#XtremeApologies Submission

Part 3

The door opened, and there he was. He had his army uniform on. In his had was a bell. In his other hand was a present.

At first I didn't want to see him. I knew it was childish but I tried hidding under the blanket.

I heard a soft chuckle. He pulled the blanket away from my face. While I was hidding, he put on a sparkly Santa hat on.

I wanted to be mad but he has been away for so long and he looked silly in the Santa hat.

I finally surrendered and let a laugh escape my mouth. He smiled and rang the bell one more and said, "Marry Christmas Maddie."

I felt tears roll off my checks. I haven't see my brother Ryan since he joined the army. When he didn't come home for the holidays I was alittle frustrated at him, but that's not what made me so angery at him.

**Back Story**

Last year our mom passed away. She joined our dad in the cemetery. Ryan wasn't there for the funeral.

When Thanksgiving rolled around it was just me and a turkey. I had no children and I live around no relatives.

I didn't want to be alone for Christmas either. So I sent Ryan a letter and asked him to please come home for the holidays. He replied yes, and he promised he would be there.

I was so excited I got the tree up, I decorated the house, I wrapped him a present, I baked cookies and I sat in the living room waiting for him to come home. He never came home.

Christmas morning I walked downstairs just to see if he was there, but to my dismay, he was not.