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Martha ran away…
It happened again! Just as he looked like he was starting to have fun…it was gone. Stolen once more by that fool Augustus. She was so upset, no, downright livid this time. It was like a nightmare that just wouldn't end. The cruelty, the shame, it was that classroom all over again. She couldn't bear it again. No. Not Again. The wind whipped at her face and skin, yet she barely felt it. Everything was numb. All of it was ridiculous and petty. Martha had missed her friend deeply, it felt so good to see him again. Cindy was so right to nominate him. It was perfect, a perfect way to help him come back.
Or so she had thought anyway, oh she felt so foolish again.
How dare August do this…why? Why again did that buffoon have to hurt him?!
It had built up over the years, a mix of shame and guilt for not saying something back then. It all came back to that stupid razor joke. Martha had seen it in the Grinch's eyes. The pain, the laughing, and that idiot mocking the gift she was supposed to have. Grinch's gift, his gift to her that she had painstakingly fashioned into a holiday crown. Something of his that would be a part of her forever. Yet when she saw that look, and the ring, it had all been too much. The dam had burst and she just ran. Martha had no idea where she was going, but she was determined to get far away from them all.
A FEW MOMENTS EARLIER…
“The gift of a Christmas Shave” August had said smugly. The crowd laughed, herself and little Cindy Lou being the only two who looked upset. The Grinch was just standing there…hating them all over again. She could see it in his eyes, and it scared her. Not him, never him. Yet faced with the thought of him leaving again. That scared her beyond anything that could have happened next. Scared her so much in fact, she was talking before she even realized it.
“August…I can’t stand you at all. I’ve been polite up to now…and I’m done…” He was about to interject yet she shook her head. “No. This is all wrong…" The who-lady paused for a moment as she looked at little Cindy Lou sadly. “I wish I was brave like you Cindy Lou…” Martha had started to walk away only to be cornered by the mayor again. “Martha…heh what are you saying? I was about to surprise you with something special…” He took out a box and offered it to her. “Please honor me with becoming Mrs. Augustus Maywho…”
Martha was frozen. In a daze, she heard the Grinch gasp and drop the cruel joke as he finally came to his senses. He looked up at her in shock as Martha mirrored his look. They both stared, unable to breathe…was it the same for him too? It seemed to be. The seconds ticked by as the silence grew tense. Martha sighed in frustration and threw the ring somewhere else in a huff. “I can’t and won’t marry someone like you…ever.” Tears started to flow down her cheeks as no one spoke, still in shock at her confession. It didn't stop her. She was ready this time.
“You are so cruel…and I let it happen…I won't ever do that again.” She looked over to the Grinch who was also just staring at her. “I know…I don't deserve your forgiveness…but I would like us…to start over somehow…” She got closer to him a bit but was held back by August. “Martha, I think the nog has gotten to you hehe please don’t make this mistake… “ The Grinch growled at him. “The only mistake here was you…who the hell voted for this guy!?” The crowd remained silent, yet it was a good sign he was joking again. Martha grinned a bit at that. He was slowly coming back to her…good.
The punch was fast, as everyone gasped at the mayor’s sudden action. He looked smug again.
She couldn’t take it…so she ran.
Presently…
Martha ran through the streets, past the shops and fancy lights. She ran and ran past the gate into Whoville, out into the snow. It was cold yet she still didn’t stop…her dress was certainly ruined, yet she didn’t care.
Running…
Running…
She finally collapsed in the snow and let out a strangled cry. Deep and hidden all these years, it echoed in the snowy air. One that held all her anguish and guilt, all her love for the one person who mattered most. Martha cried there in the snow and cold for what felt like hours. Looking up at that damn mountain again…just like so many times before…
'Could I survive alone up there just as he did? Would I make it before freezing?
No no …I am not strong…not like him…'
Martha couldn't stop her inner thoughts as she spiraled. Deeper and deeper into despair, her mask gone forever…
She never heard the crunching of snow behind her, the familiar grumbling she loved.
“Martha…why are you out in the snow with no coat? You uh …will freeze unlike me.”
She froze, looking back slowly. It couldn't possibly be that he had followed her. Could it?
“Grinch…you followed me?” Martha’s heart decided to short out her head again. Breathe. Just Breathe.
He was livid. “Well yea! You ran off so fast…I was uh worried.” He looked anywhere but at her. A cute tactic he used back when they were kids too. A small thing yet…it meant the world to her.
