Kelsie Nelson-Osae '26
As the snow piled up and the days counting down to Christmas flew by, Christmas had been less exciting than when she was five. By the time Jane was fifteen, most of the gifts had gone to her sister, and she had remained unseen.
…
“Honey, could you get the wrapping paper for your sister’s doll?” her mom asked.
“Sure.”
This is what happened every Christmas Eve and she was used to it. There was the usual Christmas dinner with all her relatives, and the usual conversations of school, life, and the occasional ghost story by her dad when the room became quiet.
Then after her dad died, it seemed like the world became quiet too.
Sure that story was touching, but it never helped her family with anything and it was told every year at dinner.
Mom then told me to finish wrapping presents. She had to do it until the sleepiness crept in. Woosh! At 12:30 am, the room felt cold and the blanket was pulled off the couch. Jane sat up on the couch and asked, “Who pulled off my blanket?”
A man was leaning over her, smiling wide, “Guilty. Oh, and I’m your dads grandfather. I have a message for you. Three ghosts will haunt you tonight and you’ll finally become the kind person I wanted your dad to be.”
Jane ‘s brows furrowed and she responded in disbelief, “It's 12:30 am and I’m very exhausted from gift wrapping. Why would I believe you?”
“I could show you something, but I'll see you later!” He left in a flash and a woman in a fancy Victorian dress appeared with a candle, ready to show Jane her past.
“So is this the part where we…?”
“Yes. and you have a very sad expression on your face,” the strange woman remarked.
“You can show me my past now,” Jane said nervously.
She was in a room, and she saw her twelve-year old self being disappointed by the amount of gifts she was given compared to her sister. Jane had gotten kitchen necessities instead of the Juicy Couture boots she wanted but her parents insisted that she was too old for gifts and had to take care of the family when she was older.
The gift Jane was given next Christmas was a cookbook, because her parents wanted her to cook in case they left on a road trip. When Jane complained about it, it was a problem because her sister was younger and could enjoy her childhood while Jane had to act like a parent to her.
“Does this ring a bell to you?” the ghost of Christmas past asked.
“It does, and nothing has changed. I don’t even know how to feel about it. I’m just used to this treatment, I guess.” After they went to the last memory, she hugged Jane as she started sobbing, and the Victorian woman patted Jane’s head as she wished her goodbye.
Then, Jane was pulled into a tunnel and thrust into a large, unfamiliar living room. There was a large Christmas tree and a fancy looking rec room with audience seats. The lights turned on and the spotlight was on me.
“Hello? Anyone there?”
“And it looks like our special guest is here! Let's applaud for the star of the show!” said the “showmaster.”
“Are we…starting the show now?” Jane asked.
“Yes! It’s time for scene one to start! Let’s see what’s happening with everyone you know!”
“You haven't even introduced yourself ye-”
“No worries! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Jane’s present memories!”
What? Jane thought. She had NO idea what was going on, and this main character role was questionable enough. WHY does no one know this “showmaster” is a ghost who's showing present events to make me less of a scrooge! I get that I need to be shown the present, but not in THIS manner!
The curtains opened and the scene began with her relatives discussing how interesting Christmas dinner was at their fancy estate.
“Interesting story, but someone’s complaining ruined it.”
It’s not my fault! Dad tells the same story every year.
“And she doesn’t act like a lady at all. I would’ve been forced to sit like a duchess at my age!”
First of all, it's NOT the 1800s, and second, that’s none of your business.
“Showmaster, is this a part of the scene that I apparently know about?” Jane inquired.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen, scene two!” announced the showmaster. The fancy estate changed to the living room and her parents were arguing over if their favoritism had gone too far.
Personally, I think it has, but I can’t say anything about it. And my narrator’s a BIT unreliable, so I heard a bunch of inaudible yelling.
After the argument between her parents, the “showmaster” ended the scene and called Jane backstage. “To clear up some confusion, that was not a show. Also, do you notice anything you would change if you were nicer?”
“Not really…” Jane answered honestly.
“...you’ll find the answer to that question. See you later!”
Interesting show, but WHAT is going on??? And WHAT role did I play in THAT show?
Jane ended up in the living room again on the couch but didn't know what was going on. There was a Christmas dinner going on but everyone was in confusion.
“I’ll be there in five!” she said, trying to clear up the confusion.
“They can’t hear you,” said a hollow voice. The lady had long, black hair, a fancy dress, and a veil.
“Who are you?”
“I’m here to show you your fate in 20 years.
Jane was then shown a graveyard with her name on it. No one placed flowers next to her grave, and it was open. She tried to beg but she was roughly pushed inside. That's it, Jane thought, I’m dead. But the next morning, she woke up on the couch. There was a guitar being played by her dad, and Jane heard her little sister’s voice telling her to wake up.
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