Three Against Three: Chaos in New York
Arc Two: McCallister Family-One Year Later
Part 6: The Christmas Pageant Aftermath
McCallister House-Living Room
December 20, 1991-8:25 P.M.
(Kate's PoV:)
I've never been so embarrassed in my life. I feel tempted to take a shot of whisky to soothe the pounding migraine in my head, and to calm the anger that's radiating through my veins, before I confront Buzz and Kevin about their disgraceful actions that took place earlier tonight at the Christmas pageant. I take a deep breath and head for the living room, where the entire family is waiting…
(Christine's PoV:)
I'm sitting on the sofa, trying to cool my anger and restrain myself from knocking the shit out of my brother, Buzz, in retaliation for the nasty stunt he pulled on Kevin earlier tonight. Dad, who is sitting next to me, places a hand on my shoulder to restrain me.
"Pumpkin, calm down. I know you're upset with Buzz, but your temper isn't going to help matters. So, please calm down," Dad whispers, with a hint of pleading. He knows Mom and I both being pissed, at the same time, is an explosive combination for disaster.
"I'll try, Dad," I reply, not making any promises. I glance around the room at the rest of the family. Jeff is leaned back against the fireplace, looking bored. Kevin is admiring the family Christmas Tree. The twins were on the floor, leaned back against my legs, whispering.
I have to restrain myself , as I glance at Buzz, who is sitting in front of the piano. He's plotting his next dirty scheme. Fred has the same idea, as he watches Buzz from the door that leads to the den. Uncle Frank and his family are sitting in chairs from the dining room. Mom coming through the doors from the foyer, means business is about to pick up. I can tell, by the look in her eyes, she's still pissed off. Everyone focuses their attention onto her…
(Kate's PoV:)
Taking a seat next to Peter on the sofa, I calmly speak, "We're all gathered here this evening, because of a very embarrassing mishap that occurred earlier tonight during the Christmas pageant," I then turn my attention to my oldest and youngest sons, "Buzz, Kevin, I expect the both of you to apologize to the entire family for the embarrassment that you caused with your shenanigans—starting with you, Buzz. " I look sternly at the both of them…
(Buzz PoV:)
Judging from the glares I'm getting from my siblings and cousins, they've already passed judgment about my actions from earlier tonight. The glare I'm getting from Christine sends chills down my spine. I just hope my explanation pacifies her temper.
I stand from where I'm sitting and speak, "Mom, Dad, family… The stunt I pulled tonight was a just a harmless senior prank that had gotten out of hand. I'm sorry for any embarrassment I had caused," I then turn to my youngest brother, "Kevin, I'm sorry for ruining your solo. I hope you'll forgive me." Kevin just stares at me, coldly.
"It looks like Kevin isn't going to accept your apology, Buzz. He shouldn't, either, after what you did tonight, you bastard…" my oldest sister butts in.
"Christine!" Mom scolds, looking scandalized. "That kind of language is uncalled for,"
"Someone grab the popcorn. It looks like things are about to become interesting," Uncle Frank chimes in.
"Frank, shut up!" Mom and Aunt Leslie both shout at him. Aunt Leslie smacks the back of his head.
Christine, however, ignores Mom, and continues with her little rant, "You're just jealous that Kevin got a solo, and you didn't! That's why you played that prank, because you wanted to ruin Kevin's moment to shine, you self-centered, egotistical bastard! I don't even know how a pig like you even has a girlfriend!" Her screaming startles everyone.
Bristling in anger from her accusations, I fire back at my sister, "Well, I wasn't the one, who ran away from home, like a little coward, and caused both of our parents heartache for the past seven years! You only came back, because Kevin screwed up and needed a babysitter last year! Otherwise, you wouldn't have even bothered coming home, and you wouldn't be here right now! To be honest, I wish you stayed away, and never came back!"
"Buzz, Christine, you both stop fighting right now!" Mom and Dad interject, both of them not liking where things are going.
"You know what, Buzz, I got the hint… If me being here bothers you that much, I can just go back home, spend the holidays alone, and stay away forever, if that's what you want!" Christine spits out. The tears are forming in her eyes, as she runs out of the room.
"Christine, wait!" I hear Mom call out to her, pleading.
"If Christine leaves, then I'm going with her! Who needs stupid Florida, anyway?!" Kevin shouts.
He, Fred, Jeff, and the twins follow after her together, but not before Megan and Linnie both slap me across the face. They scream, "You cold-hearted jerk!"
The rest of the family is looking at me, angry. "What?! Didn't you hear what that nut job said to me?!"
"Buzz, that's enough out of you, so be quiet!" Mom shouts, getting up from where she's sitting. "Peter, I'm going upstairs to see if I can talk some sense into Christine," Mom then turns to me, "Buzz, if we lose Christine again tonight, because of what you said to her, I will never forgive you. So, you'd better hope she stays, or there's going to be Hell to pay." Mom finishes, before leaving the room, but not before cuffing the back of my head, and giving me one last glare…
McCallister House-Attic Bedroom
December 20, 1991-8:30 P.M.
(Christine's PoV:)
My overnight bag is on the bed, unzipped. I carelessly gather my things, so I can leave and not be a bother to anyone, anymore. If Buzz feels that away about me, maybe the other family members feel the same way, too, but they don't want to hurt my feelings, the way Buzz did. It doesn't matter now, since I'm leaving, anyway. Maybe I can catch a flight to Aspen and spend the holidays with William, or visit Tia in California? I just don't know, anymore…
"Christine, are you up there?!" I hear Kevin yell from the attic door.
