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Gilbert hated December. While he could tolerate other holidays, Christmas was unbearable. He loathed the elves with their porcelain faces and detested Santa Claus's jolly demeanor. Gilbert disdained the tacky decorations and electric bill complaints, feeling lost in the chaos.
One fateful night at the family gathering, everything would change. The annual reunion involved family members griping about their troubles, arguments, and sometimes even physical fights. While Gilbert read a book, creepy Grandma Sally approached him.
“Hello, darling.”
“Um, hi, Grandma!”
“Please, call me Sally.”
Grandma Sally was ancient. Gilbert was sure she was there when Marie Antoinette was executed and was probably already married to even older Grandpa Sam when the Soviet Union disbanded. She looked about a million years old and wrinkly as a prune.
“Haven’t seen a good gathering since the family curse was cast!”
Gilbert gaped. “The WHAT?”
She explained how her dad, Poppa Jones, had been cursed after stealing a witch’s cardigan, mistaking it for Sally’s. Gilbert thought about it. He did see a lot of discord in his family.
“What can I do?” Gilbert asked.
“It’s said the witch’s curse can only be broken by the power of Christmas! Don’t you want a perfect family?” Sally replied.
Gilbert, wanting a storybook family, agreed. “I’m in. What do we do?”
Sally grinned. “We get you Christmas-afied!”
Soon, he was engulfed in ugly sweaters and lights.
“I don’t feel anything changing!” Gilbert said.
“Believe!”
Gilbert frowned. “I’m trying!”
“Maybe a little incentive?” she asked, holding up a candy bar.
“It’s hopeless!” He cried.
Gilbert looked back at his family and thought of them. Maybe just once, I can put aside my spite for Christmas. But why would I? He thought.
Sally noticed his hesitation. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I can’t.”
“You can!”
Gilbert squeezed his eyes shut. Think selfless thoughts! The room began to change, carols seeping in, and the smell of hot cocoa blossoming, sounds of joyous, not mocking laughter growing.
“I did it! Now I can go back to hating Christmas.”
The room shrunk back.
He sighed and went back to his mundane life.