Holiday Cheer

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

Dec 25
Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Man

Christmas was never easy for Bruce. His parents had been murdered near Christmas when he was only 9, so every year the snow and month of December brought back painful memories. Bruce had been with them when they were shot. His butler, who also served as father figure, said he was making progress out of his depression; especially since he had decided how he would avenge and honor his parents. This year was different though. This year he had taken in a young boy who had also witnessed the tragic death of his parents.

The boy’s name was Dick Greyson. He grew up in a circus family and when the circus got hit as part of a protection racket his family paid the price. It was easy to die falling from a trapeze. Dick didn’t expect his new foster father to try and give him a storybook Christmas, but when things got gloomier rather then happier he knew something was up. He found Bruce alone in the study with two candles lighting a picture on the wall. It was of an older couple, very much in love and very kind looking. He asked Bruce if he was thinking about his mom and dad, too. Bruce put his arms around the boy and whispered yes.

Selina Kyle loved window shopping more than actual shopping. The displays made her laugh at their stupidity. No one would wear that hat with that dress, or be that happy just drinking a pop. All of the wasted time people put into what they thought were attractive designs. So, when they were home in their mundane little beds, she would go out and have a wonderful time taking whatever she wanted. Including other peoples Christmas presents, if she chose.

I woke Christmas morning to the smell of cooking sausage. This puzzled me until I turned over to find Stanley was not beside me. I crept to the kitchen to find him taking said sausage out of the pan. On the counter were a loaf of bread, the electric frying pan, a bowl of egg yolks covered in cinnamon, and a bottle of syrup. Stanley, the health nut, was trying to surprise me by making one of my favorite dishes: French Toast.

“Good morning.”

He stopped, put the pan down, and hung his head. “I was trying to surprise you.”

“The sausage smell woke me, it smells delicious.”

He turned around. “Oh, well. Win some, lose some.”

I walked up to him and put my arms around his waist. “Well, you haven’t started the toast yet, right?”

“Right.”

“…And the sausage is…. really too hot to eat right now.”

“I guess so…” He looked at me as if to say ‘where are you going with this?’

I smiled playfully and looked into his eyes. “I prefer room temperature sausage anyway.”

He CRACKED UP. “That has GOT to be the goofiest ‘come on’ line I’ve ever heard!”

Some time later I turned over again to find myself almost face to face with a shiny green box I hadn’t noticed under the tree last night. I got up and picked it up, looking at Stanley.

“Go ahead, open it.”

Inside was a beautiful bird shaped pin. It had pearl wings and what looked like a diamond eye. “Stanley…it’s beautiful. How thoughtful of you!” I handed him my gift: a rare, leather bound edition of one of his favorite books. Then he finished making breakfast.