“I’m sorry I just had to get away. It's funny I thought about running up the mountain too…” Why did she say that out loud? Too late to go back now.
“Why? You have a life here. Groupies even! unlike myself…” He sounded confused even to himself as he said that. Still, why did she want that? The mountain was no place for a lady. Nor a child but that Cindy one was persistent as a roach. Grinch grinned a little at the thought and now looked at Martha as she was talking again. Oh, he just loved to hear her talk.
“No. I really have wanted to, so many times you wouldn't believe it." Martha sighed softly as she laid back in the snow, clearly shivering but not caring much. “I was afraid you would never come back…”
The Grinch just sighed as he carefully sat next to her in the snow. “Look I'm not back just here to get that stupid award the kid was yapping about.” He grumbled and crossed his arms. “Turns out I don't really want it anymore…the witless wonder ruined that too…”
Martha looked up at him and blushed again. He always looked so majestic even as they sat together in the cold. Even when they were kids, he always had this presence to him. She loved it. Others just feared it; she had adapted for a time anyway. Til that one Christmas...
'For Who’s sake stop it, Martha. He'll never stay…not now.'
She was hard at battle with herself as they sat there in comfortable yet tense silence. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Martha wiped at her eyes. It was so cold snow had formed on her lashes. Martha found that she hardly felt it. Did it really matter? No. Nothing really did anymore she was sure of that. Yet, her best friend was back. He was what mattered. Always.
The wind blew harder kicking up the snow as he laid next to her without a word. Grinch was never one for emotions anymore. Not since he was young and dumb anyway. His thoughts were all scrambled right now, he didn't even know what time it was. It was just really cold. Too cold for Martha. Grinch looked over at her shivering form and was actually worried for a second. He should help, do something. First thing's first he had to get her home, and out of this blasted cold. After a small pause of his thoughts, he spoke again…
“I should uh get you home now. No use staying out here…” He made a start to stand up yet stopped as he felt her hand on his arm. Goodness he could feel the cold through his fur!
“Did you not, think of me at all either? Was I …just as terrible a memory? Just as bad as the others?” She had asked suddenly. Martha had no idea why that came out but it was out. Hopefully he didn't hate her...
He did a double take at her just then. How did she get to that? Martha was a blessing compared to all the idiots back then. surely, she knew. She had to.” What?!...No actually you were one of the few good ones.” He shrugged, looking a bit lost at the moment. Absent-mindedly he stroked his long finger along her arm again just as he did earlier.
“Did you…really miss me? All this time? I doubt that Martha…”
She was unbothered and continued to let him stroke her arm. Gods how she missed being near him. He was always warm even way back when. Martha leaned into him a bit as it continued, she had to keep him talking, keep him near her again.
“Of course, I missed you dummy... I was the only one besides your old biddies, I’m sure.”
Grinch grumbled again at the old nickname she would tease him with. He hadn't heard it in years...he realized he missed that too. “Well …they were better than most…” He leaned closer once yet was caught by how beautiful her eyes were.
Martha chuckled as she grinned at him slyly yet innocently. “I would hope so as Augustus was always full of hot air so to speak…” Her eyes never left his as they stared at each other in the middle of nowhere. Her parents would have had a whonipption fit full of drama had they been here still. Good.
The Grinch snorted a bit at her joke. “Why Martha May you have some bite to you. Accusing the big oaf of a mayor he’s full of gas heh.” He sat up at that and offered to help her up yet was awkward with it. She laughed and took his hand with zero hesitation as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you…for coming after me even if I don't deserve it. I failed to do just that for you...”
He groaned at that and stood up fully pulling her with. “Martha …stop it's not like I really gave you a choice I was eight and angry…Now come. I need to get you home before said oaf rallies a hunting party”
After some time, trudging through snow, they walked back into town. Only through the back alleys they took as kids. Both grinning and holding hands the whole time.
“I can’t believe this alley still exists…it was bad then and now …” He sighed as he moved heavy pieces of trash aside for them to pass. Still annoying. Yet, having Martha near was worth a little showing off, as he was quite aware of her fondness for muscles. Oh. He was in trouble again. Pesky feelings...
Martha nodded. “The years do seem to just fly away from us…” She stopped walking then just as he did, neither saying a word for a minute. After a brief pause to avoid some weird trash mess, she spoke again.
“I used to hide here from everyone back then. It seemed they just forgot you and I wanted to remember.” Martha confessed. It felt good to let that one out finally. " I needed to. I was losing my mind over it honestly."
