December 1988

Every year for Christmas, the Jump Street chapel throws a Christmas party to kick off Winter Break, a break that we do not take lightly. We look forward to this all year, because the precinct closes and we can actually enjoy ourselves for a couple of weeks before the schools open back up. We still get paid too. If it wasn't for this party, I don't think I'd be celebrating Christmas at all even though I love the holiday season.

All of those who work at Jump Street are invited, obviously, along with those in nearby precincts and the officers at Metro Station. Basically everyone who already knows that Jump Street exists and are not a threat to the anonymity of our undercover unit.

The party is always scheduled on the Friday evening before Winter Break, so everyone has enough time to come and enjoy the party before they pack and go home to visit family for the holidays. Everyone gets dressed up and we have a lot of fun. Jenko started the tradition, which we planned to carry throughout our years here.

After my bust at a nearby high school, I decided to take a quick bath to warm myself up from the freezing temperatures outside. I recently purchased a reed diffuser with a white tea scent that I've been keeping in my bathroom, collecting dust on a shelf. It smells so good, I think I'll stick with this scent for a while. I curled my hair and let them sit in hot rollers as I submerged myself in the steaming water. I felt like I was making a Mickey Soup.

It had started snowing the day before, and it had yet to stop. My car was nearly frozen shut, I had to crawl through my passengers side window just to get in the drivers seat because the doors wouldn't open this morning. My fingers and toes couldn't move, and I was shivering from head to toe. I don't like the frigid snow.

I remember when I was a kid, Christmas was such a magical time. Santa Claus was coming to town, snow days were the best days of the year, and there was a collective effervescence around the world of love and a childlike sense of wonder. One year, I swear I heard Santa's sleigh bells ringing. I believed in him with my whole heart, even though I thought he was too busy for me some years when he didn't come around. I couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve. I may not have had much, but I appreciated everything around me. That was before I knew how cruel the world can be.

Now that I'm a lonely adult, the holiday is just another day that's cold. I can't feel the cheer anymore. It's so hard to be alone every year. I can't hear the sleigh bells ring anymore. Where did the magic go? It feels like I can't find Christmas anymore, but I guess that's because it let me go. I used to chase after it, but now I'm tired of running.

Perhaps having a warm bath was a terrible idea. I was nearly falling asleep when my bedside alarm went off, which was my alarm to leave. I jolted and jumped out of the tub quickly and threw a towel around my body and began drying off as I drained the tub. I raced to my closet and grabbed the closest dress I could find that would fit the occasion.

It was a lovely burgundy velvet dress with short puffed sleeves. I threaded floss through the zipper in the back to zip it up. The skirt fell just above my knees. In 1988, it is very difficult to find a flattering dress that does not have a mini skirt. I liked this dress because the velvet would keep me warm in the freezing weather, and I look really good in red.

I put on some black sheer tights, and I sat down to put on my sling back pointed toe black heels. They weren't that tall, but they did make me feel more elegant. That's what this Christmas party was for: to be elegant once a year. Black tie required.

I raced to my bathroom and frantically put my makeup on as fast as I could. I buffed some matte foundation around my face with my fingers and then I tapped a creamy brick red blush on my cheeks. I blended brown eyeshadow around my hazel eyes, bringing the shadow down to my lower lash line and defining them with subtle eggplant purple eyeliner to bring out the green, and to add some color. My eyes aren't blue like Marilyn Monroe's, but they're downturned like hers so I made sure my eyeliner complimented their anatomy. I did not stop applying mascara until my eyelashes could blow someone away with a single blink. Knowing I was going to eat, I decided to apply a light layer of tinted balm in a sheer blackberry shade as opposed to lipstick.

I quickly took my hot rollers out and grabbed my hairspray and teasing comb from under my sink. Sectioning off hair around the crown of my head, I violently teased and used so much AquaNet, I might accidentally kill every plant in my apartment from how much hairspray was in the air. I also used my hairdryer to literally bake the hairspray into my hair, it helps it last way longer. 

