Repeat the Sounding Joy
Yay! I was actually able to get it done in time! This story was originally planned to be much longer, but I had to shorten it quite a bit. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas, everyone!
I do not own the Chipmunks, Chipettes, Miss Miller or David Seville. Bagdasarian Productions does. All the other characters depicted in this story were created by my sister or myself and are owned by us.
"I can't believe it's only three more days until Christmas!" Jeanette commented to Simon.
He handed her a piece of Scotch tape. "I know what you mean. It seemed as though it was only two weeks until Christmas, and now it is nearly upon us."
Jeanette used the scissors to curl the ribbon. "I feel like I have so much left to do!"
"And yet you don't." Simon gave Jeanette a gift tag. "You already finished picking up the presents for the Angel Tree project. Eleanor and Miss Miller don't need your help with baking anymore."
"Thank goodness for that! I kept dropping everything." She picked up a Barbie doll to wrap next.
"We finished the props for the church play. The only thing you have left to do is finish wrapping these presents and deliver them to the Toys for Tots center."
"I guess there is less than I thought," Jeanette smiled. "Thank you for helping me with this."
"You are quite welcome."
Simon handed her the pen to write out the last gift tag and reluctantly and rose to leave. "I suppose I'll see you on Christmas Eve next."
She nodded. "Thank you again. Farewell!"
"Goodbye."
Simon sighed contentedly as he walked out the Chipettes' door. Ever since his trip to France with the Chipettes, Simon had felt differently about Jeanette. He was constantly thinking about her instead of physics and calculus like he normally did. Everywhere he went, something was always reminding him of her. He would see a book by her favorite author, food she liked at the store, or some object that reminded him of their experiences. The color purple was suddenly everywhere. Then, whenever he was around her, he felt himself get warm. His stomach would flip. Sometimes he couldn't even talk. Simon thought he was going insane, yet he didn't want these things to end.
Now that it was Christmastime, Simon wanted to buy Jeanette the perfect present. That was easier thought than accomplished. In the past, he had simply bought her a book she wanted. Simon felt now that this was too impersonal. He wanted something that she could treasure always. But what? He also didn't know how he would be able to buy it. Most of his money had gotten loaned to Alvin.
Last week however, a solution seemed to have provided itself. Alvin had seen a flyer on a lamp post in their neighborhood, advertising for a Community Christmas Lights contest. The best decorated house in the neighborhood would receive a five hundred dollar cash prize. Since Alvin had been searching for a way to get money to buy himself presents, he leapt at the chance to win, but he couldn't decorate the house by himself. Alvin tried to talk Simon into helping him. Simon had been reluctant to help at first, but after Alvin agreed to split half of the money with him, he agreed.
Simon, who had volunteered to string the outdoor lights anyways, decorated the house with dazzling lights. He used almost every color and type of light imaginable. Alvin had helped him set up the moving light figures, and they created various themes around the yard. One scene was of Santa and his elves at the North Pole. Another scene was based on the Nutcracker ballet. Alvin had made a family of snowmunks for a theme, and Simon had been able to string lights through them to illuminate them. A Nativity scene was front and center. To top it all off, Simon had modified Theodore's train set to drive around the perimeter of the yard. It was now covered in tiny iridescent bulbs with a lighted sign on the caboose that read, "Merry Christmas from the Sevilles". The contest ended yesterday, and they would learn the judges' results by 3:00 p.m. that day. Alvin was sure they would win. Simon hoped they would, or he wouldn't have anything to give Jeanette.
Inside his house, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air.
"Are you still baking, Theodore?"
"This is my last batch of cookies." Theodore pulled a tray from the oven and wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. "Watch out, Rodney. I don't want you getting burned. And no, this is not a batch of dog treats."
Rodney pouted and eyed Theodore's hands for any crumbs he might spill.
"If you need any help, let me know."
"I will. Thanks, Simon."
Alvin popped into the kitchen. "And if you need any help eating them, just let me know! Simon, I'm glad you're back! Do you think that I should buy this game or this one with my share?" He pointed to an ad.
"You haven't even won the contest yet." Theodore said.
Alvin ignored Theodore and continued talking with Simon. "I think that this one would be more fun, but it kind of sounds like the one I already have."
"I'm not sure. I haven't played in a while."
"Oh! I forgot to show you this commercial!" Alvin dragged his brother away.
"Bye, guys," Theodore sighed. "Well, Rodney, it's just you and me." Theodore gave him a piece of a cookie, and Rodney wagged his tale happily.
Theodore had been very busy with his baking this year. He had not only made cookies for his family and friends but the whole town as well. As soon as these cookies were done, he intended to give cookies to everyone on his block. He had already delivered cookies to patients and nurses at the hospital. For the past month, Theodore had taken Rodney to visit some the patients who were sick. Being stuck in the hospital was bad enough but having to stay through the holidays was especially depressing. You weren't able to participate in the Christmas traditions. You missed out on all the fun. Some patients didn't even have family to visit them. Seeing Rodney and Theodore brightened their day and made staying in the hospital a little easier. Even the nurses had grown to look forward to their visits. Theodore saw how many endless hours they worked, sacrificing time they would rather be spending with their families, and wanted to reward them by bringing them cookies. Everyone had loved them, and Theodore was excited to see how this next delivery of cookies would turn out.
"I'm home!" Dave called from the front door.
"Hello, Dave!" Simon greeted from the top of the stairs.
"Hey!" called Alvin from the living room. He just finished adding the latest Nerf gun to his Christmas list.
Theodore gave Dave a hug, and Rodney jumped up at him. "Wanna cookie?"
"No, thanks, Theodore." Dave gently put Rodney down. "I want to relax right now. I'm so tired. These next few days off will be just what I need."
"What, no present to add for me under the tree?" Alvin asked after Dave walked in.
"No." Dave scowled. "What are these papers all over the floor?"
"My Christmas list. I was numbering the pages."
"THIS is your list?"
"I told you it was long."
"Alvin, this is excessive. There is no way you're getting everything on your list. You're not even getting everything on one page."
"Why not? I've been pretty good this year."
"Christmas isn't about presents, and I'm tired of hearing you talk about it. You even talk about it in your sleep."
"That's what Christmas is about, right? Look at the stores and commercials. They're just asking you to buy! Oh, look! This is what I'm going to buy with my prize money!" Alvin pointed to the TV commercial for the Veloci-machine 5000.
"It's no ordinary skateboard!" the announcer said in a fast, cool-sounding voice. "It has a built-in sensor that helps you make the twists and turns you need. It glows in the dark. It's made of indestructible material. It even has a secret hidden compartment!"
Alvin was quoting with the announcer, "It's the gift every kid wants this year!"
"That is exactly what I'm talking about." Dave crossed his arms. "I mean it; you better stop this, Alvin. If you want anything for Christmas, I don't want to hear another word about presents come from your mouth. I'll cure your selfishness if I have to return everything to the store!"
Angry, Alvin snatched up his list and stormed upstairs. "Why did Dave have to spoil my good mood?" he thought. "I guess I'll just talk about presents to myself."
