“I don’t get it,” Harry remarked as the teenager sat with his father and sister while they watched Home Alone 2 Lost in New York, “Why does Kevin even care about the hospital?”
“You can mess with a lot of things,” Cindy quoted, “But not kids on Christmas.”
“But it’s not like they’re trying to rob Kevin’s house again, and he barely escaped last time,” Harry argued.
“My teacher says,” Cindy told her brother, “That it can be hard for kids in the hospital during the holidays.”
“Yeah,” Harry noted, “But it’s not Kevin’s problem.”
“Well, son,” the father noted, “That would make for a very short movie.”
“And,” Cindy interrupted, “Christmas is all about being nice to other people.”
The father smiled, “Well said, little red.”
“Goody, goody,” Harry uttered his breath.
“Kids,” the mother called from the kitchen, “Drew, the cookies are ready.”
“Yay,” Cindy cheered as she rose from her seat and eagerly ran into the kitchen.
“We’ll be right there, Jeanine,” Drew called to his wife before pausing the movie, “We’ll finish the movie later.”
Harry groaned, “God, Dad, do I have to?”
“Harry Roger Sutherland!” Drew scolded, “Get in the kitchen right now.”
Harry groaned but complied. In the kitchen, Jeanine pulled a sheet with four large sugar cookie people out of the oven while Cindy sat at the kitchen table where several colors of icing and jars of sprinkles waited. “Okay, little red,” Jeanine told her daughter, “Think about which one you want.”
“I will, Mommy,” Cindy promised as she examined the cookies before she noticed her brother and father walking into the room. “Harry!” Cindy called, “Sit by me, sit by me!”
But with a groan, Harry sat down as far from his sister as she could, “Why are we even doing this?”
“You’re on the edge, young man,” Jeanine warned her son, “And this is a family tradition; in fact, I used to do this with your grandparents and uncle George.”
“Yeah,” Cindy agreed, “We each decorate a cookie and then leave them out for Santa!”
“You mean,” Harry corrected, “For mom and dad.”
“Harry!” Both parents scolded.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Harry demanded.
“Harry,” Cindy called as everyone sat down with their chosen cookie, “Aren’t you going to help me?”
“No,” Harry replied as he picked up the red icing.
“But,” Cindy said sadly, “You always help me.”
“That’s true,” Jeannie agreed, “Remember when she was little, and she’d sit in your lap?”
“You used to pretend to be Santa,” Drew added.
“That’s,” Jeannie laughed, “How we kept Cindy from eating her cookie.”
The whole family (sans Harry) laughed. Cindy frowned and decided to change the subject, “Mommy,” she called, “Is Uncle George coming tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Jeannine told her daughter, “He does every year.”
“Yeah,” Cindy said slowly, “But is he bringing cousin Arnold?”
Jeanine sighed, “Cindy, I know Arnold can be a little difficult, but he’s your cousin, and you must get along with him.”
“I try,” Cindy defended, “But he always picks on me.”
“Stop being a wuss,” Harry told his sister.
“Harry!” Drew scolded, “Cindy, your aunt April’s coming tomorrow too, and she’s bringing you know who.”
Cindy gasped, “Cousin Charlie’s coming?”
“That’s right,” Drew told his daughter, “Uncle Brad’s family decided to go to Mexico for the holidays, so we get to see Charlie for his first Christmas.”
“I better get my hugging arms ready!” Cindy cheered, “I’m done,” she added as she presented her cookie. Cindy had decorated her cookie to look just like her. The family put their cookies on a plate; Jeannie had made her cookie as a baker, and Drew’s cookie was a mechanic.
“Here,” Harry remarked as he lazily threw his cookie on the plate. Harry’s cookie had red X’s eyes and a jagged line across its neck.
“Harry!” Drew scolded.
“It’s okay,” Cindy told her father, “I’m sure Santa will love it.”
“God,” Harry yelled as he got up from his seat, “Will you grow up and stop believing in fairy tales?” Harry left the room in a huff.
Jeannine could see the sad look on Cindy’s face, “Hey, Little Red, do you want to get Santa’s tray ready?”
Cindy cheered right up, “Yeah!” Cindy prepared Santa’s cookies along with her usual care package and milk. Cindy changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth before knocking on her brother’s door, “Harry, are you ready?”
“Go away!” Harry called back.
“But,” Cindy argued, “We always sleep in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.”
“Go away!” Harry repeated.
Cindy walked out to the living room, where her father was making the couch into a makeshift bed, “Harry’s not coming out,” Cindy told her father.
“I’m sorry, Little Red,” Drew told his daughter, although he didn’t sound surprised.
Cindy lay in front of the tree and made herself comfortable, “I suppose I don’t need to tell you not to stay up late?”
“Of course not,” Cindy assured her father, “The sooner I get to sleep, the sooner Santa will come.”
“Alright,” Drew kissed his daughter on the head, “Sweet dreams.”
Cindy found herself focusing on a Santa ornament, “Please grant my wish,” Cindy begged before nodding off.
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