Chapter 54

In a flash, the day had come and gone. The winter solstice was fast approaching, causing the sun to set increasingly earlier each evening; the golden disk had begun its descent over the distant mountains around an hour ago, plunging the sky into a beautiful pink and orange hue characteristic of twilight, before disappearing completely over the horizon by 5:25 p.m.

The town of Peach Creek was once again bathed in the darkness of night; the winds were calm, a welcome fact considering that the ambient temperature was below freezing (25 degrees Fahrenheit / -3 degrees Centigrade). In contrast to the wet and cloudy weather exhibited that morning, the night was quite clear; the moon cast its bright light over the neighborhoods as various stars peppered the area of the sky around the white satellite.

The Rethink Avenue cul-de-sac itself was a proverbial ghost town, the only sign of life being the occasional skunk seen scurrying across the street under the bright lights of the large Douglas fir mounted in the center of the roundabout. Nearly all of the inhabitants had vacated their homes, voluntarily exposing themselves to the bone-chilling air to head to the towns business district, where the much anticipated Holiday parade was set to begin

Two and a half miles of the main thoroughfare had been isolated from its cross streets by lines of traffic cones and police barricades, blocking vehicular traffic onto the road, and allowing the festivities full right-of-way. Metal barriers had also been set down the full length of the route along the sidewalks, ensuring that the spectators were separated from the parade in the street. Nearly all of the business lining the sidewalks along the street, from candy stores to toy stores, had hung various multi-colored signs advertising sales, in an effort to capitalize on the large crowds the parade would inevitably draw.

Within the hoards of children and adults, Ed, May, Lee, Sarah and Jimmy had taken up post near the intersection of Main and Market, the busiest intersection of the town. While Sarah and Jimmy were quite excited regarding the parade, as all children generally were regarding the holiday season, Ed and May were perhaps even more excited due to their child-like innocence. Due to Marie's commitment to meet Double Dee at his house to escort his little cousin Claire to the parade, Lee decided to walk to the parade early with her youngest sister, as she had "nothing better to do". Although the stoic redhead acted as if the remainder of the group was annoying her with their holiday cheer, she too in fact was excited for her first experience at the parade.

As Sarah and Jimmy preoccupied themselves by window shopping at the corner toy store, Lee had taken up position near the light post, leaning her back on the metallic structure as she crossed her legs in front of her. Her blue eyes remained focused on solving endgame puzzles involving forcing two move checkmates, provided by the chess app on her cell phone, a hobby which she picked up after the "infamous" chess game played between her and Double Dee last Spring, (but at usual, she dared not to admit it). As Lee enjoyed her puzzles, Ed and May happily pranced around, admiring the scenery as May used a camera borrowed from Tabby to snap pictures of the scenery, Ed smiling dopily, and selfies of the two together.

As May continued documenting her time at the parade via photograph, she decided to initiate a conversation.

"I'm gonna make sure we never forget our first Christmas parade!" said May excitedly, "These sure will look good in the family album."

May directed the camera towards Lee, who's eyes were still trained at her cell phone, and peered into the viewfinder to line up a photograph of her sister.

"Smile for the camera Lee!" said May rather exuberantly.

Lee placed her phone into her pocketbook and rolled her eyes as she glanced toward May.

"May, get that camera outta my face!" yelled Lee as she reached toward May, placing her hand over the lens.

"C'mon Lee, where's your Christmas spirit?" asked May, "What's the matter, afraid you'll break the camera?"

May giggled at her own joke, as Lee turned towards the camera.

"Alright Bucky," said Lee as she ran her fingers through her hair, "I'll give you your picture, just tell me when you're ready!"

"Okay," said May as she lifted the camera to back up towards her eye, "Three...two...one...say cheese!"

"Cheese." said Lee as she posed for the camera as promised; however, rather than a beautiful smile, Lee decided to surprise May by adopting a sly grin, raising her right fist in the air, and extending her middle finger at the last second before the flash.

"Lee!" said May in a long drawn out manner, "That wasn't nice!"

"That's for you're comment about me breaking the camera," said Lee as she giggled,

"Even so, you didn't have to ruin a good picture!" said May.

"Alright whatever," said Lee, "I'll let you take another one, but I ain't smilin'"

Lee leaned against the pole, crossing her right leg in front of her as she folded her arms and gazed toward the camera with a neutral expression.

"Geez, mom was right," said May as she snapped the photograph, "It is hard to get a picture of ya in a good mood. Just cause you miss Eddy doesn't mean ya gotta be a sourpuss and take it out on us!"

"Hey the little mans got more important things to do tonight!" said Lee, "Like getting me a Christmas present. He thinks he's so slick, I know that's what he's been doing at night for the last couple days. I can read the guy like a book, and I think it's cute that he thinks he's got me fooled. I'm just playing along for the sake of the surprise."

