Somewhere Between The Two Rooms (46/73)

We enjoyed each other’s company as we ate our turkey dinner. Once everything from dinner was cleared away, we were going to open presents before we had dessert. We were all so full from supper already that we needed a break in between. Every one of us kids liked that idea because we were all anxious to open presents. The adults began to clean up the dishes but not before giving us kids a task that we had to do in order to open gifts. We were asked to come up with some sort of performance that we would have to do for all the adults. We were given 20 minutes to come up with something. As a group, we retreated to another end of the house to plan our act where the adults could not overhear us.

I have to be honest known of us really had any idea of what we could do. But we knew we had to come up with something. Dallas suggested that we single Jingle Bells to them while dancing along. We all agreed as none of us had a better idea to go with. In addition, it was simple and quick. We wanted to get to the present opening after all. Once our time was up, we were ready to perform. All the adults grabbed their chairs from the dinner and sat in the passage between the dining room and living room. All of us children stood around the Christmas tree. On the count of three we began to sing. It took us a moment to get into sync with each other. As for dancing along, the only one that was dancing was Dallas. However, she was giving it her all. The adults laughed and smiled at us as we completed our task. Now it was onto opening all those beautiful shiny boxes under the tree.

We sat around the tree on the floor as my Mother handed out the gifts. We had to wait until all seven of us children had one before we could open them. One after another we opened are gifts. All of us ecstatic at what we received from each other. Dallas and I both received the Rocker Barbie we wanted. We could not wait to go and play with them as we ripped them out of their boxes. After we all opened our gifts it was time for dessert.

Jack made his famous pies that everyone always loved. I however hated them. Grandma Lois made her famous Angel Food Cake with Seven Minute Frosting. My favorite still to this day. After we had our dessert, everybody left but Grandma Lois, Dallas and Devon. As my Mother began to wrap up all the leftovers from the night, she asked me if I wanted a hot chocolate before bed. I instantly said yes. I would love one as I strutted of to put away my gifts in my room and change into my PJ’s for the night. Once I returned out to the living room, Jack asked me if I wanted to open all the presents tonight. I wondered to myself…what is the catch? However, before I could answer my Mother and cousins were coming around the corner asking me the same question. After I breathed a Sigh of relief, I said sure to opening the rest of our gifts tonight. We would still have our stockings and gifts from Santa in the morning.

My Mother gave the three of us children a cup of hot chocolate covered in marsh mellows and asked us to go sit down in the living room around the tree. We all excitedly did. The room was a glow with color from tree lights. Candles we light in the corners on the end tables. For a moment, it felt like I could breathe again. A normal childhood moment. One Christmas eve that does not end with Jack sneaking into my bed. For once, I could fall asleep on Christmas Eve and awake on Christmas morning without fear. Without a dreading feeling of anxiousness. For once peace if even for only one night.

I knew without certainty that jack would be leaving me alone tonight. He would not be sneaking down the hallways late at night to wake me. My cousin Dallas and I were going to be sharing my room for the night. He would never attempt anything with her in there. I always knew that at some point Dallas would end up going to crawl in with Grandma, she always did. However, she still kept me safe for the night just by being somewhere between the two rooms.