An Unlikely Night

The chill in the air that night was far from thrilling. Leaves rustled frantically and trees swayed dangerously in time to the movement of the wind. The wind itself was in a world of its own, content to prove its worth against the other elements by sending the kids to bed early and the adults to their blankets or huddled near the fireplace. It produced a tune as it moved, so mournful, you’d never believe an event as joyous as Christmas was in a few hours.

But if you had your windows locked, gathering warmth by the fire or under the sheets, you’d scarcely notice the nearly cataclysmic activities happening outside. But Devon could notice. That’s because he wasn’t huddled by the fireplace or gathering warmth from the snuggles of his loved ones. He was well and truly alone, staring outside his open window as the wind battered his face and brought stinging tears to his eyes.

It was unperceivable but this was usually the highlight of his Christmas eve. In his part of the world, there was no snow. There were no pristine, little flakes dropping from the sky. Maybe that would have replaced the effect the wind had on him. Instead, there were winds and heavy rains. He didn’t mind them since he had nothing to look forward to. No presents waiting for him the next morning and certainly no one to give him hot cocoa and brownies on the chilly Christmas day.

He wanted something different but he knew he was stuck in his existence as a helpless, hopeless and most of all, homeless boy of twelve. He should have been spending time with his family.
“No,” he cautioned himself. “They’re gone and nothing was going to bring them back.”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Devon became aware that the wind had grown fiercer and even more stinging. With a sigh, he shut the windows and made his way to his space in the large cupboard. He’d managed to make it comfy for herself, unlike other years. It wasn’t nearly as effective as a fireplace, but it would at least keep him from freezing to death.

As he lay to sleep, he had a smile on his face. After stinging winds, his dreams were his next source of solace. For a lonely boy on Christmas Eve, he hoped to the heavens that he would at least have blissful dreams. With the sound of the wind still singing melodiously in his ears, Devon drifted into a much-needed rest.

“Wakey wakey,” a soft voice called.

“Wake up, Devon,” the voice called softly again.

Devon woke up with a start and rubbed his eyes quickly. Had his little shack been burgled? What would they possibly want? As his eyes adjusted to the sights before him, he gasped. For one, he was no longer in a cupboard but in a king-sized bed and a woman with a bright smile was at the foot of the bed, tray in hand.

“Who are you? Where am I?”

The woman held her chest and gave him a berating smile. “Now that’s not nice, Devon. Why wouldn’t you know who I am? I’m Jennie, your Christmas Mom of course.” As she said that, she dropped the tray on the bed and Devon could see a saucer filled with brownies and a steaming mug with an aromatic scent that told him it was hot cocoa.

“My Christmas Mom? What’s that? Can I just go home? Or is this a dream?”

She looked offended now. “Why don’t you have some food while it’s still hot? It’s nearly noon. You’ve been sleeping for hours and everyone is waiting for you downstairs.”

“Waiting for me? Why?”

She chuckled and sashayed to the large window place. “Oh, Devon. You’re extra silly today.” With a start, she drew open the windows and Devon covered his eyes momentarily to shield his eyes from the blinding light. “See? it’s Christmas morning already.”

At this point, Devon had already concluded within himself that it was a silly dream and saw no harm in taking advantage of it since his reality wasn’t nearly as interesting. “Wow. Can I eat now?”

Jennie gave him a dazzling smile and pushed the tray to him. Devon smiled gratefully and took the first bite of the brownies. The chocolatey flavour burst into his mouth before he could taste it and he couldn’t stop the tears that fell from his eyes as he hastily drank from the mug as well. It had been forever since he had something like this.

Jennie’s face fell seeing his tears and ambled over to him. Enfolding him in a hug, she whispered. “Just for a while, we’ll offer you the world.” The words barely registered to a starving Devon who was busy wolfing down the food. Three minutes later, hand enclosed in Jennie’s, he found himself going downstairs so elegant in jade and gold, it should have belonged to a palace.

As he reached the foot of the stairs, there were shouts of glee and smiles from people he couldn’t recognise as they engulfed him hugs and squeezed his cheeks like a favourite son. A man with a million-watt smile and outstretched arms came to him.

“My big Champ,” he said gleefully.

Devon smiled stiffly. “I suppose you’re Christmas Dad.”

He ruffled his hair. “Carl is the name. The one and only.” Stretching out his palm to him, he continued. “Come, I’ve gotten so much for you.”

He walked with him in a daze, barely registering the faces of the other people who he supposed were his Christmas family. His eyes were drawn to the magnificent Christmas tree in the middle of the room, sparkling with hundreds of pretty lights and the scores of boxes underneath it.

Carl pushed him towards it and after gazing at his approving face, he picked up the first box and opened it to see a huge crocheted blanket. He held it to his chest as warmth filled him. Sighing wistfully, he picked up the next present and opened it gently to see more brownies and hot cocoa. He was convinced now he was in a fantasy of some sort. Who wrapped brownies in a package? The next package revealed a book and the next a headset.

He opened a few more and grew tired, turning to a still-beaming Dad and Mom, he mouthed a thank you.

“Open more. Don’t you like them?” Carl asked.

“I do. They’re wonderful.” The gifts were lovely but Devon yearned for something more. Immediately realising what it was, he threw his arms over Carl and Jennie and hugged them tightly. They immediately wrapped their heads around him and nuzzled his hair. “Yes,” he muttered. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

“For a little while, let’s give you the world.” The words registered then and knew that this perfect world was about to dissipate around him. He squeezed his eyes shut and wasn’t surprised to see as he opened his eyes to see his usual dark room.

It felt different, however. It was warmer. He saw the quilt he’d unwrapped now around him. He pushed open the cupboard to see the rays of the sun through his window. It was Christmas morning already. Looking around his little room, he saw a tray of brownies and cocoa, warm socks and every other thing he’d opened. He saw a note peeking out from the tray and pulled it out.

This time, next year. Maybe we could make it permanent. Carl & Jennie

Devon's smile stilled and suddenly, he was afraid.

## Jhymi🖤

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