I took a quick glance at my little shelf of perfumes and grabbed my vanilla perfume oil. Supported by musky undertones and sweet and enticing vanilla as the central note, it was perfect for the Christmas party and for masking the strong smell of AquaNet that clouded around me. I dabbed some on my wrists and I headed out of the bathroom while pressing my wrists to my neck to transfer some of the oil. I layered it with perfume that smells like a divine boozy apple pie.

I've always loved perfume. Even as a kid, I liked to smell every perfume in every store and pick out my favorites, even though I couldn't afford to buy any. I can barely afford them now, but I do set some money aside to get bottles that I have fallen in love with. I got my hands on a perfume in October with notes of caramel, amber, and Pink Lady apple. It's sweet but very fall, and I've been obsessed with it recently. But one of my favorite perfumes has notes of marshmallow, orange, and vanilla, so I wear that often. I really like the sweeter scents, as long as it isn't overpowering. My favorite compliment is when people say I smell good.

I ran to my door while putting on some small but sparkly earrings and fetched my coat. I wrapped the black trench coat around myself, sliding my arms through the holes and fluffed my hair out of it. I quickly fetched the black knit scarf that Tom gave me for my birthday and put it around the back of my neck. I closed the coat and buttoned it tightly and with my purse in one hand and my keys in the other, I locked my front door behind me and walked down and out of my apartment complex, then I hustled through the freshly fallen snow to my car.

Once I got inside, I could still see my own breath. I started the car, and very carefully drove off in the dark. I drove slowly, I hate driving in the snow. It's even worse when driving at night. Tom knows I loath this weather to drive in so he did offer to pick me up, but I didn't want him to go so far out of his way.

Halfway there, I realized I forgot to buy a white elephant gift for our traditional gift exchange. I cursed in frustration, and took a slight detour to the store. When I got there, I picked out a gray fleece blanket and begged the cashier to gift wrap it for me, which she did happily.

I got back to my car, and unfortunately I got disoriented due to my detour to the store. With the snow partnering with the darkness, I got a little lost on my way to the chapel. I calmed myself from getting anxious driving on the snowy roads by listening to my new cassette tape with all my favorite songs on it. I had the volume down low so I could hear myself think, but I still sang along to it quietly. I got turned around a few times. I turned onto Metro Avenue, a usual busy road but tonight it was covered in dirty snow and I was the only one on the road. Eventually I was well on my way to the party, only being an hour late.

The parking lot for nearly completely full, except for the one spot that I have parked in nearly every shift I have ever had toward the front. I almost felt bad, that this has become known as my spot. But, I appreciated it considering the horrid weather we were suffering.

I prepared myself before grabbing the present and hid my purse under my seat. I walked out to the bitter wind that swirled rough snowflakes around my body, shivering as I ran quickly yet carefully through the parking lot and up the icy stairs. Snow and wind were relentlessly pelting me in the face, so my cold eyes were barely open. Running in heels is one of my favorite flexes, even though I hate wearing them.

I pushed the door open, bringing a swirl of snow in with me. The restless wind whined and it fluttered the fabric of my coat. I had to use my body weight to get the door to close, and I blew a raspberry at the amount of effort it took.

As soon as the door closed, the harsh sounds of the wind was muffled and replaced with soft music and voices. I could hear the sound of many officers mingling without the stress of work hounding down on them. Everyone was dressed very nice, which is a pleasant surprise from our usual uniforms. There was joyful laughing and love, which made me feel warm. A record player was playing Elvis's Blue Christmas, which created a soft vibe in the massive church. It is my favorite Christmas song.

"Mickey," Fuller's voice said. I turned to see him walk up to me and he said, "it's not like you to be late." He wore a black shirt with a red and white polka dot neck tie around his collar. Very Christmasy.

"I know," I said and shook some of the snow out of my curly hair, "I'm sorry. But I brought a peace offering."

Fuller chuckled and grabbed my gift. He wore an uncommon smile, which I was going to comment on but figured it was better to leave him alone. He said that he was going to put it with the rest, and he left.

I looked around at the decorations. It was beautiful! There was a fully decorated tree in the corner of the room, tables pushed together with a potluck of different foods and treats that people brought, and another table full of wrapped gifts for white elephant. Shiny tinsel hung everywhere, along with garland, and even mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Fake snow littered our desks, and I could see Blowfish scowling at it since he was the one who would have to clean it up. It looked like Santa threw up in there.

