A Christmas Carol (To the IJ style)

Chapter 2: The spirits in action

He had fallen asleep in the living room,but to a few seconds;Sal went to sleep in his room. As the Cuban young boy tried to sleep there,he heard a noise and saw a light,until that light illuminated his face. He got up from his bed and saw a person with a light shining above his head...

-But ... but ... Who are you?-
-I am the ghost of the past!-
-Mmmm... remote past?-
-No,from your past!-
-Excuse me,but your face sounds familiar and you could turn off your bright light a little?-
-Do you want me to turn off and not tell you why I came here!!!-
-No,no,I'm sorry,I didn't mean to offend you!-
-Well,I'll take you on a tour!-
Sal got out of bed,but began to have anxiety before the odyssey.
-Wait,I'm a mortal and if I go here I may fall!-
-Do not worry Sal,I will protect you!- The silhouette that was someone known from the show of IJ,touched his chest with his hand that apparently had magic,so he could protect it from any fall or whatever... -Let's go...!-
And the journey began,with the past spirit carrying at Vulcano through the air,while the sapphire-eyed young man was frightened.
During the tour,the place was completely snowy, until they stopped at a place that the &&& itself knew...
-Oh God! I know this place!-
-Did you get excited?-
-No ...- Although he was delighted to see his city.
-What you saw or what you will see are only shadows of the past,nobody can see or notice our existence... Let's continue!-
Then they arrived at a house...
-I really know this house!- And for his surprise, Sal discovered who was there was the same as a teenager with his best friend from many years ago: Joe Gatto (he was almost all dressed in white fiddling). 

-Hey buddy! Come with me pal!-

 -Fine! There I go!- His other two best friends Q and Murr were there with them and they were recording what their young boys were doing in that house. Joe took from of the back of Sal and put his leg right in the middle of his boy's body,while Sal kind of laughed a little at it (he was dressed in a diver with light gray jeans)... 

-I see you like to see that memory,right?- Sal did not answer his question,but blushed a little and laughed slightly;while Vulcano contemplated with his own eyes a good memory. Suddenly,that memory went out and another appeared (in a moment the spirit past fade away but within a few seconds the spirit reappeared). 

In the living room (it was not from the same house as the jokers were before) and the four best friends grew up. 

-Listen buddy,I know you found a bag of money or whatever,but I'm not the only one who noticed something...-

 -So?- 

-Yes! Not only me,but even the guys and I noticed your change!- 

-Q,I didn't expect you to say something against my wealth!- 

-I think so...-

-Do you prefer money than your best friends?-

-I DIDN'T MEAN THAT!- Sal assured,while strongly supported his hand on his desk.

-And so...?- When Q was going to tell him something else,he was interrupted for Joe and appeared on the scene.

-Let me talk to him,okay?-

Brian gave up and the blue-eyed man accompanied him to the exit.

Gatto was alone with his best friend.

-Do you want to sit somewhere else?-

-Sure!-

The two boys ran the chairs and sat very close to each other.
-Sal,I just wanted to help you!-
-I know Joey,but...-
-You still love us,right? And above all to me?-
-Joe,I...-
-You need time to make a decision,right?-
-I suppose...-
-I want you to know that despite of your new wealth and what you will do in the future,I'm sure that Q and Murr will always be for you,especially me buddy!- Joe approached to Sal and gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek and left.

Sal stared a little perplexed at his man.
-Spirit,don't show me anymore!-
-They are memories of the past,they are what they are!-
The spirit began to show him the faces of his loved ones that he saw in the past during the journey;and the young Cuban stared at those faces but couldn't stand it anymore.
-YOU DON'T STORM ME ANYMORE!- Vulcano screamed and covered with a sheet to the spectrum but it was useless because Sal shot through the air and fell into his room.
Until just the 12 bells rang again (this meant that another spirit would come to visit at Vulcano)...

Vulcano approached the door opened it and discovered that his other room is completely illuminated not only by the Christmas tree but by a hanging reflector and a torch held by the next spirit.
-Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!-
Sal stared sideways at the spirit.
-I am the spirit of Christmas present! (Although in reality, not just any spirit but someone from the show's crew production)-
-Hold my torch!- Sal paid attention to him,took the stick that held the torch and traveled without moving from his house,because the ground began to show the panoramic view of Staten Island.
At first,Vulcano enjoyed the journey,seeing the different snow-covered places,the cross of a young and old Church greeting each other for the holidays or children playing in the snow... Until they made a stop at a home.
-Well,we arrived at the house of a very special person that I know you love so much!-
-Who?-
-You'll know!-The spirit laughed a little.- It's your best friend Joe's house...! -
Sal didn't expect that spirit to make a stop there...
-Hey buddy!- Joe greeted to one of his best friends,while he opened the door.
-Hey Joe!-
-How are you!-
-I'm fine! And you Joey?-
-I'm fine too!-

They both hugged each other,which Sal looked sideways,as if he was jealous. And just in case,the present spirit hit him with his torch on Sal's head,although he doesn't like it.
-And you still think Sal will come to my Christmas dinner?-
-I don't know... But I know that before I wasn't as reluctant as now!-
Gatto stared at the floor...
-What's wrong?- Murr asked curiosity.
-I think the fucking money got us away from him and the world and not everything in our relationship is like before...! And now I wonder if something happened to me,will Sal be there?-
-Don't say that,Joey! He still loves you and I know he always will!-
Joe tried to smile a little at the support of Murr,until to his and Sal's surprise,the blue-eyed man began to feel strange...
-I think I'm hot! It is not a joke...!-
-I will take you to the kitchen and I will give a glass of water!- Murr grabbed his best friend and took him very close to him to the kitchen not only to cheer him up but to make him better...
The annoying expression of Sal changed almost all by complete...

-Tell me what is a joke?- Sss chuckled but not to make fun of Joe but because he tried to put some humor to the unthinkable situation. Nothing is going to happen to Joe,right?-
-If this current memory remains unchanged,he could die...!-
Sal covered his face with his hand as if he didn't want what he saw to happen.
-Are you okay?-
-NO! Besides,I don't want to lose my best friend and I still love Joey more than my fortune!-
-Well you must prove it!-
Until a noise was heard from someone who knocked on the door.
-Who?-
-Q!-
-Oh!- Murr opened it and received him with a warm hug to his best friend. -Come in,bud!-
-Thanks buddy!-
-How weird that Joey didn't answer the door!-
-Something weird happened to Joe!-
-WHAT?-
-Joey and I talked about Sal... And suddenly,he felt very hot and took him to the kitchen to give him something to make him feel better!-
-Alright... I talked with Sal but by the cellphone!-
-And what happened?-
-He did not assure me that he would come to Joe's dinner!-
-I wasn't sure either and I think that Jjjj was confused or excited because he wanted Sss to come to dinner!-
Hearing Murr's words,rrr looked with a distressed expression.
-I would like to do with trial toast and how is Joe?-
-A little better I guess! I'm going to look for it and prepare the glasses,the champagne and a bottle of water!-
-Okay Murray!-
He brought the drinks and Joey by his side and the three sat together.
-Who wants to start with the toast?-
-Me! I toast for Sal,because he is my best friend and for some reason I feel sorry for him and I love him!-
Q and Murr were speechless but agreed with their best friend's speech.
-I love him too,even though his actions that were not always the right ones...!
-I love him too,even though he pretends he hates me!-
-Cheers! FOR SAL!-
-FOR SAL!- The three boys shouted and raised their glasses.