Eggnog
"Sweetheart, why don't you get ready for bed?" Deanne called to her daughter. "Santa's coming tonight, you know."
Sarah had been sprawled out on the living room floor, reading a book, but she jumped up at the prospect of Santa Claus arriving soon.
"Go put on your pajamas," Deanne urged. "I'll be there in a minute to say good night."
Sarah hurried down the hallway to her bedroom and had just disappeared around the corner when there was a loud bang.
"Deanne!" Joseph MacKenzie's drunken voice hollered loudly from the front door.
"Joseph," Deanne acknowledged him. "Where have you been?"
He chuckled as he swayed on his feet. His breath reeked of too much eggnog, and he swung a heavy, clumsy arm around his wife.
"Out celebrating, baby. It's Christmas."
"Well, I think maybe you did a little too much celebrating," Deanne said calmly, removing her husband's arm from her shoulders.
"What are you talking about?" he slurred. He leaned in to give her a sloppy kiss. "Maybe you should come out and celebrate with me."
"No," Deanne said sharply.
"No? What do you mean no?" Angrily, Joseph grabbed her arm and yanked her backwards.
"Joseph, let me go! Oh!" A painful cry escaped Deanne's throat as he lashed out and struck her hard on the side of her face.
"Mama?"
Upon hearing the commotion, Sarah had crept back into the living room, and now she reached out to her mother with concern.
"Sarah, go back to bed," Deanne whispered urgently.
"Who are you talking to?" Joseph demanded, stumbling over his own two feet as he spun around in his drunken stupor.
Quickly, Sarah scurried back to bed, burrowing herself deep under the covers and squeezing her eyes shut to stop the hot tears brimming on her lashes.
That was the night she lost just a little more faith in the spirit of Christmas.
~*~o~*~
"Mac?"
Mac had been staring absently out the window, and she jumped at the sound of her name and the gentle touch on her arm.
"I'm sorry if I startled you," Sarah said.
"No, it's fine," Mac said quickly. "I was just…daydreaming."
"A good dream?" Sarah asked.
"Uh…not exactly." Mac shook her head, trying to rid herself of the bad memories. "But I'm fine."
"If you say so, dear." Harm's grandmother studied her with an unnerving eye, suggesting that she suspected more but wouldn't push. "Would you mind giving me a hand with wrapping some Christmas presents?"