Fairy lights twinkled around the room, filling the boring and funny space to transform it into a Winter Wonderland. A wreath was hung on the wall, as well as complimentary shades of red and green. Bows and streamers all flattered the decorations. There was a piano in the middle of the room, and someone had pushed all our desks to the walls so there would be more room. Usually, the piano is hidden in a forgotten corner of the church. It's only ever taken out for Christmas.

"Mickey!" I heard which snapped me out of my admiration. I glanced around until I quickly spotted Tom making his way toward me. He was teetering a bit, but looked really cheerful and dare I say, jolly. "You made it!"

"I didn't mean to be so late," I said, feeling guilty. I've never been late to one of our Christmas parties before.

"Were you lost?" He chuckled softly.

He knows me too well. I tried to deny it by saying, "no, I wasn't lost. I just didn't know where I was."

Tom laughed and placed his full glass of egg nog on a nearby desk. He started brushing some of the snow off my shoulders before sneaking behind me and he offered to take my coat. I slipped my arms out and he slung my coat over his arm, along with my scarf that I noticed he recognized.

Tom was dressed quite spiffy himself. He wore a thick gray suit and a holiday red tie with a white shirt underneath. I was looking at his smiling face in a way I've never seen before. He put my coat on a nearby coat rack and picked up his egg nog again. He looked at me and paused before he said, "you look... great."

"Thanks." I blushed and smoothed out the skirt a little. I always feel awkward when I'm complimented. I never know what to say. I glanced around and said, "hope I didn't miss anything."

"Nah," Tom said with an exaggerated scrunch of his face and a shrug. He put one of his hands in his pocket and used the other to sip his egg nog. He said, "just missed the Brando impression."

I let my jaw drop and hang for a moment. "I missed the three Brando's?! But that's tradition!"

He chuckled, "and you missed helpin' Judy put up all the decorations. And the little lightin' tree— I mean the tree lightin' ceremony."

Judy has been in charge of putting up the Christmas decorations for the Christmas party for years, and she always knocks it out of the park. Last year was a pretty normal, but all I really remember was when Internal Affairs showed up to the party and put Ioki under investigation for being a Vietnamese refugee. He had lied to us about his background, his identity, and even his name. It was a shock, but I completely understood why he did it. Everything has been cleared up since then, but he was almost fired from Jump Street. The year before that it was an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, and before that was a Hawaiian Christmas theme. This year, she emphasized the party with the current Winter Wonderland. She does a great job, but she becomes a Drill Sargent to get everything finished in a timely manner. And she forces her helpers to arrive at noon, unless they are on an assignment, and the party does not start until seven in the evening. I have not helped set up the Christmas party since my first year, and I'll never do it again.

I widened my eyes when I realized that he was put on Christmas-duty. "You've been here that long?"

Tom nodded and looked at me while rocking back on his heels. "Yeah. That's why I'm drinkin'."

We laughed together until Judy came bouncing over to us and said practically the same thing Tom did to greet me, "Mickey! I was afraid you weren't going to make it."

Judy was wearing a dark purple lipstick that complimented her long sparkly emerald green maxi dress. The sleeves bunched at her shoulder, but there was a keyhole in the back. She looked stunning.

"I'd never miss it," I reassured.

Her nose twitched but her eyes brightened. "You smell incredible."

"Thank you." I beamed.

"How do you always smell so good?"

"This is a vanilla perfume oil and a perfume layered over it," I said and lifted my wrist up for her to smell.

She took my wrist to steady it under her nose. After a sniff, she smiled and said, "I'm going to need to get some of that for myself."

"I'll bring it by so you can see the label," I promised and I got my wrist back. I looked around at the room again and caught sight of some mistletoe she sprinkled around the chapel. "This party looks amazing, Judy. You've out done yourself."

"Thank you," she said and also looked around, "I'm pretty proud of it."

"You should be."

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" She asked.

I smiled and said, "I'll grab a plate in a second."

"All right." She smiled. "Hope you all enjoy the party!"

"Thanks, Judy," I said as she walked away.

"Thanks, Jude," Tom said to her. He leaned his head down to me and said, "I'm getting more egg nog. Want any?"

