by Eric Vall
“There!” Bailey exclaimed, and she ran toward a pine tree about a foot taller than myself.
“Looks good,” I said as I approached.
“It’s perfect,” the blonde said.
Just then Winchester came up to us and went to lift his leg to the tree.
“Winchester, no!” Bailey shrieked, and the black headed dog got startled and jumped away from her. “I’m sorry buddy, I didn’t mean to scare you. But you can’t pee on the Christmas tree.”
“I think he forgives you,” I laughed as I watched him rub up against her hands.
“I hope so,” Bailey chuckled.
“Did you bring the axe?” I asked.
“Shit,” the blonde breathed. “I got so excited to find a tree I totally forgot to grab the axe.”
“It’s alright,” I laughed. “I’ll run and grab it.”
“Thanks,” Bailey said. “I’ll keep watch so our tree doesn’t end up smelling like dog piddle.”
“Good idea,” I called as I ran back toward campus.
I made my way to Rolly’s shed, found an axe, and carried it back to Bailey.
“Would you like to do the honors?” I asked as I presented the axe to her as if it were a sword.
“Oh yeah,” Bailey said with a grin, and she took the axe.
Winchester came to sit by me, and I smiled as I watched Bailey calculate her strike. It took her a couple minutes to figure out where she wanted to cut it, but I didn’t rush her, I waited patiently for her to find the precise spot and take a quick, sure swing.
Bailey hit the tree a few more times and before long it was about ready to come down. One more swing did the trick, and the tree fell with a soft thud into the nearby snow.
“Timber!” Bailey yelled.
“I think you’re supposed to do that right before it falls,” I chuckled. “Not after.”
“I forgot to do it before,” Bailey said. “And I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.”
“Good thinking,” I laughed, and I grabbed the trunk of the fallen tree.
Bailey carefully grabbed the top, and we carried the tree back to the dorm building.
“We need the stand,” Bailey said as we laid the tree in front of Tara’s piano.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Rolly said it was in the shed.”
“Let’s go,” Bailey said with a smile, and she headed outside once more.
I followed the blonde to Rolly’s shed, and we searched through some boxes in the back before we found the Christmas decorations. We carried the boxes back into the dorm building, but I heard voices coming down the stairs.
“People are up,” Bailey whispered.
“What’s wrong with that?” I asked.
“This was supposed to be a surprise,” Bailey said with a panicked voice. “Quick! Help me get the tree into the laundry room!”
“Bailey,” I protested. “I don’t think that’s necessa--”
“Hurry up!” Bailey seethed, so I grabbed the end of the tree and headed into the laundry room.
“Hey!” Tara said as Bailey pushed her way in and pulled the tree behind her.
“What the hell?” Anna asked as she pushed herself against the wall.
“Help me get it in here!” Bailey said and Paige grabbed some branches and pulled.
After a moment's struggle we got the tree inside, but there wasn’t much room for us, the crib, and the tree in the room.
“We left the decoration boxes out there,” I reminded Bailey.
“Shoot,” the blonde said.
“They’re not open, are they?” Paige asked.
“I don’t think so,” Bailey said.
“Then we’re fine,” Paige said.
“Um, I would disagree,” Tara scoffed, and I turned to see her pushed against the wall with the tree basically on top of her.
“Sorry,” Bailey said, and she pulled the tree off Tara.
“You’re lucky I didn’t spill my coffee,” the platinum blonde said with narrowed eyes.
“Oh, I can always make more,” Rolly said. “Bailey’s trying to do something nice.”
“You’re right,” Tara sighed. “Sorry, Bail.”
“It’s okay,” Bailey said with a soft smile.
“Who knew Rolly was so good at keeping Tara calm,” Anna said with a raised brow.
“It’s because he’s her supplier,” Paige joked.
“I mean, she’s not wrong,” Tara said with a shrug and everyone laughed.
“Rolly?” Betty called through the door.
“I’m in here, honey,” Rolly called back.
