Merry Little Christmas

14. Merry Little Christmas

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Sam Smith Sam Smith

December 25th, 1961

It did not snow. Every day besides Christmas it did. Today, the McCarthy family was once again feeling helpless upon their quivering bodies. That Christmas morning, it did not feel like Christmas at all. 

"Merry Christmas." Isabella managed, using her jacket for protection. 

"Merry Christmas." The family said in unison. 

Isabella smiled. She smiled, knowing that somewhere across the globe someone was enjoying their Christmas like they was supposed to. That someone next door woke up to find Christmas presents under the tree with so much to spare they could've given it up to someone else but they didn't. But she smiled anyways. Out of every boy and girl celebrating Christmas that day, she smiled the loudest.

"There's no presents this year, huh?" Isabella asked, as if she didn't know the answer. Mama and papa smiled sadly. But gave no answer. "It's okay." She pressed a cold hand onto their laps, and they smiled. 

"It's okay." Niall giggled. "It's Christmas! We're supposed to be happy!" Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy looked at Niall and Isabella, giving their thousand-watt smiles, Isabella and Niall shooting it back.

So then involuntarily, Christmas for them changed forever. The McCarthy's were enjoying a laugh down the street. And everyone who passed, with a heart or not, laughed not at them, but with them for a change.

For the first time in what felt like the longest time, Isabella heard a buzz in her ears. "Listen!" She cried, putting her hand over her ears. "What is this song?" 

Mama and papa swayed their bodies side to side to the beat of the music. "I know this one." She recalled. "Have yourself, a merry little Christmas." She sang with the band. "Let your heart be light. From now on our troubles will be out of sight." 

As if she sparked a memory, Isabella started singing along too. "Have yourself, a merry little Christmas. Make the Yuletide gay. From now on our troubles will be miles away." She laughed.

The family sung along, and finally, the busy streets of New York perished away, and the only things left was the musical instruments and the feeling of numbness surrounding their bodies. But even that too, melted away like no one noticed. 

"This song is about us." Papa said. "That's why it's my favorite."

"How?" Isabella asked, curiously. 

"That's for me to know and for you to find out."

And right when that came out of his mouth, she knew exactly what he meant. Sure, Christmas is the season of giving and getting. But betwixt it all, Christmas is the time to be merry. Because even with the hardest struggles surrounding you, it was all going to be okay. It was a reminder, that after a storm there will be a rainbow. 

"Hey!" A man cried, waving his hand, which seemed to be filled with presents. 

Isabella looked up. She gasped. Then waved. All happened one at a time as if it were in slow motion. "Mr. Knight!" She yelled, waving her shivering hand as fast as she could. 

"Merry Christmas guys!" He laughed. 

Mama stood up and put her hand over her mouth. "Andrew? I thought you said-" 

"I know what I said." Andrew calmed her down. "But it's the least I can do. It's fine." He assured them. 

"Thank you so much." Mama and papa said. 

"Thank you." Niall and Isabella jumped.

"My pleasure." He said. "And here, I got you guys some food as well!"

"Merry Christmas." Isabella said, handing Mr. Knight a bag of Pecan bars. He took it gratefully. 

"Thank you!" He said full of gratitude. 

"Well come, Mr. Knight! Let's have a feast!" Niall pulled his hand over and motioned him to come sit with them. He crouched down to the cold ground and began to eat with them. They sat down around the little blanket opening up the presents Andrew and bought, and stuffing their mouths with delicious treats.

And after all, it was just a merry little Christmas for them as well.