"Why do they have such a big tree?" Connie asked, resting her elbows on a rock as she gazed upon the small Who village below. The Grinch took his attention off his telescope and transferred it to the small girl beside him. He didn't mind her questions, even though there were many of them. She never asked to be annoying or to break the silence. She always wanted to know the answer.
"Because Christmas is what they love the most." The Grinch peered through his telescope, focusing it onto the courthouse. Any moment now...
"Why?"
"Why what?" the Grinch snapped, not looking at her again.
"Why do they love Christmas so much? Is it the family, the good food, the magic of the season... what?"
For the first time in his life, the Grinch actually thought about why on earth the Who's loved the holiday so much. He never gave those blasted Who's a second thought if he could help it. Not to mention their infernal holiday.
"Because of the presents," the Grinch responded. He left it at that, not mentioning that they shopped months in advance and yet still managed to find things to buy on Christmas Eve. Or the fact that every household was filled to the brim with wrapped packages that would always end up in one place: Mount Crumpet. At the dump. Next to his home. He rummaged through their garbage all the time looking for new objects or his next meal. He had yet to be disappointed; every trip Max had to come along just to help carry in the load.
But the Who's and all their Christmas doings were pushed aside once he spied the man he'd been waiting for all morning. Mayor Who. The newly elected politician was eager to win his people's loyalty and would go to any lengths to make them like him. The Grinch had been spending most of his days lately watching him and making fun of all he was willing to do. Everything from his greasy hair to his shined boots radiated all show and no substance. The Grinch had been waiting for him to be found out... It was only a matter of time before Mayor Augustus MayWho was kicked out of office onto his fat butt.
The Grinch was looking forward to that day.
"... so superficial," Connie said, obviously finishing a tirade that the Grinch had heard none of.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah."
"Did you hear anything I said?" she asked.
"Sure, kid, sure." All he heard in retaliation was a heavy sigh. Finally looking away from his telescope, he noticed that Connie was no longer looking down at Whoville but was sitting in the snow, her legs drawn up to her chest, chin resting on her knees. He recognized that expression. Only too well.
The look of not being taken seriously and wondering when she would be.
Repressing memories of his childhood, the Grinch walked the short distance over to her.
"Look," he said, "I... I may not have heard all you said but I agree. They are superficial." She rose her eyes to meet his. That was one reason he liked her: she never had the look of revulsion that the Who's did. Never reminded him that he was any different than she was. As if he was normal.
"Thanks," she said, but he could tell that she didn't mean it. As he hadn't meant his own declaration. The damage was done. But he would never apologize. Wasn't in his nature.
"Let's get inside," he said, "They'll start singing carols soon and I can't bear that sound." Connie nodded and rose, brushing the snow off of her clothes. He led the way into his lair.
How was he supposed to take care of a child if he obviously failed so badly at it?