Quinn returns
a Nine Square champion
and Jason
is in the
backpack carrier
to make room for
styrofoam
take-out boxes
and Bayview merch
in Mom
and Jeff's arms.
Quiana has
found a holiday fling
in a Junior
StudCo member,
and they
can't stop
smiling at
each other.
Sam is
getting a ride home
with friends,
apparently,
which makes me
happy.
I like that
he is
interacting with
other humans
for once.
YOU ARE READING
Remember; You Have the Universe
Teen FictionCover by kyromaniak Everyone wants to be different. I just want to be like everybody else. ---- Seventeen-year-old chronically ill Emma has traded dreams of flying into space for, "Support Therapy," aka, "The Dying Kids Group," and Student Council...
