Problems of adults

Chapter 33 : Christmas

Constance and Jane were not in the mood to celebrate Christmas this year, but the neighbors organized a party at Mary's, as usual. They had always done one for years, as most of them didn't have lots of family close to Brooklyn. Mehdi insisted a lot to them, thinking it would clear their heads and why not cheer them up. Axel, who opened the door, told them that he would go. The sisters hesitated, but they had nothing better to do. Jane changed her oxygen bag, took her crutches, and followed Constance out of the apartment. The travel was quick, they just had to make a few steps to arrive at the party. Mary welcomed them with a warm smile before taking them in her arms. Then it was Mallory who literally jumped on them. Melissa was simpler, she gently waved at them. Finally, Mehdi presented them at his mother who warmly smiled to them.

The family didn't regret spending the night with them, they actually had fun, and Jane managed to forget her heart problems thanks to them. Mary made a meal that Jane could eat without thinking if she had the right or not. Jane really appreciated the effort. Emily was overexcited, as usual. She spent the meal watching the Christmas tree where her presents were. And, of course, she insisted to sit between her mother and Jane.

But now, it was the moment of the presents, and neither Constance nor Jane had the time or the money to buy them something. And they felt more embarrassed when they all asked them to sit on the couch, smile on their faces. The two sisters frowned at each other before seeing Mary holding them a present. They slowly opened it and discovered a laptop inside.

- "It's for both of you," Mehdi explained. "We all participated, to give you something that could help you to accept everything that happens in life."

- "That's...that's too much!" Constance said.

- "Ssh, don't ruin Christmas mood!" Jane told.

Their neighbors laughed, making chuckle the two girls.

- "But we didn't buy you anything," Constance added.

- "We don't need anything, don't worry, just spending a night like that is a present for us," Mehdi answered.

- "So cheesy," Melissa mocked.

The purple-haired girl gently pushed his head, making the others laugh. While Melissa and the others were opening their presents, Jane and Constance were looking at their new laptop. Mehdi sat next to them and explained them that they installed some software and applications. The two girls didn't know how to thank them, it was more than they expected.

After the presents, Mallory offered them to play a board game. All the adults and teens went to the table except Jane, a bit tired, who preferred staying on the couch. Emily joined her and showed her all the presents she had. Jane was amazed by this little girl, she babysat her just a few weeks, and Emily was already considering her as her friend. The blonde baby girl went to her bedroom before coming back with a piece of paper that she gave to Jane.

- "It's your present," Emily smiled.

- "Oh, thanks! What is it?"

- "A drawing of you."

Jane turned the paper and saw all the colors that Emily spread on the paper. It was a drawing of Jane with a costume of Wonder-Woman, showing her muscles.

- "Mom told me you were sick, but you are strong, so you will be okay," Emily explained.

Jane didn't find words to express what she was feeling. She was very touched by this; it was like an unexpected encouragement which meant more than everything she had been hearing for weeks now. Jane wrapped her arm around the young girl and kissed the top of her head before saying:

- "It's beautiful, I love it."

- "You will put it on your fridge?"

- "My fridge? No, my fridge is too ugly to have such a beautiful drawing! I'll keep it with me all the time, to show it to all my friends, what do you think?"

- "It's better than the fridge! Brave will see it?"

- "Oh, Max. Of course, she will see it."

- "Cool."

Emily stood on the couch and kissed Jane's cheek. Jane helped her to get out of the couch before sinking in it. She just closed her eyes when she felt her phone vibrating. It was Max. The two girls hadn't talked since they had their quarrel at the Byers's. Jane was feeling stupid, she lost her shit for nothing, she had no reason to react like that. She took a deep breathing before picking it up.

- "Um, hey," Jane said.

- "Hey. Am I bothering you?" Max asked.

- "No, no, I'm...no, you're not."

- "Okay. Great. You good?"

- "Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?"

- "I'm fine too. I...I wanted to apologize..." the redhead began. "I know I should have told you."

- "It's okay, I understand. I just...I guess I was already too angry, and sadly you paid for everyone, I'm sorry."

- "Yeah, me too. So, we're good?"

- "Of course," Jane reassured.

Jane heard a relieved sigh on the phone, making her smile.

- "You're not alone tonight, right? I know you're not in the mood, but don't stay alone in days like that."

- "I'm not alone, my neighbors organized a party, we're all here, don't worry for me. I even had presents!"

- "Oh really? What did you have?"

- "A laptop."

- "Oh! So cool!" Max exclaimed.

- "Yeah, they are very nice. And Emily made a drawing for me."

- "So cute."

- "She wants you to see it!" Jane said.

- "I'll have to, then," the redhead chuckled.

Emily, who understood that Jane was talking to Max, went back on the couch to yell on the phone:

- "Hi Brave!"

- "Hi," Max chuckled.

- "Merry Christmas!"

- "Thanks, merry Christmas to you too!"

The blonde girl sat next to Jane and began to play with her new toys. Jane rubbed her hair before putting again her phone on her ear.

- "How is it for you?"

- "Oh, uh, it's great," Max answered.

- "Nothing more?"

- "I, well, it's a bit weird, I mean, it's the first time I've been celebrating Christmas with no quarrels or tensions. It's great, but a bit weird, and they are not really my family so...I don't know, I feel like I shouldn't be here. It's stupid, right?"

- "No, it's not. It must have been stressing for you to change your life completely, in a few seconds. Even if this new lifestyle is not toxic, it's not the lifestyle you had grown up with."

- "Yeah, it's exactly that."

- "The good thing is that, at least, you've known Joyce and Will for years now, it's not like if they were unknown."

- "Yeah, of course, they are very nice and warm. It's just a matter of time, I guess."

- "You'll get used to it, I'm sure of that."

- "Me too. I have to go; I'll see you after the holidays?"

- "Of course."

- "Good. Love you."

- "Love you too."

Jane hung up her phone with a wide smile on her face and butterflies flying in her body. She was glad their quarrels didn't change their relationship. Now, she couldn't wait to see her again.