บท 659: The Giving Tree

"MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAM, O DEAR LOVEABLE BIG BROTHER OF MINE! HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A GOOD CHRISTMAS!" 

For that single second, that single moment, I was so glad I made the unconscious decision to not put the call on speaker, because if there was one thing missing from my life today, it'd have to be a blown-out earhole for sure. 

I formed a grimace, I remembered clenching my teeth, and shutting my eyes, but for some reason in my infinite wisdom, I decided to not do the one thing that'll end my suffering and kept my phone jammed against my ear, getting another full blast of that jolly Christmas spirit. 

"HEY, MERRY CHRISTMAS BY THE WAY IN CASE I DIDN'T SAY IT YET. WE'RE ALL SERIOUSLY WISHING YOU A GOOD ONE BACK HERE, YOU KNOW! JUST THE BEST! WISHING ALL THE BEST! GOD BLESS AND ALL THAT!"

Such cheer, such enthusiasm… there can really be only one reason as to why. 

"Mom told you to give me her best one too many times?" I asked.