The story of the Christmas calendar '98

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The first day of December always holds some kind of thrill. It is the day when you can eat the first piece of chocolate in your Christmas calendar (though Michael and Brenda had already emptied their calendars. Jerry had promised to eat only one piece a day.) And there is the thought that "Oh wow, only a few weeks to Christmas". Even the last ones realize IT is close. Also, the old year is ending soon. A lot has happened. Carol had got a new job. David was on the kindergarten for the first days.

Jerry had again been thinking of what could be a perfect Christmas surprise. His imagination seemed endless. He had earned a whole lot of money by doing some little things in the neighborhood, washing the cars, shopping, etc. But somehow he couldn't invent the surprise.
-What in the earth could I do? he asked his best friend Sam.
-Uh, how could I know? Sam moaned. -You are the smart person, not me! Is it so important that you can't live without it?

-Yes, of course, you just don't understand!
-Yeah, certainly I don't. Why can't you just buy something, like...
-Like what?
-Well, some art, like a painting? Or... a gift voucher for some restaurant or bookstore?
-Uh, no, no... What could I buy... Oh yeah. Art! Now I think I came up with something!

Occasional beeps were heard from Brenda's room. The rest of the family was listening to them a bit worried. Brenda hadn't been ircing for a few months and the phone bills were distinctly decreased. They hoped she wouldn't get addicted again. Brenda had got many new friends and of course he had Steven. She hadn't time and interest for irc. This time Brenda was online, but not chatting. She was searching for some information about the upcoming demonstration, which was meant to be in the front of the Indonesian embassy.

Jerry was making some phone calls while the other family was absent. This was a secret and so no on was allowed to listen. He had counted his money at least twice and now he browsed the phone book for some telephone numbers. His palms sweated and he was afraid he wouldn't be got seriously. He collected three numbers to a yellow post-it-pad and picked up the receiver.

Brenda looked at the banner he had made. It said "DON'T FORGET EAST TIMOR". She had drawn it with a thick red drawing pen and it could be seen from very afar. She looked at her watch. It was almost six. Time to go. She put on warm clothes and went outside. There was her friend, Jo, waiting already. He had an even bigger banner, made out of an old white bed sheet.
-Let's go! she shouted.

Jerry chatted on the phone for a while. He nodded and shook his head as he always did on the phone, despite it couldn't be seen. His perfect plan would make it. It would be kind of expensive, but Christmas is only once a year. Fortunately. Then he thought that because he had succeeded in making one phone call, why not make another one, one that he had hesitated doing for ages? If it wouldn't succeed, well, at least there was Christmas soon.

Carol liked his new job. It was very interesting to work as a youth counselor. Too bad she didn't get very much money of it. She had also trouble of what to give the kids as Christmas present. Jerry had wished for South Park puppets.
-Hi love, said James as he came into the kitchen.
-Hi honey. Can you make the dinner today? I'm feeling a bit sick.
-Don't say you're pregnant again!

Brenda and Jo stood outside of the Indonesian embassy. There was only a handful of people. Brenda knew most of them. It was pretty cold and some raindrops were falling. Most of the people didn't have enough clothes on and they walked back and forth trying to warm up themselves. They screamed their slogans but no one came out from the house. Someone suspected, that the house was all empty.

Jerry picked up the phone and dialed the number which he knew from his memory, although he had never actually dialed it. He was really nervous, but he knew he could make it. Nobody answered at first. Jerry was almost giving up all the hope. Then he heard the sweetest voice in earth.
-Hallo, Emma speaking.
-Uh, it's Jerry here. Jerry Brayton, if you don't remember me.
-Yeah, of course I know you. You are on my class. Do you have some reason for calling me?

-Of course not, Carol laughed. -I had enough with David. I think we couldn't even afford more kids.
-Yeah. And about money...
-Money what?
-Well, the problems are over, I think. The company I'm working in made a super duper money this year. We got - you won't believe it. Try to guess?
-I can't guess anything! Please tell me!

A police car appeared. It wasn't so abnormal, as normally police guards demonstrations.
-You are not allowed to be here, said the policeman harshly.
-Why not? asked someone, who Brenda knew but whose name she couldn't remember. -This is a legal demonstration! We have the constitutional right to be here. You can't drive us away!
-Yes we can. The embassy has stated that they don't want you to be here. It could harm our countries' diplomatic relationship.
The second policeman came out from the car and they both looked at people very strictly.

-Yes, I do have. Um, could you, like, go out with me?
-Like, a date?
-Yes. Like a date. Watch a movie and then eat something?
-Yep, of course.
-When would you come? Is Friday at 6.00 PM all right?
-Yeah, Friday is fine. See you then.
-Bye.-Bye...
Jerry was so happy he made it through that he could have jumped out of the window. Emma was so perfect, so kind, so sweet, everything. Jerry really had a crush on her.

James laughed.
-They gave us... 1000 pounds.
Carol looked at him.
-You are kidding me!
-No, I'm not kidding you. They really gave us that much. How great, isn't it? We won't have poor Christmas this year. And maybe we could celebrate this by going out to eat, just we two?
She nodded. She still couldn't believe his ears.