“Can I come in?” Betty asked.
“No!” Paige and Bailey exclaimed at once.
“Guys,” I said. “She knows about the surprise.”
“I know,” Paige said. “But there’s no room.”
“Alright,” I laughed. “Well, I’m going to go out and let Betty come in, okay?”
“Damn right someone will let me in,” Betty teased from behind the door.
“Hang on, Betty,” I chuckled, and then I pulled the door open as wide as it would go and squeezed myself out. “It’s all yours if you can get in.”
“I think I can manage,” the old woman laughed and pushed her way through.
“Hey,” Cathy said as I came out into the common room. “We were just about to go check the traps and feed the animals.”
“Good idea,” I said. “I haven’t gotten around to that yet this morning.”
“Did you ever get a shower last night?” Donna asked.
“Not yet,” I said with a shake of my head.
“You should get a shower in,” Jeff said.
“It’s alright,” I said. “I’ll come help with chores, I can shower afterward.”
“You do so much,” Joanna said.
“Yeah,” Jenny agreed. “We can handle the chores for today, go take a shower.”
“I think they’re trying to tell you you stink,” Dan teased.
“No,” Jenny said, and she swatted her brother’s arm. “We’re just being nice.”
“I know, I know,” Dan chuckled.
“Well,” I said. “If you’re sure you all can handle it. A shower does sound great right about now.”
“So it’s settled,” Cathy said with a smile. “There are some towels upstairs.”
“Did everyone else get a shower last night?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Jeff said. “We weren’t as patient as you.”
“Well, alright,” I laughed. “Thanks, everyone.”
“You’re welcome,” Cathy said with a gesture upstairs. “Now go on.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, and I headed up the stairs.
I grabbed a bar of soap from a box someone had brought up, along with a towel and a fresh, well, as fresh as they could be, pair of clothes.
As I stepped into the bathroom, I realized just how long it had been since I had set foot in one. I took a good long look in the mirror and realized that my beard and hair had grown out of control.
I found a pair of scissors and trimmed up my hair and beard to my satisfaction, then I took a pair of tweezers to my eyebrows.
I realized that I hadn’t really looked into a mirror since I left for the woods. It had been a strange couple of years, but after a while I started to recognize myself once more.
Finally I was ready to hop in the shower. I turned on the faucet and the water sprayed from the showerhead. I held my hand under it and felt for the temperature to warm up.
It took a moment, but soon the water was steaming, and it felt incredibly good on my hand. I quickly got undressed and stepped into the privacy of the small shower stall. My body barely fit, but it would have to do, and the water felt heavenly as it drenched my back. I felt my muscles loosen and I stood for a moment, not washing, simply breathing the humid air and savoring the feel of the water as it rushed over me.
I had kept up with bathing as regularly as I could, but something about hot water and soap made me feel cleaner tha
n I had in years. The water turned brown as it ran off of me and into the drain, and I thought perhaps I hadn’t kept up with my hygiene as well as I had thought. Working mostly outside was a dirty job, and I was never a stranger to a bit of filth. I washed every inch of myself twice until the water ran clear and I felt squeaky clean. Then I stood under the water for a moment more to savor the feel of it on my muscles.
When I stepped out I felt a wide smile spread across my face. I looked to the mirror and felt totally myself once more. My muscles had gotten back to the size I always liked them to be, my hair looked a million times better since I had trimmed it, and my skin was back to its original color. I felt like one of those old carpet commercials where they turned your old carpet to like new again.
I quickly toweled off, got dressed, and headed back downstairs.
“Hey,” Tara called as I came down the stairs. “Don’t you look fresh and clean?”
“I feel it,” I chuckled.
“Did you cut your hair?” Tara asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “And I trimmed my beard too.”
“I liked your long hair,” the platinum blonde pouted.
“I think it looks very nice,” Paige said with a smile.
“Thank you,” I told the brunette.
“How was your shower?” Bailey asked.
