Home for the Holidays - Writers Forum

**Penelope** · 12-22-2003, 10:22 PM

a couple of naughty words

It was a shitty December, 22nd when he woke up. The type of day where it won't snow because it's too warm but not pleasant enough to be a tolerable wetness. To add to his glum mood, he wasn't where he wanted to be. He'd been bunking with some buddies, in the city, on a round of drunken binges for the past week. What seemed like a good idea had fallen flat when one of his chums got picked up for impaired and the other had vamoosed.

The three of them had stayed in a motel, on the strip, while scouting up some local skirt. That never materialized either. Just some high ole times with no hopes of getting laid. Now he was faced with no money, no place to stay and no means of getting home. He'd lost his wallet in some unmemorable spot at an undiscernable time.

He rolled out of the double bed where he'd hoped to have hot women catering to his every desire. Too bad it only worked that way in the porn movies, he thought, as he lurched his way into the john. He took stock of his appearance in the mirror. I'm good looking, twenty years old, healthy, intelligent, employed, with no dame's name tattooed on my forehead, why can't I get laid? He sighed and began to run the shower.

Once spruced up and in some clean clothes, he felt a bit better as he stuffed his dirty gear into his knapsack. I gotta get home, my folk's will be expecting me home for Christmas. I told them I'd be home tomorrow. Now, I'm broke and how the fuck am I gonna get home? He slung his bag over his shoulder and checked out of the motel.

For the first time in his life, he had to think for himself. In a city full of strangers where the ladies were too cold for comfort. He looked across the avenue to the shopping mall.

Until that moment, it had never occured to him he'd ever have to bank on the charitable nature of others. The mall lot was jammed with cars jockeying for parking stalls as he loped across the street. Maybe, if I appeal to people, I could rustle up the coin to get home. It's Christmas after all.

Then he spies two women. An older one in the company of a gorgeous young girl. Mother and daughter, I bet. I'll ask the older one for a handout.

"Ma'am? Excuse me, Ma'am" He inwardly curses as he hears the crack in his voice from too much booze.

She turns to look at him, "Yes?" she says.

"Ma'am, I'm stuck here and flat broke. I just need enough for bus fare to get back to the island. My folks are expecting me for Christmas." He notices her looking directly into his eyes as he talks to her. I bet she can see I've got a hangover and I feel like shit.

The younger woman tugs on the lady's arm while giving him a look of disdain. "Come on Auntie. Never mind about him."

"Where on the island are your parents?" she asks.

"Duncan, Ma'am." He says as he tries his best to look earnest and hapless at the same time.

She opens her purse, pulls out a twenty dollar bill and hands it to him. "There you go, Merry Christmas."

"Gee thanks! Ma'am! That's more than enough." He beams at her as he stuffs the bill in his pocket. "Merry Christmas to you too! Thanks!"

"No problem, just make sure you catch the next bus going to the ferry." she says with a smile, "There's enough for you to get something to eat too."

The younger woman glares at him as the older one turns towards the mall entrance. She then spins around to follow her aunt. As they walk away, he hears the young one say. "You know Auntie, he might have been lying to you."

The older woman's words ring as clearly as silver bells. "If he's lying, it's his tribulation, not mine. The money was given in good faith. Come on! It's Christmas!"

As he heads over to the transit station to catch a bus home, the day feels a little warmer. Merry Christmas, I wish you a very Merry Christmas Ma'am.

Where would we be without the charitable acts of others?

Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Penelope Allen

VenerealJesus · 12-23-2003, 04:56 PM

At first read, it seemed quite mundane and seemingly simple, but after re reading it, I start to wonder if it is so simple. Why, if he is so chauvanistic sounding in the beigning, what with the booze and drugs and horniness and "im good looking why cant i get laid?!", would he revert to kindness, even after he has left the presence of the women? It at first baffled me, but now it seems to be a comment on how, even outwardly horrid people can be good on the inside.

or somehting.

**Penelope** · 12-23-2003, 10:27 PM

I don't think he is horrid. I certainly didn't write it to present him as horrid either. He's just a young fellow in the company of a couple of 'friends' who ran into a spot of bother. How he views women isn't all that uncommon. In fact, in this same forum there is a story which proves this.

The aunt (me) who gave him the money did so with no conditions - simply a gesture to someone in need. Asking for help does a lot to humble a person.
I had no way of knowing why he was broke and in need of a hand out and I didn't care either. I do remember my niece not approving of him and I'm not too sure why. Instinctive perhaps?
When my son lost his wallet & birth certificate in Mexico City, he was lucky enough to be in the company of good friends who stuck around till they were sure he'd be able to make it home safely.
In my view, when a hand is extended in such circumstances, it's unconditional. I didn't want the responsibility of making demands of the person. I took him at face value.
Making up a fictional account of how he ended up where he did was enjoyable conjecture and not done to label him at all.
Everyone is a mass of contradictions - no matter who they are.
The other thing this story points out is that on the road to maturity there are happenings which impact on our memories. Good and bad. That young man won't ever forget being given twenty bucks by a stranger. He and I will never meet again. Having an impact in someone's memories, seasonal or otherwise is a gift too. In my view, we make our choices whether we are remembered well or with malice. Not everyone views me kindly, but that's life .. n'est pas?