I nodded. "Sure," I said and he walked off.

I came up to Ioki, Booker, and Doug who were talking by the water cooler. They greeted me in hugs, and I joked and complimented them on how well they could clean up.

Booker smirked at me and said, "look at you. You should wear that more often."

I joked back, "this specifically?"

"Sure. Or nothin' at all. Whatever."

Doug smacked Booker's chest with the back of his hand just as Tom came up and handed me a little cup with egg nog.

I held the egg nog and said to Booker, "you should have been here a few years ago. I wore nothing but a hula skirt and a coconut bra."

His eyes lit up. "Really?"

I laughed at him with an eye roll and took a sip of the egg nog. Boys can be so dumb. "Wow," I said as I looked into it with a slight accidental sneer. "Boozy."

"Yeah," Tom said absentmindedly. He paused and then he took a double take and his tone changed, "oh, shit, Mick, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, don't worry about it," I chuckled, swirling the festive drink in the cup. He must have forgotten that I don't drink.

"You don't drink?" Booker asked.

"Nope," I said.

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "It's not really my thing."

"You don't even want to try it?"

"I just did," I chuckled. I wished I spit it out.

"I think you need to succumb to the peer pressure," Booker teased but I don't think he was joking.

"I'm good," I stated firmly. Booker gave up with a shrug and downed his eggnog in a single gulp.

Tom also quickly chugged his glass and threw the plastic cup in the nearby trash, then he grabbed the cup from my hand. He smiled and hiccupped softly before he said, "there. All good."

I chuckled and said, "that's one way to do it."

"I can count on you to drive me home, right?" Tom joked while bringing the rim to his upturned lips. He was swaying back and forth slightly but he kept his eyes intent on me.

"I thought it would be more fun to drive very slowly beside you as you walk home. In the dark. Uphill. In the snow," I joked back.

Tom swallowed harshly. He lowered his head and he looked me firmly in the eye. "You're a cruel woman, Michelle."

"I'll even roll the window down so you have someone to talk to."

"That is so generous, I can't even fathom it."

"I might get a little cold though."

"Oh, you'll be cold?" He asked sarcastically.

I started to laugh until I noticed that Tom was still looking deep in my eyes. I waited a couple of moments to ask quietly, "what are you looking at?"

"Your eyes. They have green in them."

I chuckled, I didn't want to wait for the punchline so I tried to beat him to it. "Yeah, like a swamp."

"No, no, not at all," he quickly corrected me. "Like an antique library, or a serene walk through the forest. They're so mesmerizing."

I couldn't help but smile. That was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I had never really paid my dark eyes much attention, because growing up people would either call them swamp eyes or bottom-of-the-trash-can eyes. It's been a while, but I didn't think anyone else really noticed either unless they were looking thoughtfully into my eyes. I guess I liked how Tom noticed.

"Uh, oh, don't look up," Blowfish giggled as he walked past our little group. On cue, we all tilted our heads back to see a bundle of fresh mistletoe over our heads.

I quickly looked at Tom, and my eyes landed on his sharp jawline. His eyes rolled over to mine and he chuckled awkwardly into his wrist. He wiped his mouth with his hand, which is a nervous tick he has.

"You guys know the tradition." Doug's head immediately snapped to Ioki and he said deadpan, "pucker up."

"Oh, oh, oh," Ioki grunted as Doug humorously cupped Ioki's cheeks and planted a kiss on him. Ioki childishly wiped his lips off with his sleeve which made me laugh.

Doug then looked to Tom and said, "your turn."

"I—uh," Tom stammered but then took a step closer to me. He said, "sorry, I've already got my partner."

I looked to him and neither of us hesitated to kiss under the mistletoe. His lips were warm and buttery smooth. His hand settled on my waist ever so gently, I wouldn't have known it was there if his touch didn't send shivers down my body. My hand came up to cup his smooth cheek tenderly. The kiss was quick, but I wished it was longer. When it was done, I couldn't help but to smile at him. He smiled back at me, but his eyes kept darting down to my lips. I almost thought he wanted to kiss me again.

Doug paid no attention to us. He turned to Booker and said, "then I guess it's your turn."

