Part 8—Christmas Bells are Ringing

Mark wound his camera and set it aside. Roger's mother had moved out of the Cohens' and back into the house, only to realize that she couldn't cope with living there after what had happened for so many years. She and Roger were still with the Cohens until she could sell the house and buy another place nearby.

They'd celebrated Christmas. They weren't the religious types; they never went to church at all, but they sometimes got a tree and his mother had always managed to get him a present. The Cohens had had a dull Hanukah celebration. Mark had gotten a new still camera, though, which he'd already almost worn out. Roger had been spending time with April more and more lately. Mark had always secretly known that she and Roger would get together eventually.

Today was December 24. Christmas Eve. He turned on his camera and pointed it somewhat awkwardly at himself.

"December 24, 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Roger and Maureen and April, now Roger's girlfriend, are on their way for my little Christmas present to them." He shut the camera off again and heard a knock at his door before Maureen came in.

"Hey, Pookie," she said.

Mark stopped halfway to kiss her. She was becoming weirder and weirder to him lately. Not weird in the "God, Mark, you're so weird" culturally accepted standard of weird. She'd started to be a little more…well, foxy, actually, when they were together. She toyed with him. It was sexy, but "Pookie"? "Pookie?" he asked dumbly.

"My Aunt Margaret and Uncle Alan are over for Christmas and they call each other Pookie. I've been making fun of it so much I guess it just slipped out."

"Pookie, huh?"

"Sorry…" Mark stopped her with a finger to her lips.

"I can live with that," he whispered, pulling her closer. "I suppose." She closed her eyes as they kissed.

"So do you have it all ready?" Maureen asked as they drew apart.

"You bet."

"Merry Christmas," he said, handing her a little package.

She opened it eagerly, and out fell a belt that seemed to be made of thick ribbon. It was covered in silver studs in pretty designs.

"Did you…make this yourself?"

"Yeah, I did. Hours and hours with a Bedazzler." He grinned sheepishly.

"I love it," she whispered. "And I have something for you."

The package she handed him was rectangular. Mark ripped open the paper to reveal a mosaic frame that Maureen had tiled herself. In it was a picture of the two of them kissing, another of his stills. It had been blown up to fit. "Wow…" He stared at it for a moment before imitating the action in the photo.

Roger flung the door open, April under his arm. They both wore Santa hats. He saw them kissing. "Oopsie," he said, and left again.

"Come back in, Rog," Mark yelled.

When April and Roger, cuddling, had settled themselves on Roger's mattress, and Maureen sat on his bed, Mark turned the camera on (Roger groaned) and panned it to all of them.

"Here we are, about to enjoy our holidays," he intoned. "We start off with some Christmas cheer." He opened the closet and pulled out a tree.

Roger whooped, April giggled, Maureen choked. It looked like the Charlie Brown tree. It was tiny and looked unhealthy. It had probably been living in his closet in a water dish for a week. It even had a star ornament on top that made it sag to one side. For garlands, an old roll of film draped around it.

Finally, Maureen spoke. "It's lovely, Mark."

"Thank you. And now, may Maureen and I present…holiday spirit. Roger, we have something for you."

Mark pulled it out from under the bed and handed it to Roger. It had an enormous bow on it.

Roger gaped as he ran his fingers over the Fender guitar. His eyes glittered. "Mark…" he whispered. "How…"

"Maureen and I saved up some money, and she sold some art projects, and I got a load of money from Aunt Estelle for Hanukah, and a few people got tired of their Fender guitars."

"Mark…" Roger engulfed his best friend in an enormous hug. "It's perfect."

"I know, asshole."

Everyone laughed.

April draped her arms around Roger and began to nibble his neck. "Mmm," said Roger, "this is definitely the best Christmas I've ever had."

"Well, it ain't over yet," Mark said. He produced an obscene amount of sugar in the form of candy canes and cookies. "Dig in."
They did. Everyone laughed and giggled, there was hugging and kissing. Maureen managed to swipe the camera and get some footage of Roger's Santa hat, which she'd stolen and placed on Mark's head. "Easy with the camera there!" he said protectively, as Maureen laughed and held it away. Eventually he managed to wrest it back, and ended with a shot of his little Christmas tree.

It really did look beautiful by the light of only a Christmas full moon reflecting in the snow.

Sorry for all the shortness, but happy holidays to all my readers and there are more (and hopefully longer/more inspired/less sleep-deprived) installments on their way. Be forewarned that finals are coming up, though. And please tell me who you want to hear from next!