READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 4: Christmas Eve P1
"Please leave a message after the beep"
-BEEP-BEEP-
"Get out of the way"
"Sorry traffic is crazy... Laura, I was hoping to catch you before you left the house I'm running a bit behind"
Of course all this was a rouse. In reality there is no traffic and the snow isn't even falling that hard. It's just me driving as fast as I'm willing to go.
-BEEP-BEEP-
"F**k you too, and that's not very ladylike. Anyway, I'll try to get to my house as soon as I can... sh*t... here's the problem three car pileup I'm going be very late anyway make sure Charlie is all packed and ready to go".
- 1 hour later-
I know. I know. I was so excited and anxious to meet my son how could I be so late for picking him up? I guess I'm more worried about meeting him than I was willing to consider.
Anyway I made it now and there they are waiting in the car. I quickly get out and wave toward them as I grab the gift in the back seat and head towards the door.
Laura and Charlie get out of the car and head my way.
"Sorry I'm late hope you guys are ok? You want to come in for a minute?"
"Hi and sorry but we got to get going" Laura said
"Come on, its Christmas eve. Just a minute"
Laura responded "OK" and turned to tell Neal that she would be going inside
"Great, it'll only be a minute"
After entering I ask Laura "So.. what's the plan?"
"First going to my mother's home for dinner. Then we plan to visit Neal's family"
"Ah! Christmas at the pound...bark. oowww"
"There are few presents under the tree" Charlie mentions. I respond "That's because Santa hasn't had the chance to visit yet"
"Neal said there is no Santa" I rebuke "Well his head comes to a point"
-BEEP-BEEP-
Laura opens the door to inform Neal to give her a second. Once she closes it I ask her "Did he tell Charlie that there is no Santa Claus?"
"Huh... O... no, Charlie came home the other day from school crying because some of the older kids told him that there is no Santa Claus. And you know Neal sat him down and told him that Santa was an idea... a belief... a state of mind"
"Like Neal" I state sarcastically "and who said Neal should be the one to destroy our son's belief in Santa. I thought if we were going to rob him of his childhood I should be a part of it"
"O? Really? well your never around and all we're trying to do is make sure he has a firm grasp on reality"
"I see... that's a great idea. You don't want kids running around using their imagination"
"Why do you guys always have to fight?" Charlie askes
"O... no it may sound like fighting, but really we're just singing. Sounds like cats right... meow. The true issue is that your mom and Neal don't believe in Santa because they were really naughty. Which is why they probably got coal in their stockings"
"Isn't it childish?" "what no I believe in Santa and I'm a grown man"
"Ok its time I go come here Charlie" Laura says and hugs Charlie as she prepares to go. "Do I have to stay?" asks Charlie and Laura looks at me and for a second I fell crushed, but I know I'll have a chance to truly be a part of his life and I don't plan to let it go to waste.
"Yes, and don't worry I'll see you in the morning. Have a Merry Christmas and I love you"
"I love you, too, mom bye" Charlie responds "bye"
Laura leaves the house and how its just me and Charlie, my son, on Christmas Eve. And so it begins.