Page 195 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
Taran lets out a heavy breath. “Aunt Cindy, ever since I can remember, you have always made the holiday season fun. And this year is no exception. But what I liked the most were our conversations where you shared your wisdom with me. I will always cherish those talks.”
What talks?
Taran looks at me. “Storee, I don’t say this enough, but I’m proud of you.” Uhh, what? And why…why am I getting choked up? “You have overcome some big fears by participating in this competition, and you’ve done it with grace, with excellence, and with a dedication that I know means so much to Aunt Cindy.”
I nod, my throat growing tight.
“Umm, wow, okay. I wasn’t ready to get emotional.” Aunt Cindy squeezes my hand. “But yeah, thank you for everything you guys said. That means a lot. Uh, Aunt Cindy, you make Christmas what it is—what it always should be. I forgot that. I forgot how much I need this holiday in my life, how much I need you to be a part of it, and I can’t believe I’ve stayed away for so long. I promise that won’t be the case moving forward because you are why I have the magical memories I do.”
A tear rolls down Aunt Cindy’s cheek as she brings my hand up and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
Now I turn to Taran and take a deep breath. “Taran, I know we don’t get along all the time, and there are moments when I think we don’t quite understand each other, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate you and love you, because I do. I appreciate your warm heart and the way you take care of anyone who needs help without question, the big and the small. I appreciate how you set aside your life to come visit me in California, even if all we do is sit around and watch the Lovemark moviesI edit. I appreciate you pushing me to be a part of this competition and being by my side during the process. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.”
Taran softly smiles. “You would have, but you wouldn’t have had such a great light display.”
I laugh and shake my head. “A light display that isn’t fully done yet.”
“Just need to make a few tweaks.” She pinches her fingers together.
“Can we have all the Kringle-ees please approach their stations?” Bob Krampus booms through the gymnasium.
Time to compete.
“Good luck,” Aunt Cindy says.
“Don’t forget to give yourself room with the thick needle,” Taran says.
“Oh my God, Taran.”
She holds her hands up in defense. “Just a subtle reminder.”
Cole
He can’t keep his eyes off her. She’s much too pretty.
And everyone can see it, even the judging committee.
Will it make him lose? Will he forget how to sew?
Will he only think about how well she grips his penis and can blow—
“Come on, can you not, right now? I’m trying to focus.”
Narrator: Says the man who keeps looking over at Storee with hearts in his eyes.
“That’s because this is a romance. Am I supposed to look at her like she’s a piece of trash hanging out of a dumpster?”
Narrator: Don’t you get mouthy with me! I have control over your pants, and I have no problem splitting them so your dilly dong falls right out because, oops, I forgot to put underwear on you.
“Jesus…Christ.”
Narrator: Luckily for you, I’m allowing you to wear a thong today, so when you bend over, everyone sees your choice of underwear.
“Uh, fuck no.”
Narrator: Too late. On with the story.
“Dude, are you wearing a thong?” Max asks as I straighten from picking up a piece of construction paper I accidentally dropped on the floor.
