The story of the Christmas calendar '97

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Jerry came from the school and threw his bag to the table. He was very energic just as usually.
-Hi mum, what have we for dinner?
-Chicken with corn. I know that you hate corn but we didn't have anything else.
-Oh no! Jerry looked desperate and acted like he would be dying. Carol didn't mind it and said pretending happy:
-Have I told you that Granny Priscilla is coming for Christmas?
Jerry forgot completely corn and shouted:
-Are you kidding, aren't you? She is the jerkiest person in the world!

-I know that, dear. She called today and said she is coming. I tried to say 'no' but she just closed the dial. I don't know what we should do. We can't let her know we aren't as rich as we have said.
-Goodbye mum, I'll go to visit Auntie Michelle to LA. I'll come back for the New Year's Eve.
He went to his room and started to think. What should I do, he thought. Maybe Brenda could help me, I'll ask her what should we do. Then he remembered Brenda was in the movies with Steven. What would happen to the Christmas surprise Jerry and Brenda were planning? They had saved lots of money for it and now Granny would spoil all.
The movie wasn't very good. Actually it was terrible. Steven and Brenda still had fun, pawing each others. Brenda was very happy, but a couple of times she asked herself: Do I really love this guy? Do I love him more than I loved Peter? Do I love him so much we could get married in the future?

She put out these thoughts and thought: Why couldn't I love this guy? He is so gentle and charming. After the movie they went to pizza and started to talk about nonsense, how do they liked new popstars and so on.
As a joke Brenda said Peter Andre had lovely muscles in stomach and Steven acted like he would have been jealous. Or was he? Brenda didn't want to ask. Brenda told him about the surprise and Steven started to laugh.
-It sounds so crazy idea I have to take part in it! Was it by Jerry?
-Yeah. He is such a funny boy, but kinda clever.
-I know you would never invent things like that, honeybunny, Steven said.
Brenda giggled: she loved it when Steven called her "honeybunny". It made her feel very important and beloved.

Jerry was a very smart boy though he was only eight. He was also very ambitious and he wanted that his family would say "Jerry saved our Christmas. He is a genius. Without him our Christmas Eve would have been very boring." And he never suspected he couldn't make it. He had a plan. And it was a very good one, he thought. There was only one problem. He hadn't enough money. But the program had a solution: Brenda. She got more money than Jerry and unlike him she never wasted them. She hadn't time because she was on IRC all her spare time - and that was one of the reasons why Braytons weren't rich. When he told her plan to Brenda, she thought it was impossible to put into effect. But Jerry asked and begged and prayed and finally Brenda said:
-Ok, we'll do it. Or exactly you do the main job and I give the money and I do what you can't - you're just a kid, try to remember it... Now go away! If I won't talk to someone right now, I'll be idlekicked... Oh yeah! I got ops! Can you believe it? He gave me ops!
Jerry liked his sister very much, although she was seven years older than he. Before IRC started to take Brenda's time they usually chatted together at nights. Jerry didn't like Michael very much because Michael wasn't very clever. Jerry often recalled old events. One thing he could never forget was the night on June two years ago. They, Brenda, Jerry and Michael, were playing Monopoly. They had great time together. Suddenly Dad opened the door and said: -Brenda, Peter's father is on the phone.
Brenda thought Peter had something nice to say to her but he was too shy to say it himself and happily answered. After about twenty seconds they heard long screaming. Then it sounded like Brenda would have passed out. When Jerry started to think about Peter's funeral, he noticed a little tear falling from his eyes. He felt ashamed and fast dried it. Then he ran to Michael and asked if he could play basketball with Jerry.

He was walking on the street. A young and pretty woman came to him and said:
-Hello James, I've been waiting for you.
-Wha-what? he asked.
Suddenly the woman changed to his mother, Grandma Priscilla and she looked deep into James' eyes.
-Boy, I know you hate me. You think you can escape me, but you can't. You are still my own little son, and I know your future.

