"Deck the halls with boughs of holly!" Mr. Walmsley, the music teacher, sang to us as we entered the classroom.  Everyone seemed to be in a good mood.  Everyone except me, that is.  "Hey, Paigey," my friend Elaine said to me as she sat down in her seat beside mine.

"Hey," I replied, trying to sound cheerful, "how are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks." Elaine answered, "But what's up with you?  You seem a little off."  I knew I couldn't escape this.  Elaine honestly reads me like a book.  She knows when I'm sad, when I'm happy- I think she must have telepathic powers or she honestly really gets me, because Elaine always knows how I'm feeling.  So, that is why I sighed a deep sigh and told her the whole tale.

When I finished, Elaine's bright blue eyes were full of sympathy as she said, "That must be really hard for you, Paige."

"I guess I have to deal with it, though." I replied mournfully.  "I just wish my mother didn't make that silly mistake!"

"When are they arriving?" Elaine asked.

"I don't know for sure, but probably next week." I stated.

Elaine shrugged and joked, "Let me know if you need any special security locks or a laser system for your room."

"Will do." I answered with a giggle.

And that is when Mr. Walmsley stepped to the front of the classroom, clearing his throat and waving his hands in the air, grabbing our attention.  "Alright ladies and gentlemen," he announced energetically, "Everyone knows the holidays are coming.  And are you excited?"

The class cheered in response.

"Woo!" Mr. Walmsley cried, before saying, "All fun things aside, we have work to do for the Holiday Concert.  As you know class our band is playing some music at this concert."

More cheers.

"-And I have selected some options for us that I think will be good for the band!" Mr. Walmsley shouted over the noise.  "Ladies and gentlemen, settle down now!"

The class fell silent as Mr. Walmsley announced, "We are going to be playing a Christmas song and a Jewish song.  Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to play Silent Night and Hannukah blessings."

Oh my gosh!  The religion topic I was trying to avoid came right back at me.  The irony!  But, I did know the songs and they are really beautiful pieces, so I took comfort in the fact that I enjoy playing them and I thought it would be fun to play as a band ensemble.

"Mr. Walmsley, when is the concert?" I heard someone pipe up.

"A week from today." Mr. Walmsley answered.

Although I was still mad at my mother for doing this, I quickly pulled out my phone and sent a text to her.

When are the grandparents coming over and how long will be they staying?

And unfortunately, Mom replied with:

They come on this coming Monday and they stay till the following Monday.

Oh no.  I thought I had a little longer to prepare than that.  And they are going to be here for the band concert!  They will definitely have something to say about our selection of music.  I could almost imagine the argument right then and there.  Nana and Papa vs. Grandma and Grandpa, battling over which religion should have gotten more focus during the Holiday Concert.  Right in the middle of the auditorium.  Then, I imagined tiny, embarassed me hiding in the corner, pretending not to know who these people are.

Pretending I came from a nice family that did not care about religion.