Booker also spun over to me and my only warning to his kiss was that he pulled me closer to him gently and he put his lips on mine. He was a little rougher than Tom was, but he has very soft lips. When we released, Booker looked at Doug and said, "too late."

Doug pouted, "you guys are no fun, you know that?"

"Come here, Doug," I said enthusiastically as I walked through our little circle to get to him. Booker's hand slipped from my body as I walked up to Doug.

"Really?" He asked with big eyes.

"Really, really," I said. I lightly put my hands over his cheeks and gave him a little peck on the lips. I backed up a bit and saw his eyes slowly open with his lips still puckered. I raised my eyebrows and asked, "better?"

"Better." He nodded with my cold hands still on his cheeks. His cheeks were starting to get as red as my nails.

"Good," I said. I turned to walk back over to Tom and Booker. In my peripheral vision I saw Tom reach over and mess up Doug's hair with his hand. It made me giggle. I'm going to cherish these moments.

Someone began clinking their glass to get everyone's attention. We all looked to the middle of the room to see Fuller, about to make a toast. Judy walked to the record player and turned down the Frank Sinatra song, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

"Hey, all," Fuller said and cleared his throat. "I'm not usually one for making speeches. But this is my second year with you all, and I just want to say thank you to all of you. I know it's not easy, but you all welcomed me into your little family with open arms and I am forever grateful. I have a lot of faith in my officers, and every single one of you make me proud every single day. I am proud to call myself your Captain."

"Here, here," Doug said and lifted up his glass in cheers.

We all followed suit and Fuller chuckled. He lifted his cup and said, "I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" We all announced. We clinked cups with our nearby neighbors, and I wrapped my hand around the bottom of Tom's cup since it was technically mine. His face flexed when he tried to force himself not to smile as we clanked glasses together.

"Who is ready to start White Elephant?" Fuller asked, and the church of officers started cheering.

Fuller chuckled and started walking around the room with a hat. Every officer had to pick a number from the hat to pick a gift. When it was my turn, I fiddled my fingers around until I picked a slip of paper. I unfolded it as Tom was picking his and saw that I got number 52.

"52," I showed Tom.

He grinned and showed me his. 8.

When it came to be his turn, he chose a gift bag that had a pair of thick socks, and a nice candle. We stood in the same place for a while, just talking, and no one stole his gift, which he was happy about. He enjoyed smelling the candle, and talked about how he couldn't wait to get new socks. He's a real adult.

When it finally became my turn, I realized that my gift of a blanket was chosen by someone. I was tempted to steal it, because I knew I'd be getting cold when I would have to go back outside, but I decided to pick one of the last gifts. It was a mug with ingredients to make hot chocolate. Neither of our gifts were stolen throughout the process of the game.

I continued to mingle and have fun with my friends and coworkers for the whole night. Tom was being very friendly, goofy, and outgoing. I couldn't tell if he was this way because we were off the clock, or because he was tipsy. Maybe both.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see Tom. He was holding something behind his back and he seemed a little nervous, it was so sweet.

He said, "I've been, um, meaning to give you this." He pulled out a little white gift bag with blue tissue paper sticking out of it. He wrote my name in his beautiful cursive handwriting on a little card that stuck out of the bag.

"Oh, Tom," I said as I took the bag from him in surprise. I looked him in the eyes and felt bad when I said, "I didn't get you anything."

He scratched the back of his neck and said, "it's nothin', really... I just—"

I interrupted him with a soft gasp when I opened the little box that was inside to find a beautiful gold necklace. I touched it softly with my finger tips and said, "Tom, it's beautiful."

His eyes were dancing with a golden light and happiness. He smiled and asked, "you really like it?"

"Of course I do," I said as I carefully took it out of the box and admired the thick gold heart that dangled on the chain in my hand. I unhooked the clasp and asked Tom if he could put it on for me. I handed him each side of the chain, and turned around and moved my hair to one side. He put the chain around my neck and clasped it, and helped me fix my hair over my back. I peered down at the necklace again and looked over my shoulder at him. I was almost speechless. "Thank you, Tom. You really didn't have to."

"I wanted to," he said softly.