-What bullshit! someone screamed out loud. He stepped closed to the policeman. Ohmygod, thought Brenda. He knew this guy, it was Jason. He just wanted to provoke the police. The policeman gripped him from the neck and lifted him up.
-What did you say? You are under arrest. You have...
-Stop! shouted Brenda. -You cannot arrest him! He didn't do anything wrong!
The next thing that happened was that the policeman put handcuffs to both of them before they even realized and started dragging them to the car.

-You got a date? You are lying to me! You are only nine!
Jerry smiled happily.
-I'm not lying! It's true! I'm gonna meet Emma at Friday. She's so beautiful girl... And so mature, too...
-Oh boy, I'm so jealous to you! Michael said. He had always been too shy to even talk to girls.
-I'm just happy. And nervous. I don't know what movie we should watch. I forgot to ask her what kind of movies she likes. Uh, I think she doesn't like action movies very much. But that's good, as I dislike them too. Maybe some good comedy?
-Maybe...

Brenda couldn't believe what had happened. She had just got arrested! And it was impossible, as she hadn't done anything wrong, she thought. Mum and dad would probably be very angry. Brenda really hoped they would understand the whole thing was a mistake. And the police would too. It was so embarrassing! Jason wasn't embarrassed at all. He was more like... proud.
-Cool. I've always wanted to get into lockup. And now I am here. Super!
-Actually, I haven't, Brenda said concisely.
Then some policeman was there and asked if they wanted to call home. Brenda went with him to the office and picked up the phone. The police sat listening right next to him.

Jerry's first "date" wasn't all that impressive. He met Emma in the front of the cinema, fifteen minutes late.
-Oh dear, Emma said. -Boys just can never be in time.
The movie they went to see was a comedy with pretty famous actors. But it was terrible. It wasn't funny at all. Jerry and Emma just watched it. They didn't chat with each others. After the movie had ended, they came out.
-Boring film... stated Emma.
-Indeed. What do we do now?
-I have to go home. I have to babysit my little bro.

-Hi mum...
-Hi Brenda, where are you? With Steven?
-Er, no... I'm in ...lockup...
-WHAT?
-It isn't my fault. They just arrested me cause I tried to say the police our demonstration was legal. Could you please come and take me home?
-Oh God, what a mess!
The policeman interrupted her. The time was running out. Brenda's parents came and took her home. Fortunately they didn't have to pay any warranties.

December days went on slowly. Jerry and Michael were counting days to Christmas. Carol wasn't very angry with Brenda for the arrest thing, but she thought Brenda should have been at home, cleaning and doing other tasks. Every time Carol needed her, she was with Steven. There was nothing wrong with Steven, no, but... And Jerry and Michael were too lazy to do anything but play computer games.

On the Christmas morning the doorbell rang.
-Jerry, shouted Carol. -Could you please open the door?
-No, no! It may be some important guest, so it would be best if you opened the door.
-Uh, it's most likely only some salesman...
-What salesman is selling things on Christmas Day? Brenda interfered. -Let's go all together to the door.

Brenda opened the door and whooped:
-Gee!
-Merry Christmas, wished the man behind the door. And what man: there stood no one else but Tom Hanks! Braytons couldn't believe their very eyes. How come was he standing there? Everyone was speechless. Tom Hanks was their favorite actor, they all went to see Forrest Gump and Saving the Private Ryan and they had the both videos.
-I have a present for you, said Mr. Hanks and gave Brenda a box of chocolates. -It's for all of you. But now I gotta go. Bye.

Before they really realized what had happened, Tom Hanks had gone. Brenda held the box in her hands very tightly and slowly opened her mouth.
-Great, was all she could say.
Jerry smiled. Only he knew who "Tom Hanks" had been. And he wouldn't reveal it. He was so happy the surprise had succeeded. The actor looked even more authentic than he had imagined. It cost almost a billion, but it was worth it. They then went to open to presents. Jerry got the South Park toys he had wished for. Michael got the computer games he wanted. And Brenda got a whole load of new clothes.
-Let's eat breakfast now! yelled Michael.
-Ok, said Brenda. -Is it ok if Steven participates too?

-Steven? asked James. -Where is he?
-I'm here, answered Steven, who had come downstairs from Brenda's room.
-Is it ok? Brenda asked.
-Yeah. Of course it is. Good morning Steven. And merry Christmas.
-Thanks and same to you!
The family sat at the table and started to eat. Steven and Brenda were glancing each others and smiling all the time. Michael and Jerry didn't notice it, they were chattering about their presents. Michael couldn't wait to get to play his new games. Carol coughed and stared at Brenda.
-Now, you two, tell us what's happening. You have some secret, don't you.
-Actually...
-We have got engaged, continued Brenda and smiled happily.
Her parents looked at each others - "Oh dear, how the time flies..."
-Is it ok? Steven asked.
-Of course it is. Carol smiled. -Congratulations!
-Hooray, hooray, hooray! shouted Jerry and whistled. The Christmas was even better than he had imagined.