I'll be honest with you. I don't think we have it in us to write another classic like "The Gift of the Magi" (O'Henry). But, let's try it! It's time for The Group Story once more. Yes, I stopped doing it for a month or so, because I thought I'd give you all time to sharpen your interest and your pencils. But now it's time for each and every one of you to show us how creative you can be!The usual rules apply: Please pick up where the person prior to you left off. Please don't use bad grammar (kids read these story blogs). And please enjoy yourself!
Christmas in Clearwater
Tabitha stepped off the ramp leading from the airplane and immediately saw them. There were her cousins and her aunt and uncle all lined up to greet her, waving madly and grinning.
When all the hugs and kisses were exchanged, Aunt Becky stepped back and looked at her closely. "You look beautiful!" Aunt Becky said. "I'm amazed that a baby that was as ugly as a monkey could grow into such a lovely woman!" Everyone laughed. This, as with all family sayings, had a story behind it.
Tabitha had been born when Aunt Becky was a teenager, and one of the first things Aunt Becky had said was "I thought babies were supposed to be cute! This one is as ugly as a monkey!" Dad had laughed but mom had been furious until she realized it was a joke. But at 21, Tabitha hardly looked like a monkey anymore (thankfully, she thought).
"Are you here to stay, Tabby?" asked her little cousin, Abigail, who was no more than three years old.
"Yes, honey," said Tabitha. "I'm starting my new job here in a week!"
Abigail's older brother (who was a mature 7 years) said "Abby and Tabby, Abby and Tabby!"
"So that's all you have to contribute, Tim?" asked Uncle Bill. Tim looked at Tabitha and said "Um...Merry Christmas?"
Everyone laughed again, and Aunt Becky herded the whole flock to the baggage area. While they waited for the baggage, they started to catch up. The conversation included Tabitha's new job and finding an apartment for her nearby. The kids were even more anxious to talk about Christmas and Santa Claus (Timmy gave Tabitha a big wink every time anyone said "Santa Claus"). Uncle Bill laughingly said that if anyone deserved coal in his stocking it was Timmy!
"It's Christmas Eve. It's traditional that we go see the Christmas lights tonight," said Aunt Becky. "Do you want to go with us?"
"Sure!" said Tabitha.
"Great. It's almost dark, and we'll go there straight from here," said Aunt Becky decisively.
As they stepped out, Tabitha said in surprise "Wow! You guys were right! It's gotta be in the 70s tonight! I guess I didn't really need that jacket."
Uncle Bill nodded. "Lots of kids go to the beach on Christmas Day in Florida, if the weather's good for it," he said.
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In the car, the conversation was pleasant as they caught up with what’s been happening in the family. Interestingly, nothing was mentioned about Tabitha's mother.
Tabitha was very excited to leave Pennsylvania and told everyone how much she would miss her job at the Pez dispenser factory. “Not to worry”, said Aunt Becky, “I’m sure the new job will work out just fine.” Tabitha wasn’t too sure about that; she told everyone her new job was an accounting manager, but that was not the truth.
Tabitha was nervous about revealing what her real job was because…
Tabitha had gotten a job at Hawaiian Tropic.
The whole crew was ecstatic to be on the beach on Christmas day. Tabitha dressed in her new polka dot thong spread her Hooters towel out on the sparkling white sand. She plopped down almost immediately because she had never worn a thong before. Unfortunately her skin, white as new snow, was difficult for the Dude driving the cigarette butt tractor to pick up. The Cigarette Butt Dude ran over her, now her white butt was in the can with the rest of the butts. Tabitha was a little shaken and started to cry but then the handsome Cabana Boy came over and she felt better. Tabitha then slipped on her cover-up and walked up to the Palm Pavilion to get a cup of water. Water costs $10 bucks said Ken the counter boy. Tabitha then took off her cover-up and got the water for $7.50.
"Wake up, Tabitha!," said her aunt, "Wake up, dear!"
Tabitha awoke from that awful beach dream, and made her way into the house. She was worried about revealing her new job. It paid so well, that she couldn't pass up the opportunity.
She decided to just blurt it out...
"My new job is speech writing for Jeb Bush."
The whole family of staunch Democrats was mortified.
At that moment Uncle Hubert made his yearly Christmas call to the family.
Tabitha answered the phone, and not immediately recognizing the voice or the number on caller ID said, "Uncle Al, is that you? How was your Mystery Whodunit Vacation at the Watergate?"
Uncle Hubert, who was enjoying the mild Minnesota winter was suddenly seized with fear."What year is this? Is time travel really possible?"
Tabitha, dazed and confused by the sudden temperature increase since Uncle Al's call, fretted and screamed, "Listen to a story about a man named Jeb!!!"
"TABITHA, PLEASE WAKE UP! Why do you keep falling asleep?"
Tabitha was enjoying the ride, but it seemed to have a strange affect on her. She dozed of quite often, and had the most interesting dreams. Every time the dream got to a point where things were becoming exciting, someone would jab or their loud voice would wake her up.
Even thought Aunt Becky had said on more then one occasion that Tabby had looked like a monkey when she was born, she was still Tabitha’s favorite aunt. Tabby had never been real close to her mother; although she had tried there was a wall between them. When things got too bad, good old Aunt Becky would act as peace maker.
It was Aunt Becky who had invited her to spend Christmas in Florida. Unbeknownst to her, Tabitha had taken a job in the area and had no intention of going back after the holidays. But all that was put aside, as Tabby got ready to enjoy the most unique Christmas of her life, which would be a very hot one.
Before Tabitha could doze off another time, Aunt Becky announced that they needed to make one quick stop back at the house as she had forgotten to bring her camcorder to record the event. Promising a fast dash into the house, she made everybody wait in the car while she retrieved her camera.
Within moments, Aunt Becky reappeared, but instead of a camera in her hands, there was Tabithas mother. She was in a wheel chair and Aunt Becky was carefully and slowly moving down the walkway to the car.
At first, Tabitha was taken aback, as she did not recognize her mother. It had been several years since they had seen one another, and given the circumstances for the long absence, each had aged differently. Tabitha had grown into a beautiful young woman and
her mother now resembled a much older woman, who had seen much pain in her life. She was certainly not the same woman that taught Tabitha hop-scotch years before.
"Oh Mom... oh Mom," Tabitha kept saying over and over as she reached her mothers out-stretched arms.
To be honest, I had a really hard time with Christmas in Clearwater. It didn't feel right to me. I guess it's easier to adapt when you don't have ideas set in stone about what Christmas should nbe like.
Tabitha had a sparkle in her eyes as she reached out to give her aged mom a hug and a light kiss on the cheek. Both could tell with a look that this was going to be the best Christmas they have had in years...
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