Broken Genes

Chapter Five

Christmas was as it always is for me, nothing special. Ever since I left the orphanage, I have never really celebrated the holiday. I have no religion so it’s not like I felt as though I should be celebrating it, more like I could. Nobody, other than Jase, ever brought me gifts, but for show I had to buy myself stuff and claim it was from my ‘dad’. This wasn’t the first year I had been to Jase’s for Christmas dinner, so I knew the drill: Dress casual – but not too casual - and be prepared to be stuffed with huge amounts of food. Jase’s mom, Sarah, was an okay cook. However, her limited skill never stopped her making enough food for forty – and she doesn’t like to waste food.

At quarter past five I was walking up to Jase’s house, the presents in a festive bag at my side. The earlier part of my day hadn’t been very exciting and I had done very little other than do my homework for when I get back to school. I was right in assuming it would be a white Christmas. It had continued to snow and even now, as I walked, snowflakes were falling on the already thickly covered ground. I realised with a start that I should be cold, but I wasn’t. I looked over what I was wearing, a pair of dress trousers, and a shirt – with no tie - and in my hand was my coat. I didn’t even remember taking it off. That didn’t make sense…

Just then Jase’s house came into view and I decided I would leave behind those thoughts until later. As I approached the door, I pulled my coat on just for show, as I didn’t feel like answering those questions – especially as I didn’t know the answer myself.

I knocked on the door and was immediately greeted by Mellissa’s smiling face. I crouched down so I was face to face with Jase’s little sister and said hello. She just continued smiling. Until a shout came from the kitchen. It was Jase, “Lissy, come on, where did you go? Mom needs your help in the kitchen.”

Mellissa gave me an even brighter smile, but she didn’t look like she planned to go help. I tried to urge her to go, but just then Jase’s face came round the corner, he was laughing at something someone had told him before he had game round. He was wearing a huge red Christmas sweater, and I had to hold back my laughter. The second Jase noticed me with a smirk on my face, his laughter died. He looked down at himself and his face went as red as the sweater.

He pulled it off hurriedly, messing up his hair. “Uh…I was just…you know…for the photo…” He stuttered. I let out my laugh and walked in. I patted him on the back whilst saying, “it’s okay man, and red is totally your colour.” His face goes redder still and he eventually lets out a little laugh himself. It seem Mellissa had obeyed her brother and had gone back into the kitchen to help his mom, as she was nowhere to be seen. Jase led me into the sitting room, where we joked around until dinner was ready.

When we were called into the dining room, I left the bag of gifts in the corner by the door. Then we all took our seats, Jase’s dad Harry at the head, Jase’s Sister Mellissa, and his mom Sarah sat down one side, whilst Jase and I sat on the other. The food was good, and a home cooked meal was heaven to me, as I rarely cooked anything if I didn’t have to. We made small talk throughout the meal. By the end I was stuffed and we all retired to the living room. Then the small talk edged on to me – which I wasn’t overjoyed about. Eventually Sarah asked me a question I was prepared for, it was a relief from being put on the spot and having to think up a lie as quickly as possible. The question was one I knew was coming.

“So, Seb, where is your dad tonight? He did know he was invited too, right?” Sarah asked.

I knew my answer to this and quickly replied with a regretful smile, “He was really happy to have received your invitation, however he is still away on business. He gave me some money to but you all gifts… Speaking of which.” I got up and walked over to the corner. I picked up the bag and distributed the gifts. After they had all opened their gifts they thanked me. Mellissa’s thanks consisted of a frighteningly strong hug from the small girl. I set myself back down on the couch next to Jase and began talking with the others. Without me noticing, Jase slipped off into another room during one of my conversations with Harry. He returned holding a package wrapped in blue paper. He stopped in front of me and held it out. I looked at it bewildered. Whenever Jase gave me a gift, it was never done in front of his parents.