The Best Christmas Ever

          The Best Christmas Ever

Suzanne Marsh

“I hate Christmas, I hate the lights and the small talk.” Roman Linsk mumbled under his breath. There is no beauty in Christmas anymore. Folks don’t get together like they did when I was a young whipper snapper. The white-haired old man wanted nothing more than to get out of the cold. He walked everywhere since he could not afford a car any longer. He was more than cynical about Christmas; he simply hated the thought of Christmas. He thought Santa Claus was a money-making scheme so parents would spend more money. Children, he thought, they are the most ridiculous creatures that ever roamed the face of the earth; he had two children one of whom he had not seen in over forty years. Yes, he was feeling sorry for himself; he had made his choices and now he had to live with them.

Roman, had not always been an unhappy man; what happened to him?

Christmas Day December 1968

The doorbell rang and rang, as Roman Linsk ran to the door. Chills ran down his spine as he saw an Army Captain and a chaplain. The snow was blowing as the fear and bile rose in him. There was only one reason for these two men to be here; his son Edward was serving in Vietnam; they were here to tell him his son was either missing in action or dead. His boy Edward was his shining star. He had shipped out for Vietnam twenty-four days ago. He felt as if a knife were being plunged into his heart:

“Hello Mr. Linsk, I am Captain Sam Potter, and this is Chaplain Marc Jacobs, I am afraid we

we are sorry for your loss. Your son Edward died a soldier’s death, saving the other

men in his platoon. His commanding officer put him in for the Congressional Medal

of Honor.”

Roman, stood silently, tears welling up in his eyes. His wife Althea came into the room. She noted the paleness of her husband’s face:

“Roman, oh no, not Eddie, oh please no.”

“Althea, Eddie is dead.”

Roman thought Althea’s heart had stopped; she went pale then collapsed. The Chaplain quickly called the rescue squad but to no avail, his beautiful, delicate Althea was gone forever. The Chaplain stayed into the night comforting Roman. This was a Christmas that would change all their lives. Althea was buried three days later while Roman awaited Edward’s body. Edward had been their first son; perhaps the better son. Edward with the long blond hair, that was shaved off by the army. Edward, who wanted to do his duty for his country, dead. Roman, knew he had to deal with the situation. James, his second son was the opposite of Edward. He hated discipline, he hated being told what to do. He was one year younger than Edward.

Roman, procrastinated before calling James at Virginia Military Institute. He had declined to come home for the Christmas recess. Roman, had been very displeased with James, but then he always had been. Roman strode over to the black desk phone, dialed the adjutant general’s number.

“Hello, this is Roman Linsk, I need to speak to my son James.”

Roman, could feel the tears welling in his eyes once again. James, finally came on the line:

“Hello, father, why are you calling me?”

“James, you need to come home son, your mother and brother are dead.”

James, stared at the phone in horror:

“I can’t dad the General told me I have to stay I have to many demerits.”

“I don’t care, did you understand what I just said?”

“Yes, sir my brother and mother are dead.”

“Put that general on the phone now!”

“Sir, my name is Roman Linsk, my son James just lost his mother and brother. I need

him home NOW!”

Roman’s voice was cracking with tears:

“Mr. Linsk, James will be on the first flight home. I will see to it myself.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The general turned to James:

“Get your gear packed, there is no place at VMI for someone who lies. You have

no demerits to speak of.”

“Sir, I simply don’t wish to go home. Not now, not ever.”

James had not been heard from in over forty years. Roman, was now in his late eighties.

Christmas December 2022

Roman, returned home later in the day. His Christmas would once again be with no tree, no gifts, just another day. Roman, had become so very cynical this time of the year. He knew that Althea and Eddie would have hated to see him in such a sad state. Time had taken its toll on Roman, his face was grizzled, he had not shaved in a week; but then again there was no one who really cared; what he looked like. He thought of James, then, the argument they had had when Roman met him at the plane:

“James, the general told me you had no demerits so obviously that was not why you

did not wish to come to your brother and mother’s funerals. That is total unacceptable.

not now, not ever.”

“They didn’t care about me; you sure as hell don’t care or you would have let me stay

here where I belonged.”

“You, James need to learn the meaning discipline and caring.”

“Sorry father, when I leave tomorrow morning don’t ever expect me to see you again.

“Fine James, you do that very little thing!”

The door slammed shut the following morning. That had been over forty years ago.

The doorbell rang; Roman dragged himself to the front door; he looked out the peep hole and wondered who the white haired was. He stood ramrod straight; then he rang the doorbell again. Roman, opened the door:

“Yes, why are you ringing my doorbell?”

The deep baritone voice smiled; the face was Althea’s. Roman stood motionless in time.

“You, have no idea who I am do you?”

“No, but I am sure you are going to tell me. Please come in; it is cold outside.’

The old man, his blue eyes twinkling:

“Father?”

“Oh my God, James?”

“Yes Father, we are not getting any younger. I came because after all these years I knew the

decision I made all those years ago was wrong. I should have been here to help you.

instead, I joined the army. I am major general now.”

James was trying to get his father to least tell him he had done well:

“Son, it doesn’t make a bit of difference why you are here; all that matters is that you are.”

“Ah, Dad, I was here yesterday but I did not have the courage to ring the doorbell. Help

me bring in this tree. Do you still have any of the ornaments we used to hang on the tree?”

“I sure do son, yes, let’s put up the tree. The ornaments are up in the attic.”

For the first time in fifty-nine years; Roman was so delighted to have James returned. He called all of his family and friends to come over and celebrate the best Christmas ever.