Skewed View of Christmas

     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