“Heavenly,” I said.
“Good,” Anna said with a grin. “‘Cause it’s time to get back to work.”
“What do you need me to do?” I asked.
“We’re putting up the decorations,” Paige said. “But we need some help with the tree.”
“I’m on it,” I said.
I set up the tree for the girls, and they decorated it with the ornaments from the boxes. They also threw up some mistletoe around the doorways, and a few things of tinsel on the piano.
“It looks great, girls,” I said. “What else can I do?”
“Not cut your hair without asking us,” Tara said with a wry smile.
“I promise to ask next time,” I chuckled.
“We need to grab the comfort items before everyone gets back,” Bailey said.
“I think Marla and Kimmy are still upstairs,” I said.
“Yeah,” Paige said. “But we told them not to come down yet, and everyone else is out doing chores.”
“But not for long,” Bailey agreed. “Let’s go get the comfort items.”
“Alright,” I chuckled.
Paige, Bailey, Winchester, and I made our way to the gym and started to carry boxes of comfort items back over to the dorm building.
We had the last of the boxes at the door when I saw the civilians and farmers heading up the driveway.
“Quick!” Bailey said, and she ran inside. “We have to get the presents out!”
I helped the girls quickly place comfort items under the tree, and Betty and Rolly brought out a large breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and venison bacon for everyone.
“Here they come,” Bailey squealed as everyone approached the door.
“Marla!” Paige called. “Kimmy! Come down here!”
“Coming,” Marla called.
The civilians came in and the girls all shouted ‘Merry Christmas!’
“Well, Merry Christmas to you too,” Donna chuckled.
“No, really,” Tara said with a gesture at the tree.
“Oh, my,” Donna breathed. “You all did this in the time we were gone?”
“Yup,” Bailey said proudly.
“It looks wonderful,” Joanna said.
“Are those actual presents under the tree?” Jenny asked.
“They’re your comfort items,” Paige said. “We figured you all would like them now, and Christmas seemed like a fitting time.”
“It’s perfect,” Jeff said with a wide grin.
“Whoa!” Mitch said from the bottom of the stairs and he and Frank raced to the tree.
“Boys,” Marla tsked. “Wait until you’re told what’s yours, please.”
“Yes, mom,” Frank groaned, but he looked over the presents with a childlike wonder.
“What’s all this?” Briar asked as he came down the stairs.
“Christmas!” Bailey said excitedly, and Briar gave a gruff nod and sat down.
“I have the list here,” Paige said and she stood up and started to hand out gifts.
“Everything looks wonderful,” Kimmy said as she sat down next to me with baby Anthony strapped to her chest.
“That’s not all,” Paige said to Kimmy. “Hang on one second.”
“Why didn’t you all ask me to help?” Kimmy asked me. “I already knew about the party.”
“The girls really like their secret party planning missions,” I chuckled as I watched everyone open their gifts.
It truly was a perfect Christmas morning. The farmers and civilians had huge smiles on their faces as they looked over their comfort items and gave the girls and I warm hugs, even Briar smiled a bit and said thank you.
“Now,” Paige said after all the other gifts had been passed out. “We have something for you too, Kimmy.”
“I told you I don’t need anything,” Kimmy protested.
“We think you’ll like this,” I told her softly.
“Alright,” Kimmy said with a smile. “Well, thank you for whatever it is.”
“Wait here,” Bailey said, and then she and Paige ran to the laundry room and came out a moment later carrying the crib Rolly and I had made that morning.
“Oh, my God,” Kimmy gasped, and it looked like she was about to cry. “You all didn’t have to do this.”
“We want you to know that we appreciate you,” Anna said.
“Yeah,” Bailey agreed. “We’re happy you’re here.”
“And baby Anthony too,” I added.
“So,” Tara said excitedly. “Do you love it?”
Kimmy lowered her head for a moment, and the girls all looked around and frowned at each other.
