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Aaron Burr opens his eyes. He’s on his back, looking up at the cream colored ceiling of his bedroom. How had he gotten here? According to the digital clock on his desk, it was Christmas Eve at 7:00. Shouldn’t he be downstairs at–
Oh. He remembers how he got into this position. It was a simple story, frustratingly so, and it began at 6:00 in the morning. Uncle Timothy had shaken him awake, yelling at him for being lazy. He got up as quickly as possible, praising God he hadn’t been hit for oversleeping.
He changed into jeans (despite his hatred for the texture and the way they fit around his legs) and a T-shirt, and got started on his chores for the day. There were a lot of them, seeing as his uncle was having people over. He checked the list. 1- Sweep underneath the table. Easy enough.
As he did his chores, he thought about the day he was going to have. Aaron was very good at doing exactly what he was told. He could do his chores, sit still, fake smiles, make conversation, and keep his opinions to himself.
“Talk less, smile more” That’s what his uncle always said to him.
So he did. He never said things to upset people. When people make jokes about him needing to be spanked more often, he just laughs and says that he does his best to behave and deserves every one he gets, no matter how uncomfortable those jokes make him. He smiled almost anytime he was in front of his uncle’s friends. They wanted to see a happy boy, so that was the look he put on for them. Being good at obeying was a helpful skill to have. Especially when obedience earns your meals.
Christmas was great because he got a nice large meal with really flavorful food, so long as he behaved, and if he put up a good appearance, he got a gift. He had been so excited because this year, his Uncle Timothy had promised to get him a book of his very own for Christmas and he’s never had one that actually belonged to him before. He had been so determined to be good. He did chores all day.
Around 4:00, he changed into dress clothes. His uncle has gone over the rules with him, as he adjusted his clothes. “You sit still, you don’t speak unless spoken to, if they ask about your grades, you make sure to tell them that you made the honor roll. Understood?” Uncle Timothy adjusted his sleeves.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. It’s not that hard. You do it every year.” Aaron nods his head.
Talk less, smile more.
Later, around 4:45, people started to arrive at the Edwards house. Uncle Timothy’s friends had been very eager to compliment the new furniture. Uncle Timothy smiled and told them what an amazing deal he’d gotten on it.
By 5:00, it was time to eat dinner. This was the hardest part. He had to have all the perfect table manners. He sat down at the table. His uncle dished his portions for him, and slid his plate over to him. They said the prayer, and Aaron bowed his head and shut his eyes. The punishment for getting caught not doing so was pretty severe last time, and he didn’t want to risk it again. When everyone said ‘Amen’ he made sure his voice was loud enough to hear, but still quiet enough not to be annoying.
Everyone began to eat, and when his uncle nodded in permission, he took a bite too. The adults began having conversations, and Aaron sat up straight, and kept his mouth shut except to take tiny bites now and again. They asked how school was going, he told them about making the honor roll. They asked if he liked to read, he told them about the Jules Verne novels he had grown to love.
As people do at a Christmas dinner, the men also discussed the Bible. They spoke about the birth of the Lord’s Son Jesus Christ. A man was talking about the three wise men, and Aaron, because he was just that stupid, had corrected the man.
“Um, sir, I believe you’re incorrect. The Scriptures never specify that there were three wise men, only three gifts presented to Jesus, and Jesus had probably reached nearly age two when the wise men met him.”
Some of the men seem impressed, but the man Aaron corrected definitely was not. Aaron’s heart sinks as the man turns to his uncle. “Your boy is pretty rude, Y’know. Did you ever teach him respect for elders?”
His uncle flushed. “Um, yes, I apologize for his behavior. I’ll deal with that.”
His uncle pushed back from the table and stood up. “Aaron. Come here.”
Aaron’s breath hitched. He froze, his hand up near his chest.
His uncle repeated himself. “Aaron, now.”
“Y-yes, sir.” Aaron got up slowly.
His uncle grabbed his upper arm and dragged him towards the stairwell.
“What was that?!”
“Sir, I-he was factually incorrect and-”
“Nobody cares, Aaron!” His uncle slapped him in the face.
Aaron’s eyes watered. “Sir?” His uncle had grabbed his arm and dragged him up to his room. Aaron’s stomach tied itself in knots. They got up to his bedroom. Aaron stood still, trying to slow his erratic breathing. That was interrupted when his uncle shoved him into a wall.
Aaron’s head hit hard against the wall.
“I’m sorry!” Aaron’s voice cracked...
His uncle rolled his eyes. “Why do you make me do this? I love you so much. I don’t want to have to correct you, but you tie my hands.”
Aaron nodded. He couldn’t get any words out.
“Why don’t you lay down for a bit? You’re clearly tired, behaving the way you are.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I hope you realize you’ve nobody to blame but yourself.”
He had laid on his bed, gotten dizzy, and passed out just seconds after getting into bed.
Aaron looks over at the clock. 7:10. It was probably safe to go back downstairs. He was nervous, because if he made the wrong decision about this, it could end badly. Oh well. He was a little frustrated his uncle hadn’t given clearer instructions, and that push into the wall had been brutal.
Then again, it’s your own fault. His uncle made sure he was aware of the fact that nobody could be blamed but himself. He made his way down the steps quietly. He got to the entryway of the kitchen.
Talk less, smile more. He plastered on a smile and straightened his posture. His uncle saw him and gestured for him to come to the table. “Aaron, come here and sit! There’s still a bit of pie left. I was just telling my colleagues about how tired you’ve been with all that studying you do.”
Aaron took a seat and somehow ended up having a conversation with one of his uncle’s friends about the recent wildfires, a conversation that was bound to take a bad turn.
Merry Christmas, Aaron.
Why do you do this to yourself?