Ten minutes into the drive, the initial excitement of the pickup from the station had worn off. An awkward silence filled the car before Goofy built up the nerve to break it.

Goofy glanced at Mona sitting in the passenger seat. "So, Mona. Whadd're studin' up there at that fancy school of yers?"

The girl gave him a closed mouth smile. "I'm a history major!"

"Fun! What you plan on doin' with your degree?"

"Dad!" Max hissed.

Goofy winced as he thought about his comment. Did I embarrass her? Did I embarrass Maxie?

"It's okay, Max." Mona reached a hand back to pat Max's knee. "I don't quite know what I want to do with it yet, but I'm sure it'll come to me."

The trio made small talk the rest of the drive back. It wasn't long before they pulled up to a dark house. Night had fallen fully, so it was hard to even make out the silhouette of the house.

Goofy flipped down his sun visor and grabbed what looked like a garage door opener. He handed it to Mona.

"Would you do the honors please, mad-em?"

"Dad?" Max asked warily.

Goofy winked and gave Max a thumbs up. "Trust me, son!" He whispered.

Mona hit the button and the entire house came to life. White lights were wrapped around every tree in the front yard. In between the real, wrapped trees were inflatable Christmas trees and snowmen. On the roof was a larger than life 'Santa Max' with a waving arm. Next to Santa Max was a giant 'Welcome Mona' sign.

It was almost too much to take in all at once.

Max squinted against the brightness. "You got enough lights there, Dad?"

Goofy opened his door, dashing around the car as quickly as he could so he could open Mona's door for her. " I couldn't pick jus' one at the store, so I bought 'em all!"

"It all looks so wonderful, Mr. Goofy!" Mona took his offered hand to help her out of the car.

Between Max and Goofy, they were able to get all the luggage inside. While Max and Mona got settled in their respective rooms, Goofy quickly changed out of his chauffeur's uniform into his favorite red sweater Max had given him several Christmases ago.

Goofy met Max and Mona in the living room on his way to the kitchen. "You two hungry?"

"Starving!" Max exclaimed.

The big Christmas dinner would be the next day, so Goofy grabbed supplies for toasted sandwiches. Once they were in the oven, he peeked his head out the kitchen to ask the kids what they'd like to go with the sandwiches. Goofy saw Max showing Mona several pictures on the mantle. It seemed like Max was explaining the stories behind each photo.

Goofy knew every photo on that mantle.

First was the picture of little Max winning first prize at a school science fair. That year, Max had made a hot air balloon out of a latex balloon, making soda, and vinegar. Goofy had used an entire roll of film at the awards ceremony he had been so proud!

Next up was the picture of preteen Max jumping his bike from a homemade ramp. What the photo didn't share was that jump resulted in a broken leg and a trip to the hospital. Goofy remembered how mad Pete had been when he'd been tasked with covering Goofy's shift at the photographers so he could get Max checked out.

Max was now pointing at the photo of his graduating high school.

Goofy perked up, remembering a picture of Max that had always been too big for the mantle. He was certain that Mona would love to see it! He ran to his closet where the blown up picture of Baby Max lived nowadays.

Picking up the frame, Goofy gave a reminiscent smile. How time flies!

As Goofy made his way back downstairs, he noticed Max picking up the photo of the year he played football. He quietly moved to stand behind his son, hefting the large frame up to where Mona could see it.

Mona caught sight of the picture and immediately came closer to the picture where Goofy held it.

"Oh… Max! How cute were you?!" Mona cooed.

"He certainly was the cutest!" Goofy proudly agreed. He glanced over at Max, wanting to encourage him to chime in with another childhood story. But he was shocked to see a look of horror on the young man's face. Max had moved behind Mona where she couldn't see him and violently gestured for him to get the portrait out of there. Goofy lowered the picture.

I guess he weren't ready fer her ta see the baby baby pictures…

"I'll, uh… I'll go stick this back where it belongs. I think the sandwiches are almost done." Goofy nodded at Max as he made for the stairs.

Once dinner had been eaten, Max made himself and Mona a cup of hot chocolate.

"What do you normally do on Christmas Eve, Max?" Mona sipped her drink.

"Nothing much. Dad and I normally take dinner to a family in need, but since we got in so late today, I think he took them breakfast instead with something they can easily cook tomorrow."

"That is so sweet, Mr. Goofy!" Mona commented as Goofy joined them in the living room.

He waved off her comment. "Like I told Maxi… Max as a boy: Santy's on a very tight schedule this time a year. I'm just lendin' him a helpin' hand." Goofy chuckled. "Do ya remember the year we took dinner to the Johansons down the street when you were six?"

"Don't remind me!" Max groaned.

Mona leaned forward. "Why? What happened that year?"

Max buried his head in his hands as Goofy leapt up to tell the story of how he almost dropped an entire Christmas dinner and almost ruined several small children's perceptions of Santa!

"You actually came down the chimney?" Mona had tucked her legs up, entranced by the story.

"I thought I need ta go the extra mile that year since Max almost stopped believin' in Santy Claus! Turns out, I had doubts that year too. That's when Maxie dressed up as Santy and came down own chimininy ta try and convince me that Santy was real!"

Mona looked at Max, covering up a laugh with her hand again. "That sounds adorable, Max! Do you still believe in Santa?"

"Not any more." Max muttered. "I need some air." He excused himself to the back porch, not taking a coat with him despite the cold.

An awkward silence settled between Goofy and Mona at Max's departure.

"Do, uh…" Goofy cleared his throat. "Do ya like cookies, Mona?"

"Love 'em!"

"Wha about singin' carols?"

"Well, my roommates say I'm a terrible singer, but that doesn't stop me from belting it out!" They both laughed at that.

Goofy grabbed a package behind the Christmas tree and got up. "Let me go talk ta Maxie and then maybe we can find the local Christmas music station and make some cookies."

"Sounds like a plan!" Mona gathered the partially empty hot chocolate mugs. "I'll get these cleaned up and maybe start on some baking prep?"

Goofy agreed and told her where the baking sheets and ingredients were. On his way out to the back porch, Goofy gently unwrapped the gift he had intended to give Max the next morning for Christmas. It looked like he could use the new scarf now standing out in the cold. He took a deep breath before opening the door.

"Oh, that Mona!" Goofy chuckled lightly. "She sure is somethin'! You know who she kinda reminds me of, Maxie?"

"It's MAX!" The young man gave a frustrated moan. "It's MAX, alright?"

Goofy was expecting something like this, but he was still taken aback. "I'm sorry, son. I… it's hard for me ta remember sometimes." A cold wind pushed its way through the porch. Both Goofs shivered. "Garsh, it's freezin' out! Why don't ya come back inside, son? We'll bake cookies…"

As Goofy got more and more excited about the plans for the rest of the evening, he missed the deepening frown on Max's face.

"Dad…"

"…and sing carols…"

"Dad."

"…while we wait for Santy!"

"Dad PLEASE!" Max exploded. He took a deep breath to compose himself. "I'm… I'm just gonna take a walk." He snagged the scarf in Goofy's outstretched hand, not even looking at it.

Goofy was left standing on the porch alone, wondering what he did wrong this time.

I thought I was helpin' Max…

I'm sorry.