When
there are more twinkling lights, more jingle bells, more snow, and
most of all more business for Puckett Toys it’s officially
Christmas. However, it’s the most lonesome time of the year for
little Gavin Puckett. Many would think being the son of parents who
owned an eminent toy company and having the coolest toys in Tennessee
before they hit the shelves, that he would be the most popular kid in
school. That’s not the case here.
“Hey
Gavin! How about you get me one of them nifty copters your Daddy got?
I sure could use one of them and maybe he could get you a friend for
Christmas too!” Luke’s signature snide chuckle and fulfilling
smile was being hurled at Gavin everyday. When you are being bullied
by the greatest in your school, it’s hard to find the words.
“But
. . . but Luke they’re not in stores yet,” Gavin replied with his
eyes locked to the ground. His shoulders were tense and he gripped
his backpack straps. Social situations weren’t his best suit. In
all his years of elementary school, he did not have any friends to
play with and his parents were always working, all he had was his
toys.
“Your
point?” Luke leaned in, “I wouldn’t be expecting a friend under
your Christmas tree any year, Puckett.” With that, Gavin ran home,
it was his only defence. He tried to drown out their laughter, but it
continually mocked him. He asked himself, “Why?” Why does he get
treated like so, when his parents remind him that he is a very lucky
boy? He sure doesn’t feel any luckier than a three-leaf clover.
He
opened his front door and called out for his parents. They weren’t
home. Of course, they must still be at work and so he ran up to his
playroom. There he saw the only things that kept him near happy, that
got him through the day, the only things that were there for him no
matter what; his toys. He wiped away his tears and plopped to the
ground. He snatched his wooden action figure toy. Although it was the
least mechanical toy he had, it was his favorite. It was different
like him, with its detached arm that broke out of frustration. Also,
it was his inkling to a world in which all was content.
When
he looked to his toy helicopter that Luke referred to, he got an
idea. He sprinted down his stairs to his parent’s toy workroom and
saw heaps of Christmas ribbon, gift bags, and decorative paper. He
snatched a roll of wrapping paper and ribbon. He set the helicopter
on the table and coiled the paper around the helicopter. Maybe Luke
thought he was hogging all his toys to himself? If he just gave him
what he wanted, maybe he would stop. He coiled the wrapping paper
around the toy helicopter and finished it with some ribbon.
That
night he went to bed, gazing at the wrapped, helicopter and smiled. His
plan was perfect, especially since the next day was the gift
exchange. He was, for once, thrilled
for school tomorrow.
“It
is now time for everyone to exchange gifts!” the teacher announced
and everyone began to scatter about the room. Gavin’s heart was
racing; it was the first time he ever approached Luke. Also, it
didn’t help that he was alone. He took a deep breath.
“Luke
I have a present for you.” Luke turned around and his expression
set Gavin off a little. This was it; now everybody will know that he
doesn’t hog his toys. They were just all he had and he was ready to
give a little. He didn’t know what else to say and so he held out
the toy. Luke looked sceptical and unexpectedly took the toy
steadily. He was quiet and that was making Gavin very anxious. He
carefully unwrapped the gift, taking a moment here and there to look
back at Gavin.
“Well,
you finally came through didn’t you?” he exclaimed, sounding more
spiteful than Gavin expected. Did it not work? What was the flaw that
came upon his plan unknowingly? Before Gavin even said anything, he
saw what was Luke smiling an ever so tiny smile, nonetheless it was a
smile!
“You
know what, Puckett? You’re a cool kid.” Gavin was flattered, yet
confused.
“But
I thought you saw me as weird and greedy with my toys?” Luke shook
his head to contradict.
“Well,
I . . . was just jealous, I guess. Just seeing you with all them toys
and me not having barely any, made me mad.” Luke didn’t think he
was greedy or weird! How could have Gavin gotten this wrong? Luke
quickly scanned his surroundings’ and snatched his friends’ gift
bag.
“Here
I got this for you!” Gavin tossed the tissue paper behind him
revealing the greatest present he ever got.
“I
know it ain’t much –”
“Luke,
it’s the best! I really wanted a new wooden action figure!” Today
Gavin became a new him with a new favorite toy. It was just like his
last one, except with an attached arm and he held it close.
“Hey!
That’s not for you!” Luke’s friend argued.
“Don’t
worry about it. I’ll let you come over and play with my new snazzy
copter,” Luke grinned from ear to ear and his friend cheered, “You
to, Puckett.”
It
was around supper time when Gavin got home and when he walked in the
door, surprisingly his parents were home and not busy at work.
“Where
were you, young man?” his mother said worried.
“I
was playing at a friend’s house,” Gavin said, what must have been
the first time. Both his parents had an amazed and merry mien to
their faces.
“Isn’t
that fine, honey! We got you something, Gavin. It’s an early
Christmas present.” His mother handed him the gift box. It’s the
first time in weeks his parent’s have paid any attention to him,
let alone even saw him. It all felt so good and he hoped it would be
this way Christmas day, instead of them dealing with mounds of
people’s complaint calls. He didn’t worry about that now, he was
just too delighted.
When
he peeled back all the wrapping paper and ribbon, he saw what made
him giggle with joy. His parent’s got him a new wooden action
figure, same as the old one, aside from the broken arm. He looked at
them and couldn’t stop giggling.
“What’s
so funny?”
By Sarah Libassi
