Worst Christmas Ever

Worst Christmas Ever

“They went shopping while we were in school,” Melanie said.

“What store?” Ted asked

“Not sure, I only know they went because Dad had the day off and Mom’s car is on the right.”

“Huh?”

“She always parks on the left. But Dad drives when they go someplace together, now it’s on the right. That happened after we left for school.”

“So, they sneaked out?”

“Yeah. And, since they never sneak out together unless they don’t want us to know why, it had to be about some surprise. I think it’s a Christmas thing because it’s so close to Christmas.”

“For you or me? Or both?”

“That I don’t know, but we can find out if we find it.”

“We can’t look for it when they’re home, they’ll know...”

“Exactly, that’s why we have to be ready at three thirty, Mom will drive Dad to his appointment, and we will have half an hour, at least, to look!”

“What if we don’t find it?”

“Not a problem, I know where they hid it!”

“Of course… How do you always do that?”

“I don’t know, I just remember things and then I piece them all together, like a puzzle.”

“I should start calling you Sherlock,” Ted laughed.

“Who’s Sherlock?”

“Now I know what to get you for Christmas!”

Melanie loved the books. Ted talked to their parents, and they ended up getting her the whole series. She did not grow up to be a detective however, though, she made an excellent mayor of their home town for twenty-seven years.

The hidden gift didn’t actually exist that day. Dad had just taken the car and had it washed, and super cleaned, for Mom, for Christmas. Ted and Melanie both got a lot of new clothes for Christmas.

Worst Christmas ever, they thought.