"Yeah, Kev!" I reply, trying to keep my emotions in check. I continue packing, as I hear footsteps climbing up the stairs. I soon see Kevin reach the top. He's not alone, either—Jeff, Fred, and the twins are with him. Is this an intervention?
"Christine, why are you packing? You're not going to take that blowhole seriously, are you? Please don't leave," Kevin asks, taking a seat on the bed. The rest of my siblings find themselves sitting on the beanbags. They all look worried.
"Well, Buzz has made it clear he doesn't want me here, so I'm leaving," I reply, still feeling unsure about what to do, anymore.
"The four of us…" Fred barks. "OK, the five of us are making it clear that we want you to stay. So, please take that into consideration. We don't want to lose you again," Linnie begs.
"Linnie and I even smacked Buzz across the face in your defense," Megan adds. "So, please stay. Unlike Buzz, we're glad you're home. Things have never been better."
"The twins are right. Things are better, since you've come home. I mean, you've helped me overcome my shyness, and become more confident in myself. You're the reason why I joined the marching band, and why I'm dating Ellen Krebmeyer now. So, please stay," Jeff adds, blushing.
"What?! When and how did that happen?" The twins look at him, before quickly whispering to one another, to Jeff's embarrassment. I can't help but feel happy for my brother.
"Megan, Linnie, you can gossip later! We still have to convince Christine to stay!" Kevin shouts. The twins quickly stop and mumble "sorry", as Kevin turns his attention to me.
"Christine, just think how last year would've been different, and the things that would've been stolen and lost forever, if you didn't come home—if you know what I mean," Kevin cryptically adds, to my siblings' confusion.
Kevin is referring to our encounter with the Wet Bandits last year, which none of the family knows about. Kevin, of course, is implying he would be dead, if I wasn't there to help him deal with those burglars.
Only William, Mr. Marley, and my long-time psychiatrist, Dr. Valerie Hogan, know about the encounter. I took Kevin to see Dr. Hogan earlier this year, when he started having nightmares about the Wet Bandits. Trying to convince Dr. Hogan to see Kevin, without Mom's knowledge, is another story. Unsure of what to do next, I stop packing. I collapse onto my bed and start sobbing into the pillow…
McCallister House-Attic Bedroom
December 20, 1991-8:35 P.M.
(Kate's PoV:)
I feel like I'm experiencing déjà vu, as I climb the stairs that lead up to the attic I think about what happened last year with Kevin, and the day after Christine ran away from home. I just hope I'm not too late with stopping Christine from leaving. My heart can't bear losing my oldest child again after I just got her back. I just can't believe my oldest son said those awful things to her. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, I quickly notice my younger children are trying to console Christine, who's crying.
"Is everything OK up here?" I speak, getting everyone's attention, except Christine's.
"I don't think Christine is OK, Mom. She's been crying hard for the past few minutes," Linnie replies. "All of us have been trying to convince Christine not to leave, because of what Buzz said. I hope we didn't make things worse." I see the worry in my children's faces, especially Kevin's.
"Well, you tried, which makes me proud of all of you, but I can take it from here. While I'm talking to Christine, you all can be double-checking your luggage, and be getting ready for bed, since we're leaving early tomorrow," I tell my children. They head downstairs, wishing Christine and Kevin "goodnight". Kevin and Fred stay behind.
Kevin heads for the attic bath to get ready for bed. I take his spot where he was sitting on the bed. I rub Christine's back in circles, as I begin speaking to my daughter, "Christine, pumpkin, I just want you to know, Buzz is going to be punished most severely for the things he said to you. I can assure you, the rest of the family does not share his opinions about wanting you to leave. I hope you don't leave, because my heart couldn't bear it, if you did leave and stayed away, after I just got you back…" I cry.
"Mom, I'm sorry about my outburst downstairs, but Buzz made me so angry with the stunt he pulled on Kevin, that I just lost self-control. Plus, the things he said stung me so hard, it triggered an anxiety attack, which is why I fled…"
Christine confesses to me that she has a mental disorder, and it requires treatment from a doctor through the use of medication. She also tells me about how badly her depression and anxiety can sometimes influence her emotions, like anger, and influence the way she thinks.
I cry, as I pull Christine close to me. "I'm sorry you had to face these struggles alone, but you don't have to, anymore. Your Dad and I are here to support you, if you ever need us. So, are you going to leave us?" I ask, dreading the answer.
Christine is silent for a moment, before replying, "No. Why should the lone opinion of my butthead brother dictate if I should leave or stay, when the majority of the family wants me to stay? I'm sorry I even considered that thought, but my mental disorder can negatively influence my judgment sometimes," A smile appears on her face.
I just cry with happiness, hearing that answer. "I guess I'd better let you get ready for bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Remember, we're leaving at 8 A.M., sharp. Goodnight, my sweet pumpkin," I kiss Christine on her forehead.
"Goodnight, Mom," she replies. She makes her way towards the bath to get ready for bed, giving Fred a "goodnight" pat.
"Goodnight, Kevin," I tell my youngest, who just came out of the bath. He's about to climb into bed. I give him a hug and a kiss on his forehead.
"Night, Mom. Sorry about my actions from earlier tonight," he replies, giving Fred a pat on the head, before climbing into bed.
"It's OK, Kevin," I assure him. I head downstairs to get ready for bed. I'm unaware that tomorrow, I'll soon be reliving my nightmare from last year, once more, only three times worse…
This concludes the McCallister Family One Year Later Arc.
Up next: A new, but short Arc, known as "Airport Craziness".