He glared at her again suddenly. “Why? I mean I suppose…in some way I wanted to remember you too.” He scoffs. “I'm no good at this feelings thing…”
Martha just nodded at that. “Oh…you and I both have that in common…” She moved a few trash bags herself as they continued. Her dress was so frozen it could barely move half the time. Oh well. That was karma for running headfirst into a snowstorm, she mused.
Grinch was surprised again. “Martha, you were everything. Everybody gushed about you…all the time!” He crossed his arms now, a bit awkward again. “They loved you and still do considering you still live in that big house.” Was he part of that list that loved her? Yes. Not that he would say that out loud! Jeez!
Martha sighed and shook her head looking a bit sad now. “It’s always empty. Every year it's the same. To be honest, I hate it there..." She bit her lip and turned away so he wouldn't see her tears. “At least…I got to see you again…”
The Grinch was unsure what to do. She was there…and crying obviously… he had to do something. Anything!
'But what?! How do I fix it?!'
He turned her around and held her hands a bit too long as he spoke. “Martha. I uh am not good with these things, but I know being alone isn’t always good either.” He grinned sheepishly. “I learned that one at about age 14 I think…the mountain air is not always nice.” She had giggled a bit at that. A nice sound from her he decided.
“Oh, I had the feeling you wanted to come back but always talked yourself out of it somehow…” She leaned into him and gave him a simple hug. “I know it's a bit late, but with how August treated you again, I was afraid I’d never get another chance to give you that.”
He was frozen again. Things were going too fast for him to process. They were still standing here cold and hugging? Grinch was about to start purring at this, not that he’d ever admit it. “Yes. Well, I suppose if anything was good about tonight it's you. Also, the ring throw was a nice touch…you surprised me.”
Martha looked up at him and smiled again. “You know…that actually felt good. August can be... he’s such a …bore”
Grinch laughed. A deep, resonating, laugh that had scared a nearby Who-drunkard who ran away. “Now this I’m living for. Someone finally gets it. I never understood why he was so popular anyway.”
Martha leaned on the wall nearby and sighed happily for the first time in a while. “You didn’t know…but his father was an elder, so he got anything he wanted. Old Aldus May-Who spoiled him a lot…” Martha had remembered the many tantrums of their so-called leader. It was exhausting to deal with.
The Grinch rolled his eyes. “Oh! That's right ol' Aldus hehe…I remember the old ladies uh mentioning him once. Not at all child friendly either…” He grinned as Martha slapped his arm playfully. She was still smiling as well, however. “No! They seem so heartfelt and kind. I feel like they’re my grandmothers… “
Grinch winked at her playfully as they neared the end of the alley ways. “Believe me…I lived it. All the time…” He chuckles. “I've always wondered if my comedic genius is due to them or me…” He grinned as she shook her head.
They had got to her house fairly easily. Whobilation was still going on strong as they could hear all the music carried upon the wind. Grinch had to cover his eyes from how ridiculously bright her lights were. Oh yeah, The light thing. He never really got into that part much. It was just blinky lights after all. “Martha…why do you do this light thing…I’d think your electric bill would be dead and re-dead at this point…”
Martha just nodded and used a remote to turn them down. She hadn't really thought about it much. “I …don’t really know I guess it gave me something to focus on.” She looked down. “I uh …suppose you won’t stay for some snacks?” She blinked all cutely at him. Oh, she hoped he would stay with her...that blink always worked.
Grinch smirked at her as his hand played with her hair a bit. “Why Martha May …propositioning the Grinch of all Whos…interesting. “
Martha was a blushing mess. How he just says things! How scandalous August could never! She was about to swoon again. “I well maybe I am...and just what will you do about it? hmm?" Martha then leaned into his touch purposefully. She was so flirty it wasn't even hard to tell what she looked like right now.
'Why am I so bold right now?! Stop!'
Grinch reached out and opened her door silently. Ushering them both inside the warm house still nervous but determined. He shut the door behind him as she walked inside. “I’ll go get us some warm clothes…please be here when I get back…”
“Martha. I’ll be here…” He blinked yet was truly sincere. “I promise…”
She nods as she lets out a nervous breath. “Good…I won't be long…” Turning, Martha headed upstairs and was panicking in her head the whole time. Yet she looked ever so calm on the surface. A trained response she had realized while turning a corner into the upstairs hallway.
Meanwhile, the Grinch took the time to explore the huge house again. It was just as he remembered it to be. Martha had constantly invited him over after school a lot. It was a relief from the constant bullies he dealt with.
