Home for the Holidays

“I’m telling Mom you’re not helping!” She shouted as she stomped her foot down and rolled her eyes dramatically. 

“Why do you have to act like such a little brat!’ I yelled back. 

“I’m not a brat!” 

“Well then stop acting like one and just make the damn cookies!” 

“I wish you never came back home!” She screamed as she stormed off. 

“I wanna watch The Grinch.” She protested. 

“We watched The Grinch last year, can’t we watch Home Alone or something?” I suggested. 

“You don’t get to choose the movie just because you’re older!”

“I never said I did, I just don’t want to watch The Grinch again.” 

“You didn’t even finish it last year because you had to drive home before dark.”

“So?”

“So… it doesn’t count!” 

“Whatever, I’m just going to go to bed early.” 

“Mom said you have to watch a movie with me… she said it would be good for you.”

“Everybody thinks they know what’s good for me,” I said as I stormed off. 

“Was there something you needed?” I asked as I watched her stand on the other side of the kitchen watching me. 

“No, I live here too in case you forgot.” She said with an eye roll. 

“How could I?” 

“You don’t have to be so rude.” 

“What are you talking about?”

“Just because you’re angry with Mom doesn’t mean you have to be mean to everyone.” 

“I’m not angry with mom.”

“Yes, you are.” 

“No, I’m not.” 

“Then who are you angry at?” 

“No one.”

“Liar.” She said as she finally walked away from me. 

“Do you want any hot chocolate?!” She yelled from downstairs. 

“Sure!” I yelled back. 

“Come and get it then!” 

“Thank you,” I said as I grabbed the mug to return to my room. 

“It’s snowing outside.” 

“It is.” 

“Do you want to sit and watch it with me?” She mumbled. 

“Sure,” I said because she sounded so insecure. 

“Mom wants you!” She yelled. 

“What did mom want to talk about?” She asked not so subtly. 

“Adult stuff,” I said passively. 

“I’m not a kid anymore, I’m 14!” 

“You’re also not an adult, don’t worry about it.” 

“I do worry about it.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I know what happened.” 

“No, you don’t.” 

“I know it was something bad and now you live at home again.” 

“What are you working on?” I asked her as I walked into the dining room to see the table covered with paints and paintbrushes. 

“A Painting.” She replied shortly. 

“I guessed as much, a painting of what?” 

“It’s a secret.” 

“I forgot that you’re a teenager… I was going to pick up a bite to eat, do you want something?”

“French fries and a soda please.” 

“7 up?”

“Yeah.” 

“Ok, I’ll be back in a bit.” 

“...How’s school going?” I awkwardly ask. 

“Fine…” She replied quietly. 

“Well, actually I’m doing horrible in math class… please don’t tell Mom.” She added after a short pause.  

“I won’t, I’m a good secret keeper.” 

“We know.” 

“Do you want me to help you?”

“Huh?”

“With your math homework. Do you have anything that you need help with right now?” 

“Umm yeah, I’ll go grab it.” 

“Ahhhhhh!” She screamed from inside the bathroom. 

“What’s the matter?!” I yelled from outside the bathroom door. 

“Can you go get Mom please!”

“She’s not home right now, What’s wrong?!” 

“I think I just got my period.” She said almost too quietly to hear. 

“You haven’t gotten your period yet?” 

“No, obviously not!” 

“Calm down, let me go grab my products from one of my boxes. I’ll be right back.” 

“Hello?! Are you even in there?” She asked as she pounded her fist against the bedroom door. 

“Yes I’m in here, what do you want?!” I shouted from the inside of the room. 

“Why do you lock yourself in your room all day?” She asked when I opened the door. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“You never leave your room.” 

“It’s not my room, it’s the guest room.” 

“Well it used to be your room, and why are you in a mood?” 

“I’m not.”

“Ok… do you want to eat dinner with me and Mom? She said she bought some strawberry shortcake things for dessert… I remember that used to be your favorite.” 

“Fine.” 

“These are so good,” I said with my mouth full. 

“Mhmm.” She said as she grabbed seconds. 

“What are you looking at?”

“The whipped cream on your nose.” She said laughing.

“Whatever,” I said as I wiped it off also laughing. 

“That’s new or should I say old?”

“What?” 

“You laughing.” 

“I laugh.” 

“Hardly.” 

“I need help with something,” I declare. 

“With what?” She asked.

“Unpacking, Mom says I can’t live out of boxes any longer.” 

“Berry… I haven’t seen this thing in forever.” She said as she held up my stuffed bear I’ve had since before she was born. 

“Yeah… me neither,” I drew out. 

“Liar.” 

“Yeah, whatever, don’t act like you don’t still sleep with a stuffed animal. I’ll have you know Berry has been there for me through some very tough times.” 

“He’s a stuffed bear.” 

“And you’re a brat,” I said laughing. 

“Well, you’re a Grinch.” She said laughing. 

“Wake up! Wake up! It’s Christmas!” She yelled ever so cheerfully outside my bedroom door. 

“Shhhh. I’m coming!” I not so cheerfully yelled back. 

“What is it?” I asked as I watched her open a box of some sort of electronic. 

“It’s headphones!” She practically squealed. 

“Cool!” I tried to sound enthusiastic but it still came out a little forced. 

“Okay, your turn!” 

“My turn for what? I already opened my gift from Mom.” 

“I got you something.” 

“You did?”

“Yes, here, open it… do you like it?” 

“I… Love it.” I said with tears starting to form in my eyes as I looked down at the painting she made for me. 

“Then why are you crying?” 

“They’re happy tears I swear.” 

“Merry Christmas.” She said looking the most sincere I’ve ever seen a 14-year-old look. 

“Merry Christmas,” I said feeling the most sincere I’ve felt in a long time.