Lee snickered.

"If I didn't know any better," said Lee, "I'd think the guy was having an affair, given the way he's being so secretive and stumbling over his words when I ask him about what he's doing."

"Eddy would never do that," said May, "He really likes you, and I know you really like him. It's so sweet that you trust him. You guys are so cute together."

May batted her eyes playfully as she leaned towards Lee, in an attempt to tease the cynical teenager.

"Humph," said Lee, "More like he's too afraid to cheat on me cause he knows I'd kick his ass if I ever found out."

May continued staring at her sister in a teasing manner; after a few seconds, Lee's neutral expression changed to a subtle smile, an indication to her sister that she was right regarding her affection and trust in Eddy and the sardonic statement was just a facade.

"Eddy's a good little elf after all!" yelled Ed, breaking Lee and May from their sisterly conversation, "We promised each other that we'd share a pack of the new candy cane jawbreakers together before they go away after Christmas, but I know Santa's watching, and even though Eddy doesn't believe in him, he's happy that he's spending his time trying to bring happiness and joy to his girlfriend.

At that moment, Ed grabbed May in a bear hug, and while the petite girl was quite surprised she never the less managed to crack a smile.

"Even though I miss Eddy, I am soooo happy I get to be at the parade with all of my other friends," said Ed as he lifted May into the air and spun her around, "Especially my Little May!"

Ed placed May back onto the ground and proceeded to reach into his coat pocket as he kneeled down on one knee.

"I propose that we share this piece of fruitcake I found in the closet last night while we wait for a parade." said Ed as he removed a plastic lunch container from his pocket, and popped open the lid with his right hand, exposing the fruit cake in a manner similar to that of a marriage proposal.

"Oh Ed!" said May as she placed her hand over her mouth, "How romantic, of course I'll share some with you!"

"I got that one from a movie I saw last night," said Ed, "The Wreath Women from planet Yuleblat!"

"You really know how to impress a woman!" said May, smiling as she tore a piece of fruitcake from the container,stuffing it into her mouth with force. Ed rose up from his kneeling position, and proceed to stuff a piece of his own into his mouth, his cheeks swelling to what seemed like twice their normal size.

As the two lovable oafs enjoyed their meal together in a relatively sloppy manner, Lee observed the ordeal from afar with an expression of slight disgust. After a few seconds, her focus was broken as her eyes detected a group of three individuals approaching from her peripheral vision.

Turning her head down the street towards the diction of the cul-de-sac, she spotted Marie and Double Dee making their way down the sidewalk towards her position. Double Dee had donned his thick orange winter coat to protect himself from the unusually cold air, in addition to a green scarf. Likewise, Marie had borrowed Lee's thick black designer wool coat, and was currently wearing it along with a pair of gray earmuffs, blue jeans, and a pair of black winter boots.

To Lee's surprise, the couple was accompanied by another individual; Double Dee's maternal little cousin Claire. She was a girl no more than five years old, whose height reached up to Double Dees hip. Her brown hair was tied in two ponytails, draping over her shoulder from underneath her blue ski cap, which beared the likeness of a popular blonde ice princess. She was bundled up in a manner similar to her older cousin, inside a puffy blue coat, with green mittens and scarf protecting her hands and neck respectively. She walked between the couple, holding Marie's hand with her right hand as she cradled a candy cane in the other.

"So ya's finally made it?" asked Lee with a sly grin as the trio approached within speaking distance, "Between you taking forever with your makeup, and Yukon Cornelius there making sure he's all bundled up for the frozen tundra, I'm surprised you didn't make the poor little girl miss the parade!"

"Ah shut up Lee," said Marie, "Don't be jealous of the makeup skills you wish ya had. I'm surprised May was able to convince you to come out to the parade, you might burn up from having an ounce of fun for once!"

Marie laughed at her own joke.

"If nothin' else, I figured I'd come out to witness the ninth wonder of the world," said Lee as she performed a hitchhikers thumb towards Ed and May, who continued to shove fruitcake into their mouths in a disgusting manner, "I also got a little sneak peak into the future, and witnessed their whole wedding story in five minutes. The big guy bent down on his knee, proposed to her with a piece of fruit cake, and then shoved it into her face. These two knuckleheads are definitely meant for each other."

"Amen to that." said Marie as she watched Ed and May enjoy their fruitcake, adopting an expression of disgust similar to Lee's.

Double Dee, equally as repulsed by Ed and Mays display, spent a few minutes observing the couple, after which he decided to interject.

"While I must admit that Ed and Mays antics are for the lack of a better term, 'unique'," said Double Dee, "I do agree that their personalities are a perfect match for each other."

Double Dee turned back towards Lee.

"Regardless, I'm glad to see that you decided to attend the parade after all Lee," said Double Dee as he placed his hand on Claire's shoulder, "You've met Claire before, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't" said Lee as she glanced down towards the little girl, displaying a small smile.