She took James' hand to her own wrinkled hands and laughed fearsomely.
-It will be 6lbs and 3 oz, trust me.
Then she disappeared. James woke up sweaty and afraid. Huh, what a dream. Then he went to Michael's room. What was wrong in Michael, he wondered. He had been a bit strange lately, just like he would have had some secrets. Michael was really into something. He had a calculator in his hands and he murmured numbers.
-Twenty-eight plus nine makes thirty-six... No, seven!
-What are you doin?

Boy got startled.
-Dad, I've told you not to come to my room! I was making a surprise. No you ruined it!
-Sorry! I've been wondering why have you been so mysterious and I was just coming to ask. But...if we could make a shared surprise? Is it ok?
Michael looked quite disappointed.
-Ok daddy. It would just have been better surprise if I had made it alone. But shared surprise is almost as good. I'm not sure about some things, so you may help me. Please let me do it!
James smiled.
-Of course, if it isn't something very stupid.
-Remember not to tell mum or Jerry or Brenda!
-You can count on me, Michael, said James.

Just like the others, Carol was planning something special for Christmas. It wasn't as ambitious as Brenda's & Jerry's and not as funny as James' and Michael's, but it was nice and he had used a lot of time in it. Carol had been depressed some times. She was afraid of losing her job. And she worried about Brenda. Girl spent too much time on-line. Soon she would have to close the connection. She looked again at the paper. Maybe it wasn't true? James came into the room and Carol hide the papers.
-Hi darling, said James.
-Hi James. Would you like a cup of tea?
-Actually not, I just have to tell you something.
James put his arms around Carol and kissed her.
-Mmm. Tell what?

-I just read today's paper. I guess you haven't?
-No, I haven't had time. I have made...Christmas presents for kids. I'm not sure what should I give to Michael. I think we can't buy anything expensive.
-I think so too. I read at the paper that your company will fire sixty workers. I hope you aren't among them.
-I am! I know it! What can we do now? I have promised Jerry a new bike and Brenda wants a faster modem. And I needed some money for...oh, forget.
-For what? New nail polish?
-No. Just forget it, okay, I know we'll make it through this Christmas. Or at least I hope so.

They were eating lunch, fish and chips when Jerry asked:
-Mum, can't I have some extra money this weekend? I would like to buy something for Christmas.
Dad coughed.
-Er, I guess you can't. Mum got fired yesterday.
-What? asked Brenda, who were surprisingly not on the computer.
-Please don't tell jokes like that! I almost choked on my food!
-Unfortunately it ain't a joke. I get less pay than she did and now we are much more far from rich than we were...
-But mum, you still have the account with over $1000, don't you? Michael said mouth full of chips and ketchup.

-What? said James amazed. He had never heard of it.
-It was meant to be our secret, Michael.
-I need them in my project.
-What project? asked all.
-Just one. It ain't very interesting. I call it "My Own Little Project"... Have you all eaten? At least I'm really full.
-You should eat less mum, recommended innocent looking Jerry.
-I think you look like you had been put on weight.

-Breeendaaa, Steven is on the phone! yelled Maryann
-Oh, I'm coming!
She ran to downstairs and picked up the phone.
-Darling, nice to hear your voice! I've been missing you!
There was a little silence. Steven sighed.
-What's up? asked Brenda.
-I have to tell you one thing, Steven said

-Is it serious? she guessed that it was because Steven sounded nervous.
-Tell me! You know that I love you, honey.
Steven sighed again.
-You may won't do anymore when you hear this.
No! Brenda thought. That can't be. That just can't be. She didn't want to listen anymore, but she had to listen. She was ready to burst into tears.

-I'm so sorry, I really have to tell you I double-crossed you with Dione last weekend. But I still love you, honey. Can you ever forgive me?
-No! I hate you! How could you do that? screamed Brenda as loudly as she could.
-You...you stupid brainless idiot! I really hate you! I don't know how could I ever love you. Now, get out of my life! I don't ever want to hear about you anymore!
She cried like a flood and threw the phone to wall.
-I hate you! I hate myself! I hate the whole bitching world!

