"Season's Nightmare."
8:52 AM
Outside the Trager home on a brisk December morning. . .
Kyle's Xmas Observation One: "Though it is competitive and combative in action, shopping is oddly not defined as a sport."
"Okay, everyone got their coats on? Great. Let's go," Lori announced.
"Where are we going?" Declan asked, suspiciously.
Lori cleared her throat nervously. "Uh, shopping. Holiday shopping."
"Is there anyone else joining us?"
"Maybe, uh, Hilary," Lori mumbled, quickly.
"Oh god," Declan moaned.
"Is that bad?" Kyle asked, perplexed at Declan's distress.
"Bad? It's the nightmare before Christmas!" Declan exclaimed.
Lori grabbed his arm and pleaded with puppy dog eyes. "C'mon, Declan. She said she'd be good this year."
"No way. She said that last year. I'm bailing," Declan said, pulling away.
"This is just not a good time for her. We have to be understanding," Lori said.
"Yeah. Good luck with that," Declan said, and promptly stalked off down the front yard.
"Why isn't this a good time for Hilary?" Kyle asked, his foster sister.
"Uh, Hilary doesn't have the best family situation. And I think the combination of loneliness and low sale prices kind of addles her mind."
"Hey, you two!"
"Speak of the she devil," Lori murmured, under her breath.
"You guys ready to rumble! The stores better look out! We're coming to conquer!" Hilary exclaimed, red faced.
Lori sniffed the air and frowned. "Hilary. How much egg nog did you have this morning?"
"Not enough," Hilary said, brightly.
Lori stared.
Oh god.
Disclaimer: Don't own Kyle XY.