"Hello Claire," said Lee, "My names Annalee."

Claire, being shy around unfamiliar people older than herself, hesitated to respond. With some persuasion from Double Dee, and a reminder of proper greeting etiquette, she decided to respond.

Edd's mother and her sister had been born in England, and thus posed strong British accents. These inflections had been passed on to Claire, and due to living in England herself while learning to speak, she too possessed this language trait.

"Hello Annalee," said Claire in the voice of a small child. "You look just like Merida from Brave. She's the prettiest princess, just like you, and that's why she's my favorite"

Lee giggled

"Thanks Claire," said Lee, "You're a little princess yourself."

Lee giggled as she turned towards Marie.

"I like this kid already," said Lee, "I nice hello, and a compliment to go along with it, surprising considering she hangs around you all the time."

At the conclusion of her statement, Lee began laughing heavily at her own joke. While the tall, red headed girl was distracted, blinded by her own amusement, Marie decided to initiate a sisterly prank of her own. She leaned down, placed her hand over Claire's ear, and whispered something into her ear.

Marie pulled away from Claire, turned such that she was looking into the young girls eyes, and delivered a nod. Claire's face transformed into a smile as she suddenly reached towards Lee's abdomen.

"Cockroach, cockroach, cockroach!" yelled Claire as she began tickling Lee.

As soon as Claire initiated contact, and began chanting the same of the ever-so-loathed insect, Lee ceased laughing and jumped what seemed like ten feet into the air onto the light post, wrapping her arms and legs around the steel structure. As she jumped, her hair seemed to stand up on end, and her glasses appeared to lift off of her face as she emitted a high pitched, girlish scream that seemed to be at a volume comparable to a fighter jet passing overhead.

In an instant, Marie and Claire erupted in a fit of laughter, Marie with her characteristic cackle and Claire with a child-like belly laugh; even Double Dee couldn't help but giggle, placing his hand over his mouth as if to mask his involvement in the fiasco. Around two seconds passed, at which point Lee recovered and placed her feet back onto the ground. She proceeded to walk towards Marie with an intense scowl.

"You bitch," said Lee as she playfully punched Marie in the arm.

"Ah, lighten up Lee!" yelled Marie, "Just another little holiday prank, I am a bad influence after all, right?"

"Just keep it in mind that I remember everything," said Lee "And I'll get you back when you least expect it it."

After a few more laughs, Claire suddenly adopted an exuberant smile while simultaneously pointing towards the opposite corner of the street, where a man dressed as Santa Claus was giving away small Christmas souvenirs.

"Look Edward!" yelled Claire as she pulled on Double Dee's jacket, "There's Father Christmas, let's go see him!"

Marie giggled observed Claire grab Double Dees hand, and begin dragging him towards the street corner, her nerdy boyfriend stumbling over his footing due to being taken by surprise by the rambunctious five-year-old. As he was being led away, he turned toward Marie and locked eyes with her, smiling as he subtly shrugged his shoulders as if to say "I guess I have no choice."

As Marie watched Double Dee and Claire make their way across the street, she felt an individual's hand touch her right shoulder. She turned to her right, immediately locking on to the smiling face of her best friend Nazz. Accompanying Nazz was her stern boyfriend Kevin, who had elected to remain a few paces away from the girls. In contrast to Nazz's exuberant expression, the jock's eyes remained fixated on an imaginary point in the middle of the street, providing the overall appearance of extreme lethargy.

"What's up girlfriend!" said Nazz.

"Hey Nazz" said Marie, "Sorry about missing our yoga session this afternoon, I was busy helping Double Dee get Claire ready for the cold."

Marie turned her head towards the street corner, ensuring that Double Dee was still preoccupied and out of hearing distance. She then turned back towards Nazz and leaned towards her ear.

"And earning enough money to afford Double Dee's Christmas present!" said Marie.

"You got enough?" asked Nazz.

Marie shook her head up and down with a smile.

"You go girl!" said Nazz as she slapped Marie five, "He's gonna be so happy!"

"I know, I can't wait!" said Marie.

Marie turned towards Kevin's position, talk notice of the boys sunken demeanor. She then decided to pose a question of her own.

"Speaking of which," said Marie, "How's your man's present coming along?"

"Great," said Nazz, "The dealer said it will be done in two days. The worst part about it is dealing with Kevin sulking around all day, everyday. I swear, it's like he loves that bike more than me. I guess it's my fault for trying to pay him back for letting my stupid real name out to the world, now I have to deal with Ebenezer Scrooge himself."

"I know what you mean," said Marie as she shot her eyes towards Lee, who had returned her eyes to her chess app, "I'm dealing with a Scrooge of my own, I don't know if it's her period or the fact that Eddy couldn't make it to the parade tonight."