'Children can be cruel...'
He passed the photos on the wall and saw many. The Whovier Family was always a big deal. Yet, looking at them now, he noticed something he hadn't before. “Martha…you look so sad here…not one has you smiling at all…” He was puzzled.
Looking at all the others, he found her sad again and again. One photo had her and a smug looking Augustus all dressed up for a dance. “The high school usually had a Christmas dance…I think…ugh” He muttered to himself thinking back to whatever he had been doing at that time yet couldn't place it.
“No…I’m glad I never saw that in person…stupid as it was." He remembered trying to crash the dance once, but his memory was foggy in places. As he continued to look around, he peeled off the damn sweater that was forcibly put on him. “Those two stubborn old birds…yet they were deadly with crochet work as I recall…” Grinch shivers at that and goes back to the photos. He notices something else that makes him look away fast.
“Did I see that right?” He peeked again just to be sure.
'She has green on! Somehow …in every single one! Why?!'
A small cough from the stairs caught his attention and he looked up. There was Martha…just staring at him and looking like an angel more than ever. He coughed himself and straightened up a bit as she got close. Cheese and Who balls she smelt really good right now. Focus! She's talking again. Be Cool. Grinch told himself.
“I see you found my gallery…not much to look at I know…” She offered a black coat to him. “Here …I hope my father's old clothes fit you…I don’t really need them…”
He took it slowly and put it on while still processing again. “I yea it's good…thanks. It will definitely dry my fur out sooner.” Grinch sighed at that and looked at her closely. “Martha…why do you look so sad in all of em?”
She bit her lip again. “I…it's not important. I just hated family time.” Martha looked up at herself in disgust. “I was …never good enough, not for them. They were so fake it sickened me. Yet I was just as bad since I invited you over all the time to spite them.” She looked upset again. “The true reason is I wanted to be your friend and help you so August and the others would stop hurting you.”
The Grinch only stared at her for the longest time in silence. He was not ready for that confession…not at all. So, he did the only thing he could think of. He stroked her arm again slowly. “All this time…you were just as alone as I was…oooh! shall I whisk you away to my lair? Become the villain so to speak?” He was grinning now. “Come on, if it's so empty here Martha ...why stay?”
Martha was frozen in that moment, her turn to puzzle it out it seemed. “I don't know really…it is my home even if it never felt like it.” She saw his smile fade and grabbed his hands reassuringly. “I wanted to say something back then. I just froze…it's all I ever do and I’m sick of it." She pulled him along to the Christmas tree and wrapped the cord around her hands. “The more I think about it…the more fun it sounds.” She grinned then too looking suspiciously grinch like herself.
“Merry Christmas Grinch…however will you whisk me away? I’m dying to know…” She pulled the cord out and the tree went dark as they just stared at one another.
It was the Grinch who recovered first and grinned. “Now Martha…it's too bright in this house to properly do any of that…a few more plugs could do it though…”
Martha grins back. “The fuse box is in the basement, but I never go down there too dark.”
He scoffed at that. “Too dark huh? Well now…give me two minutes and I’ll set the mood for a proper whisking! No. No that ruined it…” He muttered as he slunk down into the darkness.
Martha just giggled a bit and waited as the lights all went dark. “Welcome home Grinch and this time I will go with you. I promise.”
The house was suddenly dark, nothing stirred and no Who noticed anything amiss. Morning came and it was the same. No lights and no sign of Martha or anyone. August was in a panic. No one noticed brave Cindy Lou walk inside.
She walked in slowly and found the forgotten sweater and crown from the Whobilation.
“Mr Grinch? …Martha May?” She called out but the house was silent. She heard the mayor scramble around outside and peeked in the kitchen. There on the table were two letters, one for the mayor and one that had her name. Cindy picked up the one marked for her and read it to herself.
-Dear Cindy Lou,
Thank you for inviting my old friend last night. It was a treasure to see him again. Thanks to another cruel prank by our so-called mayor, I was afraid he would leave again. I panicked and ran, yet he came after me. Very romantic one would think…anyway I just wanted to thank you for reuniting us. We’ll be back next year on Christmas so…I’ll see you then.
Much love, Martha May
P.S. Grinch says thank you as well also my other letter is for August could you give it to him? Thank you. Goodbye for now.
Cindy looked out the window up at Mt Crumpit and smiled a bit. Who would've thought that inviting him was the best idea yet. She was so happy for them both. “Merry Christmas you two…”