Jack Christmas Novels & Stories

Norwalk, Connecticut. Christmas was in full blast in 1984. Prairies and rooftops blanched with recently fallen knee-deep snow. Despite the cold, children played snowballs while two squirrels frolicked joyfully on a sagging oak tree branch. Yuletide carols resounded all over the land. Inside their home, the Martin family exchanged gifts. JC got a tie from his father and a watch from Joan, his stepmother. His father received a Cuban pipe from him and two shirts from Joan. She, on the other hand, received more: a ring from his father and a golden locket from JC aside from books and chocolates. His sister Jacky had the most gifts. Then they had dinner with grilled turkey. After having dinner an

“Remember in seventh grade when I asked you out, and you told me ‘not even if you were the last boy in Mississippi’?” She groaned, hiding her face. “Let it go.” “Never. That was my villain origin story.” “You’re insufferable.” “You love it.” She smiled up at him. “Yeah. I really do.” Christmas Eve was loud and messy and perfect. Harper’s house was packed with extended family—her cousins screaming over board games, someone burning the dinner rolls, off-key caroling and someone’s aunt insisting everyone wear reindeer ears for a group photo. Jaxon fit in like he always had. He helped Harper’s dad in the

"Give me that. I want to tell Lisa I helped cut it down. It will get me laid later." "You're getting laid anyway. It's Lisa." Drake got up and handed the axe to Marc before backing up with his hands lifted in false surrender. "Watch it." Marc swung and the tree swayed hard. "Wow. I'm impressed." Jake crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. The holidays were here, and he loved his friends, but he was ready to get home. His mother and father made the whole month of December a celebration when they were kids, and if he were being honest, he missed it - missed them - like crazy.

He could get Bruce back on his feet with the snap of his fingers. "Yep." Victoria agreed. "But honey, are you happy?" Bruce asked. As much as Jack's money was attractive, he cared about his children and wanted them both to be happy. "Of course," Jess answered. And it was the truth, all that money would live her a blissfully happy woman. She didn't need to fall in love. "Then this calls for a celebration. Tess, go get that bottle of Moet I've been saving with some glasses. We need to propose a toast to Jess and her fiance."

She had a sly look on her face. “How about a game of poker?” Jennifer dared. “Is poker a Christmas thing?” I asked, confused. “Not generally but it was in our house. Jennifer is just mad she never won!” Jaxson said sitting us up. He was looking rather intrigued. “Pass them out loser!” Jennifer tossed Jaxson a bag of chips. Opening them, he began to pass equal amounts to everyone.

----- The next morning Daisy made them all breakfast from the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner and they all went home. Jacques thought they'd be resting, but Jeremy was getting ready to go out. He even was loading his cutting tools on his jeep. Jacques asked him and he told her that he is going to get Christmas trees.? Apparently, they have a patch in the woods for growing pine trees and each year he and some guys would go to the place and cut Christmas trees for those households that cannot have a Christmas Tree. That's awesome, Jacques thought. "Come with us, Chippy," Bobby was chirpy in the morning. "We'll welcome a jester!"

When I looked back up, Bertha's eyes were on us, and when I frowned, they moved back to her plate. The only sound that could be heard was that of our forks and knives clicking on the plates. Charlotte sighed and placed her fork down. "Why are we all so silent? It's Christmas, for heaven's sake!" "Mom," Jack sighed, and she shook her head. "I just want this Christmas to be different, for us to be happy—is that too much to ask?" I sat uncomfortably in my seat as everyone looked at each other. James held his wife's hand and rubbed on the inside of her palm while I almost scoffed.

It didn’t take me long to figure out what was going on—Jaxon was going viral. “This is going to be fun,” Kade chuckled and then kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you later.” I watched him disappear and then kept walking. I stopped in front of a locker to peel off one of the stickers. It was a cartoonish meme of Jaxon, complete with exaggerated wide eyes and a speech bubble that read: "Bidding $5000 on an ex? Obsessed much?" I scoffed, shaking my head. The next one was even worse—"Jaxon’s Punch: Weakest Move of the Year."

“So, not to be a presumptuous ass, but what did you see in Justin? He seems like a conceited, self-righteous playboy to me.” Ana laughs, “Fucking dead on.” Misha looked at me briefly, “He wasn't that bad, but…” she trailed off. “No judgment here. Speak your mind because you know I do and will.” Ana grins, “He so does too. He got our display, most just cringe or call us godless.” “What did you say about it?” Misha asks. “That it was brilliant and showed the dark side of the holiday, which lets you see just how far of a detour humanity has taken from the true meaning of the holiday.”

“Fine, fine, what's the great news?” “I have officially booked a spot in the largest cruise ship in Toronto for the holidays!” I said happily and for the first time today, her face brightened up and a smile formed on her face. Emily rarely smiled. She was more like an Emo chick who had a hormonal imbalance. Don't get me wrong, I love my best friend just the way she was. We were the total opposite. “I and Jax will be spending the holidays there,” I added and her smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared.