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lloyds-department · 2 years

Text

Christmas

by Daniel Lloyd

Mason breathed deeply through his nose. He dreaded knocking on the dark oak door. He knew behind it was his father, and his judging sky blue eyes. He felt a hand on his shoulder and heard babbling. He turned to see his wife, Darlene, smiling at him.

"C'mon, dear, it's just Christmas. He's surely going to be nicer for the holidays!" she exclaimed, her dark eyes meeting his blue ones. "Besides, we have Macy and the twins, he'll be distracted by these cute little babies." Darlene added, grinning. Mason sighed once more, adjusting his amber glasses. He knocked on the door. Sure enough, an older, more judgemental version of himself opened it.

"Ah, Mason, ladies. Come in, come in, dinners almost ready." Sawyer said, moving aside to let them in, mumbling about letting the heat out.

"Hello, Sawyer, it's so lovely to see you again!" Darlene said, trying to cut through the thick tension in the room. "We brought little ones!"

"Ah yes, yes. Young ladies. They'll grow to be good Calohan women for sure. I bet this little lady will take Mason's spot when he's old." the old man chuckled, flashing a grin towards his son. The younger man did not return the expression.

"So, what's for dinner? Jodie has a gluten aller-" Mason was cut off by his father. "Yes, I'm aware, gluten intolerance, celiacs or what have you. I made sure she has options…"

Darlene tilted her head in adoration, smiling at the kind gesture. "Sawyer, thank you so much! You're a sweetheart." she cooed, setting the twins on a recliner and allowing Macy to roam.

"I beg to differ." Mason said, sitting on the couch. Sawyer rolled his eyes, annoyed at the statement. Darlene felt the room grow silent, aside from the purr of the heating unit and the small sounds from the babies. There was tension, she felt the anger from both sides roaming around the living room. The only thing that stopped this was beeping from the oven, making Sawyer run off to the kitchen. Darlene quickly approached Mason, frowning.

"You promised you wouldn't start things this year. It's bad for both of you." she pouted. Mason crossed his arms and looked away.

"He made my life hell, Darls, he's the reason I've got that nasty scar on my back. You're over here praising him for doing the bare minimum. He's a bad fa-"

"What was that, boy?" Sawyer cut in, holding a baking dish of rolls in his hands. A red plaid apron was atop his very cheesy Christmas sweater. His eyebrows were furrowed and the frown on his face was enough to make him look like a displeased bulldog. He hurried back to the kitchen to set the dish down and returned to his spot, still frowning.

"Uh…" Mason stuttered, his face turning pale at the sight of his father's angry face. He gulped, tugging at the front of his vest before excusing himself to go outside.

"Mason." Darlene grabbed the sleeve of his shirt. Her eyes were making aggressive contact with his.

"Yes, my love?" Mason whispered, nearly choking on his words.

"I love you. Please don't stay out there long." she replied, letting go and sitting next to the twins. Mason nearly ran outside, rushing to the car and sitting inside it. His breaths were heavy and he felt himself growing faint. He'd never ever spoken ill of Sawyer within earshot. He grew anxious, wondering how often this man had heard his complaints. Had Mason's words hurt Sawyer's feelings? Does Sawyer even have feelings?! Mason started to panic, his vision fading in and out. His glasses fogged from the stress and he tossed them off, hearing a lense pop out. He grabbed his chest, trying to ease his heavy breathing. He stopped for a moment, and then heard tapping. His eyes widened as he saw the elder Calohan man standing at the door. Mason rolled down the window and let out a soft "Yes?"

"Why do you keep visiting if you know you're pissed at me?" Sawyer asked.

"I-Excuse me, what?"

"You heard me. I know you can't fucking stand me. What, you think you're gonna be a big man and show your lil wife that you're able to stand up to me? I beat your little ass the last time you tried to fuckin come at me. What do you gain from this, Mason?"

Both sets of blue eyes were locked. One in fear and one in angered curiosity. Mason gulped, his pale face reddening at his racing thoughts.

He mumbled.

"Speak up, coward. Otherwise I ain't letting you back in my fucking house." Sawyer growled, leaning into the window and getting right in Mason's face.

"You're an awful father, sir." Mason said. Sawyers face went from one of anger to one of confusion.

"Excuse me, young man? I'm a bad dad? At least I only had one of you little bastards. How's having only daughters working out for you, sissy? Huh? You like having your hair and makeup done by these little girls?" the older man taunted. Mason opened the door and stood up, eye to eye with this worm of a father.

"At least I won't kill my wife and abuse them. Those girls are my whole heart and soul. I'm sooo sorry I'm not the rough, no nonsense dad like you were but I'd rather my kids LOVE ME." Mason shouted, backing Sawyer up. "I've dedicated my entire life to making sure I don't repeat your mistakes! I'm making sure my kids feel loved and supported! If you have a fucking problem with that then my kids don't HAVE A FUCKING GRANDPA CALOHAN. YOU WANT THAT? You're weak now, Sawyer. I could kick your ass right now. I won't though."

"Oh yeah? Why not?" Sawyer said through gritted teeth.

"Because it's Christmas, and I'm trying to make a good holiday for my girls." Mason replied, finally backing Sawyer against the side of the house. "You wanna bully me and say I'm a sissy for treating those girls with respect and kindness? Fine. You only bully ME though. You leave my babies out of it." Mason finished, his heart racing. He'd stood up to his father. He'd finally done it. He expected a punch. A kick, maybe screaming that this young, fit man was attacking a weak, defenseless old man. He didn't get that.

Sawyer laughed. He laughed really hard. Mason backed up and stared at him. Sawyer was doubled over, wheezing and coughing a bit. Darlene opened the door and rushed out.

"Mason?" she questioned, looking at Sawyer.

"He-he just-he started laughing. I called him a piece of shit pretty much and he's just-he's laughing." Mason stuttered. He stepped back further and just stared at the old man, laughing like he was insane. The younger man was scared, confused even.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked, hiding behind his wife.

Sawyer kept laughing. He had his hands on his knees and tears in his eyes. He finally calmed down and stood up, wiping his eyes.

"C'mon, asshole, why are you laughing?" Mason asked again, frowning.

"Boy, you must've grown a whole set of balls to be able to say all that shit to me. Finally standing up to me like a man, are we?" Sawyer taunted, waving his hands and laughing a bit more. "Boy, you must feels MUCH better don't you, Mason-Jar?"

"Don't call him that." Darlene said coldly. She wasn't fond of that nickname.

Sawyer went inside, with his son and his wife following. The children were already sat at the table, cartoons on the television and food going into their mouths. Mason stared at them, and then at Sawyer. He was confused, as this old man had just complained about these little girls.

"They're occupied, boy, stop staring. It'll make you ugly." Sawyer piped up, punching his son's arm. Mason touched the spot his father just hit, staring at the floor for a moment.

An hour passed and it was time to go home. Mason packed the girls' gifts in the back of the car and he sat in the driver's seat. Darlene was packing leftovers for lunch the next day. Sawyer approached Mason, an envelope in hand. Mason rolled down the window. The older man dropped the envelope on his son's lap.

"What's that? It is an explosive?"

"It's a card, you fu-"

"Language." Mason cut in, frowning.

"Fool. Just open the stupid thing." Sawyer said.

Mason studied the envelope. Neat, cursive handwriting with his full name written out. A small, hand drawn canary floated next to the last fancy 'n' in Calohan. Mason looked up to find that Sawyer was gone, likely inside.

He opened the small paper package. Inside was, indeed, a card. A kitten with a Santa hat and a ribbon was on the front, the words, "Have a Purr-fect Christmas!" above the small cat. He opened the card, chuckling at the silly picture on the front. Inside was printed words, "May your days be meowy and bright, and may all your Christmases be white!" with another kitten underneath, this time in a present box. A crisp $100 bill fell out of the card, but Mason ignored it. He insisted focused on the additional cursive handwritten message.

"Dear Mason,

I admit, I am not the perfect father. I admit I am a disgusting, vile man who you probably wish was dead. Trust me, I'm with you, son.

I wish I could take back all the things I've done for you. I can't. I've fucked you over for the rest of your life.

I can't apologize out loud, and I can't really say sorry because that's not enough.

Money won't heal the wounds I've opened in your soul but that's the best I can do.

If I could go back in time and change things I would. But I can't, because time travel is nearly impossible and I would probably fuck up again.

What I can do is give you money. Do whatever, save it, spend it, buy your wife a new outfit or get those girls some toys or pillows or something. I don't give a shit. It's your money now, spend it how you please.

Sincerely, your father.

Sawyer Calohan"

Mason didn't notice the fat, wet tears rolling down his cheeks. He didn't notice Darlene sitting in the passenger side seat. He didn't notice the soft snoring coming from his eldest daughter, Macy. All he noticed was the words on this card, and the small hand drawn portrait of himself, signatured with S. Calohan. The large bill in his lap remained untouched. Mason put the card on the center console and started the car.

He drove home feeling the most conflicting feelings. The ones where he sees if he would rather forgive his father or die.

Every damn Christmas… he thought to himself, frowning. Oh well.

#ferns ramblings #I WRITE I WRITE I WRITE I WRITE I WRITE.#teeheee #mason calohan sr #sawyer calohan

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