Bullied and the Bitch

Chapter 11: Best Christmas Ever

"It's Christmas Eve!" Eddy yells. He invades my room, leaps up onto my bed, and jump up and down.

I groan, rolling over and putting my pillow over my head. But mostly to hide my smile. Eddy's excitement is contagious.

"Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve!" Eddy chants, even as he's off my bed and out the door. The words taper off into the distance.

Still sighing, but unable to help the smile on my face, I stumble downstairs. It's eight a.m., but I'm tired as hell. The previous day had been a Monday, and a holiday from school. As usual, I was at the train station's new wing, putting in enough work to last us the holidays.

"Good morning!" El greets me with a smile, passing by me and going into the kitchen.

The table is alight with friendly chatter. Everyone is talking about tonight. Apparently, it's a family tradition to go into town, sit on a picnic mat by the big Christmas tree they always erect in the middle of the town square with blankets and sing carols until it's Christmas. Everyone in the family tags along, and I'm not allowed to pass this tradition up either.

Not that I intended to. I quickly caught on just how fun hanging out with this family was. Besides, it's not like I had any other plans.

"You're in a rush," I note, following her into the kitchen.

"Of course! It's Christmas Eve!" Apparently, the over-excitement over Christmas is genetic.

"So I gathered," I say in amusement.

"I have to finish up tonight's Christmas dinner and pack them away for us to take into town. There's never enough time."

"Wait. We're going to have our Christmas dinner in town in front of the Christmas tree?"

She looks at me like I'm stupid. "Of course."

The men are allowed to do whatever they want for the day, aside from look after Elianna and Eddy, as Janice and Elisabeth bustle around the kitchen all day long. I work in the garden, finishing up all of El's chores in it so she has more time to prepare all the food.

I still hate worms, but at least I can throw them aside without flinching as much now. And carry the caterpillars out of the green house and throw them onto the grass.

After that I just help out in the kitchen. I nearly get stabbed twice because they're so frantic, but otherwise I stay out of the way and follow El's instructions. Simon and Samuel tease me about being in the kitchen and doing womanly jobs. El points her knife at them and tells them to get out or get chopping.

They opt to get out.

And after the bustling day of cooking, we pack up all the food and the presents we plan to exchange, load them into the car, and Janice, James, Elianna, Eddy and Vincent drive off to town to get a good spot to have our picnic.

Simon, Samuel, El and I walk because there's not enough space in the minivan.

Spirits are higher than usual. Simon and Samuel belt out all the carols they know and some they don't know, messing it up completely. El joins in, but most of the time is laughing too hard to sing properly.

I always thought carols were so passe. My family threw a grand Christmas party every year, with some of my dad's associates, and neighbours. Em and Pris always attended them. And I'd always find one of my dad's hot colleagues to fuck for the night. Sometimes a few. And that was just about how my Christmas usually is.

I'm not too used to this idea of just hanging out, eating and singing, but for some reason, I'm incredibly excited to experience it.