At the sound of Eddy's name, Nazz seemed to suddenly tense up, appearing as if she were under some sort of mental distress.

"Eddy couldn't make it?" asked Nazz, "Where is he?"

"How the hell should I know," said Marie, "He says his family keeps dragging him out shopping or to gift exchanges, but Lee thinks he's out planning a Christmas surprise for her."

As Marie continued speaking, Nazz appeared to space out, consumed by thought regarding her assumption that Eddy was having an affair with Lindsay behind Lee's back. A few second passed, at which point a playful punch roused her from her thoughts.

"Hello, earth to Nazz!" said Marie, "Jeez what the hell were ya thinking about to be that out of it."

Nazz paused for a few seconds, taking some time to collect her thoughts prior to responding.

"Sorry Marie," said Nazz, "I just remembered I promised Julia that we'd decorate Christmas stocking like we used to when I was little tonight. It's something we've been wanting to do all season, sorry I gotta go bye!"

Nazz wasted no time, and proceeded to make her way towards Kevin. She explained her need to leave the parade early, and kissed him goodbye, after which she began to briskly walk down the street in the direction of the cul-de-sac.

"Okay..." said Marie as she observed Nazz's departure, after which she made her way back towards Lee, "That was weird."

"What else is new," said Lee as she placed her phone into her pocket book, and turned her attention towards the far end of the street, "Anyway, looks like this shindig's finally ready to start, here comes the first float."

At that moment, thunderous applause erupting from a crowd consisting of almost the entire town of Peach Creek echoed through the streets, ushering in the beginning of the annual Christmas parade. Double Dee and Claire, upon noticing the approach of the parade, quickly rejoined their group of Rethink avenue friends, gathering near the metal barrier separating the sidewalk from the street for a front row seat.

The parade consisted of around fifty floats, built by hobbyists, local businesses, and charitable groups, interspersed with performances by local groups. As May eagerly snapped pictures, the remainder of the group watched excitedly as displays of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and other legendary holiday figures passed before them. A particular display included a comic book theme, depicting various superheroes celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. One of the displays included Ed and Mays favorite comic book anti-hero, Evil Tim, a fact that obviously brought an immense sensation of joy to the couple.

In addition to the floats, other performances included the Peach Creek High School Marching Band, performing several of the band masters own arrangements of Holiday classics, and various local groups representing how Peach Creek's various cultures celebrate the holiday season. Also included were various groups invited to perform from Peach Creeks parent city, such as a performance from the veterans administrations jazz band.

As the parade continued to pass by, the teenagers of Rethink Avenue applauded, and provided cheers at the conclusion of each performance. Double Dee in particular was quite enamored by the love being shown by his town, who welcomed his family with open arms after their unfortunate tragedy. He glanced down towards Claire, currently sucking on a jawbreaker as she smiled from ear to ear, enjoying every minute of the festivities. He then turned his attention toward Marie, who stood on the opposite side of Claire; who was displaying a radiant smile herself.

At that moment, Double Dee reached behind Claire, and took Marie's hand in his. Marie turned her head towards her boyfriend, locking eyes with him as the two shared a smile.

"Well Marie," said Double Dee, "Words cannot describe how fantastic I feel at this very moment. Our friends and family, not to mention the entire town, have all gathered here in our proverbial town square to mutually enjoy the spirit of the holiday season! And how wonderful it is to share it with you and Claire."

"Believe me," said Marie, "You don't know how much this means to me. This is our first Christmas as a whole family in over ten years,and everyone is happy. May can't stop taking pictures, and I swear I saw Lee crack a smile. This is fantastic."

"I suppose I should be thanking you," said Double Dee, "I must admit, between learning of Eddy's plan to use Rolf's strange antics to deter Lindsay, his banishment from the mall for the remainder of the holiday season, the sudden disappearance of Kevin's bike, the mishap with my cockroaches today in school, and most of all, this ugliness resulting from Lee and Lindsay's turbulent past, I would have thought the holiday spirit would have all but disappeared. I can't help but recall your words of encouragement regarding the release of all my worries, to be specific your advice that everything would resolve and fall into place. While I did have my doubts regarding the final outcome, judging on the basis of my surroundings, I can conclude that following your guidance was the correct course of action."

"Of course," said Marie, "Have I ever been wrong cutie?"

The couple shared another smile, at which point Marie began to lean towards Double Dee in an attempt to initiate a kiss. However, just as her lips were about to make contact with Double Dee's, she felt a small hand tug on her sweater. She turned downward, meeting eyes with Claire, who proclaimed that she needed to use the bathroom and wanted Marie to take her to the girls room.

"We'll take up where we left off when I get back." said Marie with a sly grin, as she took hold of Claire's hand and began leading her towards one of the stores lining the avenue.

Double Dee remained focused on Marie and Claire as they walked away from his position, smiling happily as they disappeared into the store.