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Tommy remembered how much used to enjoy Christmas.
He remembers how he’d wake up way too early in the morning and watch cartoons in his dad’s room while he waited for it to be 7 am so he could go up to his mom’s room and wake up his parents. He remembers closing his eyes when he went upstairs because his mom told him that the presents disappear when you look at them without your family with you. He remembers all of the silly traditions his family had, how it would be one of the few days his family was happy and his dad was sober.
Now the thought of Christmas brings him to tears and Christmas songs sound like broken memories, sad in a longing-type way. It’s funny how he took the holidays for granted. He scolds his past self for not appreciating Christmas, even the Christmas where he was sick as a dog and almost stopped breathing. That was the last Christmas he spent with his dad, he remembers.
“Spacing out Tommy?” his Mom called.
“Oh- yeah sorry.” He fake-laughed back as he went back to decorating the Christmas tree. It was a real one this year. He was allergic to the needles, but his Mom’s boyfriend loved real ones. It’s fine. Tommy scolded himself. He’ll just take a puff of his inhaler every morning, that way he can breathe and Mom would be happy.
“We’re going to bed Tommy, just go to bed when the tree’s done ok?” His Mom said, boyfriend, following behind.
“Ok, Mom! Goodnight, lov-” His Mom shut her bedroom door. She probably just didn’t hear him, that’s all.
It was quiet now.
And God, he was so alone.
He grabbed his phone and Bluetooth headphones and put on a couple of rock covers of Christmas songs. Those were always his dad’s favorite, and his mom would cover her ears and complain about his music taste as they decorated the tree. Now he decorates the tree alone as his Mom and her boyfriend listen to classical Christmas music while his Dad is probably at a bar.
He doesn’t get how his friends coped with divorced parents so well. Maybe it’s because his friend’s parents all got divorced when they were young, while Tommy’s have been divorced for only a year. He doesn’t even get 2 Christmas’s, he gets an hour with dad and the rest of the week with mom.
Maybe it’s the fact that he’s not allowed to spend holidays with his dad. Not proper ones anyway. His Mom absolutely hates his dad. Understandable, he didn’t particularly love him either. He abused them for years. But he’s not even allowed to invite his dad to his birthday.
As he put the star on the tree, he realized he had started crying. He just really wanted to enjoy Christmas. He wishes he could just spend it with his friends, but that would be selfish. Even if Wilbur and Techno’s Dad would let him come over in a heartbeat and their Mom always had an extra seat at the table just for Tommy. It was selfish. But asking wouldn’t hurt right?
He decided to go to his room and call Wilbur. It was late, but he knew he’d be up. He shook and clicked the call button, he’s really going to do this huh?
“Hello?”
“Uh, hi. Um I-” god this is embarrassing “I was wondering if I could spend Christmas with your family and I know I’m being selfish and you really don’t have to I-”
“Woah Toms, take a breath. If you don’t mind me asking, why do you want to spend Christmas with us?” Wilbur questioned, concern lacing his words.
“I- ugh, it’s a lot. It’s just uhh- well you know how my parents got divorced last year?”
“Mhm.”
“Yeah well last Christmas sucked ass. I don’t think I’ve ever hated a holiday more - not that I’m ungrateful or anything. So I told myself that Christmas would be better this year, that last year was just a fluke but um- yeah it’s not looking much better this year.”
Wilbur took a breath before questioning him again. Wilbur and his damn curiosity. “What specifically sucks?”
Tommy took a breath “I- Ok. Umm they got a real Christmas tree, ya know the ones that trigger my asthma. Yeah that sucks and I guess we’re kinda throwing away all our old traditions.” Tommy barely held back a sob “It just really sucks Wilby. I can’t even see my dad. They-they didn’t even decorate the tree with me. You’re my real family.”
you’re all I have left Wilby, Tommy thought.
“Oh my goodness Toms - of course you can come over. As long as Dad and Mom are okay with it of course. Speaking of them, they’re still up if you want me to give the phone to them. They’re still trying to find this one book that Techno wants.” Wilbur chuckled.
Tommy sniffled “Techno and his books I swear - Yeah can you hand the phone to them?”
Tommy heard Wilbur go down the stairs and as his muffled voice spoke. “Tommy Mom and Dad want to know if you’d like to turn your camera on. Dad said you don’t have to but it helps.”
Tommy grunted “Fine, just hand them the phone first.” hearing the phone hit the counter he turned his camera on.
“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Minecraft.” based on their concerned faces he guesses it’s obvious he’s upset.
“Oh Toms, you know you can just just call us Phil and Kristin.” Phil kindly stated.
He went on to say everything he said to Wilbur, Phil and Kristin's faces growing sad with sympathy.
“Tommy, of course you can come over, but how will we run it by your folks?” Kristin questioned. A low voice came from the distance “Why don’t we say we’re going on a winter vacation and we want him to come? I mean we never said the vacation was a couple days at our house.” Phil turned to see Techno coming down the steps “TECHNO WE’RE DOING YOUR GIFT DON’T LOOK-”
Eitherways, Tommy’s parents bought the excuse.
And it was the best Christmas he could’ve asked for. Afterall, Christmas isn’t about gifts or Santa.
It’s about family. And sometimes the best family is the one you choose.