“I do,” Kimmy said as she lifted her head and wiped tears away from her eyes. “Thank you so much.”
“That’s not all either,” Betty said with a grin.
“What?” Kimmy asked with shock. “This is already so much.”
“This was for Anthony,” Cathy said, and she retrieved the gift from the storage closet and handed it to Kimmy. “But this one is for you.”
“What is it?” Kimmy asked, and she looked at the box.
“Open it!” Jenny pushed with a wide smile.
“Alright,” Kimmy chuckled, and she opened the box, pulled out the fabric, and let it roll down her legs. “Is it a new dress? Oh my goodness, this is too much.”
“We wanted you to have something for you,” Betty said. “Being a mom is hard work, and we appreciate all you do.”
“Cathy, Betty, and Paige made it for you,” I told her with a smile.
“Thank you so much,” Kimmy said, and tears welled in her eyes once more.
“Well,” Donna chuckled. “Let’s see it!”
“Yeah!” Tara exclaimed. “Go try it on!”
“You seem far too excited about this,” Anna laughed.
“When was the last time somebody around here got new clothes?” Tara retorted with a raised brow.
“Fair enough,” Anna said.
“Here,” Paige said, and she reached her arms out. “I’ll hold Anthony, go try your dress on.”
“Thank you,” Kimmy said, and she handed Paige the baby boy and headed upstairs.
“You are so cute,” Paige cooed to the baby.
The women all gathered around and gave Anthony more attention than he knew what to do with, but after a moment Kimmy returned.
“Wow,” Bailey breathed as the dark complexioned woman came down the stairs.
The dress the women had made was a deep red color, and it hung to the floor, but with a v-neck that stretched down to Kimmy’s sternum. It fit her long, slender figure well, and she looked absolutely stunning.
“You look gorg!” Tara squealed.
&n
bsp; “It’s so beautiful,” Kimmy said and she did a small turn.
“It looks amazing,” Donna said.
“I don’t know much about dresses,” I said. “But it looks very nice on you.”
“Cathy!” Donna said with a nudge at her friend. “That’s incredible!”
“What did you all make it out of?” Marla asked.
“Well.” Cathy blushed. “I hope Kimmy doesn’t mind, but it’s made from curtain material.”
“I don’t mind one bit,” Kimmy laughed. “If this is what you can do with curtain material, I would love to see your hand at some fabric designed for clothing.”
“Thanks,” Cathy said with a smile.
“No,” Kimmy said. “Thank you.”
“Should we try out Anthony’s crib?” Paige asked happily.
“I don’t see why not,” Kimmy said.
Paige set baby Anthony in his new crib and cooed to him for a moment.
“Aww,” Bailey said. “I think he likes it.”
Just then Anthony began to whimper, and within a few seconds he was full on screaming.
“Maybe not,” Bailey said with wide eyes.
“Great,” Paige teased. “He hates our present.”
“No,” Betty laughed. “He’s gotten used to laying on his mom’s chest all the time. That’s all.”
“I’ll be glad to break him of it,” Kimmy said with a soft smile. “I love having him near me, but he’s growing to be heavy.”
“I would imagine,” Marla chuckled.
“Thank you, all,” Kimmy said as she looked around the room. “This is so wonderful, and I feel so welcome.”
“We’re happy to have ya,” Rolly said with a grin.
The rest of the day was spent using our new comfort items and playing board games. Eventually the sun went down, and Tara broke out the whiskey and played some music on the piano for us before she started dinner. Most of the women went to help her, so I sat on the couch with my whiskey and listened to everyone chat.
“Hey,” Bailey said as she sat down next to me a while later.
“Hey,” I said with a soft smile.
“I don’t know how,” Bailey chuckled. “But I’m already tired.”
“Being Santa is a tiring job,” I teased.
“Uh,” the blonde scoffed with a playful smack on my arm.
“In all seriousness,” I said. “You did something wonderful today, and you should be proud of yourself. All of you girls should.”