Holiday had started. Only two days left to Christmas. You know the feeling: everything is planned very well and meant to be ready days ago, but it isn't. Carol was sick, she couldn't eat at all. Michael went to the garage very often. Brenda was on IRC, on channels #christmas, #holiday, #chat, #santa and #partyzone. She really didn't mind about Christmas - of course she was happy because of the holiday, she had a lot more time for ircing. Jerry was very nervous and asked all the time:
-Mum, are you sure I will get a Pocket Puppy? I have been so well-behaving whole year, don't you think I deserve one?
Carol sighed. Then she had to return to the toilet.

-Dad, can I talk with you?
-Of course, Michael. What do you want to talk about?
-About our Christmas surprise.
-Are you sure you really want it? I have thought...
-Yes! Of course I want it! Don't say it is impossible! I have dreamed about it years!

-Have you already chosen it?
-No, not yet. It is so hard to decide! They all look so nice!
-How much money have you got?
-Well, wait a second...49 dollars 50 cents. I think I will get about two dollars more before Christmas.
James smiled.
-I'm sure you'll find a very nice one!

The mood was excited like it only can be in the Christmas Eve. Carol put last dishes to the table and the kids were nervous. Everybody was wondering: Why was Grandma Priscilla still missing? Of course, you can't say they were missing her. When they sat around the table, Carol smiled and said to all:
-Well, as we see, Grandma hasn't come. I know you hope she won't come at all, don't you? However, I decided it would be good time for share our surprises now, although it isn't Christmas yet. But I'm sure Grandma will come and I don't want her to spoil our big secrets and surprises. What do you think?
Everybody tried badly to pretend they had never even heard the word "secret". Then James said:
-Who'll begin? Brenda?

-No, she refused.
-Could me and Jerry say last?
Mum decided to begin:
-I have some exciting news to you. I'm pregnant! You'll get a baby sister or brother.
Then there was a big silence.
-That's nice, mum! called out Michael.
-If it will be a girl, name it Roseann, mum! Can I now show you the surprise of me and dad?

-Go on sonny! shouted James.
Michael smiled happily and went to the garage.
After a couple of minutes he came back with a lovely puppy.
-Do you like him? His name is Benny - I took it from Benny Hill.
-He is so cute! shouted Brenda.
-Oh! Look at him! He likes me! He licks my hand! Good boy, good boy... you really look like Benny Hill! Oh, thanks Michael and Daddy. What a great surprise!
Michael shone proudly.
-But ours is the best! said Brenda mysteriously and whispered something to Jerry. The boy went to the garden for a while and yelled then:
-Everyone! Come here!

Then it started: The greatest fireworks ever seen! Jerry danced around the garden screaming:
-What a great Christmas! Woah!
After four minutes of Crash-Boom-Bang they went inside watching cartoons. It was their Christmas Eve tradition.
Then the doorbell rang.
-Oh no, shouted mum.
-It is she.
Jerry ran upstairs and screamed:
-Tell her I'm not here!

Everybody looked at Brenda.
-Okay. If you really are that afraid of "nice ol' lady", I'll open the door.
They saw some very strange peacock looking creature on the door that looked like it might not be from this planet. And, between its back, stood Steven.
-W-who a-are you? asked frightened Michael.
-Don't you know your own Grandmother, dude?

Everyone knew the squeaky voice - it was Granny Priscilla's voice. Might it really be Priscilla looking like this? This lady had pink cowboy boots, tight leather trousers, jeans jacket, a lot of ugly makeup and a hat with hundreds of feathers. Jerry returned from upstairs and looked at Granny just as upset as the others.
-Why have you...
-...changed? You can thank only this wonderful guy here! He has changed my life after he started to take care of me once a week. His name is Steven and he lives near you. You see, Brenda, you really should take a look at him. He is a real gentleman.
Steven had looked bothered and shy but now he had to laugh. He looked at Brenda in the eyes and said:
-Peace?
-Peace!