December

Challenge: I Hate Christmas

December 7, 2019

My eyes flutter open from the bright sunbeams that invaded my bedroom. I slowly sit up and grab my phone from my nightstand. My face fills with dread as my phone notifies me that today is Christmas Day. I roll my eyes and throw my phone aside. I thought about whether I should go back to sleep or not until I finally stumbled out of my bed and into the shower. Once I was finished with my shower I put on gray sweat pants, a black hoodie, and my brown Uggs. I then grabbed my keys and headed out into the cold.

Fresh snow laid on the ground and the hot air that left my mouth and nose were visible. My car had a layer of ice and snow laying on it when I went to start it. I rolled my eyes and opened the car door. I then turned on the car and made sure the heat was on. I then grabbed a shovel from my garage and started to get to work on the windshield of my car.

Once I was done I sat in my car waiting for the heat to kick in. I kept looking back at the glove department of my car and then back at my steering wheel. I then turned on the radio to try and find some non-Christmas music, but that was not going to happen. I gave up and turned my gaze back to the glove department to my right. I sighed and reluctantly opened it. I took out the whiskey bottle that was gently placed in the department and took a sip. I then closed the bottle back up and sat it in the passenger's seat. Next, I started my car and got onto the road.

I pulled into the church's parking lot and sat in my car. After a while of waiting, I sighed and turned off the engine of my car. I opened my car door and walked towards the doors of the church. My hands hesitated before they finally pulled open the big doors that lead into the church.

I walked in and immediately went into the sanctuary. I walked up to the man that was putting out candles and tapped him on the shoulder. I turned around and smiled when his gaze met mine.

"I would say Merry Christmas but I don't think it is for you." He said while moving to the next candle. "May I ask why you are here? You aren't much of a church person and the service just ended." He asked looking at me this time.

"I wanted to go see him but I didn't want to do it alone." My eyes threatened to spill tears and my voice was shaky. The man didn't respond, he just went back to the candles. "Please, Dad? You know that mom doesn't talk to me anymore and no one else would understand." I pull on his robes and let the tears fall down my face. I hear my Dad sigh and turn around to face me.

"I never liked him and what you two did was very stupid, but I know that today will bring you too much pain if we don't see him." My Dad then put down the candle snuffer was holding and took my hand to lead me outside.

We both got into my car and I pulled out of the church's parking lot. I looked over at my Dad to see him holding the bottle of Whiskey that I took out before leaving. "Don't judge me, I needed liquid courage this morning and it isn't like I am drunk," I said while taking small glances back at my Dad.

"I am not judging you, I am a priest of a church it is just against what I believe." My Dad said while putting the bottle on his feet.

The rest of the car ride was very silent which scared me. I pulled into the parking lot of a cemetery and got out of the car. I looked overt my Dad who just stayed in his seat. "Are you coming or not Dad?" I asked while giving him a questionable look.

"No, this is something you need to do by yourself. I will be in the car if you need me." My Dad said while looking out of the window of the right side of the car.

I sighed and walked into the cemetery. I went straight to the back and immediately found a grave that said "William Ranger, 1998-2023" I got onto my knees in front of the grave and laid my right hand on it. "Hey Will, sorry I haven't talked to you in a while. I just got out of rehab last week for my drug and drinking issues. You don't need to worry about Ruby, she is currently with my Dad until I get myself settled. I just wanted to come say hi and that I miss you so much. We shouldn't have been drinking and driving and I should've just convinced you to call a ride for us. Life is really hard right now and I wish that you were here with me. I love you so much and I always will." Tears roll down my face and I put my knees to my chin. I suddenly feel and hand on my shoulder and turn around to find my Dad smiling down at me.

"Come on Crissy, let's go home okay?" I simply nod and let my Dad guide me to my car.

My Dad offers to drive and I sit on the passenger's side with my head on the window. "I hate Christmas," I mutter while tears still fall down my face.

"I know Chrissy, I know." My Dad stops at a light and gives me a quick hug before going back to driving.