I smiled and I kissed his cheek in appreciation.

He chuckled softly and said, "you really do smell good."

"Thank you."

I saw him blush before he excused himself to get some more egg nog. When he got to the table I glanced down at the necklace and ran my fingers over it gently, really appreciating the gift. No one had ever given me something like this before, and it was really sweet of him to think of me.

I walked up to a Judy and she immediately saw the necklace. She said, "I was wondering when he was going to give it to you."

"What do you mean?" I asked, already found myself fiddling with the heart.

"He got that for you forever ago. I was supposed to help him pick it out, but he had already chosen it by the time I got there. I gave him the go-ahead. I think he meant to give it to you for your birthday," she said.

"My birthday was at the beginning of the month," I stated, "I wonder why he waited so long."

She shrugged. "Maybe he was just nervous? It's a pretty nice necklace, after all."

"Now I feel even worse that I didn't get him anything," I said.

"He wasn't expecting you too, believe me."

"Then why did he chose Christmas to give it to me?"

She pondered on the thought for a moment before she answered, "probably because it was a good excuse. And that nog has probably given him the boost of confidence he needed."

I chuckled and looked out to Tom. Doug was sitting at the piano bench with Tom leaning against Doug's shoulder with his forearm, holding another glass of egg nog. They were talking to each other loudly but I couldn't understand what they were saying. Why was he nervous to give me a gift?

Tom stood up straight and called out to the entire chapel, "turn the record off! We're gonna... we're gonna give you a song."

"This I can't wait to see," Judy giggled and we walked closer to the piano, as did everyone else. Someone had turned the record player down again, and Doug prepared to play the piano.

"If you don't know this song," Tom announced then inhaled, "then you've been livin' under a rock."

Doug started playing an upbeat, energetic song on the piano that everyone was familiar with. Everyone expressed that they knew with "oohs" and "awes". Tom's eyes caught mine and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He raised his arm and said, "Mick! Come!"

Everyone's eyes came my way and I laughed and walked to him, and his arm wrapped around me. Judy joined and sat next to Doug on the piano bench. Ioki, Fuller, and Booker all stood around the bench. We all gathered around the piano, ready to sing one of the most well known Christmas songs in the English language.

"Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Now I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer."

Tom swayed back and forth to the song, pulling me with him in every which way. He sang loudly, almost in a goofy way that he masked as being serious. I couldn't help but laugh at him as I sang along.

"Everybody!" Tom shouted, welcoming everyone to sing along with us. The crowd clustered together, now everyone was singing around the piano.

"Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet."

"Ho ho the mistletoe
Is hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me."

At that lyric, Doug jokingly planted a kiss on Judy's cheek, and Tom and Booker kissed either sides of my face. My rosy cheeks rose in a big smile. I put my arm around Tom's back and Bookers too with my other arm to have him join our little train. I felt him put his arm around me to reciprocate the gesture. Everyone laughed at their goofiness, and we continued the song.

"Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year."

"Ho ho the mistletoe
Is hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me."

"Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year!"

We finished the song and the church broke out in applause. I giggled and clapped too. Tom bowed merrily, and tossed his empty cup in the trash.

Doug played a couple more songs as we all dispersed back into talking amongst ourselves. I made a plate of just sweets that were calling my name. That was my dinner. Peppermint and nutmeg were all that I could smell, and I loved it. It smelled like Christmas.

As the night dwindled to a close, Judy asked if I could stay and help clean up. Upon my distraction of eating a delicious slice of chocolate cake, I thought she asked if my cake was good, not if I could stay. So of course I said yes. And since I did not set up, I felt obligated to help take everything down anyways. It was the least I could do after she worked so hard.

I took my heels off that were beginning to make my feet ache. I set them on top of my desk that was still pushed against the wall, and I walked around barefoot for the rest of the evening, probably ruining the bottom of my black tights.

Despite being there for over ten hours, Judy stayed back to help clean as well. She managed to rope in Ioki too, even though he has been here as long as she had, and Doug. Fuller managed to escape with the other officers who work at the Metro Station, and Tom wanted to stick around... for some reason. Booker snuck out without anyone noticing.

I carefully stood up on a chair and reached up as high as I could to take the wreath down. I stood up on my tip-toes and lifted the green branch off the hook. I let my heels come back to the chair and I looked down to see Tom standing on the floor, looking up at me with his arm extended up at me.

"I don't want you to fall," he reasoned.

The chair wobbled, making my life flash before my eyes. I had nothing to grab to help myself since I was holding a big wreath. Tom quickly grabbed a strong hold of my leg, gripping my thigh through the fabric of my dress. His face was full of concern, and once we knew that I wasn't going to fall, he asked, "are you okay?"

He let me go as I nodded with a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I'm okay."

I took his hand and carefully stepped down off the chair and held the wreath with the other. I thanked him and realized that the chair had wheels. Not my smartest move of the night. I laughed it off and said, "oops. That could have been bad."

Tom's eyebrows raised at my joke and nodded while chuckling, "yeah, no shit."

I called out to Judy from the other side of the church, "hey, Jude, where do you want this?"

Judy looked over at me to see the wreath and said, "we can throw it in the dumpster on our way out."

"Okey-dokey," Tom said and took the wreath from me and walked toward the front door.

"Okay, guys, I think we are just about done," Doug announced.

"It's like Christmas was never here at all," Ioki pointed out, glancing around.

"Sad to see it gone?" Doug asked Judy.

Judy nodded. "Yeah. But don't worry. I already have an idea for next Christmas."

"Which is?" I asked.

"A secret," she said.

"Gotcha," I chuckled.

"What are all your Christmas vacation plans?" Doug asked as everyone started to gather around the front door.

"I'm going up to my mom's house. She's inviting her boyfriend," Tom said.

"My best friend's mom wants me to come over, so I'm driving over there tomorrow morning. I'll probably be there all break," Ioki said.

"I hear you." Judy nodded. "My folks want me home too. I'll probably be back before New Years though."

"What about you, Mick?" Doug asked.

I nearly stammered but I managed to say, "you know... the usual. Christmas movies, baking cookies... the whole thing."

I was not the kind of person to wave my orphanism in peoples faces. I've been alone for Christmas for years, I stopped caring a long time ago. It's just another day. These Christmas parties give enough love for me to carry on throughout the holiday season.

My coworkers are some of my closest friends. However, I don't want to tell them about my family situation and make them treat me differently or give me pity. My older brother died when I was eight, my mother ran out on me when I was an infant, and after my brothers death I was put into the foster care system because my dad was not fit to be a father, due to his long history of drug dealing and abusing drugs. I haven't seen or heard from my father since. It's not a big deal, but there are some things I'd rather keep to myself.

I really did not want any of them to know. Sometimes they'll ask about my family, and I just say they don't live around here, which isn't a total lie. It's just a part of my life that does not reflect who I am.

Alas, they seemed satisfied with my answer. Doug glanced around and asked, "are you guys gonna ask me my... my plans?"

Tom said deadpan, "no. Moving on."

Ioki laughed, "I knew you were going to ask us to ask you."

Tom laughed too, "I was not gonna ask you."

"I knew you weren't—I knew you weren't and that's why I brought it up. I was here thinking, 'these guys are so focused on themselves they don't even give a hoot'."

My neck was cramping from how hard I was trying so hard not to laugh. "Okay, okay, what are your plans?"

Doug said, "wow, it's so funny you asked that. My younger brother is coming home, so I am too."

We all started putting all our coats on. I ran back to my desk to grab my heels and put them on as Tom grabbed my coat for me and stood behind me to help me put it on.

"Thanks," I said to him while mentally preparing myself for the cold and bitter weather we were about to walk through. I felt my keys in my pocket, and was ready.

"Mind taking me home?" Tom asked and hooked his arm around mine.

"Yes, of course."

The chapel was clean and ready for operation again in two weeks. For a moment, there was a silent glow that filled the chapel on this snowy Christmas night. We all said our goodbyes, said Merry Christmas, and we disappeared into the winter storm.

I hope you liked this long one! It was inspired by all the Christmas music I've been listening to lately 😂
Next chapter occurs after the New Year where Mickey investigates a school where students are going into unexplainable comas 🙃 can't wait for you to read it!
Don